Fitzpatrick to Focus on Racing in Canada; Seat Open at Turn One

China Grove, NC (May 11, 2012) – Turn One Racing announced today that driver JR Fitzpatrick may not return to the seat of the No. 60 Chevrolet after efforts to find a full-season sponsor have been slow to materialize.  Instead, Fitzpatrick will focus on another championship run in the Canadian Tire Series, and may return to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in a limited number of events later this year.

“We are definitely disappointed that JR will not be finishing out the year in the 60 truck,” said Team Owner, Stacy Compton.  “He is a great young man with a lot of talent who has never really got the chance to race in the States all year long.  We knew going in that we had an uphill battle ahead of us in trying to secure a full-season sponsor, but we were willing to take the gamble and put him in the truck at Daytona and Martinsville.  Unfortunately, we just haven’t been able to secure a sponsor for JR and he has decided to focus on his racing efforts in Canada.”

When asked what that means for his team, Compton said, “We are actively looking for drivers who have sponsorship backing, while also pounding the pavement to try and find sponsors of our own.  We went to the last two races with minimal sponsorship to try to keep the truck up in points so we have something more marketable to potential sponsors.  Having a guaranteed starting spot is definitely more enticing to sponsors and drivers alike.”

Compton’s team was one of the top contenders in 2011.  Rookie Cole Whitt sat on the pole at Darlington, led six events, ran door-to-door with Kyle Busch before falling to second at Dover, and claimed 11 top-10 finishes in 25 starts.  The team went on to finish ninth in the series standings. 

J.R. Fitzpatrick – No. 60 Equipment Express Chevrolet Pre-Race Notes And Quotes

Returning to His Short Track Racing Roots:
J.R. Fitzpatrick and the No. 60 Equipment Express team will return to action this weekend as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series takes to the shortest track on the circuit – the half-mile “paperclip” of Martinsville Speedway.  Fitzpatrick will make his third career start at the Virginia short track.  In his two previous starts, Fitzpatrick has logged all but two laps and finished 21st both times.  “I’m from short track racing so I’m looking forward to coming back to Martinsville,” said Fitzpatrick.  “I will be a little more experienced than the last time I was there so it will be a lot better.  I’m more comfortable in trucks now and I think these guys have probably put together the best piece I’ve ever had coming to Martinsville.”

“Cowboy’s” Chassis of Choice: 
Crew Chief Kevin “Cowboy” Starland has selected chassis No. 54 for the 14th Annual Kroger “250”.  This truck is a team favorite and is the chassis of choice for all of the short tracks on the schedule.  This truck has race wins at both Martinsville and Memphis with former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, Jack Sprague.

Race Fans Can Meet Fitzpatrick On Friday:
Race fans will have the opportunity to meet Canadian stock car standout J.R. Fitzpatrick and other NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stars this Friday at Martinsville Speedway.  Drivers will take part in a one-hour autograph session from 4-5 p.m. ET by the track’s main ticket office near the Richard Petty Tower.(complete release)