Ricky Benton Racing tabs Chad McCumbee to pilot No. 92 Chevrolet

CERRO GORDO, N.C. (July 10, 2012) - Chad McCumbee will be behind the wheel of the Ricky Benton Racing (RBR) Enterprises No. 92 BTS Tire and Wheel Distributors/ fleetHQ.com/QMI Chevrolet Silverado when the team returns to the track later this month at Chicagoland Speedway.

McCumbee, a native of Supply, N.C., replaces David Reutimann who made four attempts with RBR in 2012 after replacing Clay Rogers in the off season. After a DNQ in the season opener at Daytona, the team reeled off three straight top-20 finishes at Martinsville, Rockingham and Charlotte.

"We are very appreciative of David (Reutimann) and all that he did to help move our program forward," said RBR owner Ricky Benton. "We just felt that with the commitments that he has at the Sprint Cup level, it would be best for us to go with Chad for the remainder of the season."

For McCumbee, who practiced and qualified RBR's entry at Rockingham back in April, the move to RBR is a homecoming of sorts.

"Growing up in racing in Southeastern North Carolina, not far from Cerro Gordo (N.C., where RBR is based) Black's Tire Racing has been synonymous with success," said McCumbee, who cut his teeth racing go karts and Allison Legacy cars before graduating to late models at Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2003, where he became the youngest winner in the track's history. "I want to be part of that next chapter of success. Black's Tire has meant so much to this area (Southeastern North Carolina), not just in racing, but also by bringing jobs to the region. It is an honor to be associated with them."

The move to RBR keeps the 27-year old McCumbee working with Kevin "Cowboy" Starland, who came on board as crew chief of the No. 92 last week.

The duo was together briefly at Turn One Racing before coming to RBR.

"Chad is a great driver," said Starland. "We don't have a whole lot of races together, but we have made some strides in those few races and we will continue to grow that at RBR."

"Things have gone well with Cowboy in the little time we've worked together," said McCumbee. "I'm excited to have this great opportunity in the NCWTS and continue to build on what RBR has done. Hopefully this will be a very long, winning relationship."

According to Benton, the team plans to run four or five more NCWTS races this year. That could expand if additional sponsorship is secured.