The Roanoke Valley native Earl Wheeler continues engine building in NASCAR
Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint Unlimited will be the Halifax County native Earl Wheelers 18th Daytona Speedweek he has participated in by building Hendricks Motor Sports engines. Wheeler will have his built engine in the Jeff Gordon #24 Chevrolet Saturday in the Sprint Unlimited. "I am ecstatic to start this season with my power plant under the hood of a champion as he begins his 2015 and final season as a championship contender, Wheeler said. "I earned my first win (as an engine builder) with Jeff Gordon many years ago and had nothing short of success with him throughout my career. I am and always will be a fan and have immense respect for him as a person and one of the greatest racers in Motorsports. I am excited to watch Jeff take the checkered Saturday night in the Sprint Unlimited, Wheeler added.
Gordon announced last week that this 2015 will be his last season as a fulltime driver attempting for a fifth NASCAR Championship. Wheeler stated, " My hope is to capture several wins with Jeff this season and play a small role in his 5th and final championship. Lets do this JG!!"
To view a 2003 commercial with Randy Dorton a man who is primarily responsible for Earl Wheelers career & success at Hendricks Motorsports. Dorton was Chief Engine Builder and mentor to Wheeler. Dorton was killed in plane crash heading to Martinsville Speedway on October 24, 2004.