Roush Racing: Driver X

Last updated
Roush Racing: Driver X
Genre Auto racing
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Production companyBrainbox Entertainment
Original release
Network Discovery Channel
ReleaseOctober 24, 2005 (2005-10-24) –
February 6, 2006 (2006-02-06)

Roush Racing: Driver X was a television show on the Discovery Channel that documented the selection of NASCAR drivers for Roush Racing. During occasional years, Jack Roush, the owner of Roush Racing, auditioned drivers from around the world to hire a driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. This audition was informally known as The Gong Show . In 2005, the Discovery Channel decided to film and air these tests as Roush Racing: Driver X. The show aired every Monday at 7:00 p.m. EST and at 11:00 p.m. EST/6:00 p.m. CST and at 10:00 p.m. CST on the Discovery Channel.

Contents

Roush Racing: Driver X was produced for Discovery Channel by Brainbox Entertainment.

Background

For many years, Roush Racing recruited its developmental drivers through an elimination style of testing entitled The Gong Show. The first competition was held in 1985 for Roush's road racing program. [1] [2] The first combine for the stock car program was held in 1999. [1] [3] [4] [5] The process would begin when Roush solicited applications from thousands of drivers from all levels or racing. They would then put through a series of tests, gauging not only driving skills, but also public relations talent and personality traits. Eventually, the field would be narrowed down to an elite group who are allowed to race Roush vehicles, often Truck Series vehicles, in an attempt to assess driving ability. Those with the fastest times progress, and ultimately the best drivers are awarded with a contract to drive for Roush in the Truck Series or Busch Series (now Xfinity Series). [3] [4] Winners of the program include Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards and David Ragan. [1] [3] [4]

The term "Gong Show" comes from the 1970s talent show spoof "The Gong Show." [4]

2005 competition

In 2005, the process was documented in the Discovery Channel television series Roush Racing: Driver X, which followed the stories of those involved in the 2005 Gong Show. [1] [3] [4]

Drivers

[6] [7]

Results and other development deals

The 2005 winner was Erik Darnell, who won a full-time ride in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Roush Racing in the #99 Ford F-150. [7] He scored two wins over three Truck Series seasons with Roush, and would later run seven races in the Cup Series for fellow Ford team Yates Racing in 2009. David Ragan drove a limited number of races in the #6 Ford F-150 in 2006. [7] He earned two Cup Series victories with Roush and Front Row Motorsports before retiring at the end of the 2019 season. Danny O'Quinn won a ride in the #50 World Financial Group Ford Fusion for Roush in the next level up in NASCAR, the Busch Series. [7]

Pete Shepherd was signed to a driver development deal with Roush Racing, running in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2006. [7] Also, Matt McCall signed with Yates Racing (then known as Robert Yates Racing) after the show concluded to co-pilot the #90 Ford in the NASCAR Busch Series for 2006. [7] He is currently a crew chief for Chip Ganassi Racing. In 2008, Justin Allgaier won the ARCA Series Championship, and signed a deal to race for Penske Racing in the Nationwide Series (formerly the Busch Series). He went on to get his first win in 2010, and later competed for HScott Motorsports in the Cup Series; he currently races for JR Motorsports in the now-Xfinity Series.

Previous Gong Show winners

YearWinnerRunner(s) Up
2004 Todd Kluever Erik Darnell, Danny O'Quinn, David Ragan, Bobby Santos III, Matt McCall, David Gilliland, Kevin Conway, Timothy Peters, Regan Smith, Auggie Vidovich II, Clay Rogers, Michael Pickens, Nate Monteith, Wade Day, Jason Boyd, Dustin Skinner, Josh Krug, Jason Hogan, Chris Bristol, Morty Buckles [1] [4]
2002 Carl Edwards
2000 Chuck Hossfeld and Nathan Haseleu [8] Scott Riggs, Timothy Peters [9] [10]
1999 Kurt Busch Jon Wood [4] [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elliott Sadler</span> American racing driver (born 1975)

Elliott William Barnes Sadler is an American former professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro for Kaulig Racing. Sadler is one of 36 drivers who have at least one win in each of NASCAR's top three series. A native of Emporia, Virginia, he is the younger brother of former NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Bliss</span> American racing driver

Michael Duane Bliss is an American professional stock car racing driver. A journeyman NASCAR competitor and the 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, he has run in all three national series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boris Said</span> American racing driver (born 1962)

Boris Said III is an American professional racing driver. Said has competed in a variety of disciplines including stock cars, sports cars and touring cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Kvapil</span> American racing driver (born 1976)

Travis Wade Kvapil is an American professional stock car driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet Silverado for Beaver Motorsports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RFK Racing</span> NASCAR racing team

Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, doing business as RFK Racing, is an American professional stock car organization that currently competes in the NASCAR Cup Series. One of NASCAR's largest racing teams in the 2000s and early 2010s, Roush formerly ran teams in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, Trans-Am Series and IMSA Camel GT. The team currently fields the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse full-time for driver/co-owner Brad Keselowski, the No. 17 Mustang full-time for Chris Buescher, and the No. 60 full-time for Ryan Preece.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Musgrave</span> American stock car racing driver

Theodore David Musgrave Sr. is an American former stock car racing driver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Kluever</span> American racing driver

Todd Alan Kluever is an American former stock car racing driver. He raced in all of the top three NASCAR series in the 2000s.

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is an American professional stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team began running part-time in 2004 as Means-Jenkins Motorsports under a partnership with Jimmy Means and restaurant entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, with Jenkins becoming the full team owner in 2005. In the Cup Series, FRM fields three Ford Mustang Dark Horse teams full-time: the No. 34 for Todd Gilliland, the No. TBA for Noah Gragson, and the No. TBA for TBA. In the Truck Series, they field the No. 38 Ford F-Series for Layne Riggs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Ragan</span> American racing driver (born 1985)

David Lee Ragan is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 60 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RFK Racing, and is also an analyst for NASCAR on Fox on NASCAR Race Hub.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erik Darnell</span> American racing driver

Erik Louis Darnell is an American professional stock car racing driver. He is the grandson of former USAC and NASCAR driver Bay Darnell, who also started three NASCAR races. Darnell formerly drove for Roush Fenway Racing, joining the team in 2005 after being a co-winner on the Discovery Channel program Roush Racing: Driver X, along with David Ragan.

August Louis "Auggie" Vidovich II is an American professional stock car racing driver.

Peter Shepherd III is a Canadian professional stock car racing driver. He is currently racing in the NASCAR Pinty's Series for Dave Jacombs Racing and in the APC Series in the #22 APC/Total Race Car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Reed</span> American racing driver (born 1993)

Ryan Austin Payton Reed is an American professional stock car racing driver and driver coach. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 91 Chevrolet Silverado for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. After Roush Fenway Racing closed down their Xfinity Series team after the 2018 season, Reed has mostly been without a ride in NASCAR since then, and while in that situation, Reed has worked since 2020 as the driver coach for Jack Wood, who competes full-time in the ARCA Menards Series West.

<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 NASCAR Xfinity Series, the second-tier professional stock car racing series 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.

Morty Buckles is an American racing driver. An African American, Buckles was a member of NASCAR's first Drive for Diversity class after cutting his teeth at the regional racing level. In 2006, Buckles planned to race in the ARCA Racing Series and Sprint Cup Series with a team owned by former NFL wide receiver Terance Mathis, but the deal ultimately fell through. Buckles has a degree in mechanical engineering from Southern Polytechnic State University, and has served as an instructor at the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series</span> 35th season of second-tier NASCAR Xfinity Series

The 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 35th season of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the second-tier professional stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season started at Daytona International Speedway on February 20 and ended at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19. Daniel Suárez of Joe Gibbs Racing won the championship, becoming the first non-American to win a title in NASCAR's top 3 divisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series</span> 36th season of second-tier NASCAR Xfinity Series

The 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 36th season of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the second-tier professional stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season began with the PowerShares QQQ 300 at Daytona International Speedway and ended with the Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Daniel Suárez was the defending drivers' champion while Toyota was the defending manufacturer's champion, although Suárez couldn't defend his title due to him racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series</span> 37th NASCAR Xfinity racing season

The 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 37th season of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. William Byron won the 2017 championship with JR Motorsports, but moved up to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Tyler Reddick, who replaced Byron in the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro SS, won the drivers' championship. Stewart-Haas Racing with Biagi-DenBeste won the owners' championship.

Founded in 1988, the NASCAR program is built around having multiple cars and providing engine, engineering and race car build services to other NASCAR teams fielding Ford branded vehicles. The multi-team aspect of the company allows for information and resources to be shared across the enterprise, improving the performance of all of the teams. Since the 2004 season, engines for the cars have been provided by Roush-Yates Engines, a partnership between Roush Fenway Racing and now-closed rival Yates Racing, with Doug Yates as head engine builder. Roush-Yates also provides engines, cars and parts to other Cup teams, including Wood Brothers Racing, Team Penske, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Front Row Motorsports.

Roush Fenway Racing's Xfinity Series operation began in 1992 with the No. 60 driven by Mark Martin. The No. 60 team has been dominant throughout its history, amassing many wins with Martin; three driver's championships with Greg Biffle in 2002, Carl Edwards in 2007, and Chris Buescher in 2015; and an owner's championship with Edwards in 2011. The No. 6 team won back-to-back driver's championships in 2011 & 2012 with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Following the departures of Ryan Reed, Chase Briscoe, and Austin Cindric, Roush's Xfinity program was closed following the 2018 season.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Crandall, Kelly (September 27, 2008). "Jack Roush's Eye and Drive for Talent". Bleacher Report . Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "Max Jones: Biography" (PDF). www.transamcars.com/. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Spencer, Lee (June 4, 2015). "Roush racers settle Dover differences in team meeting". motorsport.com. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Zeller, Bob (April 2005). "The Gong Show: In which Jack Roush conducts the most democratic driver selection in American racing". Car and Driver . Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  5. ↑ Cothren, Larry (February 1, 2005). "North Wilkesboro Speedway Roush Racing Tryouts - Roush's Gong Show: When Roush Racing Decided To Hold Another Tryout For Aspiring Drivers, Historic North Wilkesboro Speedway Was Summoned Out Of Retirement". Stock Car Racing. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "Roush Racing Announces 25 Candidates in Line to Become Next Premier NASCAR Driver: Discovery Channel Takes Viewers Along for High-Energy Ride in Original Series". Concord, North Carolina: Roush Racing. July 27, 2005. Archived from the original on 2006-06-19. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Roush Racing (February 22, 2006). "BUSCH: Roush Racing Driver X update". motorsport.com. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "Busch Steps In As Teacher". West Allis, Wisconsin: Motor Racing Network. June 30, 2001. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "NASCAR Camping World Trucks Hossfeld Out At Roush". Motor Racing Network. July 10, 2001. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "Roush truck audition at Las Vegas". Las Vegas: motorsport.com. September 28, 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  11. ↑ "'Gong Show' winner set to replace Martin". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Associated Press. April 15, 2006. Retrieved 29 November 2015.[ permanent dead link ]
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.