Returning to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) tour for the first time since Iowa Speedway last June, youngster Jake Griffin will pilot the No. 63 Outdoor Power / Bridge Port Automotive Chevrolet Silverado in Saturday night’s Speediatrics 200 at Iowa Speedway.
Last year at Iowa, Griffin at the tender age of 16 turned heads with an impressive 15th place qualifying effort, but an early-race accident stalled the team’s momentum ending the night with a disappointing 27th place finish.
Fast forward 12 months later, Griffin, now 17 is looking to finish what he started in The Hawkeye State.
“I’m really thankful to be back in a truck this weekend at Iowa,” said Griffin. “We had a really good weekend last year at Iowa, just didn’t get the result we were hoping for. This year, we’re coming back with a vengeance and look forward to having a top-15 run Saturday night.”
Griffin and his team have plenty of reason to be excited for the eighth race of the season. The team has spent the past several weeks working on a new chassis for Griffin, a Kyle Busch Motorsports chassis hoping it will pay some dividends in the first of a limited Truck Series schedule this season.
As a bonus, Griffin will be under the direction of crew chief Rick Ren, a former team executive at KBM
“We’re excited about this Kyle Busch Motorsports chassis,” added Griffin. “The guys at the shop have been spending a lot of time finessing the truck, making sure we give ourselves every opportunity to be competitive and hopefully contend for a good finish.
“A good race on Saturday night would be more than just a finishing position for us. It could mean everything when it comes to the number of races I’ll be around this year and that’s really important to me. I want to be a regular fixture in trucks, hopefully, with some good finishes this year, we can make that happen. Having Rick Ren at our side is a huge bonus. He’s so knowledgeable and I’m beyond thrilled to work with him.”
Griffin will make his third career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start Saturday night.
The Speediatrics 200 (200 laps / 175 miles) is the eighth of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on the 2016 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, June 17 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. with a final session on deck from 5:00 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Saturday, June 18 beginning at 3:45 p.m. The 32-truck field will take the green flag shortly after 7:30 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All time Central.
Follow Jake Griffin on Twitter @JakeGriffin08 or visit jakegriffin.net and like him on Facebook.com.
JAKE GRIFFIN RETURNS TO DRIVE VATTEROTT / DIRTY HAND TOOLS CHEVY
Driver: Jake Griffin, JakeGriffin.net, @JakeGriffin08
Crew Chief: Rick Ren
Team Info: mbracing.net, @MBMotorsports
17 year-old Jake Griffin returns to MB Motorsports to drive the #63 Vatterott Educational Centers / Dirty Hand Tools Chevy Silverado in the Speediatrics 200 at Iowa Speedway.
“We had a great run in qualifying last year at Iowa,” says the young man from Quincy, IL. “We started 15th, but it didn’t take long for our night to go bad, so I feel like we have something to prove. Plus, Vatterott Educational Centers will have a bunch of their people there with us. I’m very excited to get back behind the wheel of the Vatterott / Dirty Hand Tools Chevy.”
Vatterott serves a diverse student population across 21 locations in 7 states, as well as a vibrant online community. Each of these institutions takes pride in serving both the student population and the local communities that help continue the Vatterott tradition.
Vatterott Educational Centers offers a variety of automotive and trades programs including Automotive Technology, Auto Body and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Repair Technician, Commercial Driver’s License, Powersports Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Building Maintenance, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Combination Welding and Wind Energy Technician. Vatterott also offers programs in the fields of Business, Medical, Technical, Cosmetology, Dental, Legal, Personal Fitness, and Veterinary Technician, as well as many continuing education opportunities. All programs are industry-relevant and designed to support the Vatterott mission of providing career skills for a better life.
“Iowa Speedway is located near our Des Moines campus,” according to Kevin Smith, Vatterott Corporate Director of Marketing. “This time out, we’re showcasing multiple curriculums. We’ll have our HVAC program from our trades curriculum and from our automotive training program, Diesel Mechanic and Powersports. Vatterott Educational Centers, Inc. has 21 locations in 7 states, as well as a vibrant online community. To learn more about what Vatterott can offer you, visit online at vatterott.edu.”
Making their debut at Iowa, Dirty Hand Tools sells a complete line of log splitters, chain saws, pumps, tillers, snow blowers, mowers and agricultural implements. “Dirty Hand Tools is committed to bringing the best quality, most durable and affordable equipment, tools and accessories possible to the retail market,” says Nick Brogna, Marketing Manager for Dirty Hand Tools. “We design and engineer all of our products in-house in Colorado and source quality materials worldwide. We’re excited to partner with MB Motorsports. The NASCAR fan base is a great fit for our brand.”
Dirty Hand Tools. DHT products are available at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Menards, Bomgaars, Big R and many other fine retailers nationwide.
Joining Vatterott and Dirty Hand Tools on the #63 MB Motorsports Chevy Silverado are Kipor Power Equipment, MARADYNE® High Performance Fans, Champion Brands, Reikken, Excel Bottling / Ski Soda, Timken, MechanixWear and WIX Filters
“A good race on Saturday night would be more than just a finishing position for us,” adds Griffin. “It could mean everything when it comes to the number of races I’ll be around for this year and that’s really important to me. I want to be a regular fixture in trucks. Hopefully, with some good finishes this year, we can make that happen. Having Rick Ren at our side is a huge bonus. He’s so knowledgeable and I’m beyond thrilled to work with him.”
The Speediatrics 200 will be broadcast live on FoxSports1, MRN Radio and Sirius Channel 90 Saturday, June 18th at 8:30 pm ET.
###
FAST FACTS:
• The Speediatrics 200 will be Griffin’s third NCWTS start.
• This will be Griffin’s second race at Iowa Speedway.
• This will be Griffin’s first race of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season.
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
For more information on Vatterott Educational Centers, please visit: www.vatterott.edu or follow them on Twitter, @vatterottED or Facebook, Vatterott College
For more information on Dirty Hand Tools, visit DirtyHandTools.com or follow them on Twitter, @dirtyhandtools
Wright City, MO- Dirty Hand Tools, which sells a complete line of log splitters, chain saws, pumps, tillers, snow blowers, mowers and agricultural implements, has partnered with MB Motorsports for multiple races during the remainder of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season.
“I’m very pleased that Dirty Hand Tools has partnered with us,” notes team owner Mike Mittler. “Their product line is as extensive as it is diverse and is available through some big retailers NASCAR fans know and love.”
“Dirty Hand Tools is committed to bringing the best quality, most durable and affordable equipment, tools and accessories possible to the retail market,” says Nick Brogna, Marketing Manager for Dirty Hand Tools. “We design and engineer all of our products in-house in Colorado and source quality materials worldwide. We see MB Motorsports and the NASCAR fan base as being a great fit for our brand.”
Dirty Hand Tools will sponsor the #63 MB Motorsports Chevy Silverado at the upcoming races at Iowa Speedway, Gateway Motorsports Park, Eldora Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway.
Dirty Hand Tools. DHT products are available at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Menards, Bomgaars, Big R and many other fine retailers nationwide.
For more information on Dirty Hand Tools, visit: DirtyHandTools.com
About Frictionless World
Dirty Hand Tools is a registered trademark of Frictionless World LLC. Frictionless World brands include Dirty Hand Tools, manufacturer of power equipment; RanchEx, supplier of quality replacement parts for tractors, hitches and agricultural implements; Vinsetta Tools, commercial grade equipment for rental professionals; and Redback Power tools, a new generation line of lithium battery powered yard tools.
Founded in Boulder, CO in 2012, Frictionless World’s corporate headquarters and expansive warehouse and manufacturing operations are presently located in Westminster, Colorado – situated between Boulder and Denver on the front range of the Rocky Mountains.
With numerous years of R&D and manufacturing experience, Frictionless World offers outstanding design, engineering, outsourcing and quality control for development and delivery of custom products. Focusing on the agricultural industries, Frictionless World has expertise in farm, ranch and garden machinery, equipment and supplies.
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 or follow them on Twitter @MBMotorsports or Facebook, MB Motorsports
For more information on Dirty Hand Tools, visit DirtyHandTools.com or follow them on Twitter, @dirtyhandtools
NEWTON, Iowa – After a month of preparation, Derek Scott Jr. will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) debut Saturday night in the Speediatrics 200 at Iowa Speedway.
Scott, 16 has partnered with Mooresville, North Carolina’s Young’s Motorsports to drive the No. 02 West Strong / Crossroads Concrete Chevrolet Silverado at the 0.875-mile short track in the eighth race of the season. Andrew Abbott will continue to serve as crew chief.
Scott, 16, hails from Franklin, Texas and began his racing career by achieving numerous go-kart wins and titles.
Accelerating his path forward, Scott also has several starts in a NASCAR Pro and Super Late Model which includes two pro feature victories on top of numerous top-five performances in both divisions.
Now, Scott prepares for his biggest journey yet under the Saturday night lights in The Hawkeye State.
“I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity to drive the No. 02 West Strong / Crossroads Concrete Chevrolet this weekend,” said Scott. “I’ve been spending a lot of time with the team, getting acquainted and comfortable. Tyler (Young, team manager) has really made me feel like home and because of his and all my great sponsors I have an opportunity to race in one of NASCAR’s national divisions at Iowa Speedway. That’s pretty cool.”
What’s even more cool about Scott’s anticipated debut is the people he’ll be surrounded by. Not only will Young be there to support the teenager in his first truck race of the season, but retired NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver and five-time winner Rick Crawford will serve as a mentor and coach this weekend.
“There’s aren’t words to describe the honor to work with Rick this weekend,” added Scott. “He’s such an awesome guy who really has taken time to invest in my goals and aspirations. He offered to come to Iowa this weekend to help us out and I think between him and Tyler, I have some of the best guys in the garage looking after me.”
While Scott doesn’t have laps around Iowa Speedway in a truck, he did partake in a private test with the team last week at Caraway (N.C.) Speedway, where he and the team shook down the truck in preparation for Saturday night’s anticipated thriller.
“I felt like the test went pretty well,” sounded Scott. “We spent the day just getting (me) more comfortable with the truck, making adjustments and giving feedback and such. Iowa is going to be a little different than Caraway, but it was a good starting place and I can’t wait to get things going this weekend.”
While the team is enjoying a solid year in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the family-owned and operated team is also building a foundation as a driver development organization where the team specializes on the fundamentals of a core development structure. Debuting Scott at Iowa Speedway adds to the inner circle of Young’s Motorsports growth this season which includes a part-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series East program with driver Reid Wilson.
“We’re excited about the direction of Young’s Motorsports,” said Young who will return to the driving duties on Jun. 25 at Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park. “Everyone is working hard to build fast trucks, while we are constantly working on different angles to bring new talent within our organization. This weekend, it’s important to keep our expectations modest for our debut together. While we know we are bringing a competitive truck to the dance, if we can leave there seeing the checkered flag, it will be a good night.”
In addition to West Strong and Crossroads Concrete, Derek Scott Motorsports, MPM Marketing, Young’s Building Systems and Randco will serve as associate marketing partners for the eighth race of the season.
The Speediatrics 200 (200 laps / 175 miles) is the eighth of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on the 2016 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, June 17 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. with a final session on deck from 5:00 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Saturday, June 18 beginning at 3:45 p.m. The 32-truck field will take the green flag shortly after 7:30 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All time Central.
Friday night I covered my first NASCAR event as a reporter. Here are my thoughts regarding the experience.
Sometimes, it’s difficult being a race fan. NASCAR, IndyCar, Sports Cars, et al. Sometimes, race fans can get a bad rap because they see something in these sports that a lot of people don’t. Sometimes, fans can get generalized into stereotypes that may be the complete opposite of who they really are. Sometimes, it’s difficult to explain why someone loves racing. In my case, the best terms I can put it in is that I was raised in it. Those of you in the know, understandthat I was literally indoctrinated with racing.
I can try to put it like this. For some people, it’s about the cars. For others, it’s about the people. Some are drawn to its history. But for me, it’s the race. Not the competition or anything like that. If I can sound kind of cheesy for a second, it’s the entire dance; high speeds, maneuvering, strategy, science, sound. It’s the little things that make up the sound and the fury of motorsports. I don’t watch a race to get hammered and watch cars make left turns all day; no. I watch to see these little things in action because as a whole they make up a very large, enthralling story. I have no favorite drivers and I don’t hate any driver. As long as they keep doing what they’re doing, I love them all.
Go to a race, an actual, sanctioned, full-length event. That sound you’ll hear, that deafening cacophony coupled with the constant shaking of the ground, is intoxicating. It’s like a power chord coming through the world’s largest amp while that one song that fires you up and moves you is playing, man. It’s something that provokes that deep down emotion and pulls it out of you and holds it in your face, still pumping, still dripping. I felt that Friday night standing by the fence while those drivers came rushing past me. I saw beauty in that. Some saw a race, I saw art.
Remember how I said that sometimes fans have it rough? They do because often their access is limited. They don’t get to really be immersed in the midst of it all. Sure, there’s social media and all these nifty thrifty doodads that “immerse” the fans, but it’ll never really put them in the action. It pacifies them. That’s all. That may come across as a jerk thing to say, but that’s not my intent. That’s just how it seems to me.
I’ve been to Texas Motor Speedway multiple times as a fan. I went first in 2001, then again in 2003 and 2004. In ’01 and ’03, the most we could do was bring a cooler and some lawn chairs and sit in the infield grass right by the tunnel and only watch the turns. It was all we could really afford. I’m not complaining; I had fun those times and again in ’04 when we were brave enough to camp in Tent City along the backstretch. The most we could do was bring in the lawn chairs for the IROC race, the Busch race, and the NEXTEL Cup race. When you’re a fan, you take what you can in terms of a race experience.
Still, the history of that place has always gotten to me. I’m a sucker for motorsports history. That stuff really fires me up; I love talking about it. Although it isn’t even 20 years old, TMS still has plenty of history. Name a year between now and 1997 and I can tell you who won that year. Some of the names I’ll mention have gone on to do great things; Daytona 500s, Indy 500s, championships galore and multiple Hall of Famers. History.
On my way to Texas Motor Speedway. Photo Credit: Stacie Shelton
Driving my Impala through the tunnel underneath turns one and two at the track, I’ll admit that my blood was pumping. Here I am behind the wheel of my own little sedan going through a tunnel where many great men before me have driven. That carried over to the garage. Here I am in my dusty old Vans walking a stretch where many racing heroes have walked and driven. On pit road after the race when I was walking among the trucks I almost didn’t do my job of gathering content for some stories because I was so awestruck walking that pit road. Some of racing’s biggest names have driven down this very pit road and pit in these very pit boxes. And here I am! Me! Am I really here? Do I really belong here? Sitting in the Media Center I’m thinking of the many racing greats who have sat behind that desk just a few feet from me. History.
I’d look at people looking grumpy or looking bored like it was another day in the office. I wanted to shake them. ‘Do you have any idea where you are? Do you have any idea how lucky you are?’ Of course, to do so would have been bad form. So I just kept to myself, all eyes, while experiencing a sensory overload of epic proportions.
One of the best parts of the night wasn’t when I was in the press box or the garage or on pit road or the media center. It was when I stepped foot out of the tent set up behind the media center, well past midnight. Work was done, and I stepped into that little road just outside the fence that surrounded the media center and the garage. A movie was on the Big Hoss, undoubtedly for the campers that stuck around for the IndyCar race. There were a few security guys zooming on golf carts, and when I say a few, I mean three or four. Other than the four other journos in the Media Center, I realized there was only me. The stands were empty, the NASCAR trucks and haulers were gone, The majority of the people parked in the Infield Paddock Parking were gone, and there was silence. Even the movie on that monstrously huge screen on the backstretch was silent.
I literally felt like I had the track to myself.
This place, where Dale Earnhardt Jr. got his first NASCAR win, where A.J. Foyt kicked Arie Luyendyk’s ass, where Brad Keselowski got his kicked by Jeff Gordon, where Justin Wilson got his final IndyCar win…was silent. It was as silent as could be, empty, vacant, vast. And I could actually savor that.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 14, 2016) – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) veteran Marcus Richmond will take over crew chief duties for the No. 00 Haas Automation Chevrolet Silverado and driver Cole Custer for the remainder of the 2016 season, JR Motorsports announced today. Richmond replaces Joe Shear Jr., who resigned earlier in the month.
“Marcus is a well-known crew chief in the Truck Series garage, and we are delighted he has joined our team,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports. “He brings a lot of experience and the kind of steady leadership that can take us to Victory Lane and into the inaugural Chase this season. Paired with Cole and the rest of the team, we are eager to see this new partnership begin at Iowa Speedway.”
Richmond has 205 starts as a crew chief in NCWTS competition, with nine victories, and led Ty Dillon to a runner-up finish in the 2013 championship standings. He comes to JRM from previous stints at Richard Childress Racing, Red Horse Racing, and most recently, GMS Racing, where he wrenched Johnny Sauter to a victory at Daytona International Speedway earlier this season. In addition to the nine victories, Richmond’s trucks have recorded 48 top-five and 94 top-10 finishes as well as nine poles.
“The main reason I came to this team is because they do what it takes to win races, and they have a driver that can win races,” said Richmond, who guided his teams to top-five points finishes in 2013-15. “I feel like this is a great opportunity to do that here at JR Motorsports, with Cole in the driver’s seat. We are going to have to evaluate where we are with everything and build on it as quickly as possible. With JRM’s knowledge and support from Gene Haas, maybe we can jump to where we need to be quickly. We want to have a good solid plan for the rest of the year.”
Custer, the 18-year-old Californian, currently sits 14th in points after seven races, with one top five and a pair of top 10s. Custer owns two NCWTS victories in 26 starts, including his first in 2014 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in which he became the youngest driver to win a NCWTS race.
Richmond will begin his duties on the pit box this weekend at Iowa Speedway.
ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS: JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s 13-time Most Popular Driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. Now in its 15th year of overall competition, JR Motorsports races in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it won a championship in 2014. The company also competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and owns two championships in regional late model divisions. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.
Ben Kennedy and GMS Racing are pleased to welcome Wheelwell to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS). Wheelwell joins JACOB Companies and Weber Grills as a primary sponsor of Kennedy and the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado for the 2016 season. The 24-year-old driver will pilot the Wheelwell Chevrolet in the Speediatrics 200 on June 18 at Iowa Speedway.
Wheelwell is a platform that brings together automotive enthusiasts, service professionals and brands in a uniquely visual way that enables consumers to find the very best products for their cars. From users building their dream track machine to average car owners simply looking to improve the performance of their ride, the Wheelwell community is there to guide the way. The San Francisco-based company has users from over 162 countries and is one of the fastest growing automotive communities in the world.
“We are thrilled to partner with Ben and GMS Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” said Michael B. Gonzales, CEO Wheelwell Inc. “NASCAR racing is at the pinnacle of automotive performance and Ben is a talented driver with a true passion for cars. Ben and GMS Racing make the perfect partners to represent Wheelwell’s community of enthusiasts sharing their knowledge and favorite automotive products.”
Kennedy, who joined GMS Racing in May, can account for seven top-fives and 18 top-10 finishes as well as one pole award since joining the NCWTS in 2013. He has earned a top-five and two top-10 finishes since joining the Statesville, N.C.-based organization in May, including a fourth-place showing at Texas Motor Speedway last weekend.
“I am looking forward to introducing Wheelwell to millions of NASCAR fans and fellow car enthusiasts,” said Kennedy. “Like many others in the racing community, I have a few ongoing vehicle projects and Wheelwell.com allows me to keep organized, seek help and learn from other members who are building, restoring or enhancing their vehicles.”
The Speediatrics 200 NCWTS race at Iowa Speedway will air Saturday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. CDT on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
ABOUT WHEELWELL:
Headquartered in San Francisco, Wheelwell is a platform for vehicle owners, enabling them to uniquely share, discover and purchase the best products and services for their cars. By combining the collective knowledge of enthusiasts, service professionals and brands, Wheelwell makes it easy for consumers to make confident purchase decisions. Founded by former Apple employees, the team is made up of scientists, technologists and big data experts with decades of experience building online software products.
Visit Wheelwell at www.wheelwell.com.
ABOUT GMS RACING, LLC:
GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with drivers Johnny Sauter, Spencer Gallagher, Grant Enfinger, Ben Kennedy and Kaz Grala. GMS Racing also competes in the NASCAR XFINITY Series with Spencer Gallagher. GMS Racing is housed in a 100,000 square-foot state-of-the-art campus in Statesville, North Carolina.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat at GMSRacingLLC.
Concord, N.C. (June 12, 2016) – After posting the fastest lap on Thursday during practice for Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rattlesnake 400 at Texas Motor Speedway, there was plenty of optimism in the Athenian Motorsports and John Wes Townley camp heading into the 167 lap race on the 1.5-mile oval.
Townley rolled off seventh in the Jive Communications/Zaxby’s Chevrolet and quickly surged into sixth. But that would be the highest the Watkinsville, Ga. native would climb on the leaderboard.
After riding just inside the top 10 during the opening segment of the event, Townley dove onto pit road for four new Goodyear tires and Sunoco fuel.
The over-the-wall team quickly realized there was an issue with the right-front of the Silverado that prevent it from rebounding after coming to a stop. The result was the right-front tire changer struggling to remove the old tire since it was too close to the fender well.
That translated into 20 second stops and lost track position each time Townley pitted for four tires.
Despite the mechanical snafu, Townley managed to find speed in his Chevrolet and climb back to seventh with 50 laps remaining.
But while looking for grip and flirting with the high lane in Turn 3, Townley’s Silverado spun around to prompt the final caution of the evening. The spin resulted in four flat-spotted tires and left Townley pinned one lap behind the leaders.
Despite no damage to his truck, the 26-year-old driver was unable to regain the lost lap and was left to settle for a 17th-place finish.
“This has been a frustrating season,” said Townley, who is 19th in the Truck Series driver standings. “We’ve had lots of speed at most races, but we just don’t have the results to show it.
“But the guys on the team and I aren’t going to throw in the towel. We’ll work hard and look to post a great finish at Iowa next week.”
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Speediatrics 200 at Iowa Speedway gets the green flag at 8:47 p.m. eastern on Saturday June 18th and will air live on Fox Sports 1.
Ryan Preece
JD Motorsports with Gary Keller
Chevrolet 01
Michigan International Speedway review
Menards 250
Saturday, June 11
Started: 24
Finished: 19
BROOKLYN, Mich. – Ryan Preece turned in another strong performance in the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller No. 01 Chevrolet Saturday, finishing 19th in the Menards 250 at Michigan International Speedway.
Preece finished on the lead lap after running as high as 17th during the afternoon.
The JD Motorsports teammates of Preece, Ross Chastain and Garrett Smithley just missed finishing in a three-car sweep. Chastain finished 16th, and Smithley was 17th. Preece was running 18th until a late-race electrical problem dropped him one spot to 19th, behind Brendan Gaughan.
“Our teams had another very fine afternoon,” team owner Johnny Davis said. “I’m very proud of our drivers and team guys. They’ve worked very hard lately, and it is showing on the racetrack.”
Daniel Suarez won Saturday’s race and kept the series point lead.
The series rolls on to Iowa Speedway for a June 19 race.
Ross Chastain
JD Motorsports with Gary Keller
Dream Water Chevrolet 4
Michigan International Speedway review
Menards 250
Saturday, June 11
Started: 18
Finished: 16
BROOKLYN, Mich. – Ross Chastain finished 16th in Saturday’s Menards 250 Xfinity Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
The run was Chastain’s sixth straight top-20 finish in what has been a remarkably consistent season. In 13 races, Chastain has only two finishes worse than 22nd.
Saturday’s finish in the Dream Water Chevrolet boosted Chastain to 13th in Xfinity points as he shoots for a berth in the series’ first playoff.
“The Dream Water Chevrolet really ran great today,” Chastain said. “We got stronger as the race went on and brought in home on the lead lap again. This team is really pushing forward.”
Daniel Suarez won the race and kept the point lead.
The next Xfinity Series race is June 19 at Iowa Speedway.
