Dakoda Armstrong (born July 16, 1991) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 28 Toyota Camry for JGL Racing.
Dakoda Armstrong | |||||||
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![]() Armstrong at Road America in 2016 | |||||||
Born | New Castle, Indiana | July 16, 1991||||||
Achievements | 1998 WKA National champion 2000, 2001 Nascart champion 2004 USAC Kenyon Midget champion | ||||||
Awards | 2010 ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year | ||||||
NASCAR Xfinity Series career | |||||||
133 races run over 6 years | |||||||
2017 position | 17th | ||||||
Best finish | 13th (2014, 2015, 2016) | ||||||
First race | 2012 Ford EcoBoost 300 (Homestead) | ||||||
Last race | 2017 VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 (Kentucky) | ||||||
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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career | |||||||
44 races run over 3 years | |||||||
2013 position | 12th | ||||||
Best finish | 12th (2013) | ||||||
First race | 2011 Coca-Cola 200 (Iowa) | ||||||
Last race | 2013 Ford EcoBoost 200 (Homestead) | ||||||
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Statistics current as of September 23, 2017. |
Early career
editArmstrong started his racing career racing go-karts at the age of six, winning the 1998 World Karting Association championship in his first year in racing. At age 13, he became the youngest driver to win a USAC national championship when he won the 2004 USAC Mel Kenyon Midget Series. He has won over 200 races while competing in Go-Karts, Quarter Midgets, Bandoleros, Micro/Mini Sprints, Kenyon Midgets, 410 Non-Wing Sprint Cars, and Midgets.[1]
From 2007 to 2010, Armstrong entered select races of the USAC Silver Crown Series, USAC National Sprint Car Championship and USAC National Midget Series.[2][3]
ARCA Racing Series
editArmstrong signed a driver development deal with Penske Racing. As part of the deal, he would drive for Cunningham Motorsports in the ARCA Racing Series for seven races in 2009. He posted a best finish of 3rd along with two other top ten finishes and a 26th-place finish in the standings.
Armstrong returned to Cunningham Motorsports to drive the No. 22 Dodge full-time in 2010. He got his first win in just his 12th start at Talladega Superspeedway. He followed that with another win at Salem Speedway, finishing the season 7th in the standings with two wins, five top fives, 12 top tens, and one pole.
In 2011, Armstrong cut back on his ARCA schedule as he began focusing on his jump to NASCAR. He would run six races, posting one win at Winchester Speedway, two top fives, four top tens, and a 25th-place finish in the standings.
NASCAR
editCamping World Truck Series
editIn 2011, Armstrong signed on with ThorSport Racing and ran 7 races with the team with crew chief Dan Stillman. He made his Camping World Truck Series debut July 17 at Iowa Speedway, finishing 21st. He posted his first top ten October 1 at Kentucky Speedway. Armstrong attempted to run full-time with ThorSport with sponsorship from EverFi in the Truck Series in 2012. He was released from the team before the race at Iowa Speedway in September due to poor performance.[4]
In February 2013 it was announced that Armstrong would be driving for Turn One Racing for the full Truck Series season, and that he would also be running five races in the Nationwide Series for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 33 and No. 21 cars.[5] He ran the No. 19 for TriStar Motorsports at Homestead-Miami. WinField sponsored all his races.
Xfinity Series
editOn December 4, 2013, it was announced that Armstrong had been signed by Richard Petty Motorsports to compete full-time in the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series, driving the No. 43 Ford Mustang.[6] At Daytona, Armstrong had his first career pole for the Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona after qualifying was cancelled due to a rainshower. He would finish 13th in the points standings in 2014.
He returned to Richard Petty Motorsports in 2015, with new chief Frank Kerr. He finished with a career best of 6th-place at Daytona after avoiding 2 Big Ones. On November 23, it was announced that he and RPM had parted ways due to poor performance.[7]
Armstrong joined JGL Racing in 2016, driving the No. 28 Toyota Camry. He would then return to JGL Racing in 2017.[8] This 2017 season, he scored two top-five finishes: At Iowa Speedway, on June 24, for the race of 2017 American Ethanol E15 250, he finished 5th place, but on 4 July weekend on July 1 (was supposed to be June 30, but postponed because of persistent rain) for the race of 2017 Coca-Cola Firecracker 250, he scored a career-best of 3rd place. However, Armstrong was released by the team on September 25 for a lack of sponsorship.[9] Later in the season, Armstrong was seen in the JGL pit area, though he did not clarify if he had any role with the organization.[10]
Later career
editIn 2018, Armstrong finished 12th at the ARCA/CRA Super Series's Redbud 400 stock car race at Anderson Speedway.[11]
In 2021, he entered two USAC Sprints non-points races at the Indianapolis Raceway Park, finishing 5th at the Thursday Night Thunder Homecoming and 10th at the Hoosier Classic.[12][13]
In 2022, Armstrong finished second at Anderson's Little 500 sprint car race,[14] and was runner-up at the Indiana-based 500 Sprint Car Tour.[15] He also entered four USAC Midgets non-points races at the Indianapolis Raceway Park, with a best result of third at the Carb Night Classic.[16]
Personal life
editBeyond the racetrack, Armstrong's Indiana family corn and grain farming operation produces 1.9 million gallons of ethanol fuel per year for various energy programs. While growing up on the farm, he worked on his own racecars in the facilities on his family's property. Aside from racing, Armstrong enjoys getting back to his roots and attends open wheel events whenever he can, especially if he can be at the track to mentor his younger siblings when they're racing. His hobbies also include working out, racing his friends in iRacing and watching football.[1] On February 5, 2017, Armstrong married Karlee Hensley.
Dakoda's younger cousin Caleb (born 1992) and younger brother Dalton (born 1994), are both racing drivers as well. Caleb was a developmental driver for Venturini Motorsports like his cousin, competing in a few ARCA races for them in 2012 and 2013. Dalton has competed in the CARS Tour and marquee late model events such as the Winchester 400.
Motorsports career results
editNASCAR
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* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
Camping World Truck Series
editNASCAR Camping World 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 | 24 | 25 | NCWTC | Pts | Ref | |||||||||||||
2011 | ThorSport Racing | 98 | Chevy | DAY | PHO | DAR | MAR | NSH | DOV | CLT | KAN | TEX | KEN | IOW 21 |
NSH | IRP 21 |
POC | MCH 24 |
BRI | ATL | CHI 20 |
NHA | KEN 9 |
LVS | TAL 17 |
MAR | TEX | HOM 25 |
29th | 172 | [23] | |||||||||||||
2012 | Toyota | DAY 35 |
MAR 21 |
CAR 14 |
KAN 15 |
CLT 13 |
DOV 20 |
TEX 18 |
KEN 13 |
IOW 27 |
CHI 16 |
POC 12 |
MCH 3 |
BRI 30 |
ATL 23 |
IOW | 20th | 370 | [24] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Turner Motorsports | 4 | Chevy | KEN 31 |
LVS | TAL | MAR | TEX | PHO | HOM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | Turn One Racing | 60 | Chevy | DAY 19 |
MAR 7 |
CAR 17 |
KAN 12 |
CLT 12 |
DOV 21 |
TEX 11 |
KEN 21 |
IOW 10 |
ELD 11 |
POC 18 |
MCH 13 |
BRI 18 |
MSP 19 |
IOW 16 |
CHI 17 |
LVS 16 |
TAL 5 |
MAR 18 |
TEX 17 |
PHO 19 |
HOM 23 |
12th | 628 | [25] |
Camping World East Series
editCamping World East Series results | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | NCWEC | Pts | Ref |
2009 | Ken Schrader Racing | 4 | Chevy | GRE 12 |
TRI 7 |
IOW | 24th | 512 | [26] | ||||||||
52 | SBO 17 |
GLN | NHA 12 |
TMP | ADI | LRP | NHA | DOV |
ARCA Racing Series
edit(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
ARCA Racing 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 | ARSC | Pts | Ref |
2009 | Venturini Motorsports | 15 | Chevy | DAY | SLM | CAR | TAL | KEN | TOL 20 |
POC | MCH | MFD | 26th | 1415 | [27] | ||||||||||||
Cunningham Motorsports | 4 | Dodge | IOW 6 |
KEN 11 |
BLN | POC 29 |
ISF | CHI | TOL 13 |
DSF | NJE | SLM 3 |
KAN | ||||||||||||||
22 | CAR 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | DAY 33 |
PBE 14 |
SLM 7 |
TEX 12 |
TAL 1 |
TOL 7 |
POC 8 |
MCH 11 |
IOW 4 |
MFD 5 |
POC 2 |
BLN 6 |
NJE 10 |
ISF 9 |
CHI 11 |
DSF 11 |
TOL 9 |
SLM 1* |
KAN 11 |
CAR 11 |
7th | 4705 | [28] | ||||
2011 | DAY 20 |
TAL 14 |
SLM 8 |
TOL 8 |
NJE | CHI | POC | MCH | WIN 1 |
BLN | IOW | IRP 4 |
POC | ISF | MAD | DSF | SLM | KAN | TOL | 25th | 1120 | [29] | |||||
2016 | Venturini Motorsports | 15 | Toyota | DAY | NSH | SLM | TAL | TOL | NJE | POC | MCH | MAD | WIN 9 |
IOW | IRP | POC | BLN | ISF | DSF | SLM | CHI | KEN | KAN | 100th | 185 | [30] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Career Highlights". DakodaArmstrong.com. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "2009 USAC Silver Crown season review". United States Auto Club. April 20, 2020.
- ^ "Where it all started: USAC Indiana Midget Week comes home to the Burg Saturday". United States Auto Club. June 1, 2022.
- ^ Adamczyk, Jay (September 7, 2012). "Armstrong & ThorSport Racing part ways". Jayski's Silly Season Site. ESPN. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
- ^ "Armstrong Will Drive Limited Schedule For RCR". SPEED Channel. Fox Sports. February 8, 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
- ^ Jensen, Tom (December 4, 2013). "'The King' makes a hire: Armstrong to run NNS for RPM". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
- ^ Spencer, Lee (November 24, 2015). "Armstrong and Richard Petty Motorsports split". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- ^ Spencer, Lee (January 9, 2016). "Armstrong finds new home for 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series season". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ "JGL Racing dismisses Dakoda Armstrong due to lack of sponsorship". Motorsport.com. September 25, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong Aiming For 2018 XFINITY Series Return". www.frontstretch.com. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ Aaron Bearden (July 17, 2018). "Raphael Lessard earns redemption with Redbud 400 win". Short Track Scene.
- ^ "Santos doubles up with sprint win at LOR". United States Auto Club. June 18, 2021.
- ^ "Swanson finds missing puzzle piece in Hoosier Classic sprint win". United States Auto Club. August 15, 2021.
- ^ Ken de la Bastide (May 29, 2022). "Roahrig claims second Little 500 victory over Dakoda Armstrong". Yahoo!.
- ^ Ken de la Bastide (October 23, 2022). "Roahrig claims IRP Sprint Car Tour event". Yahoo!.
- ^ "The fun way: Santos 10th to 1st to win Carb Night midgets". United States Auto Club. May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstong – 2009 NASCAR Camping World East Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2009 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2010 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2011 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ "Dakoda Armstrong – 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
External links
edit- Official website
- Dakoda Armstrong driver statistics at Racing-Reference