Category: Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series news and information

Austin Hill Spends Time Coaching Next Generation of Racing Stars

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Driver Ready to Tackle the Tricky Triangle For Young’s Motorsports

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – For NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) driver Austin Hill being a driver coach to a young up-and-coming racer has been an eye-opening experience and has helped him evaluate his own driving skills.

The 22-year-old driver and US Legend Cars veteran has been working with 14-year-old Hailie Deegan, daughter of X-Games medalist and off-road racing champion Brian Deegan, who is competing in the Bojangles Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) this summer.

Hill has a strong history at CMS in Legend Cars, winning the 2008 Legends Semi-Pro Summer Shootout Championship, finishing second in the 2012 Legends Big Money 100 and recording five wins.

“We have two weeks left in the Summer Shootout and Hailie has come a long way from when I first started working with her,” said Hill. “She’s picked up over half a second in the first four or five weeks of the shootout and is running good times. I’m working with her right now on racing in a pack on asphalt. She has a lot of experience on dirt and asphalt presents a new set of challenges.”

Hill has enjoyed the experience and has also used his role as a driver coach to evaluate his own performance behind the wheel.

“Coaching does make you take a step back after you leave the track,” said Hill. “It makes you think ‘Okay, what can I do, personally, to be a better driver and to help my truck team get the finishes that I feel we deserve?’ It really helps me stay focused and be in a good mindset going into a race weekend.”

This weekend Hill is heading to Pocono Raceway to compete in the Pocono Mountains 150, piloting the No. 02 for Young’s Motorsports.

Having not raced at the “Tricky Triangle” before, Hill sought guidance from others with success in the NCWTS at Pocono Raceway, reaching out to members of his crew and former drivers for some advice.

“Even though I haven’t been to Pocono, I’ve been watching as many videos and talking to as many people as I can,” said Hill. “Even just sitting down with some of my crew members to get their opinion on the track and what I can do as a driver. I feel like if I’m better prepared than the entire team is going to be better prepared going into the weekend.”

“I’m really excited about going to Pocono; the track is very unique. There’s not any other track on the circuit like it and I think it’s going to be a great race.”

The Pocono Mountains 150 will take place on Saturday, July 30 at 1:00p.m. ET at Pocono Raceway.

Fans can follow Hill on social media for updates at Austin Hill Racing (Facebook), @_AustinHill (Twitter) and @_Austin_Hill_ (Instagram).

About Austin Hill:

Austin Hill, a Winston, Ga. native, is driven to become the next big name in NASCAR. The 22-year-old is driving a partial schedule in the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Hill earned a third-place finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship in only his second full-time season in the series. Hill is a two-year member of NASCAR Next, a program designed to cultivate and promote the sports’ next generation of superstars.

Over the past two years, Hill has secured four NASCAR K&N victories and 12 Top-5 finishes. Hill started his racing career at the age of six in Quarter Midgets. He won the 2002 Quarter Midget championship at his home track in Cumming, Ga. and went on to excel in Bandolero, Legends Semi-Pro Series and Pro Late Model Series racing. Hill currently resides in Mooresville, N.C. with his wife, Ashlyn, and daughter, Lynnlee.

July 28, 2016
NASCAR Racing Schedule for Pocono and Iowa Plus Clinch Scenarios
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series travel to Pocono Raceway this weekend while the XFINITY Series competes at Iowa Speedway. Please check below for the complete schedule of events.

All times are Eastern.

Friday, July 29:

On Track – Pocono:
11 a.m.-12:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series First Practice – NBCSN
12:30-1:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series First Practice – FS1
3-3:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Final Practice – FS1
4:15 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – NBCSN

On Track – Iowa:
5-5:50 p.m.: XFINITY Series First Practice – NBCSN will start coverage at 5:30 p.m. on a delay
7-8:20 p.m.: XFINITY Series Final Practice – NBCSN

Garage Cam: (Watch live)
10:30 a.m.: Sprint Cup Series
Noon: Camping World Truck Series

Press Conferences: (Watch live)
9:30 a.m.: Danny Stockman (Crew chief for the No. 27 Sprint Cup team) and Richard Childress Racing Competition Director Dr. Eric Warren
9:45 a.m.: Brad Keselowski
10 a.m.: Matt Kenseth
10:15 a.m.: Daniel Hemric
1:30 p.m: Jeff Gordon
2:30 p.m.: Kyle Busch
2:45 p.m.: Joey Logano
3 p.m.: Kyle Larson
5 p.m.: Post-Sprint Cup Series Qualifying (time approx.)

Saturday, July 30:

On Track – Pocono:
9:05 a.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FS1
11 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – NBCSN
1 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Pocono Mountains 150 (60 laps, 150 miles) – FS1
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

On Track – Iowa:
4:15 p.m.: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – NBCSN
8 p.m.: XFINITY Series US Cellular 250 (250 laps, 218.75 miles) – NBCSN
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Press Conferences: (Watch live)
10 a.m.: Aric Almirola
3 p.m.: Post-Camping World Truck Series Race (time approx.)

Sunday, July 31:

On Track – Pocono:
1:30 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 (160 laps, 400 miles), NBCSN – POSTPONED TO MONDAY at 11:00 a.m. on NBCSN – Green Flag: 11:07 a.m.
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Press Conferences: (Watch live)
5 p.m.: Post-Sprint Cup Series Race (time approx.)

Race Notes via NASCAR:

6 Races Left Until The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup

Only five Chase berths remain with six races left until the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup – Pocono, Watkins Glen, Bristol, Michigan, Darlington and Richmond.

A visit to Victory Lane gets a winless driver into the Chase as long as he/she is in the top 30 in the points standings.

The drivers who will get into the Chase because of wins are: Brad Keselowski (4 wins), Kyle Busch (3), Carl Edwards (2), Jimmie Johnson (2), Matt Kenseth (2), Kevin Harvick (1), Kurt Busch (1), Joey Logano (1), Martin Truex Jr. (1), Denny Hamlin (1) and Tony Stewart (1).

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle and Ryan Newman are the only currently winless drivers who have visited Victory Lane at Pocono Raceway – the site of Sunday’s race.

Below are the remaining tracks after Pocono and winless drivers who have visited Victory Lane at them:

Watkins Glen: AJ Allmendinger
Bristol: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne
Michigan: Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne
Darlington: Greg Biffle, Regan Smith
Richmond: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman

Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Official Clinch Scenarios

Five drivers have officially clinched berths in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup (assuming they start the remaining races in the regular season): Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth.

For this weekend, these drivers have the potential to officially clinch:
- Kevin Harvick (1 Win, 671 Points, +434 Points Ahead of 31st) – Clinches with a win.
- Kurt Busch (1 Win, 627 Points, +390 Points Ahead of 31st) – Clinches with a win.
- Joey Logano (1 Win, 606 Points, +369 Points Ahead of 31st) – Clinches with a win.
- Martin Truex Jr (1 Win, 573 Points, +336 Points Ahead of 31st) – Clinches with a win.
- Denny Hamlin (1 Win, 542 Points, +305 Points Ahead of 31st) – Clinches with a win.
All of the above drivers have already clinched a top 30 spot, but need to clear the multiple wins hurdle. So, there’s a decent potential for no clinches this weekend if a zero-win driver wins or an already clinched driver wins.

Complete NASCAR TV Schedule
July 28, 2016

NASCAR Announces Race Start Times for 2017 Season

Seventeen National Series Events Move Closer to Primetime

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 27, 2016) – NASCAR, along with FOX Sports and NBC Sports, today announced 2017 race start times and network coverage for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – based on the previously released schedule dates. Through collaborative efforts with its broadcast partners, race teams and tracks, NASCAR was able to finalize full 2017 start times for all three national series almost six months earlier than in recent seasons.

Seventeen national series events will start closer to primetime, helping to bring NASCAR’s photo finishes and close, side-by-side racing to larger audiences. Seventeen NASCAR Cup Series points races will air on broadcast television next year, including the DAYTONA 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on FOX; and the Brickyard 400 and the NASCAR Cup Series championship race, the Ford EcoBoost 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway, on NBC.

“It’s our responsibility, collectively as an industry, to ensure the sport is healthy, strong and growing by delivering great racing in a way that best meets the needs of our fans,” said Steve Herbst, senior vice president, broadcasting and production at NASCAR. “Earlier insight on start times benefits not only fans, but also our teams and tracks, as it provides more opportunities to plan travel and to purchase race tickets.”

Since the initial release of the 2017 schedule, NASCAR and its partners have shifted two dates for the NASCAR XFINITY Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Road America will move to Sunday, August 27, on NBC. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park will now take place on Sunday, September 3, airing on FS1 prior to the NASCAR Cup Series event at Darlington Raceway on NBCSN.

Looking ahead to the 2018 season, the DAYTONA 500 will move to Sunday, February 18, during Presidents Day weekend. NASCAR and its partners are working collaboratively on the remainder of the 2018 schedule, which will be finalized and released at a later date.

In addition to watching the live broadcast, fans can catch all the on-track action by visiting NASCAR.com, downloading the NASCAR Mobile app or live streaming on FOX Sports Go and the NBC Sports app. Fans can also listen to Motor Racing Network (MRN), Performance Racing Network (PRN), IMS Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90, throughout the season.

2017 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule

Date	Location	Network	Race Start	Radio
2/18	The Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway	FS1	8 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
2/19	DAYTONA 500 Qualifying at Daytona International Speedway	FOX	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
2/23	Can-Am Duel at Daytona International Speedway	FS1	7 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
2/26	DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway	FOX	2 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
3/5	Atlanta Motor Speedway	FOX	2:30 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
3/12	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	FOX	3:30 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
3/19	Phoenix International Raceway	FOX	3:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
3/26	Auto Club Speedway	FOX	3:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
4/2	Martinsville Speedway	FS1	2 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
4/9	Texas Motor Speedway	FOX	1:30 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
4/23	Bristol Motor Speedway	FOX	2 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
4/30	Richmond International Raceway	FOX	2 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
5/7	Talladega Superspeedway	FOX	2 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
5/13	Kansas Speedway	FS1	7:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
5/20	NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway	FS1	6 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
5/28	Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway	FOX	6 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
6/4	Dover International Speedway	FS1	1 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/11	Pocono Raceway	FS1	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/18	Michigan International Speedway	FS1	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/25	Sonoma Raceway	FS1	3 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
7/1	Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway	NBC	7:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
7/8	Kentucky Speedway	NBCSN	7:30 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
7/16	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	NBCSN	3 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
7/23	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	NBC	3 p.m.	IMS / SiriusXM
7/30	Pocono Raceway	NBCSN	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
8/6	Watkins Glen International	NBCSN	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
8/13	Michigan International Speedway	NBCSN	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
8/19	Bristol Motor Speedway	NBC	7:30 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
9/3	Darlington Raceway	NBCSN	6 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/9	Richmond International Raceway	NBCSN	7:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/17	Chicagoland Speedway	NBCSN	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/24	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	NBCSN	2 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
10/1	Dover International Speedway	NBCSN	2 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
10/7	Charlotte Motor Speedway	NBCSN	7 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
10/15	Talladega Superspeedway	NBC	2 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
10/22	Kansas Speedway	NBCSN	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
10/29	Martinsville Speedway	NBCSN	1 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
11/5	Texas Motor Speedway	NBC	2 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
11/12	Phoenix International Raceway	NBC	2:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
11/19	Homestead-Miami Speedway	NBC	2:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM

2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series Schedule

Date	Location	Network	Race Start	Radio
2/25	Daytona International Speedway	FS1	3:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
3/4	Atlanta Motor Speedway	FS1	1:30 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
3/11	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	FS1	4 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
3/18	Phoenix International Raceway	FOX	4 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
3/25	Auto Club Speedway	FS1	4 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
4/8	Texas Motor Speedway	FOX	1:30 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
4/22	Bristol Motor Speedway	FS1	12:30 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
4/29	Richmond International Raceway	FS1	12:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
5/6	Talladega Superspeedway	FOX	1 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
5/27	Charlotte Motor Speedway	FS1	1 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
6/3	Dover International Speedway	FS1	1 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/10	Pocono Raceway	FOX	1 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/17	Michigan International Speedway	FS1	1:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/24	Iowa Speedway	FS1	8:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/30	Daytona International Speedway	NBCSN	7:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
7/7	Kentucky Speedway	NBCSN	8 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
7/15	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	NBCSN	4 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
7/22	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	NBCSN	3:30 p.m.	IMS / SiriusXM
7/29	Iowa Speedway	NBC	3:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
8/5	Watkins Glen International	NBCSN	2 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
8/12	Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course	NBCSN	3:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
8/18	Bristol Motor Speedway	NBCSN	7:30 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
8/27	Road America	NBC	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/2	Darlington Raceway	NBCSN	3:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/8	Richmond International Raceway	NBCSN	7:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/16	Chicagoland Speedway	NBCSN	3:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/23	Kentucky Speedway	NBCSN	8 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
9/30	Dover International Speedway	NBCSN	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
10/6	Charlotte Motor Speedway	NBCSN	8 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
10/21	Kansas Speedway	NBC	3 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
11/4	Texas Motor Speedway	NBCSN	8:30 p.m.	PRN / SiriusXM
11/11	Phoenix International Raceway	NBC	3:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
11/18	Homestead-Miami Speedway	NBCSN	3:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM

2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Schedule

Date	Location	Network	Race Start	Radio
2/24	Daytona International Speedway	FS1	7:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
3/4	Atlanta Motor Speedway	FS1	4:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
4/1	Martinsville Speedway	FS1	2:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
5/12	Kansas Speedway	FS1	8:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
5/19	Charlotte Motor Speedway	FS1	8:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/2	Dover International Speedway	FS1	5:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/9	Texas Motor Speedway	FS1	8 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/17	Gateway Motorsports Park	FS1	8:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
6/23	Iowa Speedway	FS1	8:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
7/6	Kentucky Speedway	FS1	7:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
7/19	Eldora Speedway	FS1	9 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
7/29	Pocono Raceway	FS1	1 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
8/12	Michigan International Speedway	FS1	1 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
8/16	Bristol Motor Speedway	FS1	8:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/3	Canadian Tire Motorsport Park	FS1	2:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/15	Chicagoland Speedway	FS1	8:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/23	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	FS1	1 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
9/30	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	FS1	8:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
10/14	Talladega Superspeedway	FOX	1 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
10/28	Martinsville Speedway	FS1	1:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
11/3	Texas Motor Speedway	FS1	8:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
11/10	Phoenix International Raceway	FS1	8:30 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM
11/17	Homestead-Miami Speedway	FS1	8 p.m.	MRN / SiriusXM

All times eastern. Subject to change.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

July 27, 2016

Toyota NASCAR Notes & Quotes Pocono-Iowa July 2016

TOYOTA NASCAR NOTES & QUOTES
July 25 – July 31, 2016

TOYOTA TIDBITS

HISTORIC INDY SWEEP: Camry driver Kyle Busch became the first driver in NASCAR history to win both races from the pole position on the same weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after victories in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Brickyard 400 and the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) race at the historic track last weekend. Busch led the most laps ever in a Brickyard 400 – 149 circuits (of 170) – en route to his second-consecutive NSCS victory at the famed Indiana track. In the NXS race, Busch led 62 laps (of 63) from the pole to earn his third XFINITY Series win at the 2.5-mile track in five starts, including back-to-back victories.

MANUFACTURER MOMENTUM: Toyota currently leads all three NASCAR national series manufacturer point standings heading into this weekend’s races at Pocono Raceway and Iowa Speedway. In the NSCS, Toyota leads the point standings by 32 points with 10 wins in 20 races this year. Camry drivers have been victorious in 12-of-18 NXS events this season and Toyota leads the standings by 35 points. In NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) action, Toyota holds a 47-point advantage after eight wins in 11 races. Toyota drivers have won three NXS manufacturer championships (2008, 2009 and 2010) and eight manufacturer titles in the NCWTS (2006-2010 and 2013-2015).

COLLECTING MAJOR TROPHIES: With Busch’s win in this year’s Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis, Camry drivers now have six-straight victories in NASCAR’s ‘majors’ – the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500. The run of marquee wins for Toyota includes: Edwards winning the 2015 Coca-Cola 600; Busch in the 2015 Brickyard 400; Edwards taking the 2015 Southern 500; Hamlin winning Toyota’s first Daytona 500 in 2016; and Truex claiming the 2016 Coca-Cola 600, before Busch’s most-recent Brickyard triumph.

NOTES, QUOTES & NUMBERS

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS): Camry drivers Kyle Busch (fifth), Carl Edwards (sixth), Martin Truex Jr. (seventh), Matt Kenseth (ninth) and Denny Hamlin (10th) currently rank in the top-10 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) point standings … Camry drivers have four wins at Pocono, including victories by Hamlin (Aug. 2009 and June 2010), former Camry driver Joey Logano (June 2010) and Kenseth (Aug. 15) … Hamlin has four total NSCS wins at Pocono, the most among active NSCS drivers (June 2006, July 2006, Aug. 2009 and June 2010) … Pocono is one of only two NSCS tracks where Busch is yet to cross the finish line first.

KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 M&M’s 75th Anniversary Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Are you confident heading to Pocono Raceway this weekend after your Brickyard 400 win last Sunday?

“I’m looking forward to Pocono with our M&M’S 75th Anniversary Camry. It’s a place where you run similar setups to Indy, but it still has its own unique challenges with just three turns as opposed to four. I think there’s a good opportunity for us to excel. If we could bring home two in a row and our first-ever win at Pocono, that would be something special, especially at a place I have yet to win at, so I would love to cross that one off the list.”

Can the momentum from Indianapolis carry over to Pocono Raceway?

“Yeah, I thought last year the momentum did carry over. We won this race (Brickyard 400) and then we were running right behind Joey Logano for much of the last stint at Pocono and we thought we had just enough fuel to make it, but we didn’t. We ran out. Joey ran out first and then I got the lead and then we ran out. We ran a good race. We ran up front all day. Joey and I were kind of in a league of our own. We definitely need to look at that and see how we were last year and how we excelled from here to there and try to carry that momentum. Obviously Pocono is a place I haven’t won at yet, so I would certainly like to check that box and get that one off the list which only leaves Charlotte.”

MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

What makes Pocono Raceway so unique?

“Pocono has three corners, so that alone makes it different than any other race track we go to. All three of the corners are also very different from each other, so it’s just a unique track on the circuit. The straightways are so long at Pocono that everybody always talks about how you need to be good in Turn 3 since the frontstretch is so long, but I think you have to be good everywhere honestly. Certainly getting off of Turn 3 is very important in order to be able to try to make a move for a pass or to not get passed on that long straightaway. Turn 1 is important as well though because there’s a little extra banking there plus it typically widens out a bit, so it’s a place where you need to look ahead to make your move in order to set up for the tunnel turn. Since the start/finish line is so far away from Turn 1, you’ll see the field fan out on restarts, but thankfully Turn 1 is the widest corner as well as the most forgiving, so we still have a decent corner to race through after restarts.”

MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 78 Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Toyota Camry, Furniture Row Racing

What is the key to success at Pocono Raceway?

“Pocono’s tricky triangular shape is not the easiest to maneuver on. The tunnel turn at Pocono is one of the toughest – it’s definitely intimidating. The hardest thing about that turn is that it’s flat and you’re carrying so much speed. If you want to contend at Pocono, you better figure out that turn or it will be a long day.”

NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS): Camry drivers Daniel Suarez (first) and Erik Jones (fifth) currently rank in the top-10 in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) point standings … Camry drivers have three wins in the NXS at Iowa Speedway with Kyle Busch (2010) and Sam Hornish Jr. in 2014 and June of this year … Jones and Suarez have earned three-consecutive poles at Iowa Speedway … Dakoda Armstrong will pilot the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Camry this weekend at Iowa.

DANIEL SUAREZ, No. 19 ARRIS Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

Are you looking forward to racing at Iowa Speedway after finishing fourth there in June?

“I’m really excited about this weekend at Iowa and getting back behind the wheel of my ARRIS Camry. We had a great weekend there a couple of weeks back and I feel really confident heading into the weekend with my Joe Gibbs Racing team. Iowa is a very fun track to drive and one that I really enjoy every time we go there. This race will be a little different, as we will be running at night, but I know Scott (Graves, crew chief), our engineers and whole team will have a great game plan heading into the weekend. Hopefully we can come away a win on Saturday night and continue our momentum as we look forward to the Chase starting in a couple of weeks.”

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS): Tundra drivers William Byron (first), Matt Crafton (second), Timothy Peters (fifth), Christopher Bell (sixth) and Cameron Hayley (10th) currently rank in the top-10 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) point standings … Hayley finished fourth last year at Pocono in his first start at the track.

CAMERON HAYLEY, No. 13 Cabinets by Hayley Toyota Tundra, ThorSport Racing

What do you remember about the race at Pocono last year that you can apply this weekend?

“All I can remember is that practice and qualifying were terrible for us, I think I qualified like 16th – it was bad. We made a ton of adjustments for the race and I ended up working my way through the field. On that final restart, I found myself second, restarting next to Kyle Busch. I was like ‘Wow, we’ve come a long way.’ We had a good restart, held off Austin Dillon, but (Kevin) Harvick got by me. I mean, we were in the midst of all the Cup drivers and I think if there hadn’t been any Cup drivers there, I could’ve won it, but I think it was really cool to get that experience.”

TOYOTA DRIVER ROSTER – Pocono Raceway (NSCS & NCWTS) and Iowa Speedway (NXS)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Camry

Kyle Busch, No. 18 Camry

Carl Edwards, No. 19 Camry

Matt Kenseth, No. 20 Camry

David Ragan, No. 23 Camry

Martin Truex Jr., No. 78 Camry

Matt DiBenedetto, No. 83 Camry

NASCAR XFINITY Series

Mike Bliss, No. 10 Camry

Jeff Green, No. 14 Camry

Dakoda Armstrong, No. 18 Camry

Daniel Suarez, No. 19 Camry

Erik Jones, No. 20 Camry

Drew Herring, No. 28 Camry

JJ Yeley, No. 44 Camry

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Christopher Bell, No. 4 Tundra

William Byron, No. 9 Tundra

Brett Moffitt, No. 11 Tundra

Cameron Hayley, No. 13 Tundra

Timothy Peters, No. 17 Tundra

Austin Self, No. 22 Tundra

Ben Rhodes, No. 41 Tundra

Cody Coughlin, No. 51 Tundra

Matt Crafton, No. 88 Tundra

Rico Abreu, No. 98 Tundra

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE

For NASCAR images visit: www.toyotaracingmedia.com. Social media: @ToyotaRacing, #ToyotaNation, and www.facebook.com/toyotaracing. Website: www.toyotaracing.com

July 27, 2016
Austin Hill Pocono Advance

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Driver Ready to Tackle the Tricky Triangle

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 27, 2016) – For NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) driver Austin Hill being a driver coach to a young up-and-coming racer has been an eye-opening experience and has helped him evaluate his own driving skills.

The 22-year-old driver and US Legend Cars veteran has been working with 14-year-old Hailie Deegan, daughter of X-Games medalist and off-road racing champion Brian Deegan, who is competing in the Bojangles Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) this summer.

Hill has a strong history at CMS in Legend Cars, winning the 2008 Legends Semi-Pro Summer Shootout Championship, finishing second in the 2012 Legends Big Money 100 and recording five wins.

“We have two weeks left in the Summer Shootout and Hailie has come a long way from when I first started working with her,” said Hill. “She’s picked up over half a second in the first four or five weeks of the shootout and is running good times. I’m working with her right now on racing in a pack on asphalt. She has a lot of experience on dirt and asphalt presents a new set of challenges.”

Hill has enjoyed the experience and has also used his role as a driver coach to evaluate his own performance behind the wheel.

“Coaching does make you take a step back after you leave the track,” said Hill. “It makes you think ‘Okay, what can I do, personally, to be a better driver and to help my truck team get the finishes that I feel we deserve?’ It really helps me stay focused and be in a good mindset going into a race weekend.”

This weekend Hill is heading to Pocono Raceway to compete in the Pocono Mountains 150, piloting the No. 02 for Young’s Motorsports.

Having not raced at the “Tricky Triangle” before, Hill sought guidance from others with success in the NCWTS at Pocono Raceway, reaching out to members of his crew and former drivers for some advice.

“Even though I haven’t been to Pocono, I’ve been watching as many videos and talking to as many people as I can,” said Hill. “Even just sitting down with some of my crew members to get their opinion on the track and what I can do as a driver. I feel like if I’m better prepared then the entire team is going to be better prepared going into the weekend.”

“I’m really excited about going to Pocono; the track is very unique. There’s not any other track on the circuit like it and I think it’s going to be a great race.”

The Pocono Mountains 150 will take place on Saturday, July 30 at 1:00p.m. ET at Pocono Raceway. Fans can follow Hill on social media for updates at Austin Hill Racing (Facebook), @_AustinHill (Twitter) and @_Austin_Hill_ (Instagram).

About Austin Hill

Austin Hill, a Winston, Ga. native, is driven to become the next big name in NASCAR. The 22-year-old is driving a partial schedule in the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Hill earned a third-place finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship in only his second full-time season in the series. Hill is a two-year member of NASCAR Next, a program designed to cultivate and promote the sports’ next generation of superstars. Over the past two years, Hill has secured four NASCAR K&N victories and 12 Top-5 finishes. Hill started his racing career at the age of six in Quarter Midgets. He won the 2002 Quarter Midget championship at his hometrack in Cumming, Ga. and went on to excel in Bandolero, Legends Semi-Pro Series and Pro Late Model Series racing. Hill currently resides in Mooresville, N.C. with his wife, Ashlyn, and daughter, Lynnlee.

July 27, 2016
The View from my Recliner — Just before the Brickyard
I am writing this in anticipation of missing the Brickyard 400 live because I will be returning home from a wedding. My DVR better not let me down.

Some thoughts before the green is dropped tomorrow.

The piece on NBCSN with Tony Stewart reading letters from Robin Miller, Greg Zippadelli, Eddie Jarvis and his dad should be a great piece to watch. If the preview of the story is just a touch of what you will see, it should be a great five minutes on the pre-race show.

You would think by watching promos for the Brickyard that Jeff Gordon was the only person running at Indy. Smart move on NBCSN to use a Fox Sports commentator as your promo. It should be interesting to see how Gordon fares in the 88 car.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s concussion-like symptoms kept him out of the car at New Hampshire and will keep him out at Indy and Pocono; the future is still to be determined. I think the decision on Earnhardt’s part to skip races to get healthy is the right move. He has a life to live and if he isn’t 100 percent physically in a race car, going 200 mph can cause further issues as he moves forward in life, possibly hurt another driver and cost him more than a chance at a championship. Smart move Jr.

Richard Childress said this week that he is getting closer to solidifying his driver line-up for next year. My prediction is that he brings the charter that belongs to Circle Sport-Levine Family racing back to RCR and puts Ty Dillon into a fourth RCR entry. I think Childress values what Ryan Newman brings to the team and will keep him in a car. The RCR ride for Paul Menard is the best ride that he and his family can buy and Austin Dillon is going nowhere.

It is nice to see Roush Fenway Racing getting back to where they were during the days of when Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards ran for them. Jack Roush is a legend of the sport and you weren’t going to keep him and his team down forever. He went young with drivers and will continue to improve as his drivers grow with experience.

The truck race at Eldora was the best race all season in all three NASCAR national touring series. Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and Bobby Pierce put on a great show in the front of the field and throughout the race, you could see three and four wide at times trying to get a position. It was the most exciting race of the season and I am already looking forward to next year’s truck race.

Five predictions going forward:
1. Tony Stewart wins the Brickyard 400 to solidify his spot in the Chase and add to his final season.
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not make the Chase and because of that, he might not run for an extended period of time.
3. Ryan Blaney will make the Chase.
4. William Byron will be announced as a Joe Gibbs Racing XFINITY Driver in 2017.
5. Kevin Harvick’s pit crew will be outstanding going forward. Last week’s public tongue lashing will solidify the over the wall guys because they know their jobs are on the line.
Enjoy the Brickyard and we’ll talk next time with the View from My Recliner.
July 23, 2016
Larson Slides to Victory at Eldora

While he didn’t have the dominant truck all night and was at one point trapped down a lap, Kyle Larson regained his lost lap, passed the dominant truck late in the going and scored the victory on the dirt of Eldora.

After being penalized a lap for “intentionally bringing out a caution” early at Eldora Speedway, the driver of the No. 24 GMS Racing Chevrolet rallied back to take the lead from Bobby Pierce late in the race to win the Aspen Dental Dirt Derby. It’s his second victory in 12 Camping World Truck Series starts, his second top-10 finish of the season and the second in three starts at Eldora.

Christopher Bell came home runner-up in his No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota. It’s his seventh top-10 finish of the season and second top-10 in two starts. Rico Abreu rounded out the podium in his No. 98 ThorSport Racing Toyota. Jake Griffin finished fourth in his No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota while Tyler Reddick rounded out the top-five in his No. 29 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford.

Cole Custer came home sixth in his No. 00 JR Motorsports Chevrolet followed by Cameron Hayley who finished seventh in his No. 13 TSR Toyota. Daniel Hemric finished eighth in his No. 19 BKR Ford. Austin Wayne Self finished ninth in his No. 22 AM Racing Toyota as Matt Crafton rounded out the top-10 in his No. 88 TSR Toyota.

Pierce, who led 102 laps, found his car stuck in fourth gear just as he was leading the race late in the going, finished 25th and exited the race after crashing out.

Fifteen trucks finished the race on the lead lap and 27 were running at the finish.

The race lasted one hour, 47 minutes and 13 seconds at an average speed of 41.971 mph. There were three lead changes among two different drivers and nine cautions for 52 laps.

William Byron leaves Rossburg, Ohio with a nine-point lead over Crafton in the points standings.

The next race for the Camping World Truck Series is July 30 at Pocono Raceway.

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July 20, 2016
Toyota NASCAR Notes & Quotes Indy – Eldora July 2016

TOYOTA NASCAR NOTES & QUOTES
July 18

TOYOTA TIDBITS

NEW HAMPSHIRE ADDS TO TOYOTA SWEEPS: Camry drivers Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch won in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) and NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS), respectively, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to tally the seventh weekend sweep for Toyota during the 2016 season. In the NSCS on Sunday, four Toyota drivers combined to lead 299 laps (of 301) – more than 99 percent of the race – as Kenseth tallied his second victory of the season. On Saturday, Busch led 190 laps (of 200) in New Hampshire to win his sixth NXS event of the season in 10 starts. With the victories, Toyota drivers have swept NASCAR race weekends at seven tracks during 2016, including Martinsville Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Dover International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and New Hampshire.

BUSCH’S BRICKYARD VICTORY: Camry driver Busch captured his and Toyota’s first victory in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July 2015 en route to winning the NSCS driver’s championship. The milestone victory was the third in a stretch of three-consecutive victories by Busch that helped propel the Toyota pilot to the 2015 championship. Busch led the field three times for 19 circuits (of 164) and held off former Toyota driver Joey Logano during a late-race restart to control the final two laps to the checkered flag for the win. The Brickyard victory came during a stretch in which Toyota won all four of NASCAR’s ‘majors’ – the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500 – in a 10-month span. In May, Toyota defended its Coca-Cola 600 victory and has won five-straight ‘majors’ in the last 14 months.

DIRT DEVILS: The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) will compete at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway for the series’ only dirt-track event on Wednesday night. The Truck Series has competed at the half-mile clay oval three times with Toyota drivers winning the last two races. Former Tundra driver Darrell Wallace Jr. was victorious at Eldora in 2014 and Christopher Bell claimed his first-career NCWTS win at the track in 2015. Tundra driver Matt Crafton is one of three active NCWTS racers to finish in the top-10 in each Eldora race, and Toyota drivers Rico Abreu and Bell both have experience racing on dirt at Eldora in other racing series.

NOTES, QUOTES & NUMBERS

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS): Camry drivers Carl Edwards (fourth), Kyle Busch (sixth), Martin Truex Jr. (seventh), Matt Kenseth (eighth) and Denny Hamlin (10th) currently rank in the top-10 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) point standings … Busch has the third-best average finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway among active drivers (9.7) … Kenseth has recorded three consecutive top-10 finishes at Indianapolis since joining Joe Gibbs Racing in 2013.

MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

How did the test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway benefit you and your team?
“We tested Indy last week and the good thing about testing is that it gives you time to try things that you typically wouldn’t have time to try out in a normal weekend at the track. Indy is very unique, but I felt that the cars definitely drive differently with the low-downforce package than they did last year with the high-drag package. Indy is a rectangle with four 90-degree corners, while the rest are oval-shaped, so that makes it different than any other race track that we go to obviously. Even though Indy looks pretty symmetrical, all four corners are somewhat different and it’s always changing. That track seems to change pretty fast with the wind or the sun when it comes to the track temperature. The main things that are a focus at Indy are qualifying and then being able to keep your track position because it is a very difficult track to pass on since it has such a narrow groove.”

NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS): Camry drivers Daniel Suarez (first) and Erik Jones (fourth) currently rank in the top-10 in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) point standings … Camry driver Kyle Busch has won two-of-four NXS races held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2013 and 2015) … Busch has led the most laps in NXS history at the track with 233 circuits paced … The next-closest competitors (Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick) have led 33 laps in NXS competition at the track … Suarez started second and finished third at Indianapolis in his first start at the track in 2015 … Joe Gibbs Racing Camrys have won the pole position for 14-of-17 NXS races in 2016.

ERIK JONES, No. 20 Hisense USA Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing

How will your approach the heat-race format for Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
“Indy is definitely unique compared to the other ones. We had 50 laps at Bristol and we had 50 laps at Dover as well. Fifteen laps at Indy is a long time still – longer than you think – but it’s still a short heat race. But we’ll be able to learn something for sure. That’s a long enough run at Indy to really feel out your car some and make some adjustments. We’ll go into it with the same mentality that we did the last three and work on our stuff and get it better and get it the best we can. I think every one of the ‘Dash 4 Cash’ races we’ve learned quite a bit about our car in the heat race and we’ve been able to make a fair amount of adjustments before the main to get it where it needs to be.”

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS): Tundra drivers William Byron (first), Matt Crafton (second), Timothy Peters (fourth), Christopher Bell (eighth) and Ben Rhodes (10th) currently rank in the top-10 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) point standings … With four victories, Byron is tied with Kurt Busch for the most wins by a rookie in NCWTS history … Tundra drivers have won eight-straight NCWTS events …During that stretch, Byron (four victories), Crafton (two), Bell (one) and Kyle Busch (one) have each won races … The Toyota Tundra will compete in its 300th NCWTS event this weekend at Eldora … Toyota first entered the NCWTS with the Tundra in 2004 … Crafton will make his 100th start in a Toyota Tundra Wednesday night at Eldora … Seventeen-year-old Jake Griffin will pilot the No. 11 Toyota Tundra for Red Horse Racing at Eldora … Griffin, who has dirt racing experience, has made four prior NCWTS starts with a best result of 21st at Iowa Speedway in May.

CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 4 JBL Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports

How does it feel to return to Eldora Speedway as the defending race winner?
“Eldora is my favorite race track in the whole world. With winning there last year and now having a ton more experience in the trucks, I’ll come into this year’s race with a lot of confidence. Jerry (Baxter, crew chief) has also won there before, so I feel like we will be a really fast combination. Regardless of the outcome, I know this whole No. 4 JBL team is going to go there and have a lot of fun.”

What advantage do you have racing on dirt?
“Racing on dirt, I know exactly what feel I’m looking for and I’m going to be way more confident in the feedback that I’m providing Jerry (Baxter, crew chief). It’s a win-win situation for both of us because if I’m more confident in what I’m feeling, then he can be more confident in what adjustments he needs to make. That communication between driver and crew chief is one of the biggest things that we’ve been working on this year. On pavement, I’m still learning about the feel that I need from the truck and being able to relay just how loose or how tight my Tundra is. I feel like we are making strides with that communication and it has shown the last few races.”

RICO ABREU, No. 98 Safelite/Curb Records Toyota Tundra, ThorSport Racing

How much experience do you have at Eldora?
“I’m really looking forward to Eldora. I’ve had some success there in the winged sprint cars and midgets, so it will be nice to get on familiar ground and have some fun. I’m racing in the Kings Royal the weekend before and I’ve just got a lot of laps there in a sprint car, so it will be a little easier for me to read a dirt track right now and hopefully get up to speed faster.”

TOYOTA DRIVER ROSTER – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (NSCS & NXS) and Eldora Speedway (NCWTS)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

> Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Camry
>
> Kyle Busch, No. 18 Camry
>
> Carl Edwards, No. 19 Camry
>
> Matt Kenseth, No. 20 Camry
>
> David Ragan, No. 23 Camry
>
> Martin Truex Jr., No. 78 Camry
>
> Matt DiBenedetto, No. 83 Camry

NASCAR XFINITY Series

> Matt DiBenedetto, No. 10 Camry
>
> John Jackson, No. 13 Camry
>
> Jeff Green, No. 14 Camry
>
> Kyle Busch, No. 18 Camry
>
> Daniel Suarez, No. 19 Camry
>
> Erik Jones, No. 20 Camry
>
> Dakoda Armstrong, No. 28 Camry
>
> JJ Yeley, No. 44 Camry

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

> Christopher Bell, No. 4 Tundra
>
> Jake Griffin, No. 11 Tundra
>
> Cameron Hayley, No. 13 Tundra
>
> Timothy Peters, No. 17 Tundra
>
> Austin Wayne Self, No. 22 Tundra
>
> Ben Rhodes, No. 41 Tundra
>
> Cody Coughlin, No. 51 Tundra
>
> Donnie Levister, No. 62 Tundra
>
> Chris Fontaine, No. 78 Tundra
>
> Matt Crafton, No. 88 Tundra
>
> Rico Abreu, No. 98 Tundra

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE

For NASCAR images visit: www.toyotaracingmedia.com. Social media: @ToyotaRacing, #ToyotaNation, and www.facebook.com/toyotaracing. Website: www.toyotaracing.com

July 20, 2016
Jake Griffin Looking To Make Most Of Eldora Opportunity With Red Horse Racing

ROSSBURG, Ohio – 17-year-old Jake Griffin hopes to make the most of his one-race deal with Red Horse Racing in Wednesday night’s Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby.

Griffin, the Quincy, Illinois native phone rang late last week informing the teenager that his dream of getting a second chance to compete at Eldora Speedway was coming true.

The avid and successful dirt racer from the Midwest is teaming with one of the most respected organizations in the garage and Griffin is hopeful that with his and his team’s combined experience they can contend in the 11th race of the season.

“This is really a dream come true,” said Griffin. “I’ve been very thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, but it’s not every day that you get the call to come drive for Red Horse. They are just a strong and respected organization in the garage. It’s a huge blessing to me to get the opportunity to race for them.”

Knowing the likelihood of Eldora being a one-race deal with the Tom DeLoach-owned team, Griffin wants to showcase his talent not only with his experience on the track, but with his communication and feedback with crew chief Scott Zipadelli.

“We’re really glad to have Jake on board,” said Red Horse Racing team owner Tom DeLoach. “He’s definitely got some experience on dirt, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do at Eldora (Speedway).”

“It’s not going to be easy to just come to Eldora, get out on the track and go fast,” added Griffin. “Although, that’s exactly what we want to do. I was able to spend some time in the shop last week in Mooresville. I was able to spend some time with them and I got really comfortable right away. That’s important to me. They made me feel very welcomed and that gives me motivation to go out there and do my job for practice and the race Wednesday.”

Unlike last year where Griffin quickly earned attention by putting an underfunded truck in the top-10 during practice at Eldora, vastly changing track conditions proved to work against Griffin and despite a gallant effort, he didn’t make the main feature.

Fast forward 12 months later, Griffin doesn’t have to worry about making the main feature, he’s locked in.

Now, Griffin can just focus on the race.

“There’s going to be a lot of key players for this race,” added Griffin. “Not only are Christopher Bell and Bobby Pierce back, but Kyle Larson and Ken Schrader will be in the race too. I’m hoping we can put our No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra in the thick of the battle with those guys. I know we can do it, we just need to be patient and keep the fenders on the truck and let everything fall into place.”

Supporting Griffin in Wednesday night’s mid-week race is Backlot Auctions. The company has been a long-time supporter of Griffin and he’s hoping that he can pay them back with a gratifying finish.

“There’s a lot of people who made this possible and I won’t forget it,” added Griffin. “I really appreciate Backlot Auctions stepping up to the plate and helping make this opportunity possible. I don’t want to let them or Red Horse down. I just need to stay focused and let the race track come to us.”

In addition to running Wednesday’s Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway, Griffin will make his ARCA Racing Series debut at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Aug. 21 driving for the potent Venturini Motorsports team. He’ll also compete in the Sept. 4 General Tire Grabber 100 at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds. Both 1.0-mile tracks are dirt.

Griffin participated in both practice sessions at Eldora Speedway Tuesday night and was eighth and 11th quickest overall.

Follow Jake Griffin on Twitter @JakeGriffin08 or visit jakegriffin.net and like him on Facebook.com.

The Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby (150 laps / 75 miles) is the 10th of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on the 2016 schedule. Qualifying is set for race day, Wed., July 20 beginning at 5:15 p.m. with heat races to follow. The 32-truck field will take the green flag shortly after 9:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All time Eastern.

July 20, 2016
MB Motorsports No. 63 Preview: Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby

MB Motorsports #63 Preview: Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby

BOBBY PIERCE RETURNS TO ELDORA WITH MB MOTORSPORTS

Driver: Bobby Pierce, @BobbyPierce32, bobbypierceracing.com
Crew Chief: Mike Mittler
Team Info: mbracing.net, @MBMotorsports

Bobby Pierce returns to the site of his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut for the Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby in MB Motorsports’ #63 Premier Waste Services / GottaRace.com Chevy Silverado.

“Well, we did okay at Eldora last year,” grins team owner Mike Mittler. “I think this Pierce kid just might do alright in this racing business.” Pierce is coming off his second consecutive UMP Dirt Summer Nationals Championship, winning 10 of 22 races, scoring 18 Top 5 finishes along the way.

“I’m excited to get back to Eldora,” says Pierce. “I feel like we have some unfinished business from last year. I want to thank Premier Waste Services, GottaRace.com, everyone who has come on board to support our Eldora effort.”

“Last year we went into Eldora under everyone’s radar,” adds Mittler. “This year the expectations for us are higher. We have put everything we have into making this another memorable race. All we can do is put forth our best effort to give Bobby a truck he can race with. No matter what happens, there is no doubt that Bobby Pierce is one of the most talented drivers out there and I know he will give his all to bring home a strong finish for all our sponsors and marketing partners.”

Joining GottaRace.com and Premier Waste Services on the #63 MB Motorsports Chevy are Allgayer, Inc., Mayhew Tools, Kipor Power Equipment, Arizona Sports Shirts, Dirty Hand Tools, Timken, Champion Brands, MARADYNE® High Performance Fans, Reikken, Excel Bottling / Ski Soda, Carnaghi Towing & Repair, MechanixWear and WIX Filters.

Mayhew Tools will launch their program with MB Motorsports with a contest on the team’s Facebook and Twitter (@MBMotorsports) accounts. You must follow @MayhewTools to be eligible to win.

The Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby will be broadcast live on FoxSports1, MRN Radio and Sirius Channel 90 Wednesday, July 20th at 9:00 pm ET. Qualifying will be broadcast at 5:00 pm am ET on FoxSports1.

FAST FACTS:
• The Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby will mark Bobby Pierce’ second series start at Eldora Speedway
• This will be Pierce’ fourth race of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season.
• Pierce has a career-best 2nd place finish in the NCWTS.

About Premier Waste Services:
Based in Phoenix, Premier Waste Services is a roll-off service provider serving all of Maricopa county and most parts of Pinal county. Our company is unique in that it was built to serve the demanding needs of contractors, whose deadlines are as unforgiving as the Arizona desert. The construction industry demands on-call, same day service – and that’s just what Premier Waste provides. In fact, we’re growing our business by applying that same level of service to commercial and industrial clients too. For more information, visit premierwasteservices.com

About MB Motorsports:
MB Motorsports is the sole surviving original team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, having competed in every season since the series debuted in 1995. The team has given many young drivers their start in NASCAR, including Sprint Cup Series winners Carl Edwards, Jamie McMurray, Brad Keselowski and Regan Smith.

For more information on MB Motorsports and its marketing partners, visit www.mbracing.net

July 19, 2016