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Category: Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series news and information

  • Back to almost normal

    Back to almost normal

    With a deep breath, we will see live racing on Sunday. No, you will not hear the roar of the crowd, and you won’t see much of a victory lane celebration, but in these days of pandemic, it’s still much better than virtual racing, that depended on how well the driver had experienced the computer program. I had grown tired of the “computer racing.” I’m glad to get back to man and machine. I’m looking forward to real racing.

    It’s going to be different, though. Most events this month will probably be one-day events and qualifying based on a draw. Media availability will be shortened to only a few outlets, and driver reactions after the race will be done remotely. Yes, it won’t be the same. Races at Chicagoland, Richmond, and Sonoma will be replaced with the Darlington-Charlotte marathon this month. My sources tell me that Fox will have all races as it stands.

    NASCAR is the first major sport trying to do this, so they will be under the microscope, thus the harsh requirements. All must wear masks. Teams are allowed fewer people. Big fines or punishments will follow. Yes, the days of old are gone. Cleanliness is important. Following the rules will depend on whether we see a season or not. MLB, the NBA, and all major sports are watching us. Our success means their success. We must make this work.

    So, we head to Darlington, as far as I can tell, the series’ second-oldest track, and have a race. I love Darlington. I’ve covered races there, even when the little red press box used to feel the vibrations when drivers hit the wall in front of it and you had to run to the back of the press box to post stories. It’s altogether good and proper we start this new experiment there. The good news is the statement that we will have a fall race – a throwback race at the track in September if all goes well. It must, not only for NASCAR but all big-time professional sports. Cross your fingers and pray, if you pray, for success this weekend for these races.

  • Interview: First-Seasons-Rico Abreu

    Interview: First-Seasons-Rico Abreu

    In continuation of the column “First Seasons” that highlights the early years of a driver’s career, Speedway Media caught up with dirt track racing star and fan-favorite, Rico Abreu. We discussed what was then, the 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series season and parts of his Truck Series career in 2016. During this interview, Abreu talked about what drew his interest to NASCAR, his first-race, first-win, and if he would change anything differently from his early beginnings.

    SM: Your first-year in NASCAR was in 2015 driving in what was then the K&N Pro Series. Can you talk about what drew your interest to NASCAR during this time, despite competing in dirt racing full-time?

    RA: “The seasons I did and where I really got involved in dirt racing, was ’12, ’13, and ’14,” Abreu said. “Kyle (Larson) and Christopher (Bell) kind of led the first prints to the stock-car world through Keith Kunz development program, where they got to run some USAC stuff. And mainly, not taking the IndyCar path and going to the stock-car world.”

    “(The) K&N Cars felt like the next step and I was at the point where we were really successful in the Sprint Cars and Midgets. So, we were ready to make that next step to the K&N Cars. Harry Scott and Justin Marks had just partnered up and took over the previous Turner Scott program. The management group I was with at the time got me some good sponsorship to do that program. So, I was able to continue to race the Sprint Cars, Midgets, and Stock Car.”

    SM: During that time, you got connected with Mike Curb to drive the No. 98 car in that season. Was that your pathway to the ThorSport Truck program?

    RA: “Yes,” he said. “I wanted to keep my relationship healthy with Mike Curb (Owner of the No. 98 car) and what he had done for my career up to that point. He’s a big supporter of Keith Kunz Motorsports. I was able to get the opportunity to drive the No. 98 Curb car during that time period. He also had an affiliation with Duke and Rhonda Thorson of the No. 98 truck. Johnny Sauter was making a change at the time and it kind of opened the door right up for me to jump in that truck.”

    SM: Before the 2015 season started, did you and Mike have a list of expectations like a set win total in mind or a championship? Or was it more, let’s take this race by race and see where we end up at the halfway point.

    RA: “Honestly, it was more of an education period for me to adapt to stock-car racing and get around a good team,” Abreu said. “I had a couple of good top-five finishes and I felt like I was really getting the hang of it. Instead of doing another season, which I should have, in order to have a shot at the championship. However, we moved to the Truck Series, but to be honest, it was a bit too soon. We did it, we learned and that was it.”

    “I did both, but I didn’t really have the funding and sponsorship behind me to keep going in that series. It just didn’t work out.”

    SM: Your first-race as a NASCAR driver was at New Smyrna. You started sixth, but finished 17th, one lap down. What do you remember specifically about that race and what did you and the team do to prepare for the race?

    RA: “I ran some late-model races the week before,” he said. “I think I wasn’t experienced and it really showed. I practiced good and qualified decent. I wish I could go back and do it all over again. I had the opportunity and didn’t take advantage of it.”

    “The biggest thing I remember is, having a great team behind me and how nice the cars were. I just lacked aggressiveness and corner roll speed. It took me the whole season to kind of figure all that out. Once I figured that out, the last four to five races of the year, I was really good.”

    SM: After the New Smyrna race, you achieved your first NASCAR win at Columbus. Is that first win still special to you and have you gone back to re-watch it?

    RA: “I mean, yeah,” Abreu said. “It was my one and only NASCAR win. I think it was a last-lap duke out with another driver and it was a lot of fun.”

    SM: I want to follow up on that win. Do you view your NASCAR win differently from all your dirt wins?

    RA: “They’re all really special to me,” he said regarding his victories. “Obviously, the NASCAR win is right at the top, because you don’t have much time in that series. Any time I win and have success at the racetrack is all really good. After you win, it helps build your confidence and the team’s confidence moving forward.”

    SM: So speaking of your wins, is there one, in particular, that means the most to you right now as a driver and why?

    RA: “I think they’re all about that same,” Abreu said. “Honestly, I’m just lucky to be in this position to drive racecars. I want to win in front of people that follow my career and show them that this is what I really love to do.”

    SM: You mentioned the Truck-Series was kind of a learning curve for you. What more did you need to break through and have that first-win?

    RA: “I think another season I would have been really close,” he said. “Every time we showed up to the track, it was something new. There was a new hump to get over. I just lacked a lot of experience. I felt like a lot of those I raced against, did it every weekend and that’s all they did for their career. I could go back and have a better perspective of things, and handle things a bit differently.”

    SM: Looking back on those early years, what races come to mind from your NASCAR years that you wish you had another shot at?

    RA: “Definitely, (tracks) like Texas and Dover,” Abreu said. “Chicago, I was really good. I was running up front and my pit-crew put my tires on backward. Daytona and Talladega (as well). I really liked running those races. I think if I had another opportunity at them, you would see a major difference in the results.”

    SM: What are your favorite memories from your NASCAR career?

    RA: “I was around some good people,” he said. “The teams that were structured around me were all good people and I was able to have a lot of fun. That was the biggest thing. Getting to be a part of those iconic teams and getting to race with them. That was fun.”

    SM: Overall as a driver, it’s been 13 years since your first start in an Outlaw Sprint Kart at Lakeport Speedway. If you had the ability to time travel, what would a 28-year-old Rico Abreu tell a 17-year-old Rico Abreu? Is there anything you would have done differently?

    RA: “I don’t think so, to be honest,” Abreu said. “I think the biggest thing is, make sure to enjoy it. It all goes by really fast when you’re having fun.”

    In Rico’s NASCAR career, he has 1-win, four top-fives and eight top-10 finishes along with three pole positions during the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Series. On the NASCAR Truck Series side, he has 26 starts over three years with two top-fives and five top-10 finishes, earning a best finish of third at Eldora in 2016.

    Fans of Rico can follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

  • NASCAR realigns 2020 schedule, shifts events from Chicagoland, Richmond, Sonoma

    NASCAR realigns 2020 schedule, shifts events from Chicagoland, Richmond, Sonoma

    Staff Report | NASCAR.com

    NASCAR officials announced Friday three tracks will have races reassigned to Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway later this month as the sport attempts to hold its first events since the COVID-19 outbreak.

    The realignment shifts events away from Chicagoland Speedway, Richmond Raceway (spring) and Sonoma Raceway on the 2020 calendar. According to officials from the sanctioning body, future adjustments to this season’s schedule “will be released in the near future.”

    NASCAR initially announced portions of a revised May schedule on April 30, adding national series events at Darlington and Charlotte. Those tracks were chosen for NASCAR’s return to competition in part because of their proximity to the industry’s Charlotte-area hub, as officials try to minimize travel demands and limit the amount of at-track personnel with one-day events.

    “Due to the current pandemic, NASCAR has faced several difficult decisions, including realigning race dates from several race tracks,” the NASCAR statement read. “These decisions were made following thorough collaboration with local and state government officials from across the country, including the areas of the affected race tracks. We thank all our fans for their support, and we look forward to our return to racing.”

    Further details about the changes to the 2020 racing schedule:

    • Chicagoland’s NASCAR Cup Series race — originally set for June 21 — has been reassigned to Darlington on May 17. The 1.5-mile Illinois track’s Xfinity Series race that was scheduled June 20 will be held May 19 at Darlington. Chicagoland was also set to host the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (June 19) and ARCA Menards Series (June 18); officials indicated those races will be reassigned at a later date.

    • Richmond Raceway’s springtime Cup Series event on the initial schedule for April 19 has been moved to Darlington on May 20. A Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race that was to be run April 18 remains postponed, with officials saying details would come later for rescheduling. The .75-mile Virginia track’s Sept. 11-12 race weekend remains on the schedule.

    • Sonoma Raceway’s Cup Series date for June 14 has been moved to Charlotte on May 27. Officials for the road course said in a release they had worked with NASCAR to find an alternate date on the schedule, but a suitable replacement could not be reached, “given the ongoing uncertainty around large events in California.”

    Each of the three tracks released statements, saying ticketholders for the canceled races would receive a full refund or a 120-percent credit toward a future event.

    • Chicagoland Speedway president Scott Paddock: “The difficult decision to realign our race events was a combination of where we fell on the schedule, proximity to NASCAR’s teams and the safety and well-being of our community and larger NASCAR industry. We will miss the roar of the engines at Chicagoland Speedway this season, but we will be rooting for and supporting our NASCAR colleagues at Darlington Raceway as competition returns on Sunday, May 17.”

    • Richmond Raceway president Dennis Bickmeier: “As a sport, we continue to be united in the best interests of the safety and well-being of our fans, competitors, stakeholders, and track personnel. There will be brighter and healthier days ahead in the greater Richmond region when NASCAR returns to Richmond Raceway for the NASCAR Playoff Race Weekend on Sept. 11-12. We look forward to NASCAR’s best getting back on the track at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, May 17 as we launch a new countdown to the return of racing in RVA this fall.”

    • Sonoma Raceway president and general manager Steve Page: “We work all year for this event, so this is a huge disappointment for us, for our fans and our sponsors, but we realize it’s part of a larger challenge facing our nation and everyone in the live events business. We are excited that NASCAR is coming back to broadcast television and are ready to support the upcoming events at our Speedway Motorsports tracks. We look forward to NASCAR’s return to Sonoma in 2021.”

  • FOX Sports to televise eNASCAR iRacing Pro Series Invitational opener on FS1

    FOX Sports to televise eNASCAR iRacing Pro Series Invitational opener on FS1

    By FOX Sports Release NASCAR.com 

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – FOX Sports, teaming with NASCAR and iRacing, delivers the first-ever eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series event Sunday, March 22, at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports app. Titled FOX NASCAR iRACING, the 90-minute, simulation-style eSports program includes a cross-section of competitors from the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series and a group of NASCAR dignitaries.

    FOX NASCAR broadcasters Jeff Gordon, Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds call the action from the iRacing virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway.

    “This is a unique opportunity to offer competitive and entertaining racing to our viewers as we all work through these challenging times together,” said Brad Zager, FOX Sports Executive Producer, EVP/Head of Production & Operations. “We are following CDC guidelines to maintain a safe work environment, as the well-being of all those involved is paramount. We value our relationships across the NASCAR community and appreciate all of the effort that it took in bringing this project to life.”

    RELATED: eNASCAR iRacing Pro Series Invitational launches | TV schedule for the week

    NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr. and NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Bobby Labonte headline a high-powered lineup, including two-time and defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski, 2018 NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, 2016 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Chase Elliott, 2008 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Clint Bowyer, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Kyle Larson and 2017 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series champion Christopher Bell.

    Additional NASCAR Cup Series drivers* competing on Sunday include Bubba Wallace, Chris Buescher, William Byron, Matt DiBenedetto, Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, Timmy Hill, Michael McDowell, John Hunter Nemechek, Ryan Preece, Garrett Smithley, Erik Jones, Ross Chastain, Parker Kligerman, Landon Cassill and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. A full 35-car lineup, including racers from the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, will be announced Sunday.

    Bowyer, who expanded his role with FOX Sports earlier this year, serves as the in-car analyst, competing in an iRacing simulator in the FOX NASCAR Charlotte studio.

    *Subject to change

  • CMI Motorsports Withdraws From Atlanta Truck Race

    CMI Motorsports Withdraws From Atlanta Truck Race

    Announced today via CMI Motorsports, Team Owner Ray Ciccarelli will be withdrawing from the Atlanta Truck Series race scheduled to take place Saturday afternoon. While the coronavirus had an impact on the decision, the weather forecast was also a factor. Ultimately the team decided to stay home and focus on the upcoming races. Below is a report from team owner Ray Ciccarelli.

    “We had a very hard decision to make today, but with everything going on and the potential of rain Friday, we thought it was best to withdraw from Atlanta and focus on completing our move into the new building,” Ciccarelli said. “We’re getting both Trucks ready for Miami and Texas. We can’t thank Springrates enough for there support.”

    “Thanks to all our fans as well for their understanding and supporting.”

    So far in 2020, CMI Motorsports has only made one start with Stefan Parsons, which occurred at Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. Parsons was credited with a 29th place finish after some issues with the truck earlier in the night. He was 22 laps down.

    Overall, CMI has made 11 starts over a span of three years since debuting at Pocono in 2018. Their best finish took place last year at Michigan, where Ciccarelli finished ninth after starting 30th.

    For more info on CMI Motorsports, you can follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

  • Weekend schedule for Atlanta – Racing postponed

    Weekend schedule for Atlanta – Racing postponed

    Update from NASCAR:

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 13, 2020) – “NASCAR has decided to postpone the race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend and Homestead-Miami Speedway next weekend. We believe this decision is in the best interest of the safety and well-being of our fans, competitors, officials and everyone associated with our sport. We will continue to monitor this dynamic situation as we assess future race events.”

    All three national series head to Atlanta Motor Speedway for a weekend of competition. Brad Keselowski has won two of the last three NASCAR Cup Series races at the 1.54-mile track (2019,2017) and finished second in 2018.

    Christopher Bell, who currently competes in the Cup Series, won last year’s Xfinity Series race at Atlanta but is not entered in this weekend’s race. Kyle Busch won the 2019 Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series race and will compete in Saturday’s event.

    After Busch scored his 57th career victory last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, there was the usual uproar about Busch competing in a lower series. This prompted Kevin Harvick to offer a $50,000 bounty for any full-time Cup Series driver who could beat Busch in one of his four remaining Truck Series races. RV & Outdoors CEO Marcus Lemonis responded by matching Harvick’s bounty, for a total payout of  $100,000. This weekend at Atlanta, Chase Elliott will try to collect the bounty.

    All times are Eastern.

    Friday, March 13

    1:35 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.: Truck Series first practice – Stream on NASCAR.com

    2:35 p.m.- 3:25 p.m.: Xfinity Series first practice – FS1

    3:35 p.m.- 4:25 p.m.: Cup Series first practice – FS1

    4:32 p.m.- 4:57 p.m.: Truck Series final practice – FS1

    5:02 p.m.- 5:27 p.m.: Xfinity Series final practice – FS1

    5:35 p.m.-6:25 p.m.: Cup Series final practice – FS1

    Saturday, March 14

    10:05 a.m.: Truck Series Qualifying (Impound – Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions) – FS1

    11:05 AM Xfinity Series Qualifying (Impound – Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions) – FS1

    12:05 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (Impound – Single Vehicle/One Lap All Positions) – FS1/PRN

    1:30 p.m.: Truck Series Vet Tix/Camping World 200 race (Stages 30/60/130 Laps = 200.02 Miles) – FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    4 p.m.: Xfinity Series Echo Park 250 race (Stages 40/80/163 Laps = 251.02 Miles) – FS1/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Sunday, March 15

    2 p.m.: Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 race (Stages 105/210/325 Laps = 500.5 Miles) – FOX/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

  • NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Preview-Atlanta/The Bounty Part 1

    NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Preview-Atlanta/The Bounty Part 1

    The NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series return to on-track action this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. While you may have looked at this as just another race prior to the 2020 season, all eyes will be watching this Saturday.

    Last time out at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch stole the show and went to victory lane in the Truck Series once again. This caused another round of outrage from some NASCAR fans about Busch winning in the lower series.

    The outrage got the attention of the 2014 Cup Series champion and future Hall of Famer Kevin Harvick who finally had enough of it. The day after Busch’s win, Harvick took to Twitter and issued what was originally a $50,000 bounty to any full-time Cup driver that can beat Busch. Not only did it get the attention of Harvick but the bounty that Harvick offered also got the attention of the CEO and sponsor of the series, Marcus Lemonis. Lemonis took to Twitter and matched Kevin’s bounty to equal $100,000. Of course, this got the attention of several Cup Series drivers who right away tried putting plans together with Truck Series teams.

    While it would have been interesting to see a Cup vs. Truck field at Atlanta this weekend, the realization came into play on how tough it actually would be to get a ride in the Truck Series, as there would be many sponsor and manufacturer conflicts in some instances. However, a couple of Cup drivers were able to get a deal worked out. Those drivers include Chase Elliott who will drive the No. 24 GMS Racing Chevy, Brennan Poole who will pilot his own No. 29 Toyota entry and John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 8 NEMCO Motorsports entry. Whether or not, one of these three can beat Kyle by finishing ahead of him remains to be seen but the bounty will certainly put on a good show.

    Before we get to The Bounty, let’s take a look at five other drivers that have shot to win in this weekend’s Vet Tix Camping World 200 at Atlanta.

    Currently, there are 38 Trucks on the preliminary entry list, meaning six trucks will go home after qualifying.

    1. Kyle Busch – Anytime Kyle Busch is in the field, it will be really tough to beat him head-to-head on his good days and that has been the case here at Atlanta for at least nine of 11 starts. In last year’s race, Busch swept both the stages and won in his second straight Truck start of the season after leading 92 laps. In total, the Las Vegas native has an average finish of 6.1 with an average start of 3.4. He has five wins to his credit with eight top fives, nine top-10 finishes and 479 laps led. Busch’s stats at Atlanta are impressive as he won three in a row in 2005, 2007, and 2008. Had he not finished eighth in 2008, Busch could have won five in a row which is really impressive, to say the least. Despite his success at the 1.54-mile speedway in Atlanta, the KBM owner has also faced some adversity at one point or another. In 2017, he started second and finished 26th, three laps down while in 2018, Busch was on the pole but finished 21st after having a wheel come off under a pit stop. It’s rare for Busch to have a problem in the Truck Series, but it’s also rare for anyone to beat him. The KBM owner will be pretty tough to beat on Saturday for the bounty.
    2. Brett Moffitt – Moffitt has yet to find victory lane this season in the No. 23 GMS Racing Chevy. Though it has not been the start Moffitt has been looking for, that could all change this weekend at a track where he has had limited success. The Iowa native won here back in 2018 after starting 10th and only led two laps after a late-race restart with two to go. To date, that has been Moffitt’s only victory in the Truck Series at Atlanta. In last year’s outing for GMS, he finished fourth after starting third but only registered a fifth-place stage finish in the second stage. Overall, Moffitt has an average finish of 5.3.
    3. Grant Enfinger – Quite simply put, Atlanta has been one of the best tracks that Grant Enfinger has not won at yet. Since making his first start there in 2016, the Alabama native has had consistent finishes in the top fives and 10s with a best finish of third coming in 2019. He’s managed to lead eight laps and earned an average finish of 6.2. In total, Enfinger has two top-fives and four top-10 finishes. He was able to finish third in Stage 1 and eighth in Stage 2 in the 2019 race. Surprisingly, the ThorSport driver has not won yet at Atlanta, but that could change this weekend.
    4. Ben Rhodes – Another driver who has had some success at Atlanta is the driver of the No. 99 Carolina Nut Company Ford, Ben Rhodes. Rhodes has four starts dating back to 2016. His best finish was fourth (twice, 2017 and 2018). In those four starts, he’s also led 20 laps which came in last year’s race. All in all, the ThorSport driver has completed all the laps since his first race, which is really remarkable. Rhodes has yet to grab a stage win in this race, but that may very well come this weekend along with a win.
    5. Ross Chastain – Chastain is back for another race in the Niece Motorsports entry for 2020. At Atlanta, he has three starts in 2012, 2017 and 2019. Chastain’s best finish of those three starts was sixth in last year’s race after starting 21st. He didn’t make a lot of noise, but still got the job done by earning a top-10 finish. Chastain also finished 10th and seventh in both stages in the 2019 race.

    As for the bounty hunters, Chase Elliott has one start at Atlanta that came in 2017 driving for GMS. Elliott finished fifth after starting ninth. He also managed to finish eighth in the second stage of that race. For Brennan Poole, his only start was in last year’s race where he finished 13th. John Hunter Nemechek has two starts at Atlanta in the Truck Series. Nemechek won this race in 2016. Though, his last Truck start was three years ago in 2017, where Nemechek was credited with a 29th place finish due to an accident.

    There will be a few somewhat new faces in the field this weekend making their start of 2020. T.J. Bell returns to drive the No. 12 Youngs Motorsports Truck, while Danny Bohn is scheduled to pilot the No. 30 of On Point Motorsports, J.J. Yeley will pilot the No. 33 of Reaume Brothers Racing, Ryan Truex will compete in the No. 40 Niece Motorsports entry and Jeb Burton will be in the No. 44 Niece Motorsports Chevy.

    A couple of drivers will be making their first at-track debut. Those include Zane Smith, Tate Fogleman, Raphael Lessard, Tanner Gray, Derek Kraus, Tyler Ankrum, Stefan Parsons, Danny Bohn, and Angela Ruch.

    Since 2004, Atlanta Motor Speedway has seen 18 Truck Series races. The winners include Bobby Hamilton, Ron Hornaday Jr., Kyle Busch, Todd Bodine, Mike Bliss, Mike Skinner, Ryan Newman, Kevin Harvick, Ty Dillon, Matt Crafton, John Hunter Nemechek, and Brett Moffitt. Kyle Busch has the most wins with five occurring in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2019.

    As for manufacturers, Chevrolet has nine wins with Toyota directly behind with eight. Toyota has won the last three races. Dodge only has one victory which came in 2004 while Ford has zero wins throughout the 18 race span.

    The race winners starting positions have been a mixed bag as well. At least seven times a race winner has come from outside the top-10, while four times a race winner came from the top five and only two times the winner has come from the top-10. The lowest a winner has ever started was 18th (twice) set by Hornaday in 2005 and John Hunter Nemechek in 2016. The winner has started from the pole only five times by drivers Todd Bodine, Mike Skinner, Kyle Busch, Ty Dillon, and previously Christopher Bell in 2017. There have been zero races dating back to 2004 that have not ended under yellow.

    As far as stage wins go, Christopher Bell, Noah Gragson, and Busch have been the only stage winners so far since stages were implemented in 2017. Twice the stages have been swept by Bell and Busch, as both went on to victory lane later that day.

    The most lead changes that took place was 21 in 2006. The least amount of lead changes were six (twice) in 2015 and 2017. The most cautions occurred in 2007 with nine for 45 laps. The least amount of cautions took place in 2015, where only three caution flags were flown for 13 laps.

    The first time the Truck Series drivers will get on-track is slated for 1:35 p.m. ET for their first practice with no live TV. Final practice is scheduled for 4:32 p.m. ET with live coverage on Fox Sports 1. Truck Series qualifying is set for Saturday morning at 10:05 a.m. ET live on Fox Sports 1. The Vet Tix Camping World 200 is set for Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. ET live on Fox Sports 1 and MRN Radio. Stages will be 30/60/40 to make up the 130-lap race.

  • Brandon Jones set to compete for four races with Kyle Busch Motorsports

    Brandon Jones set to compete for four races with Kyle Busch Motorsports

    NASCAR Xfinity Series regular and last week’s winner at Phoenix Raceway, Brandon Jones, is set to return to Kyle Busch Motorsports to compete in four Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series races this season.

    Jones’ schedule will open at Iowa Speedway on June 12. He then will compete at Pocono Raceway on June 27, Kentucky Speedway July 9 and his final race will be at Martinsville Speedway on October 30. During the four-race span, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver will have sponsorship by Barracuda Pumps, DuPont Air Filtration, Delta Faucet Company and Magick Woods. As always, Jones will have Menards as the associate sponsor for those races as well.

    Jones has had limited success in the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series. He made his first series start at the age of 16 in 2013, where he competed in three races that year. The best finish of that year for Jones was 19th at Martinsville. However, the first outing with Kyle Busch Motorsports was May of 2018 when he started 13th and finished ninth. Jones has yet to grab a win in the Truck Series, but came close to doing so by finishing second twice, which came last year at Chicago and at Phoenix last fall.

    Because of his success last year in the series, Jones wanted to come back for another round of races.

    “After ending last year in the Truck Series on such a high note with almost winning Phoenix, it gives me great confidence to come back and compete at KBM,” Jones said. “Based on the tracks that we have scheduled, I feel that my chances are very strong to put the No. 51 Tundra in victory lane at all of them and check off my first truck win in the 2020 season. I am pumped to have Danny Stockman as my crew chief since we have worked together in the past and have had multiple successful runs in my early years in the XFINITY series. And, I feel that running a limited truck schedule with KBM helps have dialogue with Kyle on a weekly basis.

    “The main reason we are participating in the selected truck schedule is so that I can have some on-track laps before getting in the XFINITY car. This will be especially important when we run Martinsville Speedway since the XFINITY series has added that back to the 2020 schedules. I am really excited to have PPA/Dupont and Delta Faucets back on the truck; while pleased to be bringing on two new sponsors to the track, Barracuda Pumps and Magick Woods Vanities. Sponsors play a very important role in our sport and I believe we have a great chance to take them all to victory lane. I especially appreciate my longtime sponsor Menards for supporting me in both the XFINITY and Gander Outdoors Truck Series; I couldn’t do it without them.”

    Team-Owner Kyle Busch says Jones has been a special part of building the No. 51 Toyota Tundra team.

    “Brandon was an integral part of the 51 team bringing home the owner’s championship last year and we’re excited to have him back in the driver lineup as we try to repeat that feat this year,” owner-driver Kyle Busch said. “He was so close to victory a couple of times last year in the Truck Series and in the XFINITY Series was able to pick up a win late last year and has carried that momentum over to another win and a strong start to the season. We’re looking forward to getting him his first Truck Series victory this year.”

  • David Ragan will return to Truck Series for one race at Richmond

    David Ragan will return to Truck Series for one race at Richmond

    Announced today via DGR-Crosley retired Cup Series star David Ragan will make his return to the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series on Saturday, April 18 at Richmond International Raceway. Ragan is scheduled to drive the No. 17 Ford Performance F-150 Ford out of the DGR-Crosley stable. This will be the first time since 2006 that Ragan has competed in the Truck Series and will be the first time he’s competed in a Truck at Richmond.

    “I’m really looking forward to racing one of DGR-Crosley’s F-150’s at Richmond,” said Ragan. “I’ve been friends with David [Gilliland] for a long time, and I see how much work he’s putting into this team and the success they’ve had early on. They have a shop full of great people and I’m glad that we could make all this happen.”

    The last time Ragan raced in a Truck was 2006 at Phoenix, where the Georgia native finished 17th after starting 20th. Ragan notes that this is something he’s planned on ever since retiring from full-time competition last year in the Cup Series.

    “It’s been a long time since I’ve raced in the Truck Series, and I’m incredibly thankful to Select Blinds for supporting me and allowing me to do this,” remarked Ragan. “This is what I wanted to do when I decided to stop racing full-time at the end of last season; I want to race in different series, with different teams. Obviously, we want to be competitive, and I have no doubt that DGR-Crosley will bring me a great truck. Richmond has always been one of my favorite tracks that we race at; hopefully, we can get the folks from Select Blinds another good finish this year and put on a good show for the fans.”

    Ragan will carry sponsorship with Select Binds.

  • NGROTS Advance: Atlanta Motor Speedway

    NGROTS Advance: Atlanta Motor Speedway

    No. 38 Mannington Commercial Ford F-150, Todd Gilliland
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    Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway, 1.54-mile oval
    Race: 3 of 23
    Event: Vet Tix Camping World 200 (200 miles, 130 laps)

    Schedule:    
    Friday, March 13
    1:35 p.m…………Practice
    4:32 p.m…………Final Practice
    Saturday, March 14
    10:05 a.m………..Qualifying
    1:30 p.m…..……Race (FS1)
    (all times ET)

    Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Mannington Commercial Ford F-150

    Todd Gilliland and his No. 38 Front Row Motorsports (FRM) team will carry new colors this weekend at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway as the team welcomes Mannington Commercial, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fine flooring, to the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

    With a newly structured schedule this season, the Truck Series will head to the one-and-a-half-mile track near Atlanta for the third race of the 2020 season. The No. 38 team has a best finish of seventh-place this year which occurred at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. Gilliland and his FRM team have been strong contenders each race weekend, running inside the top-five and challenging for the lead multiple times. They currently sit ninth in Driver Point Standings.

    Gilliland has one previous start at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which occurred in 2019. The 19-year-old driver started the race from the 11th position and collected a ninth-place finish in his track debut last season. While Gilliland doesn’t have a lot of experience on the abrasive track in Atlanta, he has practiced on the Ford Performance Simulator as well as spent time with his spotter, Coleman Pressley, reviewing film in preparation for Saturday’s event.

    The No. 38 Mannington Ford F-150 will compete in the 130 lap Vet Tix Camping World 200 on Saturday, March 14, at 1:30 p.m., ET. A live broadcast of the race will be shown on FS1.

    Quick Facts:
    Number of Starts at Atlanta: 1
    Best Start: 11th
    Best Finish: 9th
    2020 Driver Point Standings: 9th

    Gilliland on Atlanta: “Overall, I’m excited for Atlanta this weekend. It’s one of the most fun mile-and-a-half race tracks that we go to because it has a very worn out surface. On top of the great racing it produces, there will be a lot of Cup Series drivers racing this weekend, which will help us put on an even better show for the fans. I’m really hoping that we have a good finish on Saturday for everyone working hard at Front Row Motorsports and for our new sponsor Mannington Commercial. The truck looks great, and I want to give them a nice welcome to our team and the Truck Series. We’ve been strong in both races so far this season, just don’t have the finishes to show how well we’ve been running.”