Who is Landon Cassill? That’s a good question.
He might be the most anonymous driver in the Cup series right now. I could probably count on one hand how often he was mentioned yesterday on FOX. But yet he spent most of the Daytona 500, the biggest race in America, in the top 15, finished 12th in a go or go-home car, and got an 18 race sponsor the day before the 500. Why isn’t anybody in the media talking about this? Who knows? But to his fans, this anonymous success isn’t new.
A quick biography on Cassill before 2012:
He was a development driver for Hendrick Motorsports for a few years, drove a limited schedule in the No. 5 car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports and won the 2008 Rookie of the Year in the Nationwide Series but was let go for unknown reasons. In 2009 he only made one start in the NNS before getting a chance in the Sprint Cup Series in 2010 for longtime owner James Finch. Finch, who won Talladega the year before with Brad Keselowski in the greatest finish, in my view, since the 1979 Daytona 500, needed a driver to make the Michigan race, as the No. 09 car was a go or go-homer. Landon made it and spent the remainder of the year driving for a variety of owners. In 2011 Cassill was the full time driver for Finch beginning with the Fontana race, excluding the road course events. He made every event and had four top 20s.
In 2012, Cassill joined the BK Racing team, a team formed from the ashes of the former Red Bull Racing NASCAR team. It came together about a month before Daytona, and somehow they put two cars on the track for all of 2012. Due to being such a young team Cassill underperformed this season, but he and the team began to show promise near the end of the season, starting ninth at Michigan and had nine top 30s in the final 10 races.
In 2013, Cassill left BK Racing over a major contract dispute and joined Joe Falk’s team after Daytona. Falk had made a return the previous season into Cup Racing when Richard Childress Racing closed down the 33 team and sold the assets to Falk. Falk had seen a lot of struggle in 2012. Even though his primary driver Stephen Leicht won the Rookie of the Year he did not qualify for 6 races. Leicht also had one single top 30 finish in 15 starts.
This is where Cassill really started to shine. He took the 33 car, didn’t miss a single race the entire season, and had five top 30s after the second Daytona race. Unlike Leicht he brought a variety of sponsors to the team, such as Moon Shine Attitude Attire, Justin Original Workboots, KCI Kansas City, Precon Machine, Bicycle NASCAR Trading Cards, Interstate Moving Services, CRC Brakleen, ERCÂ Acquired TMone, and Pirate Oilfield Services. While most of these were one race deals, Moon Shine was on Landon’s car alone for nine races, and only Precon Machine had been with Leicht. Falk’s team eventually grew to include the 40 car, an R&D team that was usually shared by Cassill and journeyman Tony Raines. The two drivers alternated between cars, with Raines typically parking whatever car he was in.
Last week, not only did Cassill race his way into the Daytona 500 in the No. 40 while the No. 33 was being “rented out” by RCR, but he also got Falk a new sponsor for 18 races (Nabi Tablets), spent most of the Daytona 500 in the top 15, and tied his career best finish of 12th in the Sprint Cup series.
Now, a lot of people may believe that Cassill isn’t that great because he hasn’t had a top 10 or won a race in the Sprint Cup Series. But Cassill never had the equipment or the money to compete up front with guys like Jimmie Johnson or Kyle Busch, yet he is consistently making races. He’s only missed two Cup races in his entire career, woos sponsors, and finishes in the top half of the field more times than not. I think of it like the Olympics. Some events have like 50 people competing in them, and some people are going to write off the guy who finishes 20th or 22nd. The reality is that these are the top 50 people in the entire world at what they do and just being there is impressive enough, never mind beating 20 or 30 of them.
Can Cassill win races? Yes, eventually. The only question is if he’ll get an honest shot to. If he keeps doing what he has been doing the past few years though, I think it’s only a matter of time.
I watch Landon and appreciate not only his talent but his great persona Your spot on Diane I predict great things to come for Landon he will make Cedar Rapids proud Go Landon
Precon Marine, Inc. is the correct Sponsor name, not Precon Machine.
We are Proud to be associated with Landon Cassill and his 40 team, Hillman Racing.
Sorry for the typo. Will make sure to not make it again
Funny you used the word “anonymous” since Landon knows a bit about them.
I mean….he did set the record for “Rick rolling” when he did it to the poor people at Bristol a couple years ago. It was pretty hilarious but where do you think he got the idea from? The place it originated from.
IMO he’s a hilarious guy and has more personality than 95%of the cup field. Remember that Danica joke a year or so ago when she tried to wreck him and epically failed? lol
Mr Lehner,
I am originally from CR and have been rooting for your nephew the last couple years. I am in a Nascar pool and had to pick last from what drivers were left. One of my picks was Landon. The guy running the pool emailed me and said ‘I’ve never heard of Landon Cassill — are you SURE you want to pick him?’ I took the opportunity to tell him about Landson and could not have been happier to see him take 12th at Daytona (which I attended for the 1st time this year). Good luck this season #40!
Landon Cassill is a high integrity person and has been since his days in high school when he was a student in my class. The article brings out the one thing that I never knew about NASCAR, that being success is part driver talent and part available resources (money). If the playing field is ever leveled for Landon I am certain he will find even more success. With or without success Landon’s biggest attribute is his personality that is genuine, driven, compassionate and logical. I am excited to follow Landon again this season.
Thank you, I agree he is very over looked at most races. I have followed him for many years in Cedar Rapids. He and his family are great people who are the very same. Honest, fun hard working and have time to enjoy life.
Great article, I have been rooting for this underdog for the past two years as he is from my neighboring state. The more I see and hear about him the more I like him. Looking forward to seeing him do great things at the cup level.
I failed to see any information in the artticle about him racing in the nationwide series for Johnny Davis racing this year and race for Johnny last year also.
Cedar Rapids Has been blessed with several gifted athletes, Kurt Warner SMVP, Zach Johnson Masters Champion,, and now My Nephew Landon Cassill Nascar Driver, It maybe something in the food We are also the home of Quaker Oats
You missed Joey Gase who runs in Nationwide series. Mason Mitchell , one other that started at Hawkeye downs are also in Nascar
Not only did he finish 12th, he got hit by a car just a few days earlier.
I think Tony Stewart should put him in the 10ride. Remember it was Landon that pushed Tony across the finish line last year at Daytona!
I have been in the racing community with landon since he started at our home track, Hawkeye Downs, in Cedar Rapids Iowa. he has always been a talented and fun driver to watch and race with, but what sets him apart from others is what he gives back to racing. his fathers company Cassill motors puts allot of money into our track with sponsorships of many cars and other donations and Landon makes time to come back home and to the racetrack to hang out with us. when he does make it home he carries himself just as he did before stardom hit him on the Nascar seen and joins in with us like one of the guys. He visits with everyone and shares knowledge and helps with the racecars and does what he can to better each and everyone of us from the 500 dollar beaters to the big boys of our track and does so like an average joe treating nobody more special than another. we are very proud of Landon and know that Nascar has a great young driver who will represent the sport to the fullest and with grace and modesty. Good luck Landon and winning races in the big dance will happen soon, looking forward to seeing it.
Talk about a driver sticking with his dream . I hope the day comes when he has the sponsership and equipment to make that dream come true. We keep track of Landon in every race he’s in, we are from his home town and have followed him since he was about 16 or so and racing Friday nights on our local track. Joey Gase is another local who is going after his dream he started on Sunday thats a big step. We are proud of both of them and wish them all the best.
Did Landon, his family, or Cassill Motors have anything to do with Go Daddy coming into Nascar as a sponsor? I know that Bob Parsons has ties to Cedar Rapids, the former Parsons Technology, and now Go Daddy.
Wasn’t the sponsor for the Daytona Speedweeks Carsforsale.com?
I really enjoyed reading this article. It was well written and I agree with your comments. I believe it is only a matter of time.
This article gave me chills. I’m so proud of Landon. He’s come along way these past few years.
Nice article, I’ve been watching Landon since the ASA Late model days and I think he’s good enough to win in the Cup series. Hopefully the good luck from Daytona continues throughout this season and beyond!
I was rooting for Landon the whole time, he is a great driver, and needs to be mentioned more.