Hyak Motorsports
Hyak Motorsports is an American professional stock car racing team that competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, fielding the No. 47 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the 2025 season.[1][2] Formerly known as JTG Daugherty Racing, the team rebranded to Hyak Motorsports ahead of the 2025 season, with "Hyak" derived from Chinook Jargon meaning "fast," signaling a renewed focus on performance, innovation, and fan engagement.[3][2] Founded in 1995 as ST Motorsports, the organization entered the NASCAR Cup Series in 2006 through a technical alliance with Wood Brothers Racing and has since evolved into its current form under principal owner Gordon Smith, who acquired majority control on November 18, 2023, alongside co-owners Brad Daugherty, Mark Hughes, and Ernie Cope.[4][5][3] Over its 31 seasons in NASCAR as of 2025, Hyak Motorsports has achieved three Cup Series victories—including the prestigious 2023 Daytona 500 with Stenhouse Jr.—three pole positions, and 92 top-10 finishes, while partnering with sponsors such as Chevrolet, SunnyD, and NOS Energy Drink.[3][1][2][6] The team, based in Harrisburg, North Carolina, continues to emphasize competitive racing under its new identity, with Stenhouse Jr. entering his sixth full-time season with the organization and 13th overall in the Cup Series, building on recent successes like the 2024 YellaWood 500 win. In 2025, Stenhouse recorded one top-5 finish and three top-10s, ending the year 30th in the driver standings.[1][7][6]History
Founding and early development (1995–2007)
ST Motorsports was founded in 1994 by advertising executive Tad Geschickter and crew chief Steve Plattenberger, with the team making its NASCAR debut in the Busch Grand National Series (now NASCAR Xfinity Series) the following year.[8] The initial entry came at the 1995 Goody's 300 at Daytona International Speedway, where rookie driver Jeff Fuller piloted the No. 47 Sunoco-sponsored Chevrolet to an 11th-place finish.[9] Fuller, who competed in the No. 47 for ST Motorsports from 1995 through 1997, earned Busch Series Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season with six top-10 finishes, highlighting the team's early potential despite limited resources. The squad relied on regional sponsorships such as Sunoco and OneSource Tactical Response Group to support its part-time schedule, but funding challenges led to inconsistent participation and operational hurdles throughout the late 1990s. The team transitioned to a full-time Busch Series effort in 1996, fielding the No. 46 Chevrolet for veteran driver Larry Pearson across 26 races.[10] Pearson delivered solid results, including four top-10 finishes such as a fourth-place run at Daytona International Speedway, helping ST Motorsports establish a foothold in the series amid ongoing financial constraints that restricted car counts and technical development.[11] Fuller continued in the No. 47, securing the team's first victory at Bristol Motor Speedway and contributing to a season with one win and four top-10s overall. These achievements came against a backdrop of sponsorship instability, with partners like Kroger providing intermittent support starting in the early 2000s, though the team often struggled with budget limitations that affected consistency and competitiveness into the early 2000s.[12] Notable moments included the limited Busch appearances by Adam Petty in 1998, driving the No. 22 Chevrolet for ST Motorsports in three events, including a 38th-place finish at Rockingham Speedway due to engine failure.[13] By 2005, the team expanded its driver lineup in the Busch Series, with Robert Pressley taking the wheel of the No. 46 Edy's Ice Cream Ford for multiple starts, achieving a best finish of 15th at Lowe's Motor Speedway.[14] Bobby East made his series debut that year for ST Motorsports at Memphis Motorsports Park in the No. 46, posting a respectable 17th-place result.[15] These efforts marked initial forays into broader operations, supported by regional backers, but persistent funding issues highlighted the challenges of sustaining growth as a smaller organization. In 2006, following a partnership with Wood Brothers Racing and the acquisition of additional technical assets, ST Motorsports rebranded as JTG Racing under the leadership of Geschickter and his wife Jodi, setting the stage for further expansion while retaining its Busch Series focus.[16]Expansion and JTG Daugherty era (2008–2024)
In 2008, JTG Racing formed a partnership with former NBA All-Star Brad Daugherty, who joined as a co-owner, leading to the team's rebranding as JTG Daugherty Racing and its expansion into a full-time NASCAR Cup Series operation.[17] The team fielded the No. 47 Toyota Camry for Australian driver Marcos Ambrose, marking its debut as a primary Cup competitor with sponsorship from brands like Little Debbie and Kingsford.[18] This move solidified the organization's growth from its earlier Nationwide Series focus, enabling Ambrose to compete in all 36 Cup races that season while achieving a 22nd-place points finish.[17] The team continued to build its Cup presence through key driver tenures, with 2000 champion Bobby Labonte driving the No. 47 from 2011 to 2013, providing stability during a transitional period that included 99 starts and efforts to secure consistent sponsorship.[19] A.J. Allmendinger joined midway through 2013, becoming the full-time driver from 2014 to 2018 and delivering the team's first Cup victory at Watkins Glen International in 2014, where he outdueled former teammate Ambrose in the final laps to clinch a Chase berth.[20][21] To further expand, JTG Daugherty fielded a part-time No. 37 entry starting in 2017, with Chris Buescher driving it through 2019 and Ryan Preece handling duties in 2020–2021, allowing the team to test additional talent while leveraging Chevrolet equipment.[22][23] A pivotal development came in 2017 when JTG Daugherty announced a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports, effective for the 2018 season, which provided enhanced engineering support, simulation tools, and chassis components to boost competitiveness.[24] This partnership coincided with the team's relocation and expansion of its shop facilities to a 130,000-square-foot complex in Harrisburg, North Carolina, accommodating the growing two-car operation and technical needs.[25] The alliance proved transformative, culminating in the No. 47's landmark 2023 Daytona 500 victory with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the team's biggest achievement and the first for a Black primary owner in Daugherty.[26][27] The 2024 season highlighted ongoing momentum and challenges for JTG Daugherty, as Stenhouse secured another superspeedway triumph at Talladega in October, ending a 65-race winless streak in a photo-finish overtime battle that eliminated several playoff contenders.[28] However, controversy arose during the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, where Stenhouse's post-race altercation with Kyle Busch—stemming from on-track contact—resulted in a $75,000 fine for the driver and suspensions for two crew members, underscoring the intense rivalries in the series.[29] Amid these highs, the team's part-time efforts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, previously fielded under Nos. 22 and 42, wound down as resources focused on Cup stability.[30]Rebranding and modern era (2025–present)
In November 2024, JTG Daugherty Racing announced its rebranding to Hyak Motorsports, effective for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, under the leadership of principal owner Gordon Smith, who acquired majority ownership at the end of 2023.[2] The name "Hyak" derives from Chinook Jargon, a Pacific Northwest trade language, where it means "fast," reflecting the team's focus on speed and performance.[2] Smith is joined by co-owners Brad Daugherty, Mark Hughes, and Ernie Cope, forming an ownership group committed to long-term stability and enhanced fan interaction through a revamped official website and active social media presence.[3] The rebranding maintained operational continuity, with the team retaining the No. 47 Chevrolet entry for full-time driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., alongside its technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet as the manufacturer.[31] This setup supported the integration of new sponsorships in 2025, including SUNNYD as a five-race primary and season-long associate sponsor, NOS Energy Drink for multiple races, and Martin's Famous Potato Rolls as a primary for select events.[32][33][34] During the 2025 season, Hyak Motorsports competed in all 36 points-paying races with Stenhouse Jr., achieving a best finish of fifth place and three top-10 results, including an 11th-place run at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. The 30th-place finish marked Stenhouse Jr.'s career-worst points position in the Cup Series, a step back from his previous top-26 finishes and victories in 2023 (Daytona 500) and 2024 (Talladega).[6][35] The team ended the year 30th in the driver standings with 562 points, missing the playoffs but showing improved consistency compared to prior seasons, with an average finish of 22.4. At the season finale NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, Stenhouse Jr. placed 17th after starting 16th and completing all 319 laps.[36] Looking ahead, the ownership group has emphasized building on 2025's mid-pack performance for potential growth, including Stenhouse Jr.'s confirmed return to the No. 47 in 2026 and the team's entry into the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series to broaden digital engagement.[37][38] No immediate plans for additional cars or returns to other NASCAR series have been announced, with focus remaining on Cup Series competitiveness.[39]Organization
Ownership and leadership
Hyak Motorsports was founded in 1995 as ST Racing by advertising executive Tad Geschickter and crew chief Steve Plattenberger, initially competing in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series.[40][41] Jodi Geschickter, Tad's wife, joined as a co-owner shortly thereafter, forming the core leadership that guided the team's early development in the Busch Series before expanding into NASCAR's premier divisions.[42] In 2008, former NBA player and ESPN NASCAR analyst Brad Daugherty became a co-owner, rebranding the organization as JTG Daugherty Racing and contributing to its entry into the NASCAR Cup Series that year.[17] Daugherty played a key role in media relations and business development, while advocating for greater diversity within NASCAR, including efforts to address financial and cultural barriers for underrepresented groups in the sport.[43][44] Veteran NASCAR figure Ernie Cope joined the team in 2016 as competition director, overseeing car development and technical operations in alliance with Richard Childress Racing, and occasionally serving as interim crew chief.[45][46] Cope's expertise helped stabilize the team's performance, and he later transitioned into a co-ownership role. Businessman Gordon Smith acquired a minority stake in 2016 before assuming principal ownership at the end of the 2023 season, following the sale of majority stakes by founding owners Tad and Jodi Geschickter.[47][48] This transition led to the 2025 rebrand to Hyak Motorsports. Under Smith's leadership, the ownership group now includes co-owners Daugherty, Mark Hughes (a longtime team partner), and Cope, with Smith serving as the primary decision-maker focused on enhancing performance optimization, innovation, and operational efficiency.[1][2] Smith's strategy emphasizes a competitive edge through targeted investments in technology and team structure, aiming to elevate the organization's standing in the Cup Series.[49][50]Facilities and technical alliances
Hyak Motorsports maintains its headquarters at 7201 Caldwell Road in Harrisburg, North Carolina, within a 130,000-square-foot facility designed to support NASCAR Cup Series operations.[51] The shop encompasses areas for vehicle assembly, maintenance, and technical preparation, enabling the team to handle the demands of competitive stock car racing at the premier level. During the 2010s, as the organization grew its Cup Series presence, it expanded its infrastructure to include dedicated spaces for chassis fabrication and component integration, aligning with the shift to full-time participation following the addition of co-owner Brad Daugherty in 2008.[5] The team's technical alliances have evolved to bolster its competitive capabilities. Early partnerships included a 2008 technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing, which facilitated the transition to Toyota engines and shared development resources during the team's initial Cup Series forays.[52] This was followed in 2013 by an alliance with Richard Childress Racing, providing access to ECR engines, setup data, and engineering support as the team switched to Chevrolet manufacturers.[53] Since 2018, Hyak Motorsports—formerly JTG Daugherty Racing—has partnered with Hendrick Motorsports in a comprehensive technical alliance that supplies high-performance engines, chassis components, aerodynamic data, and advanced simulation tools to optimize vehicle setups and race strategies.[24][54] In addition to external partnerships, the team invests in in-house expertise for fabrication, where skilled technicians construct and modify chassis elements to meet NASCAR specifications. Simulation tools, augmented by the Hendrick alliance, allow for detailed aerodynamic modeling and setup testing within the Harrisburg facility. Crew training programs emphasize pit stop efficiency, with regular practice sessions honing tire changes, fueling, and adjustments under race-like conditions, supported by sponsorships like Viega for specialized equipment.[55][56] Following the 2025 rebranding under principal owner Gordon Smith, Hyak Motorsports has streamlined its operations for enhanced efficiency, concentrating resources on the single-car Cup Series effort with driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. This shift eliminates prior multi-series logistics—such as coordinating equipment transport and personnel across NASCAR's Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series events from the early 2000s through the 2010s—and allows for targeted investments in performance and innovation.[3]NASCAR Cup Series
No. 47 team history and drivers
The No. 47 entry for JTG Daugherty Racing debuted in the 2008 NASCAR Cup Series season with Australian driver Marcos Ambrose behind the wheel for select events, marking the team's initial foray into full-time competition the following year. Ambrose, known for his road course expertise, piloted the No. 47 Toyota Camry primarily on such circuits, achieving competitive results including a career-best fourth-place finish at Watkins Glen International in 2008 before transitioning to the team's full schedule in 2009 and 2010. During this period, the team relied on technical support from Michael Waltrip Racing, with Ambrose securing 13 top-10 finishes across 81 starts, though the overall performance remained mid-pack on ovals with an average finish of 24.5. Sponsorship from Little Debbie highlighted early liveries, featuring snack brand-themed designs in red and white for races like the 2008 Brickyard 400.[57][58][59] Following Ambrose's departure to Richard Petty Motorsports after the 2010 season, 2000 Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte took over as the full-time driver of the No. 47 Toyota from 2011 to 2013, continuing the alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing for engines and chassis development. Labonte's tenure emphasized consistent mid-pack finishes, with 36 starts in 2011 yielding three top-10s, including a ninth at the Daytona 500, but the team struggled with reliability issues, posting an average finish of 25.3 that year. Over 99 total starts, Labonte achieved only seven top-10s amid frequent mechanical failures and qualifying challenges, culminating in his release after a 27th-place points finish in 2013. Early sponsorships like Scott Products and Clorox adorned the car in blue and white schemes, reflecting household brand integrations during this transitional era.[5][60][61] A.J. Allmendinger joined the No. 47 team on a part-time basis in August 2013 before assuming full-time duties in 2014, driving the Chevrolet SS through 2018 with primary sponsorship from Kroger beginning that year in a multi-year deal that featured the grocery chain's red, white, and green liveries across most races. Allmendinger's highlight came at the 2014 Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen, where he led 34 laps to secure the team's first Cup Series victory in dramatic fashion, edging out road course ace Marcos Ambrose for the win and clinching a Chase berth. Over 185 starts, he amassed 28 top-10 finishes, including runner-up efforts at road courses like Sonoma in 2015 and 2017, with his best points result a 13th-place in 2014; the team utilized composite chassis from Hendrick Motorsports starting in 2013 for improved aerodynamics. Additional sponsors like Gain detergent rotated in special pink-themed liveries for breast cancer awareness events.[5][28][62] Ryan Preece, a Whelen Modified Tour veteran, replaced Allmendinger for the full 2019 season in the No. 47 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, funded primarily by Kroger in its standard red livery with vendor rotations like Simple Truth Organic. Preece competed in 25 of 36 races, hampered by incidents including a hauler fire en route to Kansas Speedway that required on-site chassis swaps from teammate equipment, resulting in a best finish of 10th at Talladega and an average of 25.8 across starts with no top-fives. The season underscored the team's growing technical partnership with Chevrolet, incorporating new aero packages for superspeedways.[63][64][65] Ricky Stenhouse Jr. assumed driving duties for the No. 47 starting in 2020, continuing with Kroger as the anchor sponsor and adding NOS Energy Drink for select blue-accented liveries, such as the 2024 Richmond scheme promoting the energy beverage's high-octane branding. Stenhouse delivered breakthrough victories, including the 2023 Daytona 500 where he led 40 laps in overtime chaos to claim his first Cup win since 2017, followed by a playoff-clinching triumph at Talladega in October 2024 by holding off the field in a photo-finish overtime. These superspeedway successes, both on restrictor-plate tracks using composite chassis optimized for drafting, elevated the team to consistent top-15 contenders with 12 top-10s from 2020 to 2024.[28][66][67] Under the Hyak Motorsports rebranding announced in November 2024, Stenhouse continued in the No. 47 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the 2025 season, featuring refreshed liveries like the orange SunnyD scheme for five primaries and Jack Link's beef jerky accents at Talladega. In the 2025 season, Stenhouse completed all 36 starts with an average finish of 22.9, including one top-5 and three top-10 finishes along with strong runs like an 11th at Charlotte Motor Speedway, finishing 17th at the Phoenix finale and maintaining mid-tier stability without additional wins amid enhanced in-house engineering on chassis setups. NOS Energy Drink and emerging partners like Martin's Famous Potato Rolls integrated into the updated Hyak aesthetic, emphasizing bold, energy-focused designs for superspeedway events.[49][39][36][35]No. 37 team history and drivers
The No. 37 team debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2017 as JTG Daugherty Racing's second entry, complementing the flagship No. 47 car driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and serving as an experimental expansion to build the organization's competitive footprint. Chris Buescher, on loan from Roush Fenway Racing, piloted the Chevrolet full-time, marking the team's initial foray into a two-car operation with technical support from Hendrick Motorsports. Buescher's tenure focused on steady improvement, particularly on road courses, where he secured multiple top-10 finishes, including a ninth-place result at Sonoma Raceway in 2017.[68] During the 2018 season, Buescher highlighted the team's potential with strong superspeedway performances, notably finishing fifth in the Daytona 500 after starting 37th, aided by strategic drafting in the final stages. He followed with another top-five at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona later that year, demonstrating the No. 37's capability in pack racing despite overall challenges with consistency on intermediate tracks. Sponsorship came primarily from Kroger and its partners, including primary stints from Cottonelle, Cheez-It, and Velveeta, which supported the full-season effort but underscored the need for stable funding in a mid-tier operation. Buescher ended 2019 with four top-10s, including road course showings, but the team struggled with mechanical issues and funding constraints, finishing 24th in points that year.[69][70] In 2020, Ryan Preece transitioned from the No. 47 to the No. 37, shifting the program's emphasis toward superspeedways where his dirt racing background provided an edge; he earned a career-best sixth-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway and showed promise at Daytona. However, Preece's rookie campaign was marred by a steep learning curve and multiple high-impact crashes, including a violent nose-first impact into the inside wall at Kansas Speedway in July, from which he walked away uninjured, and incidents at Indianapolis and Michigan that resulted in DNFs. The team maintained full-time status with sponsors like Kroger, Coca-Cola, and Slim Jim, but persistent funding shortages limited resources.[71][72] By 2021, the No. 37 operated as a non-chartered "open" entry without the benefits of guaranteed starting spots or prize money, relying on sponsorship for 24 races while attempting to qualify on speed for the full 36-race schedule. Preece delivered highlights like a sixth-place run at the Daytona Road Course, but ongoing financial pressures, including the expiration of a prior charter lease, led to inconsistent performance and no top-10s after mid-season. The experiment concluded after the 2021 Phoenix finale, with JTG Daugherty consolidating resources to a single-car team, effectively shuttering the No. 37 program due to unsustainable costs.[73][74]Cup Series statistics and achievements
Hyak Motorsports, formerly competing as JTG Daugherty Racing, has made over 575 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series since entering full-time competition in 2009, accumulating 3 wins, 3 poles, 27 top-5 finishes (4.7% of starts), and 89 top-10 finishes (15.5% of starts).[75] The team's victories include A. J. Allmendinger's 2014 win at Watkins Glen International, marking their first Cup Series triumph, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s 2023 Daytona 500 victory, and Stenhouse's 2024 win at Talladega Superspeedway in a dramatic three-wide photo finish.[5][76] The poles were secured primarily on superspeedways, with Stenhouse earning the 2020 Daytona 500 pole in his debut season with the team.[77] The team's best points finishes came in 2014, when the No. 47 ranked 13th in owner standings behind Allmendinger's driver championship position of 13th, and in 2023, when Stenhouse placed 16th in driver points following the Daytona 500 win.[78][79] These results highlight periods of competitive consistency, particularly on road courses and restrictor-plate tracks, where the team has achieved approximately 20% of its top-10 finishes. Post-2008 performance evolved gradually. From 2009 to 2016, the team logged consistent full-season entries with modest results, including no wins until 2014 and average finishes around 22nd, hampered by independent operations and manufacturer shifts between Chevrolet and Toyota.[80] The 2018 technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports marked a turning point, providing enhanced engine and technical support that boosted reliability and speed; since then, the No. 47 has averaged 19.5 in finishing position, up from 23.2 pre-alliance, with all three wins occurring under this partnership.[81] In 2023 and 2024, the team capitalized on superspeedway strength, posting multiple top-10s at Daytona and Talladega, though road course and intermediate track results remained variable. Among notable individual achievements, Ryan Preece earned a nomination for the 2019 Sunoco Rookie of the Year award during his full-time stint in the No. 47, finishing second in rookie points with a third-place result at Talladega as his highlight, though Daniel Hemric ultimately claimed the honor.[82][83]| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Best Points Finish (No. 47) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 29th (Owner) |
| 2014 | 36 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 13th (Owner/Driver) |
| 2017 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 24th (Owner) |
| 2023 | 36 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 16th (Driver) |
| 2024 | 36 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 22nd (Driver) |
NASCAR Xfinity Series
No. 22 and No. 42 teams
The No. 22 team marked Hyak Motorsports' initial foray into the NASCAR Xfinity Series (then known as the Busch Grand National Series) with a one-off entry in 1998, fielded under the team's original incarnation as ST Motorsports. Adam Petty, grandson of NASCAR legend Richard Petty, drove the No. 22 Chevrolet sponsored by Spree in his series debut at the AC Delco 200 at Rockingham Speedway, starting 32nd and finishing 38th after suffering an engine failure on lap 49 of 200.[13][84] The team entered the car in two additional races that season, with Petty achieving a best finish of 27th at both Texas Motor Speedway and Michigan International Speedway, but no full-season campaign followed due to resource constraints.[84] Earlier, in 1997, the No. 42 team represented ST Motorsports' limited Busch Series effort, primarily with Kevin Lepage as driver in select events, including a start at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Lepage posted a handful of top-20 finishes across his 30 starts that year in various equipment, highlighting the team's modest competitiveness amid inconsistent sponsorship from regional brands like local automotive suppliers.[85][86] These early operations faced significant hurdles in the late 1990s, including funding shortages and logistical difficulties that restricted entries to sporadic appearances, reflecting the challenges of establishing a new independent team like ST Racing, founded in 1995 by Tad Geschickter and Steve Plattenberger.[5]No. 46 and No. 47 teams
The No. 46 team debuted in the NASCAR Busch Series in 1996, contesting a full season with driver Larry Pearson behind the wheel of the Chevrolet entry. Pearson recorded nine top-10 finishes that year, including a ninth-place result at Dover International Speedway in the MBNA Platinum 200. The team achieved 16th in the final owner points standings with 2,471 points. The No. 46 entry returned on a part-time basis in 2005 as a Ford Taurus, shared by Robert Pressley and Bobby East. Pressley competed in select events, leveraging his experience from concurrent NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series appearances with the team. East made his Busch Series debut that season in the car at Memphis Motorsports Park, finishing 17th. The No. 47 team entered the Busch Series in 1995 with Jeff Fuller as the primary driver, a role he held through the 1997 season in the Sunoco-sponsored Chevrolet. Fuller's best career finish with the team came in 11th place at Bristol Motor Speedway during the 1995 Food City 250.[87] Over those three years, the team demonstrated mid-pack consistency, with Fuller placing 10th in points in 1995, 17th in 1996, and 22nd in 1997. Robert Pressley took over the No. 47 Ford in 2004 under the ST Motorsports banner, affiliated with team co-owner Tad Geschickter. Pressley earned a pole position at Nashville Superspeedway in the Pepsi 300 and secured two top-10 finishes en route to 15th in the final points standings.[88] Jon Wood piloted the car full-time from 2005 to 2007, posting six top-10s in 2005 alone for a 15th-place points finish that year, while contributing to the team's ongoing mid-tier competitiveness. Kelly Bires drove the No. 47 in 2007 and 2008, achieving two top-10 finishes in 2007 and six in 2008 to end 13th in points the latter season.[89] Michael McDowell ran part-time in 2009, while Marcos Ambrose competed in select events that year and in 2010, winning the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen both seasons. Ambrose's performances highlighted the No. 47's road course strength before the team ceased Xfinity operations after 2010. Throughout the Busch Series era, the No. 46 and No. 47 entries emphasized reliable operations and occasional strong qualifying efforts, such as Pressley's Nashville pole, without securing victories outside Ambrose's wins.No. 59 and No. 97 teams
The No. 59 entry in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (then known as the Busch Series) was introduced by ST Motorsports (later rebranded as Hyak Motorsports) in 1998, marking the team's expansion into full-season competition with veteran driver Robert Pressley behind the wheel for the entire campaign.[90] Pressley, a road course specialist with prior experience in both Cup and Busch Series events, piloted the Kingsford-sponsored Chevrolet to mid-pack results, including several top-20 finishes that highlighted the team's growing technical capabilities.[91] The following year, 1999, saw Mike Dillon take over the No. 59 Kingsford Charcoal Chevrolet, bringing his experience from Richard Childress Racing's development program to a 28-race schedule.[92] Dillon's tenure emphasized consistency on short tracks and intermediates, with notable top-15 runs at venues like Rockingham and Bristol, though the team struggled with mechanical reliability throughout the season.[93] In 2000, Phil Parsons assumed driving duties for 32 starts in the No. 59 Kingsford/Alltel Chevrolet, leveraging his Cup Series background to secure two top-10 finishes and a 12th-place points standing, the best for the entry up to that point.[94] Parsons shared the ride in 2001 with Rich Bickle, who handled 27 events in the Kingsford machine, posting a career-best ninth at Darlington while adapting to the team's evolving setup.[95] From 2002 through 2006, Stacy Compton drove the No. 59 full-time, initially under Kingsford sponsorship before transitions to Market Basket and other associates, competing in over 150 races with a peak ninth-place finish at Bristol in 2003 and consistent top-20 points finishes, including 15th in 2002.[96] Compton's steady presence helped stabilize the program amid ownership changes, culminating in a 20th-place points result in his final year.[97] The team then recruited Australian import Marcos Ambrose for 2007 and 2008, pairing him with Ford machinery under STP and Kingsford branding; Ambrose's international racing pedigree from V8 Supercars immediately boosted the entry's competitiveness on road courses.[98] Ambrose excelled at non-oval layouts, finishing second at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal) in the 2007 NAPA Auto Parts 200 after leading 32 laps in his debut there, and third at Road America later that season, establishing the No. 59 as a road course threat with six top-10s overall en route to an eighth-place points finish.[99] In 2008, he secured the team's lone Xfinity victory at Watkins Glen International in the Zippo 200, leading 60 laps and outdueling Ron Fellows in a caution-free finish, while adding podiums at Montreal and Road America to underscore the program's prowess on twisty circuits before Ambrose's partial shift to Cup racing.[100] The No. 97 Chevrolet saw limited action, primarily as a one-off entry in 1998 for Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. at California Speedway (Fontana), where he started 27th and finished 22nd in the ST Motorsports machine amid handling challenges on the two-mile oval.[101] Hornaday's four-race Busch stint that year, including a career-best eighth at the road course of Pikes Peak International Raceway, demonstrated the team's willingness to utilize established talent for select events but did not lead to further deployments of the number. Ambrose's Xfinity success with the No. 59, particularly his road course dominance, enhanced Hyak Motorsports' reputation for developing international drivers and paved the way for Ambrose's 2008 Cup debut with Wood Brothers Racing in the No. 21 Ford.[98]Xfinity Series statistics and achievements
Hyak Motorsports, operating as JTG Daugherty Racing during its Xfinity Series tenure, competed in the series from 1995 to 2010, accumulating approximately 628 starts across multiple car numbers including the No. 59, No. 47, No. 92, No. 26, and No. 42.[102] The team secured four victories during this period, with the first coming in 1996 when Jeff Fuller won the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway in the No. 47 Chevrolet, starting from the pole position and leading 145 laps.[103] The remaining three wins were achieved by Marcos Ambrose on road courses: the 2008 Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International in the No. 59 Ford, the 2009 Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen in the No. 47 Toyota, and the 2010 Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen in the No. 47 Toyota.[104] These triumphs highlighted the team's strength on technical tracks, where Ambrose demonstrated exceptional road course prowess, leading a combined 213 laps across those events.[105] The team's best season came in 2008, when Ambrose drove the No. 59 full-time to 10th in the driver points standings, recording one win, four top-5 finishes, and eight top-10s in 35 starts, with an average finish of 15.3.[106] In year-by-year highlights, the 1996 campaign featured the aforementioned Bristol victory and one top-5 overall, marking the team's early breakthrough.[103] The 2007 season saw Ambrose join full-time in the No. 59, achieving a best finish of fourth at Road America and contributing to the team's transition toward higher competitiveness. By 2009, Ambrose's Watkins Glen repeat yielded two top-5s and five top-10s in limited starts, while 2010 added the third road course win amid reduced participation. Earlier years like 1995 included a top-5 by Fuller, establishing the team's presence without further victories until the Ambrose era.[107] Despite these accomplishments, Hyak Motorsports never contended for an Xfinity Series driver's or owner's championship, finishing no higher than 10th in owner's points during Ambrose's tenure.[107] The program played a key role in driver development, particularly facilitating Ambrose's move to full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition in 2008 with the same ownership, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors and later secured two Cup wins at Watkins Glen.[98] Overall Xfinity performance included 13 top-5 finishes and 32 top-10s, with an average starting position of 22.7 across 112 documented races under the later JTG banner, underscoring a mid-pack consistency focused on occasional standout results rather than sustained dominance.[107]NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Team involvement and drivers
Hyak Motorsports' involvement in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was limited to the 2006 and 2007 seasons, consisting of a full-season campaign in 2006 and a partial schedule in 2007, without establishing a long-term presence in the division. In 2006, the team—operating as JTG Daugherty Racing in alliance with Wood Brothers Racing—fielded the No. 20 Ford full-time. Jon Wood drove the first two races, finishing 16th at Daytona and 9th at Fontana. Bobby East handled one start at Atlanta, finishing 23rd, before Marcos Ambrose took over for the remaining 22 events as a rookie. Ambrose, an Australian driver making his NASCAR debut, earned the team's only pole at Bristol and two top-five finishes (third at Texas and Phoenix), along with four top-10 results overall, ending 22nd in points. The operation focused on driver development rather than championship contention, resulting in an average finish of 22.1 for Ambrose's starts.[108][109] The 2007 season saw the No. 09 Ford entered part-time for rookie Joey Clanton in 16 events, sponsored by Zaxby's. Clanton achieved five top-10 finishes, including sixth at Daytona and Bristol, but faced consistency issues with eight DNFs due to wrecks or mechanical failures, finishing 20th in points and third in Rookie of the Year. The partial schedule averaged a 19.5 finish, after which funding constraints ended the Truck program.[110][111]Truck Series statistics
Hyak Motorsports, operating under its previous iterations as ST Motorsports and JTG Daugherty Racing, competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series exclusively during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, accumulating 41 starts without a victory or championship. The team's efforts yielded modest results, highlighted by one pole position and ten top-10 finishes, but were hampered by mechanical reliability issues and a focus on development for rookie and international drivers. Overall average finish across all entries stood at 21.2, with a DNF rate of approximately 35%, reflecting the challenges of operations in a competitive field.[112][111] In 2006, the team fielded the No. 20 Ford in all 25 races, initially with Jon Wood for the season-opening events at Daytona (16th finish) and Fontana (9th finish) before Bobby East ran Atlanta (23rd finish) and transitioning to Marcos Ambrose for the remaining 22 starts. Ambrose secured the team's lone pole at Bristol and achieved two top-five results—third at Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix Raceway—along with four top-10s overall, culminating in a 22nd-place points finish with 2,228 points. Wood Brothers Racing provided technical alliance support, but the operation emphasized driver acclimation over contention, resulting in an average finish of 22.1 for Ambrose's runs.[108][109] The 2007 campaign featured the No. 09 Ford for rookie Joey Clanton across 16 events, sponsored by Zaxby's. Clanton posted five top-10s, including sixth-place runs at Daytona and Bristol, but struggled with consistency amid eight DNFs from wrecks or engine failures, ending 20th in points with 1,670 earned and third in Rookie of the Year honors. The partial schedule yielded an average finish of 19.5, underscoring funding constraints that led to the program's suspension after the season.[110][111]| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5s | Top 10s | Poles | Best Finish | Avg. Finish | Points (Driver) | Standings (Driver) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3rd (Ambrose) | 22.1 | 2,228 (Ambrose) | 22nd (Ambrose) |
| 2007 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6th (Clanton) | 19.5 | 1,670 (Clanton) | 20th (Clanton) |
| Total | 41 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 3rd | 21.2 | N/A | N/A |