Cole Whitt

Nicholas 'Cole' Whitt (born June 22, 1991 in Alpine, California) is an American professional stock car racing driver. After advancing his way through Kart racing, Whitt moved up to sprint cars and became a development driver for Red Bull. After running in the Camping World Series East, Whitt made his NASCAR debut in 2010. The younger cousin of Brandon Whitt. He competes full-time in the Sprint Cup Series, driving the No. 98 Toyota Camry for Premium Motorsports. He is nicknamed "The Ginger Lion" due to his ferocity behind the wheel of race-cars.

Racing career

USAC

Cole Whitt, born to Tobin and Kim Whitt, was inspired to race when he saw one of his cousins with a go-kart. After winning championships in go-karts, Whitt moved up to sprint cars in 2004. Whitt was quickly noticed by Red Bull and was in the semifinals for Red Bull's driver development search. After winning the Hoosier Sprint Rookie of the Year award in 2006, Whitt traveled around the United States the next year, running 60 races and gaining top tens in 34 of those starts. To continue his racing career, Whitt and his mother moved to Lebanon, Indiana. In 2008 Whitt became the youngest winner of the USAC National Midget Championship, while winning the Hut Hundred. The next year Whitt raced in Silver Crown, Sprints, and Midgets, earning 17 wins driving for Keith Kunz.