Leicht to run part time for RCR in Nationwide Series

WELCOME, N.C. -- Stephen Leicht will run a minimum of two Nationwide Series races in 2008 for Richard Childress Racing's No. 21 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS team.

Leicht, 21, of Asheville, N.C., ran his first full Nationwide Series season in 2007. He captured his first series victory in June at Kentucky Speedway and finished seventh in the points standings on the strength of three top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Leicht made his Nationwide Series debut in October 2005 at Memphis (Tenn.) Motorsports Park, the same year he earned the American Speed Association Late Model national championship. He was the American Racing Association rookie of the year in 2003 and earned more than 150 feature wins in quarter midgets and go-karts.

"We think Stephen has a lot of talent and we look forward to having him drive the No. 21 Chevrolet for us for at least a couple of races," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "We have a strong driver lineup with Stephen and Bobby Labonte and the team is a proven championship team. We're actively seeking sponsorship so, once its in place, we feel this is a team that can win races."

Shane Wilson, who served as crew chief for Kevin Harvick and the No. 21 team during its Nationwide Series championship season in 2006 and for six wins last season, will return as crew chief of the No. 21 team. It was announced last November that Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Sprint Cup Series and 1991 Nationwide Series champion, will compete in 15 races in the No. 21 Chevrolet.

"It's a privilege to be a part of a championship team," Leicht said. "Dale Earnhardt was one of my idols growing up and I actually got to meet Richard Childress when I was 14 or 15. We joked around about me coming to drive for him and I've wanted to ever since. To finally get that opportunity is a great feeling and I just hope I can carry on the winning tradition that Shane and the team has built the past couple of years."