Story by: Langley Austin ~ [email protected]

Homestead, FL(November 17, 2011) — Jake Crum is an accomplished race car driver at every level he’s ever competed in from go-karts to Late Models and now he’s ready for the next challenge in his career.

That next challenge will come in the form of attempting to make the Ford 300, NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Homestead Miami Speedway this weekend. Crum, who is most known for his Late Model Stock Car triumph at Martinsville Speedway in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 and his UARA-STARS Series championship has been making select starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series over the last two seasons.

Now, he prepares to make his first attempt in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a young team and against one of the largest entry lists of the season for NASCAR’s second tier series. With 48-cars entered in the Ford 300 on Championship Weekend at Homestead Miami Speedway, Crum looks to make a splash and make his way into the event driving for James Carter Racing.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Crum. “I can’t thank all these guys enough for putting me in this car from James Carter to Dave(Fuge) and his wife, Elaine and all my sponsors. Bandit Chippers has been with us this season and Zenith Cutters and the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming has come on for this weekend, I couldn’t do any of it without them.”

Despite James Carter Racing, being a young team, Crum can carry some confidence into the event knowing that his crew chief, Dave Fuge, has had success in NASCAR’s top three series over the years. Fuge, has worked with a number of drivers over the years in all three of NASCAR’s top three series and is most noted for his time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where he helped Mike Bliss pick up a win in 2006.

“Dave Fuge is like a legend,” commented Crum. “He’s worked with different drivers from Cup to Trucks and has built a great reputation in this business. I’m sure that being able to lean on him this weekend will help tremendously and I know he’ll prepare us a great car.”

While Crum is looking to make a good impression this weekend, he’s not looking to set the world on fire yet, but rather looking to maybe turn this deal into a full time ride for next season.

“I know that I’m not going to go to Homestead this weekend and instantly be in contention to win,” concluded Crum. “But, I know that we will have a good car and shouldn’t have a problem getting it into the race. From there, I just want to log laps and do a good job for this team and you never know what might come out of this deal, maybe the team will find the funding to go full time and I’d love to drive for them in 2012.”

Look for Crum this weekend in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as he attempts to make his first start in the second tier series and don’t be surprised if he surprises you. Crum is a wheel man and hopefully he can make the most out of this opportunity and make others in NASCAR take notice of his skills and dedication.