Memorial Service Scheduled for Jim Watson

77 and 78 Teams Celebrate in Victory Lane Together to Honor 'Wildman Watson'

#RipJimWatson

Jim Watson, a fabricator for Furniture Row Racing, tasked in a number of roles for both the No. 78 of Martin Truex Jr. and No. 77 of Erik Jones. Jim, affectionately known in the garages as the “Wildman” had been a member of Furniture Row Racing since February. He worked for Roush Fenway Racing from 2006-15 and spent last season with HScott Motorsports.

Jim Watson passed away Saturday night after suffering a heart attack in Kansas City, Kansas. He was there with his teams to prepare for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race.

The family will receive friends of the man from 4-6 p.m. Warlick Funeral Home is located at 125 Dave Warlick Drive in Lincolnton, N.C.

Watson was born Sept. 27, 1962, in Kenosha, Wis., to Betty Paulus Watson and the late David Harrison Watson. He is survived by his wife, Laurie Ann Watson; a daughter, Brittany May Watson; his mother, Betty L. Watson; brother, Mike Watson; stepchildren, Eric James Conover and fiancé Claudia Rodriguez, and Matthew Sean Conover; Michael Patrick Conover, and wife Michele, and Nicholas Ian Conover; three grandchildren, Patrick Michael Conover, Michael Winston Conover, and Coleton Daniel Conover; nieces, Jennifer Watson and Katie J. Ballou; and many other uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.

Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Sprint Cup Winner, Martin Truex Jr. honored his fallen team member.

Certainly thinking about … Jim (Watson) … and his family, Truex lamented. “It’s crazy how things happen like that. (crew chief) Cole (Pearn) texted me last night at 11 o’clock, said he was at the hospital and I’m like ‘What are you talking about?’ It’s tragic. He was a huge part of this team, fabricating for both cars at the race track and making sure we get through tech which is quite a challenge at times.

Just definitely racing with heavy hearts, we were all talking about him before the race, just wanted to do good for him. I know he’d love to be here celebrating with us. Proud of everybody just for sticking with me and never giving up. Today was definitely a challenge but fast cars prevail I guess and good teams prevail. Just got to thank everybody and again the Watson family, thinking about you guys. You’re in our thoughts.

When Truex won in the past, it had just been the No. 78 crew that gathered in Victory Lane. Sunday, the No. 77 crew also joined Truex’s team to celebrate a win and a life.

This guy was all about racing! Miss you Wildman, but fortunate to spend this season w you. We’ll push forward and race hard in your honor! pic.twitter.com/7AQvIAlAaV

— Chris Gayle (@poindexter1414) October 22, 2017

“Chris (Gayle) and I came to it … that if either one of us were fortunate enough to win, we’d both go to Victory Lane because Jim worked on both of our cars and was a part of both of our teams,’’ Cole Pearn. (Gayle and Pearn are the Crew Chiefs for the 77 and 78 respectively.) It proved a fitting honor for Jim Watson.

Tough night but the result was some solace we all needed. So proud of the team. For you Wildman… https://t.co/pA9ZUlEx5C

— Cole Pearn (@colepearn) October 23, 2017

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials may be made to hatsalive.org* in memory of Jim.

*Helping Animals to Survive (HATS) have a number of programs in place that help ensure every animal in the community gets a chance, all of which are supported by wonderful volunteers.

Jim was such a cool guy, always had a story to make you laugh. Going to miss him. https://t.co/W12IBZNbP8

— Erik Jones (@erik_jones) October 22, 2017

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WIX® Filters Announces Partnership with Furniture Row Racing

WIX® Filters, a global manufacturer of filtration products, has joined Furniture Row Racing as a key technical partner, which includes a primary and associate sponsorship role with the Denver, Colo.-based team during the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 78 Toyota Camry will carry the WIX Filters primary paint scheme in the July 16th race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. In addition to the primary sponsorship, WIX Filters will have logo placement for the full season under the hood and on the C-post of Truex’s race car and also on the chest of his firesuit.

Additionally, Furniture Row Racing’s No. 77 Toyota Camry, driven by rookie Erik Jones, will showcase WIX Filters for the season under the hood and on the B-post. The sleeve of Jones’ firesuit will also have a WIX Filters logo.

“The competitive spirit of racing is a perfect reflection of our own commitment to excellence, and our new partnership with Furniture Row Racing is an exciting continuation of our longstanding support of the teams and drivers who share our love of hard work, determination, and high-performing engines,” said Jennifer Gibson, brand manager for WIX. “It’s going to be an exciting 2017 season, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the track.”

Joe Garone, president of Furniture Row Racing, said the team is thrilled to form a new partnership with an iconic brand in the automotive industry.

“As long as I have been in motorsports, and many years before me, WIX Filters has been the gold standard with filtration products,” said Garone. “To have a notable company as a new partner gives everyone at Furniture Row Racing a boost of confidence and gratification. We look forward to providing WIX Filters with on-track performances that mirror their quality products.”

The sponsorship marks a rich history between WIX and teams on NASCAR’s most competitive racing circuit, which provides a storied testing ground for WIX and its high-performance automotive filters.

“This is exciting to have WIX Filters, an innovative and industry-leading company, join our team,” said Truex. “Since I consider New Hampshire one of my home tracks and a place where the Truex family has enjoyed success over the years, I can’t think of a better place for the No. 78 WIX Filters Toyota primary branding debut. We’re overdue in New Hampshire and the WIX Filters Toyota would look awesome in Victory Lane.”

About WIX Filters

Since 1939, WIX® Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Part of the MANN+HUMMEL family of brands, WIX's product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks, off-road equipment and manufacturing applications.

For more information, visit www.wixfilters.com or any of our social channels: Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, Snapchat and/or YouTube.

 

About Furniture Row Racing

Furniture Row Racing began its NASCAR journey in 2005 by participating in the XFINITY Series in addition to running two races in NASCAR’s Cup Series. The Denver, Colo.-based team shifted its main focus to NASCAR’s premier division in 2006. While operating as a single-car team, Furniture Row Racing qualified for the Chase playoffs in three of the past four seasons. The team announced in August 2016 that it will add a second car, beginning in 2017. The team’s driver lineup includes Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 78 Toyota Camry and rookie Erik Jones in the No. 77 Toyota Camry. The team’s owner -- Barney Visser – is also the founder and CEO of the Furniture Row Companies, one of America’s largest, family-owned and operated specialty home furnishings and bedding retailers. Furniture Row operates more than 330 stores in 30 states. For race team information visit www.FurnitureRowRacing.com and for Furniture Row company information visit www.FurnitureRow.com .

Martin Truex Jr. has been named the 2016 Eastern Motorsport Press Association National Driver of the Year. The award was voted on by members of the EMPA. Driving the No. 78 Toyota Camry for Denver-based Furniture Row Racing, Truex’s stellar 2016 season in NASCAR’s premier division included four wins, five poles and a series’ leading 1,805 laps led, all career season highs for the native of Mayetta, N.J. His dominating victory at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway set a NASCAR record for miles led (588) and an event record for laps led – 392 out of 400.

Haha. Had a great time at fan appreciation day @NASCARHall and then went and spun the crap out of that front wheel drive 🚴🏻@MTJFoundation https://t.co/HTF9wz9MOt

— Martin Truex Jr. (@MartinTruex_Jr) January 22, 2017

Source

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