Category: Truck Series PR

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 8, 2020) – Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) announced today the crew chief lineup for its three full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams in 2021. Eric Phillips, the winningest crew chief in Truck Series history, returns to the organization and will guide John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 4 team; Danny Stockman, who returns for his second season at KBM, will call the shots for Chandler Smith and the No. 18 team; and the organization has added Mardy Lindley to oversee the No. 51 Tundra with Kyle Busch and other drivers that will be named at a later date.

Phillips was hired by KBM in 2010 to lead the No. 18 team in its debut season and helped build the organization into one of the premiere teams in all of NASCAR before departing at the end of the 2014 season. Under his guidance, the No. 18 team won eight races in its inaugural campaign and became the first team in Truck Series history to capture an Owner’s championship in its first season of competition. In 2014, he led the No. 51 team to an owner’s championship and his team’s 10 wins spearheaded KBM to a single-season Truck Series record of 14 wins. His 37 career Truck Series victories make him the winningest crew chief in Truck Series history, with 27 of those coming while at KBM. Additionally, Phillips has nine career victories atop the pit box in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.

Stockman led the No. 51 team to four wins in his first season atop the pit box at KBM in 2020. He came to the organization with experience as a crew chief in all three national series, including a Truck Series championship with Austin Dillon in 2011 and an XFINITY Series championship with Dillon in 2013. Stockman’s XFINITY Series drivers totaled seven wins and 19 poles from 2012 to 2018 and after last season his Truck Series totals stand at eight wins and 13 poles.

Lindley has guided his drivers to 32 wins and four ARCA Menards Series East championships since 2013, including back-to-back titles with Sam Mayer the last two seasons. Additionally, he earned the ARCA Menards Series Sioux Chief Showdown championship with Mayer this year. Behind the wheel, the second-generation driver won 11 races on the Pro Cup Series from 2000 to 2006 and was crowned the series champion in 2001.

The 2021 season gets underway with the running of the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 12.

About Kyle Busch Motorsports:

Since debuting in 2010, Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) has quickly established itself as one of the most successful teams in all of NASCAR. Owned by two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch and fueled by his passion for winning, the organization holds the Camping World Truck Series records for most career wins (80) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers; Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).

KBM prepares a fleet of race-winning Toyotas out of its state-of-the art 77,000-square-foot facility in Mooresville, N.C. Fans can stay up-to-date with all the latest KBM news online at www.KyleBuschMotorsports.com, by liking the team on Facebook (KBMteam) and by following the team on Instagram (KBMteam), and Twitter (@KBMteam).

18-Year-Old Toyota Racing Development Driver Graduates to Full-Time Truck Series Campaign

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (December 7, 2020) – Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) announced today that Chandler Smith will compete for the 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship behind the wheel of the organization’s No. 18 Tundra. Safelite AutoGlass, the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair, replacement, and recalibration services returns to KBM for a fourth season and will adorn the hood of Smith’s Tundra for 15 races.

The 2021 season will mark the Georgia native’s third season with KBM but first full-time effort. Smith made his Truck Series debut driving the No. 51 Safelite AutoGlass Tundra at Iowa Speedway in June 2019. After qualifying was washed out, he started from the pole based on owner’s points and remained up front for the first 55 laps of the race before bringing his Toyota home eighth.

The Toyota Development Driver has finished inside the top five in half of his 16 career Camping World Truck Series starts, including a career-best runner-up finish at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in August 2019. Smith posted an average finish of 7.7 across his final seven of 12 total Truck Series starts in 2020, including third-place finishes in the series finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway and his first career superspeedway start at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in October.

“Since I started racing at a young age, I’ve worked hard towards my goal of getting to compete full time in NASCAR, so being named to drive the Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra and being able to chase a championship in the Camping World Truck Series next year is very rewarding,” Smith said. “I’ve learned a lot from Kyle the last few years, and I’m thankful to be in a position where I can continue to learn from him. KBM is a top-notch organization, and I know that with the hard work from everyone in the shop combined with the support from Toyota and TRD that every time we go to the race track we’ll have a chance to compete for wins as long as I do my part.

“Having been around KBM the last few seasons, I know how much Safelite supports their drivers and their racing program. I’m going to give it my all to get them back to victory lane next year and hopefully things will be back to normal where their employees and customers will be able to be there to celebrate with us!”

“Chandler is following the path that other Toyota Development drivers have in past seasons where they gain valuable experience driving a limited schedule for a couple of seasons and then graduate to running full time for a championship once they are eligible to do so,” Busch said. “He showed that he could run up front on the short tracks right out of the gates in his first season and at the end of this year once he started to understand the aerodynamics of racing on the bigger tracks in the Truck Series, he proved capable of producing top fives no matter where we were racing. Next season, we expect him to continue his progression and be able to turn some of those second and third-place finishes into wins and put himself into the mix for the championship.

“We appreciate Safelite’s continued support during these unprecedented times and look forward to having a contingent of their employees and customers touring the Truck Series garage proudly in their red and black crew shirts this season.”

“We’re very excited to welcome Chandler to the Safelite family,” said Safelite AutoGlass Senior Vice President Garth Beck. “We know he is a championship-caliber driver with many strong races at KBM under his belt over the last few years while driving a part-time schedule. We think he is a great fit to drive the Safelite Toyota Tundra for the 2021 season and very much look forward to cheering him on to victory next year.”

Smith has recorded nine wins, 10 poles and an average finish of 5.3 across 33 career ARCA Menards Series starts the last three seasons. He captured the pole in his series debut at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville (Tenn.) in April of 2018 and set an ARCA Menards Series record by winning four consecutive poles to start his career. He earned his first victory at Madison (Wis.) International Speedway in just his fourth series start in June of 2018. Despite running a part-time schedule, he led the series in laps led in both 2018 and 2019.

Further sponsorship announcements and who will serve as Smith’s crew chief are forthcoming.

About Safelite AutoGlass:

With more than 7,900 MobileGlassShops™ and stores in all 50 states, Safelite AutoGlass® is the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration services. Last year, close to 7 million customers chose Safelite AutoGlass for its 24/7 national contact centers, advanced online scheduling, superior repair and replacement systems, and the industry’s only nationwide lifetime guarantee.

Safelite AutoGlass is a member of the Safelite® Group family of brands, which together make a difference in the lives of nearly 11 million customers annually. This leading service organization, founded in 1947, is reaching record growth thanks to its People Powered, Customer Driven strategy. The Columbus, Ohio-based company employs nearly 16,000 people across the United States.

About Kyle Busch Motorsports:

Since debuting in 2010, Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) has quickly established itself as one of the most successful teams in all of NASCAR. Owned by two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch and fueled by his passion for winning, the organization holds the Camping World Truck Series records for most career wins (80) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).

KBM prepares a fleet of race-winning Toyotas out of its state-of-the art 77,000-square-foot facility in Mooresville, N.C. Fans can stay up-to-date with all the latest KBM news online at www.KyleBuschMotorsports.com, by liking the team on Facebook (KBMteam) and by following the team on Instagram (KBMteam), and Twitter (@KBMteam).

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 2, 2020) – Brett Moffitt will make the move to Niece Motorsports in 2021, competing full time for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship points in the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado.  Moffitt previously announced that he will compete full time in the XFINITY Series in 2021 for Our Motorsports, giving him double duties for 2021.

“I am so thankful to Al Niece, Cody Efaw and everyone at Niece Motorsports for this opportunity,” said Moffitt.  “To be able to compete full time in both the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the XFINITY Series is a challenge I look forward to. Chris Our, Our Motorsports and Chevrolet were a big part of helping this all come together, so a big thank you to them as well.”

Moffitt, the 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion and 2015 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year, has 12 wins, three poles and 39 top-five finishes in 82 career NCWTS starts.

In addition, the Iowa-native has 46 top-10 finishes and has led a total of 1,190 laps in his three seasons of full time NCWTS competition.

“Brett is a proven winner,” said Niece Motorsports General Manager Cody Efaw.  “We are thrilled to have him join Niece Motorsports.  The experience he will bring to our team is invaluable.  We are working hard this offseason – our goal in 2021 is to run up front and contend for wins.  Brett, Carson [Hocevar] and Ryan [Truex] are great talents and we look forward to giving them competitive equipment.”

Moffitt not only brings a wealth of Truck Series experience to the team, but he also has 45 NASCAR Cup Series starts and 32 NASCAR XFINITY Series starts to his credit.

“I’m excited about our driver lineup next year,” said Niece Motorsports Owner Al Niece.  “Brett is a tremendous talent and will be a huge asset to our team.  We know that our drivers have the talent it takes to contend for wins in the Truck Series and l know our crew is working as hard as possible this offseason to build them equipment capable of doing so.”

NASCAR recently announced the 2021 NCWTS schedule, with highlights including the addition of Circuit of the Americas, Nashville Superspeedway, Watkins Glen International, and a race at Knoxville Raceway in Moffitt’s home state of Iowa.

The 2021 NCWTS season will kick off at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 12.

About Niece Motorsports: 

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece.  In 2021, Niece Motorsports enters its sixth season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.  Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 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.

STATESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 25, 2020) – Raphael Lessard Racing announced today that the young Quebec driver will race in select races in the 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS). He will drive a Silverado prepared by the dominant GMS Racing organization that finished in the top three places in the championship in 2020. The agreement with GMS Racing covers 12 races to be determined over the season. In parallel, Raphael Lessard Racing team members are working to find the necessary financing to participate in all 22 events on the 2021 calendar.

The first race of the 2021 NCWTS season will be part of the traditional “Daytona Speed Week,” and will be held on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021.

“We are very excited to have Raphael join GMS Racing for part of the 2021 season,” said Mike Beam, President of GMS Racing. “I believe Raphael will be a great addition to our GMS stable and I look forward to seeing him wheel one of our Chevrolets.”

Review of the 2020 season and outlook for 2021

Raphael Lessard ended his 2020 season on a high note, accumulating in the second half of the season one win, four top-five and six top-10 finishes. In addition, he managed to improve from his starting to his finishing position in the incident-free races by 67 places, compared to 14 places in the first eight races of the season.

Q: Raphael, are you satisfied with the progress you made 2020?

“I learned an incredible amount in all aspects of racing during the 2020 season, about pure driving skills, race strategies, aerodynamics, passing and legally making it difficult for others to pass me, adapting my driving to compensate for any handling issues and helping the team understand any issues to fix them at the next stop, focusing better on my driving despite any adversity. The win at Talladega certainly helped the team and myself gain confidence, and also convinced us that we were able to race with the best and win.”

Q: What does it mean to you to be at GMS Racing for 2021?

“Finding myself with the best team of the 2020 season is unbelievable. They won the championship! I can’t wait to show what we can do aboard such great machines. The team knows how to bring potential winners at every race, a key to a great season. Our team will be great, and I can’t wait to be back on track.”

Q: What is your first goal for the 2021 season?

“To do as many races as possible. I would like to win races and above all finish in the top five in every race, as well as continue to improve my driving.”

About GMS Racing – GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with drivers Sheldon Creed, Zane Smith, Tyler Ankrum and Chase Purdy. The team also competes in the ARCA Racing Series with Jack Wood. Since the team began in 2014, GMS Racing won the 2016 and 2020 Camping World Trucks Championship, the 2015 ARCA Racing Series championship as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA East championship. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. The campus also includes operations for GMS Fabrication. More information can be found at https:/gmsracing.net

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 24, 2020) – After competing in a partial schedule during the 2020 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season (NCWTS), Ryan Truex will pilot the No. 40 Marquis Spas Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports for the full 2021 schedule.

“Last season was really a learning year for me with this team,” said Truex. “I feel like we learned a ton every week. We adjusted to working with no track time prior to racing, and I feel like we made our equipment better throughout the course of the year. I am excited about the continuity we will be able to build, competing week in and week out. I’m thankful to Marquis Spas for their support this season and as we move into next season.”

The Mayetta, N.J. native competed in nine races with Niece Motorsports throughout the 2020 season, with his best finish of 12th coming at both Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway.

Truex, who ran full time in the NCWTS in 2017, has two poles, 10 top-five finishes and 19 top-10 finishes in 51 starts in the series. In addition to his experience behind the wheel in the Truck Series, Truex has 78 starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and 26 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series to his credit.

“We’re excited to bring Ryan full time next season,” said General Manager Cody Efaw. “As a team, we are really excited about how our program is shaping up for next season. We are working hard collectively to make our equipment the best it can be. We are thankful for the support of great partners like Marquis and Chevrolet. We look forward to contending for wins next year with Ryan.”

Marquis, an employee-owned company founded in 1980, offers creative and innovative designs that provide the ultimate soaking experience, cost less to operate, and require the least amount of maintenance. Marquis spas are designed with cutting-edge features for supreme comfort and long-lasting enjoyment. Marquis is proud to craft a spa designed to enhance health and well-being.

Last week NASCAR announced the 2021 NCWTS schedule, with highlights including the addition of Circuit of the Americas, Nashville Superspeedway, Knoxville Raceway and Watkins Glen International.

The 2021 NCWTS season will kick off at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 12.

About Niece Motorsports:

Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2021, Niece Motorsports enters its sixth season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 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.

NASCAR veteran David Starr is launching motorsports’ newest racing podcast, set to debut next month.

Starting Dec. 1, “Let’s Go Racing with David Starr” will be available every Tuesday on Apple, Spotify, Google Play, and more.

Starr will be joined by co-hosts Tyler Jones, Radio Host for KLWN Kansas City/Lawrence; and Dominic Aragon, editor-in-chief of The Racing Experts.

Starr is a six-time winner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and has competed in all three national NASCAR touring series.

“We’ll be talking about all things racing, life, friendship, and more,” Starr said. “Fans will enjoy the inside scoop and the stories that we will share.”

Jones is the host of the KLWN Morning Show and is a 13-time Native American Journalist Association Award Winner. Jones has also hosted The Jones Report podcast since 2011.

“David represents everything that is right about NASCAR and I’m honored that we get to have a platform to share his stories, connecting with his passionate fan base,” Jones said. “Dominic and I are excited to work together with David, one of the most genuine people the sport has ever seen.”

A member of the National Motorsports Press Association, Aragon brings his experience from working in television and radio in New Mexico, along with managing The Racing Experts since 2010, to the podcast table.

“I’m so excited to get the opportunity to work with David and Tyler,” Aragon said. “I’ve known both of them for almost 10 years, so when we started talking about collaborating, launching a podcast made so much sense. I think everyone will enjoy the platform and stories we will be sharing.”

Like “Let’s Go Racing with David Starr” on Facebook for more updates.

Read more at https://theracingexperts.com/david-starr-launches-podcast.

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NASCAR STAR HAILIE DEEGAN DELIVERS 3,325 POUNDS OF THANKSGIVING TURKEYS TO HELP THOSE IN NEED IN DETROIT, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE NEW 2021 FORD F-150

DETROIT, Mich., Nov. 19, 2020 – With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, people are often looking for unique ways to help those in need.

Ford Performance NASCAR star Hailie Deegan got the chance to help out at least 258 needy families in Detroit today, as she delivered that many Thanksgiving turkeys to both the Ford Resource and Engagement Center and Gleaner’s Community Food Bank with the assistance of the new 2021 Ford F-150.

“Hailie’s Holiday Haul” was made possible by the new 2021 F-150 that she drove from Ford Performance headquarters in Dearborn to Detroit this morning.

“We put this new 2021 F-150 to the test today, I can tell you that,” Deegan said. “It is so cool to drive through Detroit and get to see the community with this huge haul of turkeys in the back, knowing that we are helping so many people today. I have never been prouder to be a part of the Ford family.”

Deegan, who will pilot a Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series next season, was touched by the response to her visit to the motor city.

“It is really cool to see how what we are doing today is impacting the community here in Detroit,” Deegan said. “Seeing how happy these families are to receive these gifts is awesome. It is cool to see everything that Ford is doing to give back to the community and I am just honored to be able to help with that. Seeing how grateful these families are to receive a turkey this time of year, that for many of us might seem so small, makes me feel good about being able to help out.”

The Ford Resource and Engagement Center in Detroit is part of a Ford Fund program that brings nonprofit partners together in a collaborative environment to support surrounding communities. Over the last five years, Ford Fund has developed a global network of these facilities to strengthen communities and help make people’s lives better around the world.

Gleaner’s Community Food Bank in Detroit has been serving southeastern Michigan since 1977, and seeks to achieve a healthy, hunger-free community through programs featuring education, advocacy, access and community engagement. It partners with 500 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and other agencies throughout southeast Michigan and delivers 45 million pounds of food every year.

About Ford Performance
Ford’s racing program is part of the Ford Performance organization based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for major racing operations globally, including NASCAR (Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series), IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, FIA World Rally Championship, Virgin Australia Supercars, Formula Drift, and NHRA Funny Car and sportsman drag racing. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit www.fordperformance.com, www.facebook/FordPerformance, Ford Performance on Instagram and @FordPerformance on Twitter.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 202,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2020) – NASCAR today announced the 2021 schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™. The schedule is highlighted by trips to traditional and new tracks alike, including a new battle in the dirt at an iconic NASCAR track, and a second dirt contest at another storied – yet brand-new – venue.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ first dirt affair will take place at Bristol Motor Speedway (March 27), joining the NASCAR Cup Series for an action-packed weekend on the short track’s return to dirt.

Then, on July 9, trucks will roll into Knoxville Raceway for what will be a highly anticipated contest on one of the most storied tracks in the country.  Located in Knoxville, Iowa, Knoxville Raceway hosted its first race in 1901, but is best known for a long, rich history of Sprint Car racing. When the Camping World Truck Series hits the dirt surface in the Hawkeye State, it will mark the first time a NASCAR national series has competed at Knoxville.

“The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series provides some of the most intense and entertaining competition in all of racing,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR vice president of racing development. “The 2021 iteration of the schedule will build upon that intensity through a wide variety of long-tenured race tracks and new venues like Knoxville Raceway. The variety of disciplines will increase the demand on drivers and culminate with a truly battle-tested champion at Phoenix.”

The Camping World Truck Series will kick off 16 national series tripleheader weekends in 2021, including at Circuit of the Americas (May 22) and Nashville Superspeedway (June 18). In addition, the Camping World Truck Series will return to fan-favorite Watkins Glen International for the first time since 2000 on Aug. 7.

The series will also share the stage with the NASCAR Cup Series on Saturday, June 26 in Pocono as all three national series take part in the NASCAR Cup Series doubleheader weekend at the Tricky Triangle.

As was originally scheduled in 2020 prior to the pandemic, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway will return to host the start of the Playoffs (August 20). Two historic short tracks will determine which drivers continue their Playoffs run, as Bristol Motor Speedway (Sept. 16) trims the field to eight and Martinsville Speedway (Oct. 30) decides which four drivers will race for a championship at Phoenix Raceway (Nov. 5).

Broadcast times and networks for all three national series will be announced at a later date.

Below is the full 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule (Playoff races in bold font):

2021 NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE

Date	Race / Track
Friday, February 12	Daytona
Friday, February 19	Homestead-Miami
Friday, March 5	Las Vegas
Saturday, March 20	Atlanta
Saturday, March 27	Bristol Dirt
Saturday, April 17	Richmond
Saturday, May 1	Kansas
Friday, May 7	Darlington
Saturday, May 22	COTA
Friday, May 28	Charlotte
Saturday, June 12	Texas
Friday, June 18	Nashville Superspeedway
Saturday, June 26	Pocono
Friday, July 9	Knoxville
Saturday, August 7	Watkins Glen
Friday, August 20	Gateway
Sunday, September 5	Canadian Tire
Thursday, September 16	Bristol
Friday, September 24	Las Vegas
Saturday, October 2	Talladega
Saturday, October 30	Martinsville
Friday, November 5	Phoenix

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), 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. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, Americrown Service and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, 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 www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).