Defending Rookie Of The Year, Cassill, Lands Ride For Memphis

(Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Earlier this week, James Finch, owner of the No. 1 Miccosukee Resorts & Gaming Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, announced that defending rookie of the year, Landon Cassill, will drive the No. 1 Chevy for the "Kroger on track for the cure 250" at Memphis Motorsports Park on October 24th.

Cassill, the defending Nationwide Series Rookie of the year, has not raced a Nationwide or Truck Series event in 2009, after running 26 races in both series in 2008.

The former Hendrick Motorsports development driver, out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has ran two races at Memphis Motorsports Park in his career, with a highest finish of 13th in 2008.

According to his website, Landon, who is still only 20 years old, is very excited for the opportunity to get back into the Nationwide Series in 2009.

Cassill, who was once called a "twelve year old," by veteran Mike Bliss in 2007, showed more patience and ran better in 2008. He recorded five top-5 finishes, in his rookie of the year campaign, before the economy, and sponsorship forced the under experienced, and unproven, hot-shot young driver, out of the No. 5 JR Motorsports Chevy before the start of 2009.

It's going to be interesting to see how Cassill does in the No. 1 car at Memphis. If he does well, we may see him again later on, and if he doesn't then there is always next year for Cassill.

Cassill does have a history with Phoenix Racing. In 2008, Cassill drove the three road course races in the No. 4 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming Chevrolet, which was a three race conjunction between Jay Robinson Racing and Phoenix Racing. His highest finish in those three races was 14th at Montreal.

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