Stenhouse Jr Earns Gorsline Scholarship

By Anne Proffit

Anne Proffit

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Anne Proffit has worked in the automotive field since - well, not telling you that. She's been a car salesperson (before it was popular to hire... More

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546 views Jan 11, 2012

Stenhouse Jr with his Nationwide Series trophy - photo courtesy NASCAR

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Racing insurance broker John Gorsline is one who gives back to the sport by sponsoring the Gorsline Scholarship for a deserving race car driver.  The award, begun in 1994 claims alumni with high achievements, including Bryan Herta in '94, Jerry Nadeau (1996), Butch Leitzinger, Buddy Rice (1998), Bryan Sellers, Patrick Long (2001), Danica Patrick ('02), Katherine Legge ('06), JR Hildebrand (2007), Josef Newgarden (2010) and last year's winner, Conor Daly.

This year Gorsline chose 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and Roush Fenway Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr for his 19th annual Gorsline Scholarship.  Stenhouse Jr., 23, living in Cornelius, NC was honored Sunday at the 42nd annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association's (AARWBA) All-America Team dinner in Indianapolis.

As the scholarship winner, Ricky Stenhouse Jr gets to work with Dr Jacques Dallaire, director of Performance Prime, who will help create an individually-designed performance-enhancement program, courtesy of Gorsline Company, headquartered in Rochester, NY.  

Gorsline Company provides racing drivers and team owners creative, custom-designed insurance packages and estate planning strategies.  The company pioneered the business of providing insurance for high-risk professionals.  The Gorsline Scholarship recognizes aspiring drivers and presents a program to provide assistance in developing their skills on and off the track.

"It's our privilege to name Ricky as this year's Gorsline Scholarship winner," said John Gorsline, principal of Gorsline Company.  "He started racing go-karts at age six and in 17 years he has had a hugely successful racing career, earning his first major championship in 2011.  With team owner Jack Roush's support and belief in him, Ricky claimed the Nationwide Series crown - even before the final race was over," Gorsline noted.

Stenhouse Jr., who earned 47 A-main karting victories and more than 90 podium results by the age of 15, drove for Tony Stewart Racing in the 2007 USAC National Sprint Car and USA National Midget Series.  He gained recognition through his five Midget wins and two Sprint victories en route to becoming Rookie of the Year in both USAC series.

In 2008, Stenhouse Jr joined Roush Renway Racing and claimed his first stock car win in the ARCA RE/MAX Seies - in only his sixth career start.  Stenhouse Jr led the points for three weeks before waging one of the closest championship battles in ARCA history.  He closed out the 2008 season with two wins, three poles and fourth place in the standings.

Originally from Olive Branch, Miss., Stenhouse Jr backed up his 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year title with the 2011 Nationwide championship in a Roush Fenway Ford Mustang.  Other achievements include feature wins in the American Sprint Car Series and USAC Silver Crown, proof that he can transition from winged sprint cars to non-winged sprint race cars.

"I"m honored to be awarded the 2012 Gorsline Scholarship," Stenhouse Jr acknowledged.  "The list of previous winners is quite outstanding and to be included among them is pretty cool.  I hope that I can carry on the tradition of talented Gorsline Scholarship winners - just as those before me."  Andy Villa, Gorsline Company partner, and previous Gorsline Scholarship winners Patrick Long and Josef Newgarden accepted the award on behalf of Stenhouse Jr at the AARWBA dinner.