Napa Ford Lincoln Mercury is Proud Sponsor of Kirk Shelmerdine Racing on Board for the Sonoma, California Race.

About Kirk Shelmerdine - Kirk Shelmerdine understands a racecar better than any other driver in NASCAR. As one of the league's most exciting and experienced champions, he brings decades of wisdom and success to the Winston Cup Racing Series. 

While he is a respected competitor behind the wheel, Kirk is best known for his achievements behind pit wall. He led Dale Earnhardt to four Winston Cup Championships between 1986 and 1992. At age 25, he became the youngest crew chief to ever win a NASCAR Winston Cup race and three years later went on to become the youngest crew chief to win the Winston Cup Championship. Kirk's ability to understand race cars and win races is rarely matched in  the NASCAR community.

The late Dale Earnhardt, Sr., named one of NASCAR's greatest competitors, said, "[Kirk] understands every facet of this sport better than anyone else I know. His hard work and dedication are what sets him apart from the rest."

In 1992, Kirk stunned the racing community when he announced his retirement from the sport of racing at just 34 years old. But, his need for speed and the thrill of victory did not allow Kirk to stay away from the race track for long. He returned a more intense competitor to prove he was more than just a man behind the wall.

New Hampshire Race - The 2001 NASCAR WRS National Champion Ted Christopher recently rode one of Kirk's cars. He was piloting the #27 Ford Taurus at a New Hampshire race. Unfortunately, problems do occur, and he was forced out on lap 30 due to an unexpected brake problem. He was unable to keep competing but he came out of the race unharmed.