It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.  At least that’s how Cole Whitt describes his chance to pilot JR Motorsports’ No. 88 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for 2012.  The 20-year-old will compete for the series championship and rookie-of-the-year honors with JRM’s flagship team this season. Whitt joins teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick to complete the 2012 driver lineup for team JRM.

Whitt comes to JR Motorsports fresh off his first full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.  He concluded 2011 with two top-fives, 11 top-10s and one pole en route to a ninth-place finish in the championship points.  Toward the tail end of the year, Whitt also made two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts and three in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.  With those starts, he solidified himself as one of the few drivers to have raced in all three of NASCAR’s top touring series before the age of 21.

Whitt’s competitive drive actually found its beginnings on two wheels.  By the age of 5, he was participating in the BMX bike circuit around his hometown of Alpine, Calif.  It wasn’t until his father purchased a kart that he felt the full effects of the racing bug.  Whitt scored countless victories that culminated into eight International Karting Federation championships and two World Karting Association Grand National championships.

Like many of the talented drivers who preceded him, including Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart, Whitt blazed a path to NASCAR from the open-wheel ranks of the United States Auto Club (USAC).  Whitt excelled with the powerful racecars and his trail is littered with impressive statistics.  In 2006, he became the Hoosier Sprint Car rookie of the year.  A year later he earned at top-10 finish in more than half of his 60 starts.  The 2008 season brought historic success for Whitt, as he became the youngest USAC National Champion.   

After progressing through the USAC ranks, Whitt moved to stockcars in 2010 and made a memorable debut.  He won the pole and finished third in his first start in the K & N Pro Series East. Whitt finished the season fourth in points with six top-fives and seven top-10s in 10 races.

Outside of racing, Cole’s hobbies include fishing, playing video games and spending time with his dog.