NASCAR: Hornish out, Scott in at RPM

Richard Petty Motorsports announced today that Xfinity Series veteran Brian Scott will join Aric Almirola in their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series lineup, replacing Sam Hornish in the team's No. 9 Ford. The 2016 season will mark Scott's first full-time Sprint Cup Series schedule, where he will have the opportunity to compete for the Rookie of the Year. Scott will make his debut with RPM at the Goodyear tire test at Homestead on Monday, Dec. 14, before hitting the track for the season opener Daytona 500, in February.

Scott brings nine years of experience in NASCAR's national touring series after making his NASCAR debut in 2007 in the Camping World Truck Series. Since then, he tallied 17 Sprint Cup, 208 Xfinity and 62 Truck Series starts. In his six full seasons competing in the Xfinity series, he has five poles, an average finish of 15th, and 20 top-5 and 77 top-10 finishes, including four runner-up finishes. Scott also took pole at Talladega's Cup race in 2014 and has a best Cup finish of 12th at Kansas this fall.

"I am thrilled to go Sprint Cup Series racing full time next year and to do it with such an iconic team," said Scott. "When you think NASCAR racing, you think Petty. I'm glad to now be a part of that legacy. I had a lot of fun competing in the Xfinity Series for the last seven years, and I'm excited to take the next step. I ran some races in the Sprint Cup Series the last few years and learned a lot. I feel like we are in a good position to compete for the Rookie of the Year next year and continue the consistency that RPM built over the last few years."

RPM continues its relationships with Ford Performance, Roush Fenway Racing and Roush Yates Engines. In 2015, the team posted three top-5 and nine top-10 finishes.

"We're happy to welcome Brian to the team," said co-owner Richard Petty. "Our team has worked very hard to continue our winning tradition and building consistency. We feel Brian is a great addition to that. He's made a steady progression through the ranks, and now, we feel he's ready to compete in the Sprint Cup Series."

Souce: Richard Petty Motorsports