Sprint Cup BK Racing Signs Truex & Bowman

Ryan Truex (left) and Alex Bowman (right) will drive
for BK Racing in 2014. (HHP Photos)

BK Racing has signed Alex Bowman and Ryan Truex to pilot the team’s No. 23 and No. 83 Toyota Camry’s and compete for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors during the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Bowman, who will drive the newly renumbered No. 23 entry, is coming off his rookie season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series which saw him win two poles and finish 11th in the final standings. Truex made four starts between the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series this past season.

Both Bowman and Truex tested for BK Racing in the NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona Int’l Speedway last week and have already begun to create a relationship with their respected teams and crew chiefs. Dave Winston will crew chief the No. 23 BK Racing entry with Bowman while Dale Ferguson will crew chief the No. 83 BK Racing entry for Truex.

BK Racing has also finalized an agreement with Borla Exhaust as a primary sponsor for the Daytona 500. The deal signifies a multi-race sponsorship for the 2014 season. More details will be released this week.

In 2011, Bowman collected Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East as well as two victories in the ARCA Racing Series. The following year he competed full-time in ARCA and picked up four victories and collected Rookie of the Year Award there as well. In 2013, Bowman competed for Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and collected two poles at Texas Motor Speedway.

“This is an extremely good opportunity for me,” said Bowman. “Ron (Devine) and I first started talking about the possibilities months ago. I’m happy to be a part of this organization.”

In 2009 and 2010, Truex won two consecutive NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championships along with five victories in the series. Since 2011, Truex has made starts in all three NASCAR national touring series, including a career-best 2nd place finish at Dover in a Nationwide Series in 2012.

“Driving in the Sprint Cup Series has been a goal since I started racing, and to start this next chapter with BK Racing makes it extra special,” said Truex. “I am very excited for this opportunity.”

“Alex and Ryan have always impressed me,” said team owner Ron Devine. “Both take care of their cars and have shown speed at every level they have competed in. With their abilities, we feel they can both excel in our equipment. As a team we are very excited, and their abilities to work with everyone here at BK Racing will be important.”

In an effort to better align with long-time partner Dr. Pepper, BK Racing will renumber the No. 93 to the No. 23 in 2014. The number is synonymous with the regular Dr. Pepper’s original 23 flavors. The No. 93 will remain with the team on a part-time basis in 2014.

“Since we started BK Racing in February of 2012, I always wanted the No. 23,” said Devine. “We feel like the relationship with Dr Pepper is very strong and this will take it to the next level.”

Bowman and Truex join an already stacked NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie group for 2014 that also includes Kyle Larson (Chip Ganassi Racing), Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing), Parker Kligerman (Swan Racing), Cole Whitt (Swan Racing), Justin Allgaier (Phoenix Racing) and Michael Annett (Tommy Baldwin Racing).

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