H2 Motorsports

Last updated
H2 Motorsports
H2 Motorsports logo.png
Owner(s)Matt Hurley
Series NASCAR Xfinity Series
Race drivers28. Shane Lee (part-time)
Sponsors28. Circuit City
Manufacturer Toyota
Opened 2019
Closed2020
Career
Debut 2019 CircuitCity.com 250 (Iowa)
Latest race 2019 Food City 300 (Bristol)
Races competed7
Drivers' Championships 0
Race victories0
Pole positions 0

H2 Motorsports was an American professional stock car racing team owned by Matt Hurley. The team operated part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, fielding the No. 28 Toyota Supra for Shane Lee. [1] The team shutdown before the start of the 2020 season due to financial troubles and because of the pending investigation against Hurley. The assets of H2 Motorsports were purchased by Sam Hunt Racing for the 2020 season.

Contents

Founder

Founder Matt Hurley was born April 5, 1996. Hurley graduated from Cypress Lake High School in Fort Myers, Florida, [2] and claims to have worked at least 40 hours per week since he was 14 years old. [3] Hurley once described himself as an "...investor, entrepreneur, and political hack..." [4]

Hurley founded H2 Motorsports [5] and based it in Mooresville, North Carolina. [6] H2's primary sponsor was Circuit City. [7] An entrepreneur, Hurley has started additional businesses such as H2 Innovation Center, and Youngbloods, Inc., a private holding company which later changed its name to the H2 Organization. [3] [8] Hurley co-founded Torchlight Productions, a website design and development firm at the age of 15. [2]

In 2017, Hurley leased a commercial building in Fort Myers, Florida for Southwest Florida Innovation Center, at a building named The Atrium, with plans to renovate the 132,000sf building with 42,000sf set aside for startup companies [3] and the remainder of which were sublet spaces to other tenants. The estimate for the purchase and renovation was $20 Million. He was later sued for not paying rent, [9] and the tenants in the building were evicted, including one business that was a United States Contract Postal Unit. [10] [11] [12] Hurley blamed a number of the tenant complaints and issues on the fact the building purchase had not been yet completed, and on hurricane Irma. [11] He is currently under investigation by the State of Florida's Office of Financial regulation, and was arrested for contempt of court in 2020. [4] [13]

Xfinity Series

The team announced on May 23, 2019, that they would attempt twenty races with Lee in the No. 28 Toyota Supra, beginning at Iowa in June with Circuit City as the sponsor for all races. [14] In late summer 2019, it was revealed that Lee was signed for all of 2020, and that depending on sponsorship, the team could expand to two cars for 2020. [15]

Due to concerns that their cars would not be ready in time for the three road course races in August with being a new team, H2 decided to skip those races (at Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, and Road America) and better prepare for the upcoming oval races. [16]

Before the race at Darlington in September, they released Lee due to what they deemed a lack of performance, who the team released on August 28, 2019, [17] after less than 3 months with the team [18] and despite the fact that he finished in the top 21 in all but one of his races, and had great runs at both Daytona (before crashing in "the big one") and Iowa, where he finished in the top 10. No replacement driver was ever announced and the team didn't attempt any of the remaining races of the 2019 season. During the offseason it was announced that the team would be shutting down due to financial troubles. The remaining assets were sold to Sam Hunt Racing for the upcoming 2020 season.

Car No. 28 results

YearDriverNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233NXSCPts
2019 Shane Lee 28 Toyota DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL DOV CLT POC MCH IOW
18		 CHI
18		 DAY
21		 KEN
16		 NHA
33		 IOW
7		 GLN MOH BRI
13		 ROA DAR IND LVS RCH CLT DOV KAN TEX PHO HOM 36th217

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Erwin</span> American crew chief

Gregory A. Erwin is an American stock car racing crew chief. He has worked as the crew chief for Robby Gordon Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing, Team Penske, and Wood Brothers Racing at the NASCAR Cup Series, and for Penske in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Erwin was also the team manager of Team Penske in the Xfinity Series in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Chastain</span> American racing driver

Ross Lee Chastain is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing, part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro for DGM Racing, and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports. He is the older brother of fellow NASCAR driver Chad Chastain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series</span> 34th season of second-tier NASCAR Xfinity Series

The 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 34th season of the 2nd tier Xfinity Series, a professional stock car racing tour sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. It began with the Alert Today Florida 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, and ended with the Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 21. Chase Elliott entered the 2015 season as the defending series champion. Chris Buescher won the championship. The 2015 season marked two major changes; Comcast's cable brand Xfinity replaced Nationwide Insurance as title sponsor of the series, while Fox, Fox Sports 1, NBC and NBCSN broadcast the series' races, replacing the ESPN networks and ABC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GMS Racing</span> American stock car racing team

GMS Racing is an American professional stock car racing team that competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, fielding three Chevrolet Silverado trucks: the No. 23 for Grant Enfinger, the No. 24 for Rajah Caruth, and the No. 43 for Daniel Dye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Brown (racing driver)</span> American racing driver

Brandon Lee Brown is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving for several teams including the No. 68 Chevrolet Camaro for Brandonbilt Motorsports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B. J. McLeod Motorsports</span> American auto race team

B. J. McLeod Motorsports is an American professional stock car racing team that currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The team is owned by B. J. McLeod and his wife Jessica. The team currently fields the No. 78 full-time for Anthony Alfredo and the No. 99 part-time for Garrett Smithley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garrett Smithley</span> American racing driver

Garrett Kirk Smithley is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 99 Chevrolet Camaro for B. J. McLeod Motorsports, the No. 91 Camaro for DGM Racing and the No. 4 for JD Motorsports. He has also competed in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series in the past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myatt Snider</span> American racing driver

Myatt Martin Snider is an American professional stock car racing driver. He is the son of NASCAR on NBC pit reporter Marty Snider. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 19 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Mills (racing driver)</span> American racing driver

Matthew Robert Mills is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 53 for Emerling-Gase Motorsports and in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 20 Chevrolet Silverado for Young's Motorsports. He has also previously competed in the NASCAR Cup Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Lee (racing driver)</span> American racing driver

Shane S. Lee is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 35 and Toyota Supra/Ford Mustangs for Emerling-Gase Motorsports. He has also competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Racing Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bayley Currey</span> American racing driver

Bayley Alexander Currey is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports. He has also competed in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series in the past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series</span> Sports season page

The 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 38th season of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. McLaughlin</span> American racing driver

Charles Joseph "C. J." McLaughlin is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driving the No. 35 and 53 for Emerling-Gase Motorsports. He has also previously competed in the NASCAR Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emerling-Gase Motorsports</span> American stock car racing team

Emerling-Gase Motorsports is an American stock car racing team that competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The team was founded in November 2021 with NASCAR owner-driver Joey Gase, then called Joey Gase Racing. In December 2021, it was announced that NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Patrick Emerling had partnered with the team, and that the team would be renamed to Emerling-Gase Motorsports. The team fields the No. 35 and 53 full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, along with the No. 53 part-time in the ARCA Menards Series.

The 2017 Pocono Green 250 was the 12th stock car race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season and the second iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, June 10, 2017, Long Pond, Pennsylvania, at Pocono Raceway, a 2.5 miles (4.0 km) triangular permanent course. The race took the scheduled 100 laps to complete. At race's end, Brad Keselowski driving for Team Penske, would make a last lap pass on the final lap to win his 35th career NASCAR Xfinity Series win and his first win of the season. To fill out the podium, Justin Allgaier of JR Motorsports and Kyle Larson of Chip Ganassi Racing would finish second and third, respectively.

The 2017 Coca-Cola Firecracker 250 was the 15th stock car race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season and the 16th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, June 30, 2017, Daytona Beach, Florida, at Daytona International Speedway, a 2.5 miles (4.08 km) permanent triangular-shaped superspeedway. Due to inclement weather, the remainder of the race was held on July 1. The race was extended from 100 laps to 104 laps, due to a NASCAR overtime finish. At race's end, William Byron, driving for JR Motorsports, scored his second win in a row after leading the race when the caution came out with two to go. It was Byron's second career win in the xfinity series. He would also become the youngest winner in Daytona history, being only 19-years old. To fill out the podium, Elliott Sadler of JR Motorsports and Dakoda Armstrong of JGL Racing would finish second and third, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Johnsonville 180</span> 23rd race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series

The 2017 Johnsonville 180 was the 23rd stock car race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, and the eighth iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, August 27, 2017, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin at Road America, a 4.048 miles (6.515 km) permanent road course. The race took the scheduled 45 laps to complete. Jeremy Clements, driving for his family owned team, Jeremy Clements Racing, came home with the upset win, after an exciting battle with Matt Tifft. With two laps to go, Clements and Tifft collided, causing them to both spin out. Clements was able to get in front of Tifft, and would lead the last lap for his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series win. Tifft would end up finishing in 3rd, with Michael Annett finishing in 2nd.

The 2017 Use Your Melon. Drive Sober 200 was the 28th stock car race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, the second race of the Round of 12, and the 32nd iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, September 30, 2017, in Dover, Delaware at Dover International Speedway, a 1 mile (1.6 km) permanent oval-shaped racetrack. The race took the scheduled 200 laps to complete. At race's end, Ryan Blaney, driving for Team Penske, would dominate for most of the race to win his sixth career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory and his second and final victory of the season. To fill out the podium, Justin Allgaier and William Byron, both driving for JR Motorsports, would finish second and third, respectively.

The 2017 O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 was the 31st stock car race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, the second race of the Round of 8, and the 13th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas, at Texas Motor Speedway, a 1.5 miles permanent tri-oval shaped racetrack. The race took the scheduled 200 laps to complete. At race's end, Erik Jones, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would dominate the race to win his ninth career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory and his third and final victory of the season. To fill out the podium, Ryan Blaney, driving for Team Penske, and Kyle Larson, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, would finish second and third, respectively.

The 2017 Ford EcoBoost 300 was the 33rd and final stock car race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, the Championship 4 race, and the 23rd iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, November 18, 2017, in Homestead, Florida at Homestead–Miami Speedway, a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) permanent oval-shaped racetrack. The race took the scheduled 134 laps to complete. At race's end, Cole Custer, driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, would dominate the race to take his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory and his only victory of the season.

References

  1. ↑ "H2 Motorsports launches Xfinity team for twenty races in 2019". NASCAR. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Rumbaugh, Andrea. "Success Story: Young Bloods Turn Idea into Thriving Digital Company". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  3. 1 2 3 Logan, Casey. "Hurley is a 21-year-old with Big Plan for Atrium in Fort Myers". The News-Press. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  4. 1 2 Sweeney, Lauren (2021-01-21). "Where's the Money? Government Investigating Fort Myers Entrepreneur". WINK NEWS. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  5. ↑ "H2 Motorsports launches full-time Xfinity Series program | NASCAR.com". Official Site of NASCAR. 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  6. ↑ Bonkowski, Jerry (2019-08-29). "Xfinity driver Shane Lee, H2 Motorsports part ways". NASCAR Talk | NBC Sports. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  7. ↑ "New Xfinity Series team to debut at Iowa with driver Shane Lee". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  8. ↑ H2 Organization
  9. ↑ News, WINK (2018-04-27). "Fort Myers property slated for renovation hits roadblock; former tenants frustrated". WINK NEWS. Retrieved 2021-01-23.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ↑ "College Parkway Post Office closing – Southwest Florida Business Today". swfloridabusinesstoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  11. 1 2 "Business Owners Frustrated at The Atrium Suites". WFTX. 2017-10-21. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  12. ↑ Logan, Casey. "Atrium Renovation Plan Looks Nice, But Leaves Some Tenants Fuming". The News-Press. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  13. ↑ "Welcome to Lee County Sheriff s Office". www.sheriffleefl.org. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  14. ↑ "H2 Motorsports, Circuit City, and Shane Lee to attempt 20 races". NBC Sports. NBC Sports. May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  15. ↑ Albino, Dustin (21 August 2019). "Eyes on Xfinity: Shane Lee, H2 Motorsports Looking Toward the Future". Frontstretch. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  16. ↑ Page, Scott (July 30, 2019). "H2 Motorsports to skip road course races". Jayski's Silly Season Site . NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  17. ↑ Page, Scott (August 28, 2019). "Shane Lee released from H2 Motorsports". Jayski's Silly Season Site . NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  18. ↑ Bonkowski, Jerry (2019-08-29). "Xfinity driver Shane Lee, H2 Motorsports part ways". NASCAR Talk | NBC Sports. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.