Drivers

gatewaywin-01-254x181

Cody Sommer

This 22 year old racer began his racing career at 12 years of age. Racing Go-karts off and on for about 2 years. At 15 Years Old, Cody began racing full size stock cars in the bomber division with 500 plus horsepower. In his rookie year he earned “Rookie of the Year” honors, and Best appearing team and driver along with multiple race wins. The following year Cody and his team dominated the Street Stock division taking home the Track Championship, Fan Favorite Driver, and best appearing team and driver awards. At 17 years old, Cody began racing the Super Late Model division climbing the ladder once again.

In his first year he qualified fast time multiple times, and won many qualifying races and dashes. He was again awarded with Rookie honors. In 2005, Cody was just now graduating from high school and his racing career was starting to take off. However, the big focus on a successful season came to a screeching halt near the beginning of a championship run. Cody got in a racing accident at a WDRL touring event in central Illinois where he shattered his wrist in two places. The cast and steel pins in his wrist did not hold this young and ambitious racer back. Once the cast was off, Cody moved to North Carolina to pursue racing in a bigger light. In 2007, Cody began racing for JP Race Cars out of Huntersville, NC, gaining much respect from co-workers, racers, and media. Cody now works with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and focuses on helping the organization with their R&D and testing efforts.

cmccumbee1-267x387

Chad McCumbee

Born and raised in Supply, North Carolina, 23-year-old Chad McCumbee began his racing career at the young age of 10. Chad started out on the dirt tracks behind the wheel of a go-kart. He sat on the pole in only his second time out and became a winner shortly there after. While spending five years in the go-kart ranks, Chad collected nearly 100 wins including national, regional and local events. His record includes three track championships in various tracks through out the Carolinas. After his foray into go-karts next for McCumbee was the Allison Legacy Series. He was able to take away the National and Regional championship along with “Rookie of the Year” in his very first full season in the series in 2001. He backed up that championship the following year as he brought home his second National Championship, becoming the first and only driver to earn and repeat multiple championships in the Allison Legacy Series history. In 2003 Chad entered the world of Late Models as he began his rookie season at Myrtle Beach Speedway in the Late Model Stock Division. There he was able to become the youngest rookie to ever bring home a victory, an impressive feat among the many veterans that race weekly at Myrtle Beach Speedway. 2004 brought McCumbee into the world of the ARCA RE/MAX Series as he made his first start at Michigan International Speedway that year while continuing to run some local late model events. Also, during the 2004 season Chad was tapped to play the role of Dale Earnhardt Jr., in the ESPN movie “3”, an experience that utilized his driving abilities as well as his acting skills. Chad followed that up by competing in the ARCA series full time in 2005 and was able to finish fourth in points as well as fourth in the rookie standings. 2006 was a breakout year for the young McCumbee. While competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series full time and posting results that include nine top-15’s and a 17th place standing in the final points. He additionally competed in select ARCA RE/MAX race, bringing home a top-three finish at Pocono Raceway. 2007 has McCumbee returning to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the No. 08 theGPSstore.com / Garmin Chevrolet where he intends to be a contender for the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship. In addition to his full time Craftsman Truck Schedule, McCumbee has run in select ARCA RE/MAX Series races, bringing home two victories already in the 2007 season, coming at Nashville Superspeedway and Pocono Raceway, which marked his first start with Petty Enterprises. 2007 has also marked the year that Chad McCumbee made his NASCAR Nextel Cup debut. As an up and coming driver with Petty Enterprises, McCumbee made his Nextel Cup debut at Pocono Raceway in the No. 45 machine, the day after his Pocono ARCA RE/MAX Series victory. The event was shortened due to rain but the young driver was able to bring home a solid finish as he proved to the world that he has the ability to compete with the best in the most elite levels of auto racing.

Kevin Hamlin

Kevin Hamlin

Kevin is sometimes known as a western late model legend. His 2 NASCAR North West National Late Model championship titles are probably a big reason for that. Kevin dominated late model racing as he transitioned into a full blown racing career. In 2005, Kevin signed with Chip Ganassi Racing’s Driver Development program. Once there he drove for Biagi Brothers Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 14 events in conjunction with Chip Ganassi Racing support. Kevin pulled off many solid performances. He finished 17th in his first NASCAR Nationwide Series start, Qualified 10th in his second NASCAR Nationwide Series start. On top of his Nationwide racing, Kevin drove for Kenny Schrader in two ARCA Re/Max Series events, finishing 5th at Kentucky Speedway and 8th at Michigan Int’l Speedway. In 2006, Kevin began his racing directly with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. He served as back-up driver for Reed Sorenson in #41 Discount Tire car in NASCAR Nationwide Series. Practiced/qualified car in 6 events that conflicted with Reed’s Cup Series Schedule. He qualified 9th for Reed in Nationwide race at the Martinsville Speedway. Kevin also drove Bobby Hamilton Racing’s #04 truck in NASCAR CraftsmanTruck Series race at Daytona Int’l Speedway, finishing 11th. Again racing for Biagi Brothers Racing #4 car in NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona Int’l Speedway finishing 27th after running out of fuel late in the race. In 2007, Kevin started 7 races in #42 Texaco/Havoline car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, sharing the seat with Sprint Cup driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Kevin posted a career best finish of 7th at Gateway Int’l Raceway after starting 13th on the grid. He followed that finish up with an 8th place finish the next week at O’Reilly Raceway Park after starting 43rd. Kevin again drove Bobby Hamilton Racing’s #4 truck in NASCAR CraftsmanTruck Series in 5 events, with a best finish of 10th at Mansfield. In 2008, Kevin took on a very important and responsible role at Chip Ganassi Racing. Kevin became the shops Sprint Cup Series test driver, Responsible for all team Car of Tomorrow tests. Kevin has driven in over 60 CoT Sprint Cup tests since 2006 for Chip Ganassi Racing and that number is continuing to grow. Kevin continues his Cup Test driving with the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing organization.

© Copyright CodySommer.Com - Powered by Wordpress - Designed by Jeff Cook.