Wimmer hits 200 starts

Scott Wimmer, one of NASCAR’s fastest rising stars will have his 200th start this weekend at the Scotts Turf Builder 300 at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Wimmer, who began his racing career in 2000, will be racing for the JR Motorsports Team. He will be racing in the No. 7 Chevy Impala that Danica Patrick began the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series with. That car – currently 35th in owner points – will enter every race this season with Patrick returning to the car in June at New Hampshire.

“It is hard to believe that this will be my 200th race and that I will be doing it in the No. 7 Impala," said Wimmer. “Back when I started my racing career, I was just thankful to get my first Nationwide Series in Memphis. As a driver you’ve got to have confidence that you can succeed at this level, but to that point all the stars have to be aligned, too. Everything’s really got to fall into place for you to have a career in this sport. I’ve been very fortunate to be here. It’s been a lot of fun and the six wins along the way were amazing."

In driving the No. 7 Chevy Impala the eyes of the racing world will be on Wimmer this weekend. Originally JR Motorsports was only going to enter the No. 7 Chevy Impala in thirteen races but then decided to expand that. P1 Groupe, Wimmer’s management company confirmed Wimmer will drive the car this weekend at Bristol and then two weeks later in Nashville. For Wimmer, this upcoming series at Bristol will be a homecoming of sorts as he will again be racing under the JRM banner.

“I haven’t raced in the Nationwide Series yet this season, so it’s great to be back with a familiar team," said Wimmer. “I raced with JR Motorsports in a select number of races last year, but this will be my first time working with Tony [Eury] Jr. He’s had a lot of success, so I’m really looking forward to working with him. The JRM equipment is some of the best you can find. As a driver it’s great to know you have that kind of infrastructure and support. I’m looking forward to the next two races with these guys."

The Scotts Turf Builder 300 the green flag at 2:30 Saturday, March 20th. The race is the first in the NASCAR Nationwide Series after a two week break. Wimmer has raced at Bristol before and has some vivid memories of the raceway.

“Bristol is thrilling and frustrating," said Wimmer. “Anytime you can race on a half-mile track with 30 degrees of banking and run laps in the 15 second range, you’re going to have fun. But when you put 42 other drivers out there with you, that’s when things get frustrating and complicated. Track position and self control become critical to your success."

Scott Wimmer originally hails from Wausau, Wisconsin. He carved his mark on the short tracks in the Midwest throughout the 1990’s and became recognized as the dominant force in racing throughout the Midwest. Wimmer captured the eye of top NASCAR owners after he entered the American Speed Association (ASA) and claimed victories in the first two races he competed in. Wimmer tallied up two top five and eight top 10 finishes in his rookie year of the Busch Series that put him 11th in the championship standings. In the 2007 season, Wimmer (along with teammate Jeff Burton) won the NASCAR Busch Series season owner points championship for Richard Childress Racing. The duo finished 3rd in the NASCAR Nationwide Series standings in 2008, while Wimmer posted his 6th career NASCAR win. In 2009, Wimmer ran races for Curtis Key Sr. and Key Motorsports as well as Dale Earnhardt Jr., and JR Motorsports. He resides in North Carolina with his wife, Jody and son, Hayden.