MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (March 4, 2016) – Fresh off the heels of top-10 finish to open the 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) season, Rette Jones Racing announced today the formation of a second part-time team driven by third-generation driver Jesse Little.
“I’m really looking forward to this opportunity with Rette Jones Racing,” said Little, who plans to compete in six to eight races overall this season. “In the past year, Mark (Rette, co-owner) and Terry (Jones, co-owner) have built a successful program that has shown speed on the race track and the capabilities of winning. Being a part of the team, I look forward to doubling our chances in the races I compete in.”
The No. 29 Toyota Camry team, which will debut in next weekend’s K&N East race at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway will carry sponsorship from the NASCAR Technical Institute and UTI.
Through a campus-based school system, UTI offers specialized technical education programs under the banner of several brands, including NASCAR.
Students will learn everything you need to know to work on a wide variety of vehicles as part of their core training on top of 15 weeks of NASCAR specific courses to learn racing fundamentals.
Little, the son of former NASCAR driver Chad Little began his racing career in quarter midgets at the age of seven. Moving through the ranks, he moved up to Bandoleros in 2007 and Legends cars two years later. In 2010, Little won the USAC Eastern Focus Young Guns midget car championship and in 2011 competed in the UARA Stars Late Model Series where he enjoyed success.
The following year, Little, then 15 made history by becoming the youngest driver to compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, making his series debut at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. In 43 races overall, he has collected two wins, three poles, 12 top-fives and 20 top-10 finishes overall.
Little is also a current member of the NASCAR Next program. An evolution of the Next9 initiative that began in 2011, the NASCAR Next program is an all-embracing industry initiative to help spotlight the sport’s rising stars – and boost fan recognition around talent that will grow into NASCAR Sprint Cup Series mainstays.
Under the leadership of crew chief Matt Noyce, Little is looking forward to the March 12 running of the Mobile 150, the debut for the series at the half-mile oval. The No. 29 Rette Jones Racing Toyota Camry will work close with the other team and teammateDominique Van Wieringen, who is guided by Rette.
“I think we’ll accomplish a lot at the test,” said Little. “It’s important for us to debut strong to show our marketing partners and everyone else that we’re focused on performance and winning. How awesome would it be for Rette Jones Racing to finish 1-2 at Mobile? Knowing our capabilities and what the team showed at New Smyrna, I can’t wait for the test and the race.”
For Rette, the decision to bring add Little to the team’s roster was a no-brainer.
“When it comes to racers, Jesse is a pure definition,” said Rette, a former championship crew chief in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. “Jesse’s talent behind the wheel, plus his knowledge of racecars and the business of the sport will be beneficial to our program both on and off the track. A proven winner in K&N, Jesse will also be a great teammate toDominique and I look forward to seeing them interact and battle on the race track.
“Things are going very well for Rette Jones Racing and we’re looking forward to the rest of 2016.”
The No. 29 NTI / UTI Toyota Camry will carry additional support from Performance Friction Brakes, Racing Electronics, Penske Shocks and Mac’s Speed Shop as associate marketing partners this season.
In addition to his limited NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule, Little, 18 will also run select NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) races under an alliance between Team Little Racing, ThorSport Racing and Rette Jones Racing.
For more on Jesse Little, visit JesseLittle.com and follow her on Twitter @JesseLittle97.
The latest on Rette Jones Racing is available at the team’s Facebook page, while also active on Twitter @RetteJones30.
