MOORESVILLE, N.C. — For Spencer Davis, Monday was a season-altering day in his quest to chase the 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship.

Davis, who currently sits second in series points, revealed to Race Chaser Online that he has parted ways with the No. 41 Ranier Racing with MDM Chevrolet team, with which he contested the first seven races of the year.

The news was also confirmed in a statement released to the team’s website, which stated:

“Ranier Racing with MDM announced Monday that Spencer Davis, whom the organization guided to his first-career NASCAR K&N Pro Series victory at Dominion Raceway in late May, will vacate the seat of its No. 41 Chevrolet SS effective before the series’ next race at Columbus Motor Speedway on July 2.”

“The team, a first year organization fielding two full-time entries in the NASCAR K&N (Pro) Series (East), is currently evaluating its driver options for the final seven races of the season and will continue to campaign Kyle Benjamin’s No. 40 entry in his quest for the driver’s championship.”

The post was taken down just prior to midnight on Monday night.

Davis added that budget troubles — and not an issue between he and the team — led to the separation.

“It’s just unfortunate stuff that has happened … and unfortunately our budget wouldn’t allow us to finish the year with everyone at Ranier Racing with MDM,” the Dawsonville, Georgia native and member of the 2016 NASCAR Next class explained. “We hate that it’s happened, but we plan to go out with our family-owned equipment and give it our best shot.”

Davis, who will campaign the No. 92 Davis Poultry Equipment Chevrolet this coming weekend with his father Scott as the listed owner, also said that he maintains a solid and amicable relationship with his former team despite the sudden turn of events.

“I feel like everyone at Ranier Racing with MDM … that I still have a good relationship with everyone on the team. I’ll still go over there and hang out with all the guys, They’re like family to me, and everyone over there … (team owner) Lorin (Ranier), (co-owner) Doug Fuller, my crew chief Doug Howe, Matt Miller … they’re all nice people and I’m grateful for having worked with them.”

“Unfortunately, just sometimes things happen in racing and this is one of those times.”

Davis also left the door open to a potential return to the No. 41 car later in the season.

“It’d be real nice to get back over there real soon … to get back together with the guys and contend for wins again. You never know, we might be back there sooner than expected. It’s hard to tell right now, but our plan is to still try to continue and do some more races with Ranier Racing with MDM, so we’ll see what happens. Hopefully we can get back to that (No.) 41 car soon.”

The Monday announcement from Ranier Racing with MDM is also the first time that the team has confirmed Kyle Benjamin’s pursuit of the K&N East championship, after Benjamin admitted in late March that he didn’t start the season planning to chase the title and only had seven ARCA Racing Series and K&N East starts apiece on the table with the team.

At the midpoint of the 14-race K&N East season, Benjamin sits third in drivers’ points, while the No. 41 entry is second in the owners’ standings, 22 markers behind series leader Justin Haley.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East returns to action on Saturday, July 2, with the running of the NAPA Auto Parts 150 at the third-mile Columbus Motor Speedway in Obetz, Ohio.

About the Writer

Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.

Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.

The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.

Email Jacob at: speed77radio@gmail.com

Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77

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