NY Racing Team Overview
NY Racing Team is an American professional stock car racing team that competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team fields the No. 44 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and is owned by John Cohen, who is one of the few African-American owners in NASCAR major touring series history. Headquartered in Statesville, North Carolina, the organization has operated under various names including Xxxtreme Motorsport and Team Xtreme Racing since its founding in 2009. NY Racing Team utilizes car bodies supplied by Richard Childress Racing and engines built by Hendrick Motorsports, maintaining partnerships with established manufacturers in the sport.
The team has built its reputation through persistence despite significant challenges including limited sponsorship, equipment difficulties, and the inherent challenges of part-time competition against full-time operations. Their primary sponsor in recent years has been Steakhouse Elite, while the organization has also partnered with historically black colleges and universities for sponsorship initiatives. NY Racing Team continues to serve as a platform for drivers seeking Cup Series experience and has provided opportunities for multiple racers throughout its existence.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Johnathan “John” Cohen, born in 1975 in New Jersey, established the racing organization originally named Xxxtreme Motorsport in the spring of 2009. Before entering motorsports, Cohen built his business interests in nightclubs and taverns,积累了成功企业家所需的经验和资源。通过这些早期商业 venture，他获得了足够的资本和商业敏锐度 to pursue his passion for stock car racing at the professional level.
The organization’s entry into NASCAR came through the Nationwide Series, debuting at the 2009 Subway Jalapeño 250 at Daytona International Speedway. The team ran part-time during that inaugural season with sponsorship from Macy’s and Cavi Clothing, sharing owner points with SKI Motorsports. Drivers including Chase Austin, Mike Harmon, and Josh Wise took turns behind the wheel of the No. 07 and No. 58 entries during the 2009 campaign. The team temporarily ceased operations following that season when primary sponsors departed and no replacement funding could be secured for 2010.
Growth Into NASCAR Cup Series Competition
After a multi-year absence from NASCAR competition, NY Racing Team returned to action in November 2012 by entering the Cup Series. The team fielded the No. 44 car for David Reutimann at the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, marking their Cup Series debut with sponsorship from No Label Watches. Reutimann finished 40th after pulling out of the race early due to a vibration issue. This marked the beginning of the team’s ongoing relationship with the No. 44 car number that would become their primary entry point.
For the 2013 season, the team hired Scott Riggs as their full-time driver and made a manufacturer switch from Chevrolet to Ford. Despite the ambitious plans, the team struggled with speed and sponsorship throughout the first half of the season. Numerous instances of starting and parking due to equipment limitations, combined with insufficient sponsorship funding, forced the team to shut down midseason. Riggs subsequently moved to RBR Enterprises in the Camping World Truck Series, and the organization entered another period of dormancy.
NY Racing Team Competitive Journey
NY Racing Team has navigated the challenges of part-time Cup Series competition since 2012, building a track record of resilience through multiple seasons of significant obstacles. The organization’s journey reflects the difficulties faced by smaller independent teams in competing against well-funded full-time operations. Despite zero victories, zero pole positions, and zero championships through 54 total national series races, the team has achieved meaningful milestones including lead-lap finishes, top-twenty results, and continued participation when many similar operations have folded.
Early Seasons and Development (2012-2015)
The 2014 season represented a pivotal year for NY Racing Team. In March, the organization purchased the owner points and assets of the recently defunct No. 30 from Swan Racing, including their race shop located in Statesville, North Carolina. This acquisition provided the team with a solid points foundation intended to address their ongoing struggles with qualifying for races. The team used the No. 30 for Richmond due to NASCAR rules regarding ownership transfers before switching back to their familiar No. 44 for subsequent events.
J.J. Yeley joined the team for 2014 following his departure from Tommy Baldwin Racing. The season proved exceptionally challenging, with the team failing to qualify for two races and withdrawing from two others. A breakthrough came at Pocono Raceway, where despite cutting down a tire mid-race, the team completed their first official race finish in team history, placing 38th. They followed this with their best finish to that point at Michigan, finishing 36th, and improved again to 34th at Sonoma Raceway. The team later operated under the Team Xtreme Racing name for select events.
Breakthrough Years and Partnerships (2016-2022)
The 2015 Daytona 500 proved historic for NY Racing Team when Reed Sorenson drove the No. 44 entry with Golden Corral sponsorship. Despite crashing on the final lap, Sorenson crossed the start-finish line in 32nd place, recording the team’s first lead-lap finish in Cup Series competition. This achievement marked a significant milestone for the organization despite the on-track incident. The subsequent events that season were derailed by an equipment theft incident in which the team’s car, truck, and hauler were stolen from a hotel parking lot while Travis Kvapil was scheduled to drive at Atlanta. The race car and truck were eventually recovered, but the trailer and spare parts remained missing.
In 2018, NY Racing Team returned to the Cup Series for the Coca-Cola 600, announcing a multi-year partnership with Premium Motorsports and Steakhouse Elite as the primary sponsor. J.J. Yeley drove the No. 7 entry, finishing 38th after fuel pump issues. The team continued collaborating with various organizations including BK Racing and Front Row Motorsports, utilizing the No. 23 car for select events. Yeley achieved a 17th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during this period, representing one of the team’s stronger performances. Plans to run a No. 7 Steakhouse Elite Ford Mustang for 2019 never materialized as the team did not make any attempts that season.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2022-Present)
NY Racing Team made their highly anticipated Cup Series return at the 2022 Daytona 500 with Greg Biffle behind the wheel. This appearance marked the team’s first race in four years and represented Biffle’s first Cup Series start in six years. For this season, the organization returned to Chevrolet manufacturer support, with primary sponsorship coming from various historically black colleges and universities. The team finished the Daytona 500 in 36th place and later placed 34th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A significant breakthrough came at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where NY Racing Team achieved their first top-twenty finish, placing 20th.
After missing the entire 2023 season, the No. 44 returned for the 2024 Daytona 500 with J.J. Yeley attempting to qualify, though they finished 16th in Duel 1 and failed to make the race. Yeley subsequently ran at Las Vegas, Charlotte, and Pocono, with a 34th-place finish at Las Vegas representing their best result during that stretch. A highlight came at the summer Atlanta race where Yeley finished 23rd, his best finish of the year. Joey Gase was hired to drive at the 2024 Coke Zero Sugar 400 and achieved a remarkable 20th-place finish, tying the team’s best result from Atlanta in 2022 despite qualifying 39th.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
NY Racing Team operates with a philosophy centered on persistence and providing opportunities for drivers seeking Cup Series experience. As an independent organization with limited resources compared to full-time operations, the team focuses on consistent participation and gradual improvement. Their partnership with Richard Childress Racing for car bodies and Hendrick Motorsports for engines provides technical credibility, while the relationship with Steakhouse Elite offers commercial stability. The organization has demonstrated resilience through multiple setbacks including equipment theft, sponsorship challenges, and qualifying difficulties.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Several defining moments have shaped NY Racing Team’s history. Their 2012 Cup Series debut with David Reutimann at Phoenix established the No. 44 entry point. The 2014 Pocono race marked their first completed event after numerous engine failures. Reed Sorenson’s 2015 Daytona 500 produced their first lead-lap finish despite a late-race crash. The 2022 return with Greg Biffle at Daytona after a four-year absence demonstrated the organization’s determination to continue competing. Their 20th-place finish at Atlanta in 2022 and Joey Gase’s matching result at the 2024 Coke Zero Sugar 400 represent their best recent performances in top-level competition.
NY Racing Team Achievements and Results
Despite competing without victories, pole positions, or championships through their Cup Series history, NY Racing Team has accumulated meaningful accomplishments that demonstrate competitive progress. The organization has completed 47 Cup Series races and 7 Nationwide Series events since their inception, demonstrating sustained participation in professional NASCAR competition. Their journey reflects the competitive realities faced by independent part-time teams in America’s premier stock car racing series.
NASCAR Cup Series Achievements
NY Racing Team’s Cup Series record includes 47 career starts with zero wins, zero pole positions, and zero championships. Their debut came at the 2012 AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway with David Reutimann driving the No. 44 entry. The organization has achieved their best finishes at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Coke Zero Sugar 400, placing 20th in both events. The team has provided Cup Series opportunities for drivers including J.J. Yeley, Joey Gase, Greg Biffle, Scott Riggs, Reed Sorenson, David Reutimann, and Timmy Hill throughout their competitive history.
Nationwide Series Achievements
The organization debuted in what was then called the Nationwide Series during the 2009 season, fielding the No. 07 and No. 58 entries part-time with sponsorship from Macy’s and Cavi Clothing. Initial drivers included Chase Austin, Mike Harmon, and Josh Wise during their inaugural campaign. The team ran select events at Daytona, Indianapolis Raceway Park, Bristol Motor Speedway, and Atlanta Motor Speedway before temporarily shutting down at season’s end when primary sponsors departed. Seven career Nationwide Series starts comprise this portion of the team’s historical record.
Partnerships and Technical Alliances
NY Racing Team has maintained significant technical partnerships throughout their existence. Car bodies have been supplied by Richard Childress Racing, providing the organization with competitive Chevrolet specifications. Engine power has come from Hendrick Motorsports, one of NASCAR’s premier powerplant providers. The team has collaborated with Premium Motorsports, BK Racing, and Front Row Motorsports for various competitive opportunities. Primary sponsorship from Steakhouse Elite has provided commercial backing for recent seasons, while partnerships with historically black colleges and universities have supported their 2022 return to competition.
