Leavine Family Racing sold; team will compete the rest of 2020

By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer

After much speculation, Leavine Family Racing owner Bob Leavine has announced the sale of the team, assets, and charter. The NASCAR Cup Series team fields the No. 95 Toyota for rookie driver Christopher Bell. Owner Bob Leavine has stated the team will finish out the remainder of this season.

“It’s with great sadness today that I announce the sale of the Leavine Family Racing team, assets and charter,” said Bob Leavine. “Since 2011, Sharon and our entire family have enjoyed being a part of the NASCAR community with Matt DiLiberto joining the family as a co-owner in 2016. We will say goodbye at the conclusion of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.

This decision has not been made lightly. Family has always been a part of the team’s name and this is how we view every member of our race team — as our family. There is no good time to make this announcement, but doing it earlier allows our people to explore employment opportunities, for next season, to provide for their families. There will be opportunities with the new owners which was important to our decision.

This year has been challenging for not only our race team, but our industry, our country and the entire world. The pandemic has impacted our economy and unfortunately that’s just not something we are able to overcome in order to continue racing beyond this season.

Leavine Family Racing will continue to compete through the end of 2020, and we want to leave on a positive note – contending for top-finishes with Christopher Bell, Toyota, TRD, and all of our partners. Thank you to everyone for your support through this journey. Thank you to our partners and fans and most of all, thank you to everyone who has been part of the Leavine Family Racing family over the last decade.”

The team made their NASCAR Cup Series debut in April of 2011 at Texas Motor Speedway with David Starr, an event where Starr finished 38th following an accident.

Leavine Family Racing has gone on to have a number of drivers compete in the No. 95 including Scott Speed, Michael McDowell, Kasey Kahne, Matt DiBenedetto and most recently Christopher Bell.

In 20 races this season, 25-year old Christopher Bell has one top-five and five top-10 finishes. His best finish of fourth came at Pocono Raceway in June.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete in the Cup series for LFR, and I’m focused on finishing the year strong and going after not only my first win, but the teams as well. https://t.co/FBU5XKXTNX

— Christopher Bell (@CBellRacing) August 4, 2020

Photo Credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography / NKP Photo