Richard Childress Racing announced Friday at Texas Motor Speedway that 19-year-old John Wes Townley will join the team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the 2010 season. Said Townley, "I look forward to the opportunity to drive for Richard Childress Racing next year. It's a thrill to be part of their organization. They have such a well-respected history and have produced solid results over the years. I'm confident we'll run well next season."

The team will have its work cut out for it if it hopes to fulfill Townley’s goal of running well next season. Considered by reporters and fans to be one of the worst drivers in the sport, Townley has 10 DNFs, seven wrecks, six DNQs and numerous crashes in practice and qualifying in one year in the Nationwide Series.

Despite those statistics, Townley has the sponsor support needed to secure a ride in today’s NASCAR and that advantage has paid off once again. For Townley, that financial backing comes from the “fast-casual” chicken chain his father Tony helped create, Zaxby’s.

"Zaxby's has experienced significant growth over the past several years and we attribute part of that to greater brand awareness from our association with NASCAR," said Molly Huff, Zaxby's director of marketing. "This sponsorship has given us invaluable exposure with new and existing audiences, and we are thrilled it will continue in 2010. Richard Childress Racing has a great reputation for success, and we're happy to be working with them for Zaxby's fourth season in NASCAR."

Townley sure has given Zaxby’s plenty of TV time and exposure, mainly in the form of wrecked race cars and poor performances.