VENTURA, Calif. – Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a five-time USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget feature winner, has become the latest addition to the massive field for the 79th running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix on Thursday at California’s Ventura Raceway.

Stenhouse, also a two-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup winner and two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, will drive the No. 17JR for Clauson/Marshall Racing, a fifth entry for the team alongside series champion Tyler Courtney, Chris Windom, Zeb Wise and Andrew Layser.

The Olive Branch, Miss., native has made three USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget starts this year, finishing seventh in September’s BC39 at The Dirt Track at IMS and sixth on the opening night of the Hangtown 100 one week ago at California’s Placerville Speedway.

On the second night of the Hangtown 100, Stenhouse was running second when he pulled off with a problem just prior to the halfway mark of the 100-lapper.

Stenhouse has made one previous Turkey Night Grand Prix midget start, in 2007, where he finished third in his qualifying race and 29th in the feature event.  The 2007 race was held on the pavement of Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway.  This year’s race will mark Stenhouse’s first Turkey Night Grand Prix appearance on dirt.