NASCAR: Drew Herring to make Cup debut for Gaunt Brothers Racing at Homestead
By Asher Fair
Drew Herring is set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut driving for Gaunt Brothers Racing in the 2019 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season is scheduled to come to an end this Sunday, November 17 with the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but not before Drew Herring makes his Cup Series debut.
Herring is set to drive the #96 Toyota for Gaunt Brothers Racing in this 267-lap race around the four-turn, 1.5-mile (2.414-kilometer) Homestead-Miami Speedway oval in Homestead, Florida.
Here is what Herring had to say about this opportunity, according to a press release by the team.
"“I can’t tell you how excited I am. I spend so much time getting to fine tune these awesome race cars, to get back out there on track, in real racing conditions, at maybe the biggest race of the season, it’s really an incredible opportunity.”"
Here is what team owner Marty Gaunt had to add.
"“So much of Toyota’s success on track comes from preparation,” says team owner Marty Gaunt in a press release. “The teams, engineers, crew members, drivers, and TRD as an organization are always working so hard to be the best, and Drew plays a very big role in that. Not only am I confident he’ll run a good race, I also believe his feedback will make us an even better race team.”"
Parker Kligerman has driven for the team in each of their 14 appearances so far this season, but he also serves as a NASCAR analyst and a pit reporter for NBC Sports Network for select races and had previously committed to fulfilling that role for the season finale.
Super excited for my buddy @Drew_Herring . He’s a wheelman who deserves the opportunity. NBC is incredibly gracious with letting me race as much as I do, but I’ve always committed I wouldn’t do this race.
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) November 12, 2019
Looking forward to a great championship weekend! https://t.co/M3iuvPj9wI
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While he has never competed in a Cup Series race, Herring has competed in 23 NASCAR races before, 22 in the Xfinity Series from 2010 to 2017 and one in the Truck Series back in 2012.
The 32-year-old Benson, North Carolina native finished in seventh place in his lone Truck Series start at Iowa Speedway driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports.
In his 22 Xfinity Series starts, he recorded five top 10 finishes, including a career-high fourth place finish at Kentucky Speedway in the 2012 season driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. He also spent time driving for Baker Curb Racing, Kyle Busch Motorsports and JGL Racing in NASCAR’s second highest series.
As for Gaunt Brothers Racing, their average finish in 14 starts this season is 26.50, and Kligerman finished as high as 15th place in the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in February and in the round of 12 playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway in October.
Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark
The Ford EcoBoost 400 is set to get underway slightly after 2:30 p.m. ET this Sunday, November 17, and it is set to be broadcast live from Homestead-Miami Speedway on NBC. The 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 will justifiably be the highlight of the event, but be sure to keep an eye on Drew Herring in it as well.