UARA STARS News

Roush Racing Announces Danny O’Quinn, Jr. To Drive In 2006

Concord, N.C. -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Jan. 20, 2006)-

NASCAR BUSCH SERIES
Danny O’Quinn, Jr. to pilot No. 50 World Financial Group/Stonebridge Life Insurance Ford Fusion

World Financial Group, Inc. and Stonebridge Life Insurance Company, member companies of the AEGON Group, and Roush Racing announced today a partnership that will put Roush Racing: Driver X standout Danny O’Quinn Jr. in a NASCAR Busch Series ride in 2006. O’Quinn will pilot the No. 50 Ford Fusion for the full NASCAR Busch Series season. The team will make its first start in the Hershey’s Kissables 300 at Daytona International Speedway in February.

"World Financial Group and Stonebridge Life Insurance are proud to be sponsoring such an exciting new talent,” said Tim Stonehocker, CEO, World Financial Group, Inc. “Danny O’Quinn, Jr. is the latest example of Roush Racing’s legendary ability to identify promising new drivers and grow them into future champions. We are proud to be associated once again with this world-class organization.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Roush Racing again this season and are proud to sponsor Danny O’Quinn, Jr.,” said Laurie Renko, Senior Vice President, Stonebridge Life Insurance. “This is Danny’s first season racing for Roush in the NASCAR Busch series and we’re confident his talent and commitment will take him far. He shares Stonebridge Life’s commitment to winning in a fast-paced world through integrity, dedication and endurance, and we’re glad to be a part of his team. We look forward to an exciting 2006 season!”

With this deal, World Financial Group renews its sponsorship with Roush Racing for a second season, having sponsored two drivers in three different series for Roush Racing in 2005. World Financial Group split sponsorship time with Carl Edwards in both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series, while also being the primary sponsor for last year’s Gong Show winner Todd Kluever in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Stonebridge Life also sponsored a Cup entry, the No. 99 Ford that Edwards drove to his second career victory at Pocono Raceway in June.

“World Financial Group has shown a continued commitment for sponsoring young talent and giving them the career boost they need to succeed,” said Jack Roush. “WFG was there for Carl Edwards in 2004 when he was just beginning his career, and again for Carl and Todd Kluever in 2005. The entire Roush organization is proud to have World Financial Group and Stonebridge Life Insurance onboard to sponsor our newest talent – Danny O’Quinn, Jr. We look forward to a great season.”

O’Quinn was one of four finalists from Discovery Channel’s Roush Racing: Driver X competition. Coming into the competition with experience from an impressive tryout in Roush’s 2005 Gong Show, the judges had their eye on O’Quinn. He immediately proved himself, doing well not only on the racetrack, but in all stages of the competition, including marketing and media day, mental focus tests, and the Roush Stage 2 Mustang road course competition.

In a contest where the winner was given a full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ride, O’Quinn was quick to impress, and awarded by Jack Roush with a contract to race in the NASCAR Busch series instead.

"I've been watching Danny O'Quinn's progress for the past year and he has never failed to impress me,” said Jack Roush. “He has worked extremely hard and has proven he has what it takes to be successful in the NASCAR Busch Series.”

At just 20 years of age, O’Quinn brings a lengthy resume to Roush Racing. With experience in go-karts, Super Stocks, Late Models, the ARCA Re/Max Series, a UARA National Championship and USAR Hooters Pro-Cup Series Southern Division Rookie of the Year honors, there is no shortage of experience behind the wheel.

O’Quinn says he is thankful for the opportunity to drive for Jack Roush and is looking forward to getting the season started.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Roush Racing team for the upcoming season,” said O’Quinn. “I know with support from World Financial Group, Stonebridge Life Insurance and Roush Racing we will be successful each week. I’m grateful for this opportunity and will do my best to exceed everyone’s goals.”

The No. 50 team will be led by crew chief Drew Blickensderfer, who makes the move from car chief on Mark Martin’s Busch Series entry. A Roush employee since 2003, Blickensderfer was also responsible for setup on the No. 6 NEXTEL Cup car that Martin drove in 2004 and 2005.

Roush Racing is a subsidiary of Livonia, Mich., based Roush Industries that operates 13 motorsports teams; five in NASCAR Nextel Cup with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, six in the Busch Series with Martin, Kenseth, Biffle, Edwards, Todd Kluever and Danny O’Quinn, Jr. and two in the Craftsman Truck Series. For sponsorship inquiries, contact Roush Racing, (704) 720-4600.
 

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