ATTICA, Ohio — Rudeen Racing has hired All Star regular Zeb Wise to replace Cory Eliason behind the wheel of the No. 26 sprint car.
The team released Eliason last week after three years with the team. Wise has driven the Wise-Priddy Racing No. 10 sprint car, which is co-owned by his family and crew chief Wayne Priddy, for the past two seasons.
Wise, who drove a second Rudeen entry during last month’s Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway, will run his first race with Rudeen Racing in the July 12 Brad Doty Classic at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park.
Wise confirmed the news on social media Tuesday afternoon.
“So pumped for this,” Wise wrote on Twitter. “Cannot thank Kevin Rudeen and everyone at Rudeen Racing enough for this opportunity. The 26 car is definitely a premier ride, and I’m honored to be named the driver.”
Wise posted an additional statement, thanking Priddy, his team and his family.
“The past year and a half gave me some of the best experiences of my entire racing career to date. At the end of 2020/start of 2021 Wise-Priddy was formed. Wayne Priddy and my dad taught me so much about what goes into a race team and that there is a lot more to racing than a nine-sixteenths wrench and a steering wheel. I’m thankful for Wayne and everything he did for me and our team.”
Wise also thanked his sponsors and confirmed several would continue to support him with Rudeen Racing. Wise will drive the Wise-Priddy machine for three All Star races this week, including tomorrow night’s $25,000-to-win Don Martin Memorial at Pennsylvania’s Lernerville Speedway.
“Three more All Star shows in the 10,” Wise wrote. “Let’s go out on top. I’m very excited for my new opportunities and just as thankful for my previous ones.”
Eliason drove the Rudeen Racing machine to second in All Star points in 2020 and 2021.