NY Racing Team Overview
NY Racing Team is an American professional stock car racing team that competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team is owned by John Cohen and fields the No. 44 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with car bodies supplied by Richard Childress Racing and engines provided by Hendrick Motorsports. The organization operates from Statesville, North Carolina, and has roots that include an earlier presence in Dawsonville, Georgia.
Founding and Organizational Origins
NY Racing Team began as Xxxtreme Motorsport in the spring of 2009 when Johnathan “John” Cohen founded the operation after building business interests in nightlife and hospitality. Cohen is one of the few African-American owners to field a team in a top-level NASCAR touring series, and he founded the team to compete in national stock car events beginning in the same year.
The early organization was lean and focused on securing part-time entries and sponsorships to establish the team on the national stage. Initial owner points and assets were acquired to improve qualifying prospects, and the team’s early logistics included purchasing equipment and a race shop to support Cup and Nationwide efforts.
Growth Into NASCAR Competition
The team expanded from its initial Nationwide Series entries in 2009 to make its NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2012. That progression required developing race operations capable of competing at the Cup level, including partnerships for chassis and powertrains. NY Racing Team worked with outside vendors and technical suppliers while assembling race crews to support its part-time Cup schedule.
Throughout its growth, the team pursued alliances and asset purchases to stabilize entry fields and qualifying chances. A notable transaction occurred before the 2014 Richmond race when NY Racing Team acquired owner points and assets from Swan Racing, including a Statesville, North Carolina race shop that established a more permanent operational base.
NY Racing Team Competitive Journey
NY Racing Team’s competitive history spans part-time Nationwide (Xfinity) entries beginning in 2009 and intermittent Cup Series campaigns from 2012 onward. The organization has focused on selective race entries, often forming partnerships with other teams to share resources, and has navigated the financial and technical challenges common to small teams operating in NASCAR’s top tier.
Early Seasons and Development (2009–2014)
The team debuted in the Nationwide Series in 2009 running part-time with the No. 07 and No. 58 entries at tracks including Daytona and Atlanta. Early Nationwide efforts featured drivers such as Chase Austin, Mike Harmon, Josh Wise, and others, with sponsorship from Macy’s and Cavi Clothing during the initial season. Limited sponsorship and resource constraints prompted a temporary shutdown of the Nationwide program at the end of 2009.
NY Racing Team moved into the NASCAR Cup Series and made its Cup debut in the 2012 AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix with David Reutimann driving the No. 44. The team tried to run a fuller Cup schedule in subsequent seasons but faced repeated mechanical issues, qualifying challenges, and the common start-and-park pressures that affect underfunded teams. In 2014 the team purchased Swan Racing’s owner points and assets to strengthen its Cup operations and used the acquired Statesville shop to support race-day preparation.
Breakthrough in NASCAR Cup Series (2012–2022)
NY Racing Team’s Cup program has been defined by persistent part-time entries, partnerships with other teams, and sporadic competitive results. The initial Cup entry in 2012 ended early with a vibration-related retirement, and the early years were marked by engine failures, DNQs, and several race withdrawals. The organization often collaborated with other teams such as Premium Motorsports, BK Racing, and Front Row Motorsports to field cars and improve logistical capabilities.
The team’s most notable competitive moments include securing a lead-lap finish at the 2015 Daytona 500 when Reed Sorenson crossed the line 32nd, and a notable return to the Daytona 500 in 2022 with Greg Biffle, finishing 36th. In 2022 the No. 44 returned to Chevrolet with sponsorship from historically black colleges for select events, and the team recorded its first top-twenty Cup finish at Atlanta that year, finishing twentieth.
Breakthrough in Xfinity Series (2009)
NY Racing Team’s Xfinity (then Nationwide) activity began in 2009 with part-time runs rather than a sustained development program. The team used the No. 07 and No. 58 cars to gain experience at superspeedways and short tracks with a variety of drivers. Loss of initial sponsors at the end of 2009 led the operation to pause its Xfinity program while refocusing resources on establishing a Cup presence.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2022–Present)
Since re-entering Cup competition in 2022, NY Racing Team has pursued a part-time model centered on select superspeedway and intermediate events. The No. 44 roster has included veteran drivers such as Greg Biffle, J. J. Yeley, Joey Gase, and in 2025 drivers J. J. Yeley, Derek Kraus, and Brennan Poole. The team continues to rely on external technical partnerships for chassis and engines to remain competitive on event weekends.
Operationally, NY Racing Team aims to field reliable part-time entries while seeking sponsorship that can sustain additional starts. The team’s shop in Statesville, North Carolina supports race preparation, while collaborations and driver agreements provide flexibility to enter marquee events such as the Daytona 500 and other high-profile races.
Engineering Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
NY Racing Team emphasizes pragmatic engineering choices and resource partnerships to maximize competitiveness for each targeted event. With car bodies sourced from Richard Childress Racing and engines from Hendrick Motorsports, the team focuses on setup consistency, race execution, and leveraging experienced drivers who can deliver solid finishes in drafting or attrition-driven races.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key milestones include the Cup debut at the 2012 AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix, the team’s first lead-lap result at the 2015 Daytona 500, the acquisition of Swan Racing assets in 2014 that provided a Statesville facility, and the 2022 return to the Daytona 500 with Greg Biffle. The first top-twenty Cup finish came at Atlanta in 2022, and the team recorded another 20th-place result in the 2024 Coke Zero Sugar 400 with Joey Gase.
NY Racing Team Achievements and Results
NY Racing Team’s verified competitive record reflects the realities of a small, part-time Cup organization: the team has not recorded race wins or championships but has completed a number of national-level events and produced occasional strong finishes when resources and circumstance aligned.
Cup Series Achievements
According to the team’s public record, NY Racing Team has competed in 44 Cup races as part of a total of 51 national series starts. The team has not recorded Cup victories or pole positions, but notable performances include a lead-lap finish at the 2015 Daytona 500 and the first top-twenty finish at Atlanta in 2022. The organization continues to target selective Cup events while seeking sponsorship to expand its schedule.
Xfinity Series Achievements
NY Racing Team’s Xfinity/Nationwide activity comprises seven recorded starts in 2009 and early efforts, primarily used to gain experience and exposure for the fledgling organization. The team did not record wins, poles, or championships in the Xfinity/Nationwide entries and moved resources toward Cup-level competition after initial seasons.
