Landon Cassill leaves BK Racing

One month before Speedweeks, Landon Cassill has left BK Racing to pursue other opportunities in NASCAR, according to a news release put out by the driver on Wednesday afternoon.

In the release, Cassill claims that certain terms of his contract were not met by the team last season and the two parties were unable to settle on terms for 2013. Cassill drove for the team full-time last season and finished 31st in the standings while finishing all 36 races.

He joined the team shortly after Burger King franchise owner Ron Devine led a group of former TRG Racing owners in purchasing the assets of Team Red Bull’s NASCAR operation when it folded after the conclusion of the 2011 season.

"This is a tough decision but with one month before the Daytona 500 I have no other option but to leave the no. 83 BK Racing Toyota and pursue other opportunities,” Cassill said in the release. “We simply could not close out our 2012 agreement and complete an agreement for 2013. I am motivated and driven to find a new opportunity in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”

Outside of marrying longtime girlfriend Katie Linsted in January, it’s been a frustrating off-season for Cassill. He began his NASCAR break by attempting to qualify for the Snowball Derby Super Late Model race in December but failed to get in on both his qualifying time or the last chance race. He had finished fourth in the race the prior two seasons.

Cassill is now looking at opportunities to remain in NASCAR whether it’s in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide or Camping World Truck Series. With the dissolution of the top-35 rule in the Sprint Cup Series, Cassill may be able to find a suitor with his proficiency at qualifying – a fact not lost on the Iowa-native.

“I have proven myself as a championship caliber test driver, an exceptional qualifier, and I'd like to continue working towards my goal of becoming a race winner and champion in NASCAR,” Cassill added. “I would like to thank my BK Racing team and especially Burger King and Dr. Pepper for the opportunity to represent such iconic brands. I'm looking forward to my next opportunity in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series."

David Reutimann is expected to drive the no. 83 Toyota in 2013 while Travis Kvapil has tweeted that he will return to the no. 93 Toyota.