Nelson Piquet Jr. is set to make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut this weekend at Watkins Glen International, his first national series start of the season. Piquet, a Brazilian native, will drive the Randy Humphrey Racing #77 Ford in Sunday’s Cheez-It 355 at The Glen. Since 43 cars are listed for the 43-car event, Piquet will not need to qualify based on his speed in Coors Light Pole Qualifying unless another team files a late entry. The 29-year-old driver competed in two full seasons in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 2011-12, then raced full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2013. This year, he’s been competing in Rallycross events, including taking the bronze medal at the X-Games in June. Sunday’s race also marks the return of the Randy Humphrey-owned organization to the Sprint Cup circuit.(NASCAR.com)(8-5-2014)
UPDATE: Randy Humphrey Racing announced that Nelson Piquet Jr., the first Brazilian to win in two of NASCAR’s top-three national series, will pilot the #77 WORX Yard Tools Ford Fusion for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International this weekend. The Cheez-It 355 at The Glen marks the 29-year-old’s first attempt to race in NASCAR’s premier series. WORX Yard Tools is sponsoring the car, continuing their relationship with Piquet Jr. following his full-time campaign in the NASCAR Nationwide Series last season in the #30 car. Randy Humphrey Racing makes its return to Sprint Cup competition after a complete restructuring of the organization. The team will now be led by veteran crew chief Steven Lane. RHR intends to run at a competitive level for a limited remaining schedule in 2014.(Tuckahoe Strategies), see an image of the car on the #77 team paint schemes page.(8-5-2014)
