Kristofer Cole Wright (born July 17, 1994) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the ARCA Menards Series, part-time in the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. 15 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports, and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 1 Toyota Tundra for TRICON Garage. He has also previously competed in sports car racing, open-wheel racing, the Euroformula Open Championship, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Wright is also the 2018 IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 class champion.
Racing career
editSports car racing
editIn 2015, he joined Kinetic Motorsports in the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car A class.[1] He recorded his first podium finish at Miller Motorsports Park where he finished third.[2]
In 2017, he raced in the IMSA Prototype Challenge with JDC MotorSports.[3] Wright, who described the prototype cars as "really easy to drive",[4] finished second in the Prototype Challenge standings with a win at Watkins Glen International and Rookie of the Year honors.[5][6] He signed with Extreme Speed Motorsports for the 2018 Prototype Challenge season, during which he scored race wins at Barber Motorsports Park and Virginia International Raceway, finished in podium range in all six events, and won the LMP3 class championship.[7]
Wright ran his first endurance and WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race at the 2019 24 Hours of Daytona, driving for Performance Tech Motorsports in the LMP2 class.[8] Joined by Kyle Masson, Robert Masson, and Cameron Cassels in the No. 38, Wright's team finished second in its class.[9]
Open-wheel racing
editDuring the 2017 racing season, Wright entered the Road to Indy ladder beginning with the U.S. F2000 National Championship with John Cummiskey Racing.[3] He raced at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Barber, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course before moving to the Pro Mazda Championship in June with JDC. He contested the Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and Watkins Glen races, with a best finish of fifth at Watkins Glen.[10]
In 2019, he started racing in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship with Fortec Motorsports after testing with the team the previous year; Wright compared the car to the Pro Mazda vehicles, noting they were "very similar".[11] He finished the season 16th in points, last among drivers who ran the full schedule, with a best finish of fifth at Silverstone Circuit.[12][13]
Wright remained with Fortec as he moved to the Euroformula Open Championship in 2020, though the season's start was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[12][14]
Stock car racing
editWright's first starts in stock car racing took place during summer 2020. In June, he raced in the ARCA Menards Series West doubleheader at Utah Motorsports Campus, where he finished second and third.[15]
In August, he joined the GMS Racing organization, racing in the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series on a part-time basis.[16] His debut with the team came on August 1 in the CARS Super Late Model Tour at Hickory Motor Speedway, where he finished 11th. His first ARCA and NASCAR Truck starts for GMS took place at Michigan International Speedway and the Daytona International Speedway road course, respectively.[17]
Wright joined Young's Motorsports for the full 2021 NASCAR Truck Series season, driving the No. 02;[18] he also debuted the team's ARCA program at the Daytona test in January.[19] After running the season opener, he also signed with NASCAR Xfinity Series team Sam Hunt Racing as a road course ringer.[20] Wright missed the Atlanta Motor Speedway race in March after testing positive for COVID-19.[21]
For 2022, Wright would be announced to drive the No. 44 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet full-time, but would later leave the team on August. However, Wright was announced to run the rest of the Xfinity Series season with Brandonbilt Motorsports from August onwards, excluding three races which owner Brandon Brown himself drove, and the car having sponsorship from FNB Corporation.
On February 8, 2023, it was announced that Wright would return to the same truck he drove in 2021, the No. 02 for Young's Motorsports, and run full-time in the Truck Series in 2023.[22] After earning only three top twenty finishes in the first eleven races, Wright and the team would agree to part ways effective immediately before the race at World Wide Technology Raceway.
On November 14, 2023, it was announced that Wright will run full-time in the ARCA Menards Series in 2024, driving the No. 15 Toyota for Venturini Motorsports.[23] Wright also raced for TRICON Garage in two races in 2024.[24]
Personal life
editWright's father was also a racing driver, though he encouraged his son to play golf. After graduating from Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh in 2013, Wright was a member of IMG Academy and Robert Morris University's golf teams. He also qualified for the district championship of the Remax World Long Drive Championship in 2014, but came up short on his bid for the World Finals.[25]
Motorsports career results
editAmerican open–wheel racing results
editU.S. F2000 National Championship
edit| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Kaminsky Racing | STP 14 |
STP 15 |
BAR 13 |
BAR 19 |
IMS 21 |
IMS 17 |
ROA | ROA | IOW | TOR | TOR | MDO | MDO | WGL | 25th | 28 |
Pro Mazda Championship
edit| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | JDC MotorSports | STP |
STP |
IMS |
IMS |
ROA 13 |
ROA 9 |
MDO 7 |
MDO 8 |
MDO 11 |
GMP |
WGL 5 |
WGL 8 |
10th | 95 | ||||
| 2018 | BN Racing | STP 12 |
STP 14 |
BAR 13 |
BAR 14 |
IMS 10 |
IMS 6 |
LOR | ROA | ROA | TOR 7 |
TOR 5 |
MDO 10 |
MDO 10 |
GMP | POR | POR | 12th | 110 |
Complete BRDC British Formula 3 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Fortec Motorsports | OUL 1 11 |
OUL 2 Ret |
OUL 3 16 |
SNE 1 15 |
SNE 2 12 |
SNE 3 10 |
SIL1 1 13 |
SIL1 2 17 |
SIL1 3 18 |
DON1 1 14 |
DON1 2 13 |
DON1 3 Ret |
SPA 1 16 |
SPA 2 17 |
SPA 3 15 |
BRH 1 16 |
BRH 2 Ret |
BRH 3 13 |
SIL2 1 14 |
SIL2 2 5 |
SIL2 3 15 |
DON2 1 15 |
DON2 2 11 |
DON2 3 14 |
16th | 126 |
NASCAR
edit(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Xfinity Series
edit| NASCAR Xfinity Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | NXSC | Pts | Ref | ||
| 2021 | Sam Hunt Racing | 26 | Toyota | DAY | DRC 18 |
HOM | LVS | PHO | ATL | MAR | TAL | DAR | DOV | COA 32 |
CLT | MOH 32 |
TEX | NSH | POC | ROA 25 |
ATL | NHA | GLN 17 |
IRC 30 |
MCH | DAY | DAR | RCH | BRI | LVS | TAL | 93rd | 01 | [26] | |||||||
| Sam Hunt Racing with JD Motorsports | 15 | ROV 39 |
TEX | KAN | MAR | PHO | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Brandonbilt Motorsports | 68 | Chevy | DAY | CAL | LVS | PHO | ATL | COA | RCH | MAR | TAL | DOV | DAR | TEX | CLT | PIR | NSH | ROA | ATL | NHA | POC | IRC | MCH | GLN 34 |
DAY | DAR 36 |
KAN 20 |
BRI 25 |
TEX | TAL | ROV 38 |
LVS 24 |
HOM 27 |
MAR 26 |
PHO 26 |
99th | 01 | [27] | ||
Craftsman Truck Series
edit| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | NCTC | Pts | Ref |
| 2020 | GMS Racing | 24 | Chevy | DAY | LVS | CLT | ATL | HOM | POC | KEN | TEX | KAN | KAN | MCH | DRC 25 |
DOV | GTW | DAR | RCH | BRI | LVS | TAL | KAN | TEX | MAR | PHO | 66th | 18 | [28] |
| 2021 | Young's Motorsports | 02 | Chevy | DAY 12 |
DRC | LVS 25 |
ATL | BRD | RCH 35 |
KAN 33 |
DAR 39 |
COA | CLT 23 |
TEX 22 |
NSH 32 |
POC 30 |
KNX | GLN | GTW 18 |
DAR 28 |
BRI 36 |
LVS 16 |
TAL 36 |
MAR 13 |
PHO 32 |
26th | 166 | [29] | |
| 2022 | Niece Motorsports | 44 | Chevy | DAY 19 |
LVS 17 |
ATL 21 |
COA 15 |
MAR 30 |
BRD 33 |
DAR 33 |
KAN 25 |
TEX 35 |
CLT 19 |
GTW 33 |
SON 26 |
KNX 28 |
NSH 17 |
MOH 25 |
POC 27 |
IRP 31 |
RCH | KAN | BRI | TAL | HOM | PHO | 30th | 195 | [30] |
| 2023 | Young's Motorsports | 02 | Chevy | DAY 22 |
LVS 28 |
ATL 15 |
COA 21 |
TEX 12 |
BRD 32 |
MAR 16 |
KAN 28 |
DAR 29 |
NWS 22 |
CLT 32 |
GTW | NSH | MOH | POC | RCH | IRP | MLW | KAN | BRI | TAL | HOM | PHO | 29th | 150 | [31] |
| 2024 | Tricon Garage | 1 | Toyota | DAY | ATL | LVS | BRI | COA | MAR | TEX 30 |
KAN | DAR | NWS | CLT | GTW | NSH | POC 26 |
IRP | RCH | MLW | BRI | KAN | TAL | HOM | MAR | PHO | -* | -* | [32] |
* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
ARCA Menards Series
edit(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| ARCA Menards Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | AMSC | Pts | Ref |
| 2020 | GMS Racing | 21 | Chevy | DAY | PHO | TAL | POC | IRP | KEN | IOW | KAN | TOL | TOL | MCH 14 |
DRC | 22nd | 193 | [33] | ||||||||
| Chad Bryant Racing | 22 | Chevy | GTW 18 |
L44 7 |
TOL | MEM 10 |
ISF | |||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | BRI 15 |
WIN | KAN 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Rette Jones Racing | 30 | Ford | DAY | PHO | TAL | KAN | TOL | CLT | MOH 8 |
POC 24 |
ELK | BLN | IOW | WIN 8 |
GLN 13 |
MCH | ISF | MLW | DSF | BRI | SLM | KAN 6 |
26th | 161 | [34] |
| 2022 | Cook Racing Technologies | 42 | Chevy | DAY | PHO | TAL | KAN | CLT | IOW | BLN | ELK | MOH 6 |
47th | 75 | [35] | |||||||||||
| Young's Motorsports | 02 | Chevy | POC 8 |
IRP | MCH | GLN | ISF | MLW | DSF | KAN | BRI | SLM | TOL | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | Venturini Motorsports | 55 | Toyota | DAY | PHO | TAL | KAN | CLT | BLN | ELK | MOH | IOW | POC | MCH 11 |
IRP | 55th | 72 | [36] | ||||||||
| 15 | GLN 6 |
ISF | MLW | DSF | KAN | BRI | SLM | TOL | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | DAY 38 |
PHO 12 |
TAL 2 |
DOV 6 |
KAN 4 |
CLT 18 |
IOW 16 |
MOH 18 |
BLN 4 |
IRP 6 |
SLM 10 |
ELK 3 |
MCH 5 |
ISF 7 |
MLW 4 |
DSF 4 |
GLN 12 |
BRI 13 |
KAN 18 |
TOL 3 |
3rd | 878 | [37] | |||
ARCA Menards Series East
edit| ARCA Menards Series East results | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | AMSEC | Pts | Ref |
| 2020 | Chad Bryant Racing | 12 | Chevy | NSM | TOL | DOV | TOL | BRI 15 |
FIF | 44th | 29 | [38] | ||
| 2024 | Venturini Motorsports | 15 | Toyota | FIF | DOV 6 |
NSV | FRS | IOW 16 |
IRP 6 |
MLW 4 |
BRI 13 |
12th | 175 | [39] |
ARCA Menards Series West
edit| ARCA Menards Series West results | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | AMSWC | Pts | Ref |
| 2020 | JP Racing | 7 | Ford | LVS | MMP 2 |
MMP 3 |
IRW | EVG | DCS | CNS | LVS | AAS | KCR | 14th | 109 | [40] | ||
| Chad Bryant Racing | 22 | Chevy | PHO 18 |
|||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Venturini Motorsports | 55 | Toyota | PHO | IRW | KCR | PIR | SON | IRW | SHA | EVG | AAS | LVS | MAD | PHO 22 |
66th | 22 | [41] |
| 2024 | 15 | PHO 12 |
KER | PIR | SON | IRW | IRW | SHA | TRI | MAD | AAS | KER | PHO | -* | -* | [42] | ||
WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results
edit(key)(Races in bold indicate pole position. Races in italics indicate fastest race lap in class. Results are overall/class)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Performance Tech Motorsports | LMP2 | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 | DAY 2 |
SEB | MOH | WGL | MOS | ELK | LGA | ATL | 10th | 32 |
References
edit- ^ "Kia Racing Privateer Effort Expands To Three Full-Season Kia Forte Koup Entries In Touring Car For 2015 Pirelli World Challenge Season". Kia Motors America (Press release). PR Newswire. February 27, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Kia Racing Scores Thrilling Pirelli World Challenge Victory At Miller Motorsports Park". Kia Motors America (Press release). PR Newswire. August 24, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ a b "Wright in the thick of the action in two different series". U.S. F2000 National Championship. April 23, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Consistency The Key For IMSA Rookie Kris Wright". Speed Sport. August 28, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ Myrehn, Ryan (June 30, 2017). "Thompson Gives Norma First IMSA Win at Watkins Glen". Sportscar365. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "GMS Racing adds Kris Wright to roster for Gander Trucks, ARCA debuts". GMS Racing (Press release). NASCAR. August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "IMSA season recap: Prototype Challenge". Autoweek. October 17, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ Sunday, Matt (January 25, 2019). "Wexford's Wright stoked for Daytona Rolex 24". DK Pittsburgh Sports. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Performance Tech Motorsports Finishes Second At Daytona". Performance Tech Motorsports. January 27, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Kristofer (Kris) Cole Wright". Kris Wright Motorsports. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ Sunday, Matt (April 19, 2019). "Wright's next road runs through England". DK Pittsburgh Sports. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Wood, Elliot (February 5, 2020). "Fortec promotes Kris Wright to Euroformula line-up". Formula Scout. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ Hensby, Paul (February 5, 2020). "EuroFormula Open Move for Kris Wright as American Continues with Fortec Motorsports". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ Nguyen, Justin (August 3, 2020). "Kris Wright joins GMS Racing for NASCAR Truck debut on Daytona RC". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ Christley, Jason (June 28, 2020). "Utah Doubleheader Produces Pair of First-Time Winners". ARCA Menards Series. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ Haas, Jared (Aug 3, 2020). "Kris Wright Running for GMS at ARCA Michigan, Truck Daytona Races". www.frontstretch.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ "Kris Wright Set For Limited Schedule With GMS Racing". Speed Sport. August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Kris Wright Joins Young's Motorsports Truck Program". Speed Sport. December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
- ^ "Young's Motorsports Adds ARCA Menards Series To Development Platform in 2021". Young's Motorsports. January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ Estrada, Chris (January 14, 2021). "Kris Wright lands Xfinity road course ride for Sam Hunt Racing". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ Estrada, Chris (March 19, 2021). "Truck Series driver Kris Wright tests positive for COVID-19". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
- ^ Srigley, Joseph (February 8, 2023). "Kris Wright Returns to Young's Motorsports for 2023 Truck Series Season". TobyChristie.com.
- ^ Branscum, Benjamine (November 14, 2023). "Kris Wright Announces Full-Time Deal With Venturini Motorsports In 2024". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ Srigley, Joseph (March 29, 2024). "Kris Wright Joins TRICON Garage for Truck Races at Texas, Pocono". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Franko, John (January 10, 2019). "Central Catholic grad claims racing title". Pittsburgh Catholic. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2020 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2023 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2024 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2020 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2024 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2020 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2023 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ "Kris Wright – 2024 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
External links
edit- Official website
- Kris Wright driver statistics at Racing-Reference