Cole Whitt
Car: 44
Series: NASCAR Nationwide Series
Date of Birth: June 22, 1991
Hometown: Alpine, Calif.
Resides: Mooresville, N.C.
22 year-old Cole Whitt had a strong 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season competing for the Dale Earnhardt owned JR Motorsports, capturing four top-5, 14 top-10 finishes and finishing seventh in the Championship standings.
In 2013, Whitt moves over to the Mark Smith owned TriStar Motorsports NASCAR Nationwide Series team to compete in a limited number of events for the Mooresville, N.C. based team.
Whitt moved to JR Motorsports fresh off his first full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the end of 2011. He concluded the season with two top-fives, 11 top-10s and one pole en route to a ninth-place finish in the championship points. Toward the tail end of the year, Whitt also made two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts and three in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. With those starts, he solidified himself as one of the few drivers to have raced in all three of NASCAR’s top touring series before the age of 21.
Whitt’s competitive drive actually found its beginnings on two wheels. By the age of 5, he was participating in the BMX bike circuit around his hometown of Alpine, Calif. It wasn’t until his father purchased a kart that he felt the full effects of the racing bug. Whitt scored countless victories that culminated into eight International Karting Federation championships and two World Karting Association Grand National championships.
Like many of the talented drivers who preceded him, including Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart, Whitt blazed a path to NASCAR from the open-wheel ranks of the United States Auto Club (USAC). Whitt excelled with the powerful racecars and his trail is littered with impressive statistics. In 2006, he became the Hoosier Sprint Car rookie of the year. A year later he earned at top-10 finish in more than half of his 60 starts. The 2008 season brought historic success for Whitt, as he became the youngest USAC National Champion.
After progressing through the USAC ranks, Whitt moved to stockcars in 2010 and made a memorable debut. He won the pole and finished third in his first start in the K & N Pro Series East. Whitt finished the season fourth in points with six top-fives and seven top-10s in 10 races.
Outside of racing, Whitt’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, playing video games and spending time with his dog. As a big animal lover, he supports a rescue facility called Lions Tigers & Bears.
Career Highlights
Seventh, NASCAR Nationwide Series (2012)
Ninth, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (2011)
Fourth, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (2010)
USAC Super License Award (2009)
Second, USAC National Sprint Car (2009)
Sixth, USAC National Midgets (2009)
USAC National Midget champion (2008)
Fourth, USAC National Sprint Car (2008)
34 top-10 finishes in 60 starts (2007)
Hoosier Sprint Car rookie of the year (2006)
Red Bull Driver Search semifinalist (2004)
Eight-time International Karting Federation Grand National champion
Two-time World Karting Association Grand National champion
For Cole’s complete NASCAR racing stats, visit racing-reference.info.
