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Sprint Cup driver Cole Whitt will pilot the No. 98 Premium Motorsports car for 2016, the team announced Tuesday.
Premium Motorsports is excited to announce the official signing @ColeWhitt to drive the #98 Sprint Cup car in 2016.https://t.co/t8NLpOSmF0
— Premium Motorsports (@PremiumMSNASCAR) February 2, 2016
This marks Whitt’s third full-time season in the Cup Series, his first with Premium Motorsports. The 24-year-old driver wheeled cars for Swan Racing, BK Racing and, most recently, Front Row Motorsports.
“We believe Cole is an accomplished young driver who drives aggressively, yet smart,” team owner Jay Robinson said in a release. “He’s a great fit for our team as we look to improve our competitiveness in the Sprint Cup Series.”
Whitt wasn’t the only change made at Premium Motorsports this year; During the offseason, the team hired Mike Hillman as competition director and Mark Hillman as crew chief. Several of Whitt’s previous partners are also expected to re-sign with the new team, according to a team release.
“Jay and the crew at Premium Motorsports impressed me with their vision for the future and commitment to making the No. 98 car competitive week in and week out,” Whitt said. “I look forward to being a big part of the family atmosphere at Premium and having a successful start at the Daytona 500 in a few weeks.”
Whitt recorded a career-best 13th place result at Talladega Superspeedway last spring in the No. 35 ride, ultimately finishing 31st in the driver standings at season’s end.