Richard Petty Motorsports signs Dakoda Armstrong

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 WinField car at Daytona International Speedway's historic 2.5-mile oval February 22, 2014. Richard Petty Motorsports