Trent Owens to oversee JTG's new entry for 2017

Owens, who turns 42 on Wednesday, started his racing career behind the wheel. He competed in 12 Camping World Truck Series races in 2001-2002 and scored three top-15 finishes for Billy Ballew before transitioning to crew chief in 2003.

Owens honed his crew chief skills on the XFINITY Series tour. He led Kyle Larson to the 2013 NXS rookie-of-the-year title before joining Richard Petty Motorsports at the end of season. In his first year with Aric Almirola, the No. 43 Ford returned to Victory Lane in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. The win was the first for Almirola and Owens and the organization’s first Chase berth since 2009 with Kasey Kahne.

Owens, who is Richard Petty’s nephew, was released from RPM in October. RPM has since down-sized to one team with Almirola.

JTG Daugherty Racing officially announced on Nov. 29 that the organization would field a second squad with Buescher. He joins AJ Allmendinger, who has piloted the No. 47 Chevy since 2013. Buescher, the 2015 NXS champion, competed for Front Row Motorsports last season in the No. 34 Ford. With his victory at Pocono in August, Buescher was the only rookie to win a race in 2016. He qualified for the Chase but was knocked out in the first round.