http://localracing.nascar.com/node/2684Canadian NASCAR fans won't have to cross any international borders to watch Kevin Harvick Inc.'s (KHI) exciting young driver, Cale Gale, this season as Farwell Racing Inc (FRI) announced today that Gale will drive the all new No. 13 Rheem Chevrolet Impala for much of the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season.
The 24-year-old driver from Mobile, Ala. - named after NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough - is currently under contract with KHI and spends time behind the wheel of KHI's No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet.
"Cale is a very talented young driver who needs seat time," said Kevin Harvick, KHI co-owner and Sprint Cup driver. "When FRI approached us with the opportunity for Cale to drive for them, we saw it as a win-win."
Gale is unable to commit to FRI's entire 2009 schedule and will miss FRI's season opener at Delaware Speedway on June 6 as he is already committed to drive the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet for KHI in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race the same day in Nashville, Tenn.
"I'm really excited to drive for FRI and Rheem in the (NASCAR) Canadian Tire Series and in front of the Canadian fans," Gale said. "From what I have been told, there are a lot of great drivers in this series and I look forward to competing with them. I grew up driving on short tracks, so it will be great to get back on them. I'm also looking forward to gaining more experience on Canada's challenging road courses."
None of this could be possible without corporate support and FRI is well on their way with the announcement of their primary sponsor, Rheem Canada Ltd. "We have seen the success a good race program can have in the United States and we are excited to implement a similar motorsports program in Canada," Rheem Canada General Manager, Dave McPherson remarked. "Our sponsorship of the No. 13 car is more than a rolling billboard, it is a well-designed marketing program and we believe FRI is the company and team that will enable us to implement that program successfully."
New to motorsports team ownership, FRI co-owner, Stewart Farwell, is very excited for his new venture with his youngest son Matthew, "Matthew and I are passionate about racing, but this is more than just a hobby for us, this is business. We see racing as a great marketing vehicle and, therefore, our approach will probably differ from the norm."
The Farwell's have wanted to get involved in the Canadian NASCAR series for some time, but weren't sure when or how it would happen, the answer was delivered one morning last August in a Globe and Mail article entitled, Lightning's Last Dance. After reading the article and meeting with Lightning's owner, Rob McConnell, Farwell knew he had found his car, team, crew chief and partner. And Rob McConnell couldn't be happier to partner with the Farwell's, "I thought we were done before that phone call last fall. Stewart and Matthew have given Lightning's team an encore and we are very excited."
FRI will run a shortened season in 2009 with plans to compete in the full series in 2010, "we want to walk before we run and do it right" Farwell stated. Catch the No. 13 Rheem car debut at Delaware Speedway on June 6, with Lightning's trademark driver, Nik Lapcevich behind the wheel.
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