MT. PLEASENT, Mich. — Bennett Family of Companies has joined Beard Motorsports and driver Austin Hill as its primary sponsor for the upcoming Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
Hill will pilot the No. 62 Bennett Transportation and Logistics Chevrolet for the event.
“We are very excited to partner with Beard Motorsports and have the opportunity to be a part of an event as iconic as the Daytona 500,” said Lynette Mathis, Vice President of the Bennett Family of Companies. “We have quickly learned that the Beards and their family of businesses share many of our core values. It’s a thrilling prospect to partner with like-minded people that are committed to excellence.”
Beard Motorsports, founded by the late Mark Beard Sr., and now run by his wife, Linda Beard and children, Amie and Mark, is a generational race team that made its NASCAR Cup Series debut during the 2017 Daytona 500 with former driver-turned vice president of competition in Brendan Gaughan.
Crew chief Darren Shaw is back to lead the team during its 2023 campaign and will do so with support from ECR Engines.
“Honoring my dad’s legacy and his passion for the sport of auto racing is the driving force behind Beard Motorsports,” said Amie Beard, executive vice president, Beard Motorsports. “I’ve said it before but he was very much a ‘Go big or go home’ kind of person. I know he would be so proud to see how we have carried on the tradition that he started and increasing our presence in the NASCAR garage with the races in Michigan this summer and at the Charlotte road course this fall.”
“We are thrilled to be part of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season and are honored to have the Bennett Family of Companies join us for the biggest race in our sport,” Beard added. “Our team values family and hard work. We’re just very appreciative of the opportunity to once again be part of the tradition of the Daytona 500.”
The upcoming Daytona 500 will mark just the second start in the NASCAR Cup Series for Hill and his first attempt at the Great American Race. The Winston, Georgia native is taking nothing for granted.
“The opportunity to compete in the Daytona 500 is a dream come true,” said the 28-year-old Hill. “It’s an honor to race for the Beard family and I’m very excited to have Bennett Transportation and Logistics on board our No. 62 Camaro. Bennett has not only supported my career in the Xfinity Series, but also my first Cup start last season. I’m proud to represent them and the truckers that drive for the Bennett Family of Companies. Daytona will be an exciting week and I can’t wait to get to Florida.”