Richard Petty Motorsports

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Richard Petty Motorsports
Owner(s)Richard Petty
Andrew M. Murstein
Douglas G. Bergeron
BaseWelcome, North Carolina
SeriesNASCAR Cup Series
Opened2009
Closed2021
Career
DebutCup Series
2009 Daytona 500 (Daytona)
Xfinity Series
2009 NAPA Auto Parts 200 (Circuit Gilles Villeneuve)
Latest raceCup Series
2021 Season Finale 500 (Phoenix Raceway)
Xfinity Series
2016 Hisense 4K TV 300 (Charlotte)
Races competedTotal: 1,027
Cup Series: 900
Xfinity Series: 127
Drivers' ChampionshipsTotal: 0
Cup Series: 0
Xfinity Series: 0
Race victoriesTotal: 7
Cup Series: 5
Xfinity Series: 2
Pole positionsTotal: 10
Cup Series: 9
Xfinity Series: 1

Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) was an American professional stock car racing team that competed in the NASCAR Cup Series.[1] The team was founded as a result of the merger between Gillett Evernham Motorsports (GEM) and Petty Enterprises, with former Montreal Canadiens and Liverpool F.C. owner George Gillett having a controlling interest in the organization.[2][3] In late 2009, the team merged with Yates Racing and consequently switched to Ford for the 2010 season.[4] Evernham had no involvement in the team by this time.[5]

After funding issues due to the Gillett family's financial woes, in November 2010, an investment group including Andrew M. Murstein and his Medallion Financial Corporation, Douglas G. Bergeron, and Richard Petty himself, signed and closed sale on racing assets of Richard Petty Motorsports.[6][7][8] On December 1, 2021, it was announced that GMS Racing owner Maurice J. Gallagher Jr. had purchased a majority stake of the team, including both charters. The next day, Medallion confirmed it had sold all shares to Gallagher.[9] On December 7, it was confirmed that the combined organization would operate under the banner of Petty GMS Motorsports, which was later renamed Legacy Motor Club.

Team history[edit]

In the midst of a struggling economy, in January 2009 Gillett Evernham Motorsports merged with fellow Dodge team Petty Enterprises, which could no longer find sponsors for any of its cars, thus expanding the team to four cars. The organization was renamed Richard Petty Motorsports in the process. Ray Evernham was not involved in the merger negotiations, and both he and Richard Petty only maintained minority shares in the new team.[2][3][10] Near the end of the season, the team announced its departure from the Dodge banner and switched to Ford. The team would also merge with Yates Racing, owned by Ford head engine builder Doug Yates, which had fielded several successful NASCAR drivers including Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett, and Ricky Rudd.[4]

By 2010, RPM's continued operation was put into question when lead driver Kasey Kahne announced his departure by the end of the season for Red Bull Racing Team. Kahne would be released by the team before the second Martinsville race with five events left in the season, after several mechanical failures.[11][12] Kahne's decision was in the midst of financial problems for the Gillett family in several of their ventures, which included George Gillett defaulting on a $90 million loan he had used to purchase the team.[11][13] With lackluster performance and rumors from week-to-week that the team would shut down,[11][12] the chaos peaked in October when RPM's cars for the second Talladega race were briefly confiscated,[12] and again in November when RPM's four team haulers remained parked at Texas Motor Speedway instead of heading to the next race at Phoenix,[14] in both cases due to payment issues with engine and equipment supplier Roush Fenway Racing.[14] The situation was resolved in November, when Richard Petty partnered with Medallion Financial (headed by lead investor Andrew M. Murstein) and DGB investments (headed by Douglas G. Bergeron) to purchase the team for "less than $50 million." Petty once again was at the helm of a race team, and retained a one-third stake in the company by investing "several million dollars" of his own.[8] Murstein had been seeking a sports investment since 2008 when he formed a special purpose acquisition company together with Hank Aaron, a Medallion board member, and others worth $215 million.[8][15][16][17] The team contracted from four teams to two following 2010.[15][12] Bergeron's share was bought out by Murstein at the end of 2014.[15]

In 2015 the team began fabricating its own bodies, and in 2016 began building its own chassis, reducing its technical reliance on Roush Fenway Racing.[18][19][20]

For the 2018 season, RPM switched their alliance from RFR to Richard Childress Racing which also came with a manufacturer switch to Chevrolet.

On December 1, 2021, RPM sold a majority interest in the team to GMS Racing for US$19 million. The deal included both of RPM's charters; the No. 43 continues to operate with its charter while the second charter – which was leased to Rick Ware Racing for the No. 51 from 2019 to 2021 would be transferred to GMS' No. 42.[21]

NASCAR Cup Series[edit]

Car No. 19 history[edit]

Elliott Sadler (2009–2010)

Prior to the formation of RPM, Elliott Sadler had been driving the No. 19 for Gillett Evernham Motorsports since 2006.[22] In May 2008, Sadler reached a two-year contract extension with GEM.[23] However, on December 27, 2008, GEM announced that A. J. Allmendinger, who drove GEM's No. 10 car at the end of the season, would be replacing Sadler in the No. 19 for the 2009 season.[24] At the same time the team also announced several of its sponsors were considering leaving the team and that Ray Evernham had cleared his personal belongings out of the team's race shop, but it was not clear whether it was related to the hire.[25] On January 3, 2009, Sadler's attorney announced that he would be seeking a breach of contract lawsuit against GEM for the dismissal.[26] Looking to avoid the lawsuit GEM and Sadler's attorneys reached a settlement six days later that would return Sadler to the No. 19 for 2009 while keeping Allmendinger with the team.[27]

Sadler making a pit stop in his No. 19 RPM car at Dover in 2010

Sadler had five top-ten finishes in 2009, and finished twenty-sixth in points. Stanley was the team's sponsor for all 36 races in 2010. Due to a lack of results, Sadler announced his departure from the team in mid-season allowing this team to shut down.[12] The team was considered to return in 2012 after Richard Childress Racing driver Clint Bowyer was offered a contract, but RPM withdrew their offer by September, with Bowyer accepting a 3-year contract with Michael Waltrip Racing to drive the No. 15 5-hour Energy Toyota Camry.[28][29] Since then, the team has remained inactive. The number 19 would later be reassigned by NASCAR to Humphrey Smith Racing (which used the 19 in the now-Xfinity Series as TriStar Motorsports), and has since moved again to Joe Gibbs Racing.

Car No. 19 results[edit]

Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Owners Pts
2009 Elliott Sadler 19 Dodge DAY
5
CAL
25
LVS
29
ATL
20
BRI
20
MAR
31
TEX
32
PHO
32
TAL
19
RCH
25
DAR
14
CLT
31
DOV
27
POC
25
MCH
12
SON
10
NHA
26
DAY
10
CHI
27
IND
40
POC
24
GLN
32
MCH
25
BRI
26
ATL
21
RCH
34
NHA
8
DOV
30
KAN
20
CAL
32
CLT
26
MAR
21
TAL
9
TEX
22
PHO
28
HOM
41
26th 3350
2010 Ford DAY
24
CAL
24
LVS
27
ATL
19
BRI
20
MAR
24
PHO
31
TEX
18
TAL
33
RCH
38
DAR
21
DOV
28
CLT
21
POC
31
MCH
21
SON
17
NHA
19
DAY
22
CHI
21
IND
38
POC
34
GLN
29
MCH
9
BRI
29
ATL
41
RCH
27
NHA
21
DOV
17
KAN
28
CAL
13
CLT
26
MAR
28
TAL
14
TEX
23
PHO
28
HOM
28
27th 3234

Car No. 43 history[edit]

Reed Sorenson (2009)
Sorenson's No. 43 during the 2009 Aaron's 499

On August 26, 2008, Gillett Evernham Motorsports announced the signing of Reed Sorenson to a multi-year contract to drive the No. 10 car.[30] On Thursday January 9, it was announced that Richard Petty would sell his team to GEM, moving Sorenson to the No. 43 for the 2009 season in the process.[31] The 43 ran multiple sponsorships from McDonald's, Valvoline, the United States Air Force,[32] Super 8, Reynolds Wrap, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Charter Communications, Auto Value Bumper to Bumper, Liberty Medical, and Siemens, but only had one top-ten finish; a ninth at the rained-shortened Daytona 500. Sorenson was released the end of the season.[4]

A. J. Allmendinger (2010–2011)
A. J. Allmendinger in the No. 43 at Pocono Raceway in 2011

The team announced they had moved A. J. Allmendinger over to the No. 43 car for the 2010 season;[4] he finished 19th in the points. In 2011, Allmendinger showed continued improvement, especially when he was paired with former Roush Fenway Racing crew chief Greg Erwin. The team would finish 15th in points, but it was not enough to retain Best Buy as a primary sponsor. As a result, Allmendinger was granted a release from RPM and he soon joined Penske Racing.

Aric Almirola (2012–2017)
Almirola's 2013 Sprint Cup car, the same Air Force scheme he took to victory lane at Daytona in 2014

To replace Allmendinger, RPM signed Aric Almirola, who had replaced Kasey Kahne in the 9 car at the end of the 2010 season.[33] Almirola earned a Pole start at Charlotte in May, and collected one top 5 and four top 10s en route to a 20th-place finish in points. Aric's best run of the year may have been at Kansas in October, where he qualified fifth and lead 69 laps after taking the top spot on lap 6. But on lap 121, Almirola blew a tire, sending his Farmland Ford into the wall. He spun on lap 172 racing for the lead and lost a lap on pit road. After getting his lap back and working his way up to 13th, Almirola hit the wall once again, setting the front of the car ablaze and ending the promising run.[34]

In 2013 Almirola returned to the No. 43; at Martinsville Speedway in October, the team ran the No. 41 to honor Maurice Petty's induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.[35][36] During the 2013 season from Martinsville to Darlington, Almirola had the most consecutive Top 10s in the 43 car since Bobby Hamilton in 1996. After being fastest in practice in Talladega, his crew chief Todd Parrott was suspended for violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy.[37] Almirola finished a career high 18th in points. For 2014, the team hired Trent Owens, Richard Petty's nephew as crew chief.

In January 2014, RPM announced a three-year contract extension with Almirola after working on one-year deals the previous two seasons. This coincided with sponsor Smithfield Foods stepping up to fund 29 races in each the next three seasons with brands Smithfield, Farmland, Eckrich, and Gwaltney.[38] Almirola had a rather slow start to 2014, being involved in a 12 car wreck in the 2014 Daytona 500. At Bristol, Almirola posted his best career finish to date of 3rd, only behind winner Carl Edwards and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

The next week at Auto Club Speedway during the 2014 Auto Club 400, Almirola got involved in an accident with part-time Cup driver Brian Scott. Almirola made a pass on Scott for 4th place. Scott controversially moved into the back of Almirola to wreck himself and Almirola. In a post-race interview, an angry Almirola retorted "The 33 was obviously a dart without feathers and coming across the race track. He ran right into me. Man, he came from all the way at the bottom of the race track and ran into me. He's not even racing this series for points. He's out there having fun because his daddy gets to pay for it and he wrecked us. That's frustrating."[39]

At the 2014 Coke Zero 400, Almirola would earn his first career win in the Sprint Cup Series after avoiding two major wrecks, and leading the field when the race was called off after 112 laps due to rain. His win also marked the first victory by the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43, the first victory for the No. 43 overall in Cup since Petty Enterprises' win at Martinsville in 1999, and 30 years to the day Richard Petty won his 200th race in a Curb Racing No. 43.[40][41] On his big victory Almirola said "The good Lord was watching out for us today and we were meant to win. It's real special for me to win here. This is not only the 30th anniversary of this team's last win at Daytona, it is my hometown and I remember growing up watching Daytona 500s and Firecracker 400s here. To win is real special." Almirola's win guaranteed him a spot in the newly reformatted Chase for the sprint cup.[42] He was eliminated after the Round of 16 due to a crash at Dover.[43]

Aric Almirola in the No. 43 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2017

Longtime teammate Marcos Ambrose left the team in 2015, and he was replaced by Sam Hornish Jr. as the driver of Petty's other entry. Almirola scored a top-five finish at Dover early in the season but then barely missed out on the Chase in points, finishing sixteen points and one position behind the last man in, Clint Bowyer.[44] Almirola finished fourth in the cut race, doing everything he could to make it in. Despite missing the playoffs, Almirola scored another top-five at Dover, a track that the team had traditionally been strong at. He wound up finishing seventeenth in points, top of the non-Chase field.[45]

For the 2016 season Hornish was replaced by Brian Scott, whom Almirola had previously tangled with in his career. Almirola said that he felt "more excited than ever"[46] and was confident that his extended pairing with crew chief Owens would yield good results.[47] However, after a strong 12th place showing in the 2016 Daytona 500, the team went into a slump, highlighted by last-place finishes at Martinsville,[48] Kansas[49] and in the season's final race at Homestead-Miami.[50] Almirola finished the 2016 season with an average finish of just over 23rd and a 26th-place points finish.[51] After the 2016 season, RPM announced that they would lease the charter of the 44 team and focus solely on Almirola's effort.[52]

The one-car approach paid immediate dividends as Almirola recorded a top ten finish in the 2017 Daytona 500. However, in the season's eleventh race, the 2017 Go Bowling 400, Almirola was caught in a wreck caused by Joey Logano. After Logano lost control of his car and collided with Danica Patrick's car, Almirola's car plowed into Logano's and the back end of the car left the ground. Almirola was then immediately airlifted to a hospital, where he would later be diagnosed with a shattered T5 vertebrae, for which he would miss eight to twelve races.[53] Regan Smith was named as the replacement for the NASCAR All-Star Race,[54] racing until the AAA Drive for Autism at Dover. Roush Fenway Racing's Xfinity Series driver Bubba Wallace made his Cup Series debut in the No. 43, driving the car until Almirola was fit to return to racing.[55] Ford sports car racer Billy Johnson drove the No. 43 at Sonoma.[56] Almirola returned to the car at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July.[57] In September 2017, it was announced that Almirola and Smithfield Foods were leaving Richard Petty Motorsports for Stewart-Haas Racing after negotiations to extend the sponsorship deal fell through, although after Petty threatened legal action, Smithfield reached a settlement in which their subsidiary brands such as Food Lion Feeds and Farmer John would sponsor the No. 43 for a portion of the 2018 season.[58][59]

Bubba Wallace (2018–2020)
Bubba Wallace in the No. 43 at Sonoma Raceway in 2018

For the 2018 season, Wallace replaced Almirola in the No. 43 car who ran for Rookie of the Year honors. He got an impressive second-place finish at the 2018 Daytona 500. On May 1, 2018, World Wide Technology signed on to sponsor the No. 43 car for six races.[60] Wallace finished the season 28th in points and finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year honors.

Wallace started the 2019 season with a 38th-place finish at the 2019 Daytona 500 when Kurt Busch spun in front of him and Tyler Reddick hit him from behind, causing Wallace to collide with Busch. Wallace continued to finish consistently below the top-15, but he managed to make the starting grid of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race by winning stage 2 of the Monster Energy Open. At the 2019 Brickyard 400 Wallace managed to run top 10 the majority of the day and compete for the win with around 10 to go and would go on to finish third. On November 9, Wallace was fined $50,000 and docked 50 points for intentionally manipulating competition at Texas when he spun his car on the track after experiencing a tire failure.[61]

On September 10, 2020, Wallace announced that he would not return to RPM in 2021.[62]

Erik Jones (2021)
Erik Jones in the No. 43 at Sonoma Raceway in 2021

On October 21, 2020, it was announced that RPM had signed Erik Jones to a multi-year contract to drive the 43 car.[63] During the 2021 season, Jones scored six top-10s and finished 24th in the points standings.

Car No. 43 results[edit]

Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Owners Pts
2009 Reed Sorenson 43 Dodge DAY
9
CAL
21
LVS
34
ATL
33
BRI
23
MAR
17
TEX
36
PHO
12
TAL
11
RCH
20
DAR
19
CLT
35
DOV
19
POC
20
MCH
27
SON
40
NHA
17
DAY
33
CHI
24
IND
13
POC
35
GLN
31
MCH
29
BRI
19
ATL
27
RCH
16
NHA
36
DOV
35
KAN
26
CAL
31
CLT
21
MAR
24
TAL
16
TEX
36
PHO
26
HOM
40
29th 3147
2010 A. J. Allmendinger Ford DAY
32
CAL
25
LVS
25
ATL
6
BRI
17
MAR
38
PHO
15
TEX
13
TAL
19
RCH
17
DAR
37
DOV
14
CLT
14
POC
10
MCH
11
SON
13
NHA
10
DAY
36
CHI
14
IND
16
POC
24
GLN
4
MCH
17
BRI
31
ATL
18
RCH
8
NHA
12
DOV
10
KAN
10
CAL
19
CLT
25
MAR
12
TAL
32
TEX
14
PHO
18
HOM
5
19th 3998
2011 DAY
11
PHO
9
LVS
19
BRI
31
CAL
14
MAR
14
TEX
19
TAL
11
RCH
7
DAR
20
DOV
37
CLT
5
KAN
27
POC
25
MCH
13
SON
13
DAY
10
KEN
28
NHA
12
IND
22
POC
19
GLN
8
MCH
11
BRI
12
ATL
10
RCH
11
CHI
27
NHA
21
DOV
7
KAN
25
CLT
7
TAL
31
MAR
11
TEX
10
PHO
6
HOM
15
15th 1013
2012 Aric Almirola DAY
33
PHO
12
LVS
24
BRI
19
CAL
25
MAR
8
TEX
22
KAN
23
RCH
26
TAL
12
DAR
19
CLT
16
DOV
6
POC
28
MCH
17
SON
28
KEN
26
DAY
19
NHA
28
IND
19
POC
19
GLN
18
MCH
20
BRI
35
ATL
32
RCH
26
CHI
17
NHA
23
DOV
19
TAL
19
CLT
12
KAN
29
MAR
4
TEX
15
PHO
16
HOM
7
20th 868
2013 DAY
13
PHO
15
LVS
16
BRI
37
CAL
14
MAR
20
TEX
7
KAN
8
RCH
8
TAL
10
DAR
20
CLT
33
DOV
18
POC
21
MCH
17
SON
20
KEN
15
DAY
38
NHA
5
IND
17
POC
20
GLN
37
MCH
18
BRI
15
ATL
20
RCH
20
CHI
13
NHA
21
DOV
22
KAN
10
CLT
23
TAL
22
TEX
27
PHO
19
HOM
16
18th 913
41 MAR
20
2014 43 DAY
39
PHO
15
LVS
25
BRI
3
CAL
43
MAR
8
TEX
12
DAR
24
RCH
17
TAL
13
KAN
8
CLT
11
DOV
12
POC
22
MCH
31
SON
23
KEN
39
DAY
1
NHA
23
IND
21
POC
35
GLN
18
MCH
20
BRI
41
ATL
9
RCH
10
CHI
41
NHA
6
DOV
28
KAN
31
CLT
22
TAL
39
MAR
21
TEX
24
PHO
18
HOM
19
16th 2195
2015 DAY
15
ATL
11
LVS
26
PHO
19
CAL
11
MAR
12
TEX
19
BRI
13
RCH
20
TAL
15
KAN
11
CLT
17
DOV
5
POC
43
MCH
22
SON
14
DAY
34
KEN
12
NHA
15
IND
38
POC
18
GLN
16
MCH
14
BRI
17
DAR
11
RCH
4
CHI
10
NHA
43
DOV
5
CLT
10
KAN
24
TAL
16
MAR
16
TEX
18
PHO
10
HOM
41
17th 940
2016 DAY
12
ATL
15
LVS
24
PHO
13
CAL
21
MAR
40
TEX
24
BRI
34
RCH
21
TAL
27
KAN
18
DOV
31
CLT
26
POC
20
MCH
26
SON
27
DAY
15
KEN
20
NHA
19
IND
25
POC
39
GLN
27
BRI
14
MCH
24
DAR
32
RCH
17
CHI
32
NHA
17
DOV
16
CLT
15
KAN
40
TAL
8
MAR
15
TEX
22
PHO
22
HOM
40
27th 638
2017 DAY
4
ATL
27
LVS
14
PHO
17
CAL
19
MAR
18
TEX
18
BRI
22
RCH
9
TAL
4
KAN
38
NHA
24
IND
13
POC
38
GLN
21
MCH
12
BRI
37
DAR
20
RCH
17
CHI
24
NHA
26
DOV
25
CLT
24
TAL
5
KAN
9
MAR
18
TEX
15
PHO
9
HOM
18
24th 614
Regan Smith CLT
22
DOV
34
Bubba Wallace POC
26
MCH
19
DAY
15
KEN
11
Billy Johnson SON
22
2018 Bubba Wallace Chevy DAY
2
ATL
32
LVS
21
PHO
28
CAL
20
MAR
34
TEX
8
BRI
16
RCH
25
TAL
16
DOV
25
KAN
23
CLT
16
POC
38
MCH
19
SON
29
CHI
23
DAY
14
KEN
27
NHA
24
POC
33
GLN
25
MCH
23
BRI
38
DAR
26
IND
38
LVS
38
RCH
27
CLT
36
DOV
23
TAL
19
KAN
26
MAR
34
TEX
25
PHO
10
HOM
21
30th 471
2019 DAY
38
ATL
27
LVS
26
PHO
22
CAL
30
MAR
17
TEX
23
BRI
20
RCH
27
TAL
39
DOV
27
KAN
29
CLT
25
POC
21
MCH
28
SON
26
CHI
25
DAY
15
KEN
23
NHA
22
POC
22
GLN
28
MCH
27
BRI
14
DAR
24
IND
3
LVS
23
RCH
12
CLT
24
DOV
20
TAL
24
KAN
35
MAR
13
TEX
24
PHO
25
HOM
34
28th 437
2020 DAY
15
LVS
6
CAL
27
PHO
19
DAR
21
DAR
16
CLT
38
CLT
37
BRI
10
ATL
21
MAR
11
HOM
13
TAL
14
POC
22
POC
20
IND
9
KEN
27
TEX
14
KAN
37
NHA
23
MCH
9
MCH
21
DAY
25
DOV
27
DOV
21
DAY
5
DAR
38
RCH
26
BRI
22
LVS
28
TAL
24
CLT
21
KAN
18
TEX
38
MAR
21
PHO
15
24th 597
2021 Erik Jones DAY
39
DAY
14
HOM
27
LVS
10
PHO
20
ATL
24
BRI
9
MAR
30
RCH
19
TAL
27
KAN
25
DAR
18
DOV
22
COA
16
CLT
16
SON
11
NSH
19
POC
22
POC
31
ROA
19
ATL
24
NHA
19
GLN
27
IND
7
MCH
18
DAY
11
DAR
32
RCH
21
BRI
8
LVS
26
TAL
9
CLT
17
TEX
12
KAN
29
MAR
8
PHO
22
24th 641

Car No. 44 history[edit]

2009–2015: No. 9[edit]

Kasey Kahne and Aric Almirola (2009–2010)

Kasey Kahne at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2009

Kasey Kahne had been driving for Evernham Motorsports since his rookie season in 2004.[64][65] Kahne continued to drive the No. 9 car after the merger between Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Enterprises. In 2009, Kahne scored his first road course victory at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 and won again at Atlanta on Labor Day, earning him a berth in the Chase. However, early misfortune at Loudon put the No. 9 team out of contention for the championship, finishing 10th in points. 2010 would start the No. 9 team off on a high note by winning the second Gatorade Duel in a photo finish. However, the team was plagued by inconsistency and was knocked out of Chase contention before Richmond. With a lack of results, Kahne departed the team before Martinsville and drove Red Bull Racing's No. 83 Toyota.[11] Kahne was replaced by Aric Almirola for the remaining races,[11] who had a best finish of fourth at Homestead.

Marcos Ambrose (2011–2014)[edit]

Marcos Ambrose in the No. 9 at Pocono Raceway in 2011

Marcos Ambrose took over driving duties at the beginning of the 2011 season with Stanley Black & Decker moving over from the 19 team.[11][12] Ambrose had a break out year in the No. 9 Ford and drove to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory at Watkins Glen International in August.[28] He finished the season with a then-career-high 12 Top 10s, and a 19th-place points finish. Ambrose returned in 2012, and once again won at Watkins Glen, but only had eight Top 10s. However, he did pick up one spot in points to 18th. He failed to win or finish in the Top 5 in 2013, but finished in the Top 10 on six occasions. He dropped to 22nd in points.

Sam Hornish Jr. (2015)[edit]

Driver Sam Hornish Jr. (second from left) and the No. 9 team at Sonoma in 2015.

In September 2014, Marcos Ambrose announced he would not return to RPM for 2015, and would depart from NASCAR to return to Australia and the V8 Supercar Series for DJR Team Penske.[66][67] Later that month, it was announced that primary sponsor Stanley Black & Decker would depart the team for Joe Gibbs Racing.[67] On October 8, 2014, it was announced that Sam Hornish Jr. would drive the No. 9 car starting in 2015.[68] Twisted Tea returned for four races including the Daytona 500.[67] In late-February, it was announced that Medallion Bank, a subsidiary of team owner Andrew Murstein's Medallion Financial Corporation, would appear as a primary sponsor for select races. Medallion partnered with NASCAR Truck Series sponsor Camping World for the third and fourth races of the season (Las Vegas and Phoenix),[69] and other companies including Mercury Marine and Lyon Financial. Hornish struggled during the year, with only three top tens including a best finish of eighth at Talladega in May to finish 26th in points.[70] At the second to last race of the season at Phoenix, Richard Petty announced Hornish would not return to the team following season's end.[70][71]

Switch to No. 44[edit]

Brian Scott (2016)[edit]

Brian Scott in the No. 44 at Daytona International Speedway in 2016.

Hornish was replaced by longtime Xfinity Series driver Brian Scott for 2016, with Albertsons and Shore Lodge joining Twisted Tea as primary sponsors. The car was renumbered from 9 to 44, which had been used by Petty Enterprises, and by RPM in 2009.[71][72][73]

Scott had a career-best 2nd at Talladega in the fall, and a few weeks later, announced he would retire for family reasons.[74][75] Petty would later sell the No. 44 equipment to Go FAS Racing.[76]

Car No. 44 results[edit]

Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Owners Pts
2009 Kasey Kahne 9 Dodge DAY
29
CAL
12
LVS
11
ATL
7
BRI
5
MAR
19
TEX
19
PHO
13
TAL
36
RCH
29
DAR
23
CLT
7
DOV
6
POC
15
MCH
21
SON
1*
NHA
10
DAY
15
CHI
3
IND
7
POC
5
GLN
17
MCH
11
BRI
28
ATL
1
RCH
12
NHA
38
DOV
8
KAN
6
CAL
34
CLT
3
MAR
32
TAL
2
TEX
33
PHO
15
HOM
17
10th 6128
2010 Ford DAY
30
CAL
34
LVS
9
ATL
4*
BRI
34
MAR
17
PHO
39
TEX
5
TAL
21
RCH
21
DAR
20
DOV
20
CLT
12
POC
27
MCH
2
SON
4
NHA
36*
DAY
2
CHI
6
IND
13
POC
19
GLN
17
MCH
14
BRI
5
ATL
32
RCH
29
NHA
14
DOV
28
KAN
37
CAL
4
CLT
38
21st 3948
Aric Almirola MAR
21
TAL
20
TEX
21
PHO
27
HOM
4
2011 Marcos Ambrose DAY
37
PHO
16
LVS
4
BRI
15
CAL
28
MAR
29
TEX
6
TAL
32
RCH
23
DAR
13
DOV
3
CLT
6
KAN
26
POC
34
MCH
23
SON
5
DAY
17
KEN
20
NHA
9
IND
34
POC
20
GLN
1
MCH
27
BRI
10
ATL
21
RCH
21
CHI
19
NHA
30
DOV
9
KAN
9
CLT
5
TAL
19
MAR
29
TEX
11
PHO
8
HOM
39
19th 936
2012 DAY
13
PHO
32
LVS
13
BRI
36
CAL
21
MAR
15
TEX
20
KAN
16
RCH
22
TAL
14
DAR
9
CLT
32
DOV
10
POC
13
MCH
9
SON
8
KEN
13
DAY
30
NHA
19
IND
20
POC
10
GLN
1
MCH
5
BRI
5
ATL
17
RCH
15
CHI
27
NHA
24
DOV
18
TAL
27
CLT
33
KAN
12
MAR
24
TEX
32
PHO
18
HOM
13
18th 950
2013 DAY
18
PHO
19
LVS
22
BRI
19
CAL
36
MAR
8
TEX
19
KAN
20
RCH
42
TAL
14
DAR
34
CLT
10
DOV
19
POC
17
MCH
23
SON
7
KEN
13
DAY
26
NHA
33
IND
16
POC
12
GLN
31*
MCH
6
BRI
8
ATL
13
RCH
27
CHI
15
NHA
18
DOV
16
KAN
9
CLT
17
TAL
39
MAR
19
TEX
21
PHO
26
HOM
26
22nd 872
2014 DAY
18
PHO
21
LVS
24
BRI
5
CAL
30
MAR
5
TEX
20
DAR
14
RCH
18
TAL
19
KAN
24
CLT
29
DOV
16
POC
24
MCH
25
SON
8
KEN
13
DAY
10
NHA
27
IND
22
POC
14
GLN
2
MCH
12
BRI
34
ATL
42
RCH
27
CHI
25
NHA
24
DOV
26
KAN
20
CLT
25
TAL
8
MAR
23
TEX
27
PHO
10
HOM
27
23rd 870
2015 Sam Hornish Jr. DAY
12
ATL
21
LVS
24
PHO
40
CAL
43
MAR
32
TEX
26
BRI
19
RCH
35
TAL
6
KAN
16
CLT
24
DOV
22
POC
41
MCH
26
SON
10
DAY
30
KEN
22
NHA
29
IND
16
POC
39
GLN
9
MCH
19
BRI
18
DAR
28
RCH
28
CHI
30
NHA
20
DOV
20
CLT
17
KAN
28
TAL
17
MAR
28
TEX
24
PHO
31
HOM
25
26th 709
2016 Brian Scott 44 DAY
24
ATL
31
LVS
27
PHO
27
CAL
12
MAR
26
TEX
27
BRI
30
RCH
35
TAL
30
KAN
22
DOV
24
CLT
29
POC
39
MCH
36
SON
33
DAY
37
KEN
33
NHA
38
IND
27
POC
24
GLN
25
BRI
18
MCH
28
DAR
39
RCH
35
CHI
31
NHA
31
DOV
21
CLT
22
KAN
28
TAL
2
MAR
34
TEX
27
PHO
30
HOM
15
33rd 481

Car No. 98 history[edit]

2009: No. 44 Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge[edit]

A. J. Allmendinger (2009)

The merger between GEM and Petty Enterprises in January 2009 suddenly expanded the team to four rides; the team was renamed to Richard Petty Motorsports and Sadler remained in the 19, while Sorenson moved over to the newly absorbed No. 43 car.[3] Later that month, Allmendinger was signed to drive the newly renumbered No. 44 (used by Kyle Petty, Buckshot Jones, and others at Petty Enterprises in the past) in 2009 with an option for a second season.[77] The only starts guaranteed for the team were the Budweiser Shootout and the first eight-point races of 2009, with the possibility of more races if the team could secure sponsorship.[78] The team unveiled a retro Valvoline/Petty Blue paint scheme for the Daytona 500,[79] and opened the year with a third-place finish in the "Great American Race". Later in the season, Allmendinger finished ninth at Martinsville. They secured sponsorship through the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond in the fall.[80] RPM announced in April that Allmendinger was being signed to a two-year deal, which would keep him in the No. 44 through the end of the 2010 season and sponsorships from Hunt Brothers Pizza, Super 8, Harrah's Entertainment, and Ford allowed him to complete the season. The 44 would also run Fords in several late season races in preparation for a manufacturer switch the next year.[81][non-primary source needed] Considering the circumstances the year began on, Allmendinger had a solid season, with one Top 5, six Top 10s, and a 24th-place points finish. He would move over to the 43 the next year.

2010: No. 98 Menards Ford[edit]

Paul Menard (2010)
Paul Menard in the No. 98 during the 2010 Toyota/Save Mart 350

For 2010, due to the buyout of Yates Racing by RPM, Paul Menard replaced Reed Sorenson (driver of the 43 in 2009) and drove the No. 98 Menards Ford Fusion.[4] Menard posted similar stats to Allmendinger the prior year (1 top 5, 6 top 10s, 23rd in points), but left the team along with crew chief Slugger Labbe for 2011, taking the Menards sponsorship with him to Richard Childress Racing, forcing the No. 98 to shut down.[12][82]

Car No. 98 results[edit]

Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Owners Pts
2009 A. J. Allmendinger 44 Dodge DAY
3
CAL
29
LVS
33
ATL
17
BRI
16
MAR
9
TEX
34
PHO
35
TAL
35
RCH
21
DAR
17
CLT
32
DOV
29
POC
30
MCH
39
SON
7
NHA
32
DAY
17
CHI
13
IND
20
POC
17
GLN
13
MCH
22
BRI
37
ATL
20
RCH
23
NHA
25
DOV
7
KAN
17
CAL
33
CLT
23
MAR
34
TAL
33
24th 3476
Ford TEX
10
PHO
13
HOM
10
2010 Paul Menard 98 DAY
13
CAL
18
LVS
17
ATL
5
BRI
18
MAR
14
PHO
29
TEX
35
TAL
25
RCH
27
DAR
30
DOV
21
CLT
8
POC
16
MCH
25
SON
22
NHA
28
DAY
18
CHI
10
IND
14
POC
13
GLN
16
MCH
35
BRI
21
ATL
35
RCH
26
NHA
28
DOV
7
KAN
8
CAL
22
CLT
24
MAR
13
TAL
13
TEX
10
PHO
29
HOM
19
23rd 3776

Xfinity Series[edit]

Car No. 09 history[edit]

Braun Racing alliance (2009)

In 2009, the No. 9 team partnered with Braun Racing and their No. 10 Toyota Camry for several races with Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler. Fritos with the sponsor at Atlanta with Kahne as driver. Bumper to Bumper sponsored Sadler at New Hampshire. McDonald's was the sponsor at Daytona in July and at Bristol in August.

Richard Petty Motorsports (2011–2014)

The team was brought back in 2011, RPM provided a car for Marcos Ambrose in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Montreal. The No. 9 Ford Mustang was prepared by Roush Fenway Racing. Owen Kelly practiced and qualified the car while Ambrose was in Michigan for the Sprint Cup race. The car qualified 9th. Even with the team starting in the back with the driver change, the team won the race that stopped a string of bad luck for Ambrose at the track.

In 2013, the No. 9 Ford Mustang was driven by Marcos Ambrose in the Nationwide Children's Hospital 200 at Mid-Ohio[83] to a seventh-place finish.[84] The 9 was also run at Homestead for the season finale with Corey Lajoie behind the wheel. He was involved in a crash and finished 33rd.

In 2014, Ambrose returned to the series in the No. 09 Ford Mustang at Watkins Glen International,[85] winning the race.

Car No. 09 results[edit]

NASCAR Nationwide Series results
Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Owners Pts
2011 Marcos Ambrose 9 Ford DAY PHO LVS BRI CAL TEX TAL NSH RCH DAR DOV IOW CLT CHI MCH ROA DAY KEN NHA NSH IRP IOW GLN CGV
1
BRI ATL RCH CHI DOV KAN CLT TEX PHO HOM 58th 47
2013 Ford DAY PHO LVS BRI CAL TEX RCH TAL DAR CLT DOV IOW MCH ROA KEN DAY NHA CHI IND IOW GLN MOH
7
BRI ATL RCH CHI KEN DOV KAN CLT TEX PHO 52nd 47
Corey LaJoie HOM
34
2014 Marcos Ambrose 09 DAY PHO LVS BRI CAL TEX DAR RCH TAL IOW CLT DOV MCH ROA KEN DAY NHA CHI IND IOW GLN
1
MOH BRI ATL RCH CHI KEN DOV KAN CLT TEX PHO HOM 51st 48

Car No. 43 history[edit]

The No. 43 driven by Michael Annett at Road America in 2013
Michael Annett (2012–2013)

In 2012, the No. 9 was renumbered to the No. 43 running Michael Annett, who brings his sponsorship from Pilot Flying J, though STP served as sponsor for the STP 300 at Chicagoland.[86]

Dakoda Armstrong (2014–2015)
Dakoda Armstrong at Road America in 2014.

With Annett moving up to the Cup Series for Tommy Baldwin Racing, RPM hired former Turn One Racing Truck driver Dakoda Armstrong to take over the No. 43, bringing sponsorship from WinField.[87] Armstrong drove for two seasons, then left after 2015 for JGL Racing.

Jeb Burton (2016)

In 2016, former BK Racing driver Jeb Burton joined the team, driving the No. 43.[88] Despite being 11th in points after Charlotte in June, the team was suspended after sponsor J. Streicher & Co. defaulted on their agreement with RPM.[89]

Car No. 43 results[edit]

NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Owners Pts
2012 Michael Annett 43 Ford DAY
27
PHO
10
LVS
13
BRI
11
CAL
11
TEX
9
RCH
8
TAL
23
DAR
14
IOW
14
CLT
14
DOV
11
MCH
12
ROA
26
KEN
4
DAY
3
NHA
11
CHI
5
IND
6
IOW
4
GLN
11
CGV
28
BRI
8
ATL
10
RCH
5
CHI
7
KEN
7
DOV
3
CLT
10
KAN
8
TEX
17
PHO
7
HOM
12
5th 1082
2013 DAY
26
CLT
17
DOV
13
IOW
30
MCH
19
ROA
35
KEN
18
DAY
15
NHA
5
CHI
16
IND
9
IOW
12
GLN
22
MOH
22
BRI
11
ATL
14
RCH
13
CHI
18
KEN
10
DOV
14
KAN
12
CLT
10
TEX
14
PHO
14
HOM
17
15th 924
Aric Almirola PHO
9
Reed Sorenson LVS
16
BRI
18
CAL
17
TEX
15
RCH
10
TAL
22
DAR
18
2014 Dakoda Armstrong DAY
23
PHO
18
LVS
23
BRI
24
CAL
20
TEX
22
DAR
18
RCH
17
TAL
18
IOW
21
CLT
19
DOV
16
MCH
19
ROA
25
KEN
20
DAY
19
NHA
30
CHI
20
IND
17
IOW
21
GLN
25
MOH
10
BRI
28
ATL
33
RCH
7
CHI
22
KEN
19
DOV
17
KAN
25
CLT
19
TEX
10
PHO
21
HOM
20
19th 788
2015 DAY
11
ATL
20
LVS
30
PHO
18
CAL
36
TEX
16
BRI
23
RCH
27
TAL
22
IOW
21
CLT
16
DOV
14
MCH
16
CHI
28
DAY
6
KEN
17
NHA
16
IND
19
IOW
16
GLN
23
MOH
23
BRI
24
ROA
34
DAR
18
RCH
21
CHI
15
KEN
14
DOV
20
CLT
16
KAN
20
TEX
18
PHO
18
HOM
15
19th 803
2016 Jeb Burton DAY
25
ATL
10
LVS
17
PHO
17
CAL
16
TEX
35
BRI
12
RCH
19
TAL
17
DOV
13
CLT
11
POC MCH IOW DAY KEN NHA IND IOW GLN MOH BRI ROA DAR RCH CHI KEN DOV CLT KAN TEX PHO HOM 37th 260

ARCA[edit]

Empire Racing (2016)[edit]

In 2016, Richard Petty Motorsports formed an alliance with Empire Racing, owned by John Corr. Empire Racing would field the No. 43 Petty's Garage entry in the Camping World Truck Series part-time in the series, with a number of young drivers sharing the truck.[90] Austin Hill drove at Daytona. Korbin Forrister drove at Eldora, but failed to qualify.

Thad Moffitt (2017–2019)[edit]

The alliance with Empire Racing has moved to ARCA from the 2017 season having been centered around Richard Petty's grandson, Thad Moffitt. Moffitt has run part-time in the No. 46, and Sean Corr drove the No. 43 in a few races.

References[edit]

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