Chicago.No. 23. This time it isnt Michael Jordan. This mathematically prime number belongs to Scott Wimmer, driver of the Siemens-sponsored Pontiac owned by Bill & Gail Davis.
Wimmer began his racing career at a young age like most veteran drivers. Born in January of 1976, the Wisconsin driver was known in local and regional racing circles by the age of 18. His success in racing came quicker than most after logging good finishes in the American Speed Association (ASA) ACDelco Challenger Series.
Although Wimmer had a successful early career, it would later include a number of seconds. After finishing second in the ASA series in 2000, he took second in rookie points and for the first time drew attention of NASCAR owners. Wimmer would later see another second in the Raybestos Rookie of the year point standings in 2001 behind Greg Biffle. After joining Bill Davis Racing, he completed three Busch Series races in 2000 along with his first Winston Cup finish in Atlanta to close the season.
2001 brought greater success for Scott Wimmer in the Busch Series. After 33 starts, he led laps in six events and brought home two top fives and eight top 10s. He finished the season 11th in driver points behind 10 well-seasoned drivers. Among those finishing in front of his 2001 performance were Kevin Harvick, Jeff Green, Jimmie Johnson, Chad Little, and Kenny Wallace who are all successful Busch and Winston Cup drivers.
Wimmers performance in the books has been quite impressive while his move to the top has been impressively quiet. Not much is said or heard of Scott Wimmer; however, that is quickly going to change now that he has moved into the fifth spot in the Busch Series. His winnings last season topped $500,000 while this season he has almost equaled that amount at the halfway point.
Bill Davis has released news of Siemens sponsorship moving up to the Winston Cup series with Wimmer as the driver. Starting this weekend in the Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, Scott Wimmer will attempt to qualify for one of seven scheduled Winston Cup races for that new team. This will be the first Winston Cup race for Wimmer since his debut in Atlanta two years ago.
Although new to Winston Cup racing and Chicagoland, Wimmer will not go without help from teammates Ward Burton and Hut Strickland.
Until Wimmer takes his place as a Winston Cup driver, he remains the top Pontiac in the Busch points. Just past the halfway mark in the schedule, he is only 279 points behind the leader Greg Biffle and 136 points behind 4th place rookie Scott Riggs.
The future looks bright for Scott as he looks forward to making a name for himself in the big leagues. Is it a coincidence that Chicago is also the city that gave No. 23 Michael Jordan his claim to fame?
The Tropicana Twister 300 will air live on NBC at 3:30ET and the Tropicana 400 will begin Sunday at 2:30ET also on NBC.