About Stephen Leicht
In 2005 Robert Yates Racing debuted their driver development program with Stephen Leicht, an 18 year old from Asheville, NC. His quick success, many accomplishments, and talented driving skills convinced Robert Yates, whose success in the sport speaks for itself, that he has what it takes to be a top driver in today's sport of NASCAR.

Stephen Leicht began his racing career at the young age of 5. Quarter Midgets (1/4 scale version of an actual midget car, which was used to race in the 1930's and 1940's) and go-cart racing is where Leicht first “got his feet wet”. He competed on both dirt and asphalt tracks in both series' up until the age of 7. Leicht's quick success caused him to move up a notch in go-cart racing by taking on the challenge of road-course carts as well as champ carts (go carts with roll cages). By age 11, Leicht had compiled over 500 starts and over 150 victories in his 6 year span of go-cart competition.

Leicht's enthusiasm about racing proved to his family that he was ready to move away from go-cart racing and commit himself to a full season in the MMRA (Miniature Motorsports Racing Association) where he raced Winston Minis (1/4 scale stock cars). In just his first year of competition in the MMRA, an association whose goal is to prepare young racers for professional level racing, Leicht won the points championship for his region and went on to finish third in the National Championship. At only 11 years of age, Leicht became the youngest driver in MMRA history to win a Regional Points Championship.

From the MMRA, Leicht went on to race late model stocks in UARA STARS competition (division which promotes late model stock racing in the Southeast United States). By running a partial schedule during his first year in the series, the 12 year old acclimated himself to the handling of the bigger, heavier cars and prepared himself for a full schedule the following season. He hit the road of success quickly by setting a new track record at Hickory Motor Speedway (HMS). At only 13 years of age, Stephen Leicht was the youngest ever set a track record at HMS. His first year in late model stock racing brought a 7th place finish in the year end points and Rookie of the Year honors.

By age 14, Leicht was not only running in the UARA STARS division but he had also submitted himself to the ARA Southern Thunder Series (another late model stock division in the Southeast). Despite Leicht’s time being split between the two schedules, his keen driving skills allowed him to finish 2nd in the ARA series, just missing the Championship by 1 point. Second in the division fueled Leicht to devote the following year to a full schedule in the ARA series. His grit and determination paid off as he won the ARA Points Championship at only 15 years of age. Again he made history by being the youngest ever to win a Championship in the series.

The ASA National Tour runs cars that are similar to today's Busch Series cars (heavier than late model stocks) and branches out its tour to include race tracks all over the United States. Stephen Leicht knew he had to continue to grow in order to reach the success that he was looking for. At age 16, Leicht ran a partial schedule in the ASA Nationals and the following year teamed up with Waltom Racing to run a full season in the division. Many of NASCAR's top drivers rose through the ranks of the ASA National Tour and Leicht knew it was going to be his biggest challenge yet. In his first full season, Leicht finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year competition.

The following year Leicht ran in the ASA Late Model Series, and at 18 years of age Leicht won the year end Championship. During his championship season, Leicht compiled 5 victories and 5 runner up finishes; a great accomplishment at only 18 years of age.

Leicht's success in the ASA Late Model Series was enough to convince Robert Yates to give him a chance in a NASCAR Busch Series car. During the 2005 race season Yates, with the help of sponsorship from Action Performance Companies, entered Leicht at 2 races.

Memphis Motorsports Park was Leicht's debut track in the NASCAR Busch Series. Several other drivers from various teams were also making their debut on the track in preparation for next year's race season. Leicht showed no intimidation and knew this was his opportunity for the future. He started out strong with an 8th place qualifying position and was the highest finishing debut driver at 13th place.

Phoenix International Raceway was Leicht's last chance to show Robert Yates that he has what it takes to be a top driver in the sport. While competing against the Nextel Cup regulars on a track that he had never raced, Leicht qualified 17th and finished a respectable 15th; a performance that convinced Yates to start his driver development program and sign Leicht.

In 2007, Leicht won his first career NASCAR Busch Series race Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway. After running in the top five for the majority of the race, Leicht passed Brad Coleman with 12 laps to go and drove away to win the Meijer 300.

Leicht finished the 2007 season, in 7th place in Busch Series points with 3603 points.

Stephen Leicht was born a racer. His accomplishments throughout his career, along with his talented driving skills have given him the next big opportunity in his quest for success.

In 2008, Leicht has a contract with Richard Childress Racing to run a partial schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and is proving that he has what it takes to be a top tier driver.