NASCAR Truck series veteran Jennifer Jo Cobb will make her first start in the Cup series at Talladega, as she is set to get behind the wheel of the #15 Arrowhead Brass Chevrolet for Rick Ware Racing.
Jennifer Jo Cobb started in 2021 her 14th year in the Truck series and had a strong season opener at Daytona – a race that she has also finished in 6th place in 2011. Jo Cobb is in fact a veteran of the major NASCAR divisions, having collected 216 races in the now-branded Camping World Truck Series and 31 starts in the Xfinity championship, as well as 5 starts in the Whelen EuroNascar divisions. But that Cup debut eluded her.
Luckily, the 47 year old driver from Kansas City will have the chance to write more history and add that achievement to her resumé when she will enter the next Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway behind the wheel of the #15 Arrowhead Brass Chevrolet for Rick Ware Racing.
She will be the first woman to enter a race in NASCAR's top-tier series since Danica Patrick in the Daytona 500 in 2018 – and the third since 1990.
Jo Cobb will also become the second ever female driver to have entered races in all the three-major NASCAR categories after Shawna Robinson.
“I am so thankful for this opportunity with RWR, and greatly appreciate Arrowhead Brass for coming on board to help make this happen." – said Jo Cobb, who is also owner of her #10 JJCR in the Truck series.
"It’s also exciting to have my longtime sponsor at Fastener Supply to extend their support as well.” she added. “I have a long history with RWR and a lot of respect for this organization. This team has a lot of heart and reminds me a lot of my small team competing against such mammoth organizations."
"I am proud of what RWR has accomplished and I want nothing more than to make the team, Arrowhead Brass, and all my sponsors and supporters proud of this effort."
The last visit to Talladega was another career-defining moment for Jennifer, who became the woman to lead the most laps in the series' history when she led the pack for 16 laps.
Rick Ware Racing has also a significant history when it comes to giving females an opportunity in the sport: Kim Crosby had in fact made her Xfinity Series debut with the team in 2004, as well as Chrissy Wallace in 2010.
"I am grateful to have a new sponsor like Arrowhead Brass join in my excitement of having Jennifer Jo Cobb drive for RWR at Talladega Superspeedway," commented RWR's team owner Rick Ware. "Being a female in a male dominated sport is not an easy task, especially for as long as Jennifer has been competing in NASCAR."
"I hope that she has a successful first NASCAR Cup Series debut and look forward to Arrowhead Brass making their NASCAR Sponsorship debut at Talladega as the primary sponsor on Jennifer’s car.”
The Geico 500 will also mark the first race as a sponsor for Arrowhead Brass, a US-based manufacturer of plumbing valves and irrigation products.
The green flag will wave at Talladega Superspeedway on April 25th at 2:00 pm.
