Category: Truck Series

MADISON, Ill. – Riding the wave of two consecutive top-five finishes in ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards competition, Gus Dean (@GusDean) and his Win-Tron Racing team head to Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park hoping their third straight top-five performance equals a win in Friday night’s PapaNicholas Coffee 150.

Last weekend at Madison (Wisc.) International Speedway, Dean roared from a ninth-place qualifying effort to maneuver his No. 32 GREE Cooling Products | Baker Distributing Chevrolet inside the top-five and climbed to a race-high second before settling for fifth when the checkered flag flew.

Dean, the Bluffton, S.C.-native finally believes his Mooresville, N.C.-based team has shaken their stretch of bad luck and can now concentrate on winning races.

“I’m so proud of this Win-Tron Racing team over the last couple of weeks,” said Dean. “I think we’ve shown all year long we’ve had fast No. 32 GREE Cooling Products | Baker Distributing Chevrolets, but for one reason or another – we haven’t been able to reel in the finishes I know we’re capable of.

“The last two races at Michigan and Madison, we’ve done that and done it well. I’m heading to Gateway this weekend, a track I’ve never been too – but that could be a really good thing for us.”

Dean is right.

Visiting race tracks he’s never competed at paid off well during his rookie season of competition last year. On 10 different occasions in 2017, the 23-year-old produced 10 top-10 finishes at race tracks he’s never seen before.

With an open-test at the 1.25-mile oval on Thursday, Dean is optimistic he can make it 11 top-10 runs under the St. Louis lights Friday night.

“I think we’ve seen that testing has really paid off for our Win-Tron Racing team this year,” offered Dean. “Charlotte was a big indicator of that. We were pretty good at the test, came back and we were better even though we didn’t get the finish I felt like we deserved. While the turnaround is much quicker this week at Gateway, I think that could be a good thing for Jamie (Jones, crew chief) and I.

“I hope so.”

No matter what though, the former Talladega ARCA race winner says it’s important for his team to keep posting strong finishes as the series’ approaches its halfway point in 2018.

“We’ve been able to make some steady gains in the point standings over the last two weeks,” mentioned Dean. “The top spot is still a long way off – but there’s still plenty of racing left on the table.

We just need to keep our head down and focused on ourselves like we’ve been doing and hopefully, we can get a win or two here in the next couple of races. I feel like we are close.

“Very close.”

Win-Tron Racing car owner Kevin Cywinski says the team’s strong performance at Madison shows the growth between the driver and crew chief – but as well as their program.

“Gus and Jamie are really working well together right now,” added Cywinski. “Madison was a great example of that. We just need to keep going to the race track and stay focused and hopefully, the results will speak for itself.

“Everyone on this GREE Racing team won’t be satisfied until we’re in Victory Lane, but I think we’re showing everyone that’s capable of happening sooner rather than later.”

In 36 career ARCA Racing Series starts, Dean captured his first career victory in his second ever start at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway after starting a career-best second in Apr. 2016. Overall, Dean has 10 top-five and 21 top-10 finishes.

The PapaNicholas Coffee 150 (120 laps |150 miles) is the 10th of 20 races on the 2018 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. Practice begins Fri., June 22 with an hour session planned from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. A final 55-minute practice session has been etched in from 1:30 p.m. – 2:25 p.m. General Tire pole qualifying is set for later in the day at 5:30 p.m. The race is set to take the green flag later in the day shortly after 8:00 p.m. The event will be broadcasted live on FOX Sports 2, while ARCARacing.com will stream live timing and scoring throughout the week’s activities. All times are local (CT).

For more on Gus Dean, please visit his all new website at GusDean.com or like him on Facebook. Dean tweets too. Follow him on Twitter @GusDean.

For additional information on GREE Racing, please like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @GREE_Racing.

Learn more at Win-TronRacing.com, Facebook or on Twitter @WinTronRacing.

About GREE:
In 1991, GREE set out to make the world a cooler place. To this end, we’ve become a global leader in air conditioners, developing some of the most advanced commercial and residential air conditioners in the world.

Based in Zhuhai, China, we’re now the world’s largest specialized air conditioner company integrating R&D, manufacturing, sales and service. It’s our mission to innovate and create new ways to help people live well and stay comfortable no matter where they live, work or play.

About Baker Distributing Company:
Founded in 1945, Baker Distributing Company (bakerdist.com) is engaged in the sales and distribution of HVAC, refrigeration and food service, equipment, parts and supplies for residential and commercial applications.

With over 200 locations in 22 states, each Baker Distributing Sales Center is staffed by the most knowledgeable and customer service oriented people in our industry. With a complete inventory of HVAC/R products and technical assistance, our Sales Centers can provide you with the products and information you need to make your job and you more efficient.

About Win-Tron Racing:
Headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., Win-Tron Racing is a professional race team entering its 11th season of Motorsports competition located in “Race City USA.”

Owned by former champion racer Kevin Cywinski, the team will compete for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship in 2018 with Bluffton, S.C. driver Gus Dean in the No. 32 GREE | Baker Distributing Chevrolet.

Learn more at Win-TronRacing.com, Facebook or on Twitter @WinTronRacing.

MADISON, Ill. – On the heels of their impressive sixth-place outing last weekend at Iowa Speedway, JJL Motorsports and driver Jesse Little look to duplicate or better their performance in Saturday night’s Villa Lighting delivers the Eaton 200 at Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park.

The team’s third top-10 performance in four races has certainly grabbed the attention of their competition and series insiders alike, but the family-owned team’s impressive performance in their season debut at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway captured the attention of a local business who will support Little in his Gateway attempt.

Founded in 2016 by U.S. Air Force veteran and restaurant entrepreneur Grindstaff, Rustic Rub Co. started as a BBQ rub company initially releasing All Purpose and Three Kings rubs, however, the company’s success has evolved into a brand and lifestyle since releasing their own version of a Bloody Mary mix.

Now, the Belleville, Ill. company – located just 10 miles east of St. Louis, Mo. – – the heart of Midwest BBQ country, products can found in over 50 retailers within the St. Louis and metro-east area; as well as online at rusticrubs.com.

“Coming off a finish like we had at Iowa Speedway, it’s great to be going to Gateway this weekend and to have the local support of Rustic Rub Co.,” said Little. “We showed great resilience in our team last weekend at Iowa and that is something I think we can build on this weekend at Gateway.”

While the team would be satisfied with their fourth top-10 performance of the year, Little, a Sherrills Ford, N.C.-native hopes the opportunity could easily present itself for his JJL Motorsports team to pull off an upset win on Saturday night.

Of course, the NASCAR Next alumnus and his Matt Noyce-led team also know that luck, a good handling race truck and perfection behind the wheel must fuse together to provide that priceless moment.

“There aren’t words to describe what a win would mean to this team,” Little mentioned. “I think we’re making great strides with our team and doing big things with not a lot to work with.

“Our effort though is in our results. Our team is spending the week in the Midwest working on the truck – going through it piece by piece, part by part to make sure everything’s in place to make our Gateway debut a memorable one.”

Looking at the schedule, the Truck Series will embrace three practice sessions on Friday. For Little and Noyce, the extra track time is beneficial.

“Three practice sessions is huge for the Truck Series,” added Little. “For us, we have to balance the practices to make sure we’re making the most of every lap on the track. We can’t afford to make any mistakes or use up the equipment before the race.

“We know though that the extra track time on Friday will be prime for dialing in the trucks, especially that final practice where we think it will be comparable to race time. We’ll see though. One practice at a time.

“Our biggest objective on Friday is to get our No. 97 Rustic Rub Co. Ford dialed in where we feel we can make changes and the truck will respond and send us forward and not backwards. Matt has a niche for those things. I think we’ll be surprisingly good.”

Rustic Rub founder Jim Grindstaff says after Iowa, he’s excited for Gateway and the team’s potential.

“Man, I was really impressed with the team again at Iowa,” said Grindstaff. “Jesse and the entire JJL Motorsports team have made us feel most welcome and they are proving themselves both on and off the track. We’re looking forward to seeing what Saturday night’s race has in store and hope it’s a good finish for Rustic Rub Co. and our rusticrubs.com brand.
The Villa Lighting delivers the Eaton 200 (160 laps | 200 miles) is the 10th of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races on the 2018 schedule. Practice begins on Fri., June 22 from 2:35 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. A second practice session is set for 4:35 p.m. – 5:25 p.m., while a rare third practice run has been etched in from 6:35 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Sat., June 23 beginning at 4:45 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 times are local (Central).

For more on the Rustic Rub Co. and their products, please visit rusticrubs.com.

For additional information on JJL Motorsports, please visit JJLRacing.com.

JJL Motorsports tweets too. Follow them @JJL_Motorsports.

MADISON, Ill. – Set to embark on his third career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start, veteran race car driver Chad Finley and his Chad Finley Racing (CFR) hope for a monstrous return in Saturday night’s Villa Lighting delivers the Eaton 200 at Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park.

A regular on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards tour, the Dewitt, Michigan native and crew chief Bruce Cook load up and head to Gateway looking for a top-10 finish in the first of a limited Truck Series schedule this season.

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Saturday night,” said Finley who last competed in the Truck Series in 2015. “This is a huge chance for our race team to make some noise and compete for a strong finish.

“I really think we have the capabilities to come off the hauler pretty strong and show everyone we’re a serious contender.”

Joining the No. 42 Michigan-based team for Saturday night’s race as a major associate partner is Strutmasters.com.

Since 1999, Strutmasters.com has served as an industry leader in suspension parts and air to non-air suspension conversion kits.

The Roxboro, N.C. company returns to the series for the first time as a team partner since the 2011 Truck Series season with Matt Lofton at the controls.

“I’m really grateful to have this opportunity to welcome back Strutmasters.com on board with our team at Gateway,” added Finley. “They came on board for the ARCA race at Michigan and while we had a fast car – we had some back luck and didn’t get the finish we were hoping for.

“This is an opportunity for us to get that second chance and show them what we’re capable of. Bruce (Cook, crew chief) is a really smart guy when it comes to these Trucks and he feels confident that we can go out there and be competitive from the get-go.”

Competing in a Truck Series race for the first since Chicagoland Speedway nearly three years ago, Finley hasn’t finished higher than 21st in a race. However, Finley is confident that all the ingredients are together to make his return more impressionable.

“There’s going to be a lot of factors this weekend,” added Finley. “From stage racing to heat to even learning this new truck, I know the odds are going to be stacked against us, but I believe we’ve shown time and time again that our team thrives under pressure.

“We’ll see how practice goes, regroup and focus on qualifying. Getting into the show is our main goal. We think we should be able to do that. Once that’s off our plate, we’ll turn our concentration to the race.

“If we can stay on the lead lap, keep our nose clean and make adjustments throughout the race, I think a top-10 is realistic and something to build on for our next race.”

Auto Value Certified Service Centers and Air Lift Company will serve as additional marketing partners for Saturday night’s race.

Furthermore, Finley has support from Northsidetowing.net and and XLT Engineering as well.

In addition to his two prior Truck starts, Finley, 26, has 20 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards starts to his credit.

In his years of ARCA competition between 2009 and 2018 Finley has mounted one-win (Nashville 2017), eight top-five and 11 top-10 finishes, including a pole (track record) at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway in 2009.

Finley is the son of former ARCA winner and NASCAR driver Jeff Finley.

The Villa Lighting delivers the Eaton 200 (160 laps | 200 miles) is the 10th of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races on the 2018 schedule. Practice begins on Fri., June 22 from 2:35 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. A second practice session is set for 4:35 p.m. – 5:25 p.m., while a rare third practice run has been etched in from 6:35 p.m. – 7:25 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Sat., June 23 beginning at 4:45 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 times are local (Central).

For additional information on Chad Finley and his race team please visit ChadFinleyRacing.com.

Follow Chad Finley on Twitter @Chad_Finley.

Eaton 200 | Gateway Motorsports Park Race Advance

Team: No. 45 ProMATIC Automation | Superior Essex Chevrolet Silverado

Driver: Justin Fontaine

Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @driverfontaine

Fontaine on Racing at Gateway: “I think it’s going to be a tough race, but if we can take that same strategy that we used at Iowa, I think we’re going to be OK,” said Fontaine.

“Any extra practice time is important, but it’s always better for me when it comes at a track that I’ve never been to. I’m no expert when it comes to Gateway, but I think you’re going to see the track change a lot between the first and final practice session on Friday.

“It’s going to be important for us to keep on pace with that. I feel like the second practice will be ideal to qualifying (on Saturday) and the final practice will be closer to race time, so we just need to make sure we find that balance between the two and then work during the stages to keep our truck on the lead lap and in contention.”

Fontaine at Gateway: Fontaine will make his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start at Gateway Motorsports Park this Saturday night.

Recapping Iowa: After a couple of tough races, Fontaine and the No. 45 team rebounded nicely at Iowa Speedway, overcoming an accident in practice, to run inside the top-10 for much of the closing stages of the race. Fontaine crossed the finish line in 12th.

“I’m really proud of my Niece Motorsports team,” said Fontaine. “We had a setback in practice after I made a mistake and hit the wall. We never got discouraged though. We raced the race track and our truck was the best when it counted most.

“It felt really good to run in the top-10 for ProMATIC Automation and everyone who makes this possible and I’m looking forward to building on this finish at Gateway.”

On the Truck: Fontaine’s No. 45 Chevrolet will carry the ProMATIC Automation, Inc. colors in Friday’s race. ProMATIC Automation, Inc. specializes in the design and build of custom factory automation equipment.

ProMATIC Automation, Inc. has extensive experience in the integration of high-level automation technologies like robotics, laser, vision, and dispensing systems along with many years of combined experience in the design and machining of custom manufactured components.

 

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2018, Niece Motorsports enters its second full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, fielding two full-time teams with Austin Wayne Self and Justin Fontaine. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 30 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as twitter @NieceMotorsport.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 20, 2018) – NASCAR Next member Zane Smith is set to make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut this weekend with DGR-Crosley. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native will pilot the No. 54 Crosley Brands / LaPaz Margarita Mix Toyota Tundra at Gateway Motorsports Park (Madison, Ill.) in the Eaton 200.

The 19-year-old driver is currently competing full-time in the ARCA Racing Series where he’s had a career-best season. Smith collected his first ARCA Racing Series win earlier this year in the Music City 200 at Nashville (Tenn.) Fairgrounds Speedway. He’s gone on to collect two more wins and seven top-five finishes in just nine races so far this season.

While Smith has three NASCAR K&N Pro Series starts under his belt, this weekend will mark his first start in a NASCAR National series race.

“Honestly, I’m pumped for my Truck Series debut,” said Smith. “I got a text, and we pretty much did everything in a day to get all the approvals and everything we needed to do. My goal is to put together a solid race and make the most of this opportunity with DGR-Crosley. Hopefully we will be contending for a win at the end, but just to have a shot is all you can ask for. Thank you to all the people that support me and make this possible: LaPaz Margarita Mix, SpeedVegas, Icon Vehicle Dynamics Ultra Wheel and Crosley Brands. This is a dream come true to continue moving up the ladder.”

Smith and the No. 54 team will qualify for the Eaton 200 at 5:45 p.m., ET on Saturday, June 22. Race coverage from Gateway Motorsports Park will begin at 8:00 p.m., ET on Fox Sports 1.

Cody Coughlin, No. 2 JEGS.com Chevrolet
Gateway Stats
1 start, Best Finish: 12th (2017)

Season Stats
9 starts, 5 top-10 finishes

Notes:

– Coughlin will climb behind the wheel of chassis no. 101 at Gateway Motorsports Park this weekend. This chassis was utilized four times during the 2017 NCWTS season, securing one top-five and three top-10 finishes. This will be the first time during the 2018 season that the No. 2 team will run chassis no. 101.

– After his seventh-place finish at Iowa Speedway, Coughlin maintained his 11th-place position in the NCWTS driver point standings.

Quote:

“It’ll be interesting to see what Gateway (Motorsports Park) is like now since they repaved it. I’ll have to ask my teammate Justin (Haley) who tested there and see what he says it’s like. It’ll probably be a totally different approach than last year though because of the repave. We’ll just have to see when we go out for practice. I am confident that Jerry (Baxter, crew chief) and my entire GMS team will work hard to help me navigate around the track. We have a lot of great momentum going into this race. I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of my JEGS.com truck this weekend.”

 

Johnny Sauter, No. 21 ISM Connect Chevrolet
Gateway Stats
6 starts, 6 top-fives, 6 top-10s

2018 Season Stats
9 starts, 4 wins, 8 top-fives, 8 top-10s

Notes:

– Sauter will pilot GMS chassis no. 313 at Gateway Motorsports Park. This is the same chassis raced last weekend to a top-five finish at Iowa Speedway.

– In six starts at Gateway, Sauter has finished no worse than fourth.

– The Necedah, Wis., native has built up a 71-point lead in the NCWTS driver point standings.

Quote:

“Justin Haley did the tire test there and all the feedback I heard was the racetrack was pretty fast. Obviously when you get out of the groove it’s sketchy like all the repaves are, but that place was repaved last fall so I think it’s got a little more age on the asphalt than some of the other places we’ve been to. I always love going to St. Louis. That part of the country I really, really like. It’s always fun to race in the Midwest and get back to the area where I started my career, but as far as what to expect with the track, we won’t know until we get there because they tested so long ago.”

 

Justin Haley, No. 24 Fraternal Order of Eagles Chevrolet
Gateway Stats
2 starts, 1 top-10 finish

Season Stats
9 starts, 3 top-fives, 5 top-10 finishes

Notes:

– Haley will use chassis no. 314 this weekend at Gateway, a brand-new chassis to the No. 24 team’s fleet.

-Since Gateway Motorsports Park was repaved following the 2017 NCWTS race, Haley was one of the few NCWTS drivers who was able to take part in a Goodyear Tire test, earlier this year, at the 1.25-mile track.

– After the ninth race of the 2018 NCWTS season, Haley remains eighth in the NCWTS driver point standings, 31 points above The Playoff cut line.

Quote:

“We were the only GMS truck that was able to be a part of the tire test at Gateway after the repave earlier this year. It was really fast; we were barely lifting in Turns 3 and 4, and Turns 1 and 2 we were shifting. There was also really no tire fall off. We did a 50-lap run and didn’t even fall off a tenth, in fact we ran our fastest lap on lap 46 of the run. That was pretty crazy, just having to figure all of that out during the test. I think it’ll be a good race though. I think Turns 1 and 2 will widen out some and Turns 3 and 4 will be pretty narrow. That’s just the nature of the beast.”

 

Dalton Sargeant, No. 25 Performance Plus Motor Oil Chevrolet
Gateway Stats
This will be Sargeant’s first NCWTS start at Gateway Motorsports Park.

2018 Season Stats
9 starts, 2 top-10s, 7 top-15s

Notes:

– Sargeant will pilot GMS chassis no. 114 at Gateway. This chassis was previously raced in March at Martinsville Speedway where Sargeant finished 11th.

– The Boca Raton, Fla., native is currently 10th in the NCWTS driver point standings and second in Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings, just eight points behind Myatt Snider.

Quote:

“From what I’ve heard, Gateway is a pretty unique layout with turns one and two being different than turns three and four. They repaved it last year and Justin (Haley) was able to take part in the tire test and bring some feedback to all of us at GMS, so we’ll be as prepared as we can be. We just have to go in with the perspective that maybe this will even the playing field a little; this is another track I’ve never been too, but what’s different is it’s also new for everyone else.”

 

ABOUT GMS RACING

GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with drivers Cody Coughlin, Johnny Sauter, Justin Haley and Dalton Sargeant, and in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. Since the team’s start in 2014, GMS Racing has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. The campus also includes operations for GMS Fabrication.

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