NASCAR Cup Series

Super sub: Brett Moffitt finishes eighth for Michael Waltrip Racing

Published Mar. 1, 2015 7:54 p.m. ET

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As he climbed from the No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota, Brett Moffitt was red-faced and fighting back tears.

In only his eighth career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start, and his first with a competitive team, the 21-year-old Iowa native scored a surprising eighth-place finish in Sunday's Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, holding off 2012 series champion Brad Keselowski for his first top-10 finish.

"I'm trying not to cry right now," said Moffitt. "Honestly, I was tearing up out there. This is the biggest accomplishment I could have ever done."

Moffitt's emotions were understandable.

The start of Moffitt's Cup career was certainly nothing to brag about. Making only seven starts for Jay Robinson Racing in 2014, Moffitt had a best  finish of 22nd at Dover International Speedway and six finishes of 34th or worse.

Finishing eighth at the fast, treacherous Atlanta track was definitely something to be proud of. 

The top-10 finish didn't come easily for Moffitt. As Kevin Harvick and eventual race winner Jimmie Johnson set a blistering pace, Moffitt fell a lap down to the leaders and came close to losing a second lap but was saved by a timely caution.

When the final caution of the day flew on Lap 306, Moffitt stayed out and restarted the race third. With little Sprint Cup Series experience, Moffitt spun the tires on the final restart of the day, but was able to fight back and hold off Keselowski in the final run to the checkered flag.

"That has to be the story of the day," said Ty Norris, MWR's executive vice president. "We've known it for a long time, and the only difference between him and a lot of guys is opportunity. There's always a silver lining in the black clouds, and when we heard about (Brian Vickers') situation, this gave Brett a great opportunity to come out here.

"From the first corner of the first lap, I was nervous for him because I really wanted him to showcase his talents," said Norris. "What an incredible story, for him to come out here and finish eighth. And how he did it, he went three-wide and passed Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne, then held off Brad Keselowski for the last 10 to 12 laps to do it. It wasn't like he just lucked into it, he earned it and I'm proud of him."

Unfortunately for Moffitt, Vickers -- who had heart surgery in December -- returns to his full-time role in the No. 55 Toyota next weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"I wish I was in it for the next 30-something weeks," Moffitt said with a chuckle. "I'm sure something will come about and an opportunity will open up, so we'll see."

"I hope his phone rings off the hook," said Norris.  

After the impressive run, MWR co-owner Rob Kauffman made it clear the organization is excited about the multi-year deal they have with Moffitt and was certainly impressed with his performance in Atlanta. 

"MWR would love to get back to a three-car team and grow with him into the future," Kauffman said of Moffitt. "Before this past weekend we stated that we felt his name should be mentioned among the impressive crop of young drivers coming into the sport, and the Atlanta result validated that claim. While we work towards a fully supported in-house program, it is MWR’s desire that Brett get more quality opportunities in either of NASCAR’s top divisions and we will work diligently to make that happen."

VIDEO: Highlights from Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway

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