The 52nd running of the Daytona 500 officially opened the 2010 NASCAR season on Sunday, February 14, 2010 at Daytona International Speedway. SCPS alum Kenneth Purcell '00, who currently lives in Mooresville, North Carolina, rejoined Jimmie Johnson's #48 team for his 4th season racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

After SCPS, Kenneth attended Armstrong Atlantic State University, then graduated from Lanier Technical College in Atlanta in 2003. He then worked internships for the Richard Petty Driving Experience, and joined the crew of Innovative Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series (2004). Other opportunities ultimately landed him on the Lowe’s racing team working for #48 Jimmie Johnson in 2007.

Kenneth is the #48 car’s jack man, the first crew member off the wall when Jimmie Johnson steers the car into the pit box. During the week, he is a mechanic, which is another demanding job that requires extensive knowledge of racing and automotive technology. While working for Hendrick Motorsports, Kenneth has been part of the team that has won three consecutive Sprint cup championships, two brickyard 400 wins and over 21 other career wins.