Turner Motorsports announced that Trent Owens will serve as crew chief of the #50 Walmart Chevy with driver Bill Elliott in the team’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) debut at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) in July. Owens currently calls the shots for Turner Motorsports ‘ #30 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) entry and recently led the team to victory in the 2012 season-opener at DIS. A former driver himself, Owens is a long-time fixture in the NASCAR garage. The Darlington, SC, native served as crew chief for six years for Braun Racing and remained with the organization through its acquisition by Turner Motorsports two years ago. Turner Motorsports ‘ NSCS debut is in conjunction with Walmart’s Race Time program, launched last year as the largest retail promotion in NASCAR history. Race Time 2012 gives customers more accessibility to discounted race tickets, driver appearances and fan events at Walmart stores. It also offers a greater selection of authentic NASCAR merchandise available at Walmart stores and www.Walmart.com/NASCAR. The goal for Elliott is to qualify and compete at the Coke Zero 400. He will also visit Walmart stores with his show car before select races. Walmart’s sponsorship of the #50 entry at DIS was announced in January as part of its 50th anniversary celebration. ‘It’s exciting to be part of Turner Motorsports ‘ first Cup race with Bill Elliott and support from Walmart,’ said Owens, who has four NNS wins as a crew chief. ‘We ‘ve come a long way in just the last two years, so to take this step is really going to be a milestone for everyone who works so hard for this team every day.’ Fans will also get to participate in Elliott’s return to the 2.5-mile superspeedway by voting on what driver’s suit and helmet he will wear for the race. Three different driver’s suit and helmet combinations have been specifically designed for Elliott and fans can vote by visiting www.Walmart.com/NASCAR between March 28and May 14.(Turner Motorsports)(4-16-2012)
