Takes Over No. 43 Ford Mustang, Will Compete Full-Time in Nationwide Series
CONCORD, N.C. (December 04, 2013) - Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) announced today its signing of 22-year-old Dakoda Armstrong, who will assume driving duties of the No. 43 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). The multi-year contract marks an ongoing commitment towards winning as the RPM team looks to build upon recent success.
WinField™, Armstrong's primary sponsor during his tenure with Turn One Racing and Richard Childress Racing, will continue its sponsorship for the majority of the 2014 season; Fresh From Florida will sponsor the remaining three races. Furthering continuity for the No. 43 race team, Crew Chief Philippe Lopez will again oversee Armstrong from the pit box.
Armstrong's ascension to the NNS on a full-time basis comes on the heels of a 2013 campaign that included a 12th-place points finish after his first full season competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS). Armstrong also logged six NNS races, notching three top-15 finishes.
Joining the Richard Petty Motorsports family and their Nationwide Series program is a distinction Armstrong does not take lightly. "We want to win races for 'The King,'" Armstrong said. "I'm ready to take the next step in my career and RPM is an organization where I believe I can make that happen. Our team and sponsors are as committed to winning as I am, and I'm looking forward to a successful season and future together."
Armstrong joins an RPM team that has enjoyed immediate success with its NNS program since fielding a full-time entry in 2012. The No. 43 Ford Mustang team has 23 top-10 and seven top-five finishes. In 2012, the No. 43 team finished fifth in the final championship standings.
"Dakoda and WinField™ will help us continue the success of our No. 43 Nationwide Series program," said Richard Petty, a seven-time NASCAR champion and co-owner of Richard Petty Motorsports. "Dakoda is a driver who has grown up in the sport and has paid his dues. He has proven himself at every level and we will now give him the tools he needs to be successful in the Nationwide Series and believe he can win races for us."
Armstrong has a strong open wheel and stock car racing background, having raced in the United States Auto Club (USAC) Midget and Sprint Series before graduating to stock cars and the ARCA Series. Armstrong is a three-time winner in the ARCA Series and competed full-time in the NCWTS for Turn One Racing in 2013. He now joins the NNS full-time where he has seven career starts.
RPM's newest member makes his race debut in the No. 43 WinFieldTM car at Daytona International Speedway's historic 2.5-mile oval February 22, 2014.
About Richard Petty Motorsports
Richard Petty Motorsports (www.richardpettymotorsports.com), co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, Andrew Murstein and Douglas Bergeron, fields the No. 43 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with primary partner WinField™. Additionally, Richard Petty Motorsports owns two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force and STP while Marcos Ambrose drives the No. 9 machine with primary partners Stanley and DEWALT.
About WinField
WinField™, a Land O'Lakes company, offers top-performing seed and crop protection products to growers, dealers and other industry partners. WinField™ again joins fourth-generation farmer and driver Dakoda Armstrong and the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team as primary sponsor for the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. With unmatched agricultural expertise and performance as core company values, WinField™ brands match leading seed and crop protection products to help growers, dealers and other industry partners achieve high levels of success. WinField™ brands include CROPLAN® seed, crop protection products, plant nutrients and other proprietary products. Backed with unrivaled technical services and knowledge, products by WinField™ deliver outstanding solutions and value for the agricultural industry. For more information, visit www.winfield.com