Wood Brothers Racing announced Thursday they have chosen Trevor Bayne to drive the famed No. 21 Ford in the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Bayne and the team plan to compete in at least 17 races this season.

“It’s pretty awesome that the Wood Brothers have the confidence in me to believe that I can do it as a rookie,” said Bayne. “That says a lot about our relationship already.”

The 19-year-old is the youngest driver ever to pilot the Wood Brothers Ford.

“We’re really excited to be starting the season with Trevor,” said Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing. “It’s something new for us. We had a good race at Texas last year. That’s where it all started.”

Bayne impressed the Wood Brothers team in his Sprint Cup debut at Texas last season. The Knoxville, Tennessee native got in the field on speed and finished a respectable 17th.

“I’m looking forward to my first year in Cup,” Bayne said. “I know it’s not full time, but it’s been my dream since I was five years old."

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