Category: Truck Series PR

Mooresville, NC (February 27, 2024) – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Spencer Boyd announced today that Nor-Cal Equipment Rentals has renewed their sponsorship for 2024 which will include a primary paint scheme at the Las Vegas race. Nor-Cal Equipment Rentals will be recognized as an anchor partner in Freedom Racing Enterprises first year of full-time competition.

“Nor-Cal (Equipment Rentals) does things differently in their industry which contributes to their success,” boasts Boyd of his partner. “Their creativity and out of the box thinking is amazing. I’m honored to be able to call them a partner.”

The Sacramento, CA based company is virally known for their online videos highlighting their equipment that include inspiration from Star Wars and even Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Nor-Cal Equipment services all of Northern California and also parts of Nevada and Oregon.

The President of Nor-Cal Equipment Rentals, Tom Butts spoke of the partnership with Boyd, “I love how involved Spencer and his team allow me to be. I wanted the branding to be a nod to Dale Sr. so they got the paint scheme, fire suit, crew uniforms, and helmet all paying homage to NASCAR’s perennial most popular driver.”

Nor-Cal Equipment Rentals was established in 2004 and has been responsible for providing outstanding service and equipment ever since. Their specialty is in contractor and homeowner equipment rentals and sales. Customers value their commitment to providing the absolute best in customer service and reliable equipment, using brands you know and trust.

The driver of the Nor-Cal Equipment Rentals Chevrolet Silverado spoke further, “Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the entire city of Las Vegas always welcomes NASCAR with open arms. Not only do our fans come from all over the west coast to this race but they come from all over the world. It’s a unique track in that regard. The team over at Nor-Cal Equipment Rentals deserves the world-wide attention this race brings so our Freedom Racing Enterprises crew will bring a truck worthy of the Vegas stage.”

The Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 presented by Westgate Resorts on March 1,2024 will air live on FS1 at 9pm ET. The race can also be heard on MRN Radio.

Thad Moffitt to Race Casino Colors Friday in Las Vegas

 SALISBURY, N.C. (FEBRUARY 27, 2024) — Known as where the racers stay, Faction46 will have South Point Casino ride with NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series rookie Thad Moffitt this Friday at the Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. The popular casino owned by the Gaughan family has been a staple in the NASCAR community for years and it’s where the majority of teams, media, and industry stakeholders stay while in Las Vegas.

“We are proud to be representing South Point Casino on our truck this weekend,” said Faction46 owner, Lane Moore. “This is such a familiar scheme that has raced in the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series throughout the years. We are proud to join the family of racers who enjoy South Point Casino while visiting Las Vegas.”

With the new colors, Moffitt is ready to race at his first mile-and-a-half of the season. Moffitt has one previous start at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2022. He is ready to make his return this Friday.

“There are only a few teams who came out of Daytona and Atlanta really happy,” said Moffitt. “We have some work to do, but we’re happy that we’re going to an intermediate track where we won’t be stacked on top of each other. We will still be drafting in Las Vegas, but we won’t be reliant as much on having a push. We can make the difference behind the wheel and with our trucks handling.”

Moffitt knows that the setup is where Faction46 can shine with veteran crew chief Doug George.

“We showed that we had a lot of speed in our trucks at Daytona and Atlanta,” continued Moffitt. “Going into Las Vegas, these intermediate races are where handling, setup and strategy are so important. Having a veteran like Doug lead a new team, we just know that we’re going to come out of the box with a well-prepared hot rod and be ready to race. I’m looking forward to Friday night.”

Faction46 and Moffitt can be seen during the Victoria’s Voice Foundation on Friday night live on FS1 at 9:00 p.m. ET.

The new Faction46 team can be found online at www.faction46.com and on social media on Twitter (@TeamFaction46), Instagram (@TeamFaction46), TikTok (@TeamFaction46), and on Facebook and YouTube.

2017 Truck Champion Returns to Series for 57th Start

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 26, 2024) – TRICON Garage (TRICON) announced today that NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell will compete for the team at Las Vegas Motor Speedway behind the wheel of the No. 1 Mobil 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.

The Norman, Oklahoma native and fifth-year Cup Series driver has 56 career Truck starts on his résumé, amassing seven victories, 27 top-fives and 42 top-10s with over 1,200 laps led. The longtime Toyota driver is coming off of an outstanding 2023 Cup campaign that saw the 29-year-old capture two victories and make his second consecutive appearance in the Championship 4.

Toyota Racing Development (TRD) partner Mobil 1 will serve as the primary partner for Bell. The iconic brand will adorn two of the five TRICON entries at Las Vegas as, in addition to the No. 1, they will be featured on Taylor Gray’s No. 17 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Bell’s entry will feature an alternate colorway than Gray’s previously unveiled design.

“It’s always really fun to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and I’m very excited to race with Mobil 1 under the lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway,” said Bell. “I really appreciate Toyota, TRD, TRICON and Mobil 1 for the opportunity, I’ve come close to the win at Vegas before in Trucks and would love to make it happen this time.”

The Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 presented by Westgate Resorts from Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 on Friday, March 1, with radio coverage provided by the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About TRICON Garage

TRICON Garage is Toyota Racing Development’s flagship NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series organization fielding five full-time Toyota Tundra TRD Pros. Under ownership by former NASCAR driver David Gilliland, businessman Johnny Gray and industry veteran Kevin Ray, TRICON is actively involved in three different industries – racing, fabrication and transportation. The team operates out of three buildings totaling 60,000 square feet in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Fr8 208 | Atlanta Motor Speedway

Team: No. 45 Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Kaden Honeycutt (Willow Park, Texas) | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Kaden: Twitter: @KadenWHoneycutt | Instagram: @kadenhoneycutt10 | Facebook: /KadenHoneycuttRacing | Web: kadenhoneycuttracing.com

Start: 25th | Finish: 6th | Owner Point Standings: 13th

Kaden Honeycutt on Saturday’s Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway: “It was a good day,” said Honeycutt. “We were tight from the green flag, and did the best we could with it. I want to thank Phil Gould and everyone on the team for the hard work. I’m looking forward to building off of this performance with my team at Bristol in a few weeks. I think at a place like Bristol this team will shine. Thank you to everyone at the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety/ ‘Protect Your Melon’, Niece, and Chevrolet.”

Race Recap: With no practice on Friday afternoon, Honeycutt’s first laps of the weekend were turned during qualifying. Honeycutt and the No. 45 Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety team ended up with a 25th-place starting position for Saturday afternoon’s race. Honeycutt ran a clean race and gradually worked his way through traffic, making his way into the top-10 by the final stage. Honeycutt would cross the finish line sixth in his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of the 2024 season.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman 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 X @NieceMotorsport.

Fr8 208 | Atlanta Motor Speedway

Team: No. 42 J.F. Electric/Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Matt Mills (New Philadelphia, Ohio) | Crew Chief: Jon Leonard
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Matt Mills: Twitter: @MattMillsRacing | Instagram: @MattMillsRacing | Facebook: /OfficialMattMillsRacing | Web: mattmillsracing.com

Start: 21st | Finish: 27th | Driver Point Standings: 30th

Matt Mills on Saturday’s Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway: “We knew our J.F. Electric/Utilitra Chevrolet was fast and am looking forward to Vegas,” said Mills. “Everything was going well. We were trying to have a smart race and that’s what we did in the first two stages. In the final stage we got to lead a few laps. Ultimately, we had to serve a pit road penalty and from there I made a mistake trying to get back to the front when I shouldn’t have pushed for a position.”

Race Recap: With no practice before qualifying Mills and the No. 42 J.F. Electric/Utilitra team turned the first laps of the weekend during qualifying on Friday. With trucks impounded after qualifying, the team opted for a setup that would race well, ending up with a 21st-place starting spot. Mills and team showed speed in the race, battling to the front of the pack by the beginning of the final stage. A pit road penalty late in the race forced the No. 42 to restart at the tail end of the field. Contact with the wall ultimately left the team with a 27th-place finish.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman 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 X @NieceMotorsport.

About J.F. Electric
J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Utilitra:
Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

Fr8 208 | Atlanta Motor Speedway

Team: No. 41 AutoVentive/DealBadger Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Bayley Currey (Driftwood, Texas) | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman Jr.
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Bayley Currey: Twitter: @BayleyCurrey | Instagram: @bayleycurrey05 | Facebook: /bayleycurrey05 | Web: www.bcurrey.com/

Start: 20th | Finish: 30th | Driver Point Standings: 16th

Bayley Currey on Saturday’s Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway: “We had another really, really good truck this weekend,” said Currey. “Our AutoVentive/DealBadger Chevrolet, I think, was a race winning truck. It was an unfortunate end to our day, but I’m looking forward to Vegas. We brought two fast trucks to both Daytona, and Atlanta and hope we can get it done next week.”

Race Recap: Currey and the No. 41 AutoVentive/DealBadger team lined up 20th for Saturday afternoon’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. From the drop of the green flag, Currey began working his way to the front of the field, closing out Stage One in the top-10. With varying pit strategies playing out in the second stage, Currey once again earned stage points before entering the final stage. As the laps wound down, Currey was battling for position in the top-five before damage to the No. 41 ended his day.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman 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 X @NieceMotorsport.

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com www.niecemotorsports.com

About AutoVentive:
AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.

About Precision Vehicle Logistics:
Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

HEIM, GRAY DELIVER STRONG RUNS IN ATLANTA
TRICON Garage places three Tundras in the top-10

ATLANTA (February 24, 2024) – Corey Heim added another strong run at his home track of Atlanta Motor Speedway Saturday afternoon, bringing his Toyota Tundra TRD Pro home in third position to lead Toyota in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event.

With his runner-up finish at Daytona, Heim has begun the season with back-to-back top-fives. The Toyota Development Driver has now finished inside the top-five in seven of the last eight races, and in the top 10 in 23 of his last 26 Truck Series starts.

Heim’s TRICON Garage teammate, Taylor Gray, battled back from his last lap accident in Daytona to earn his first top-five finish of the season in fourth, while Dean Thompson had a successful day – leading his first laps in the Truck Series before finishing 10th.

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Race 2 of 23 – 135 Laps, 207.9 Miles

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
1st, Kyle Busch*
2nd, Ty Majeski*
3rd, COREY HEIM
4th, TAYLOR GRAY
5th, Nick Sanchez*
10th, DEAN THOMPSON
17th, COLBY HOWARD
18th, TIMMY HILL
19th, TANNER GRAY
23rd, STEWART FRIESEN
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

COREY HEIM, No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: 3rd

Take us through your day and battling up front there at the finish.

“Yeah, it was a quiet day for us. I feel like we played the strategy game really well today. TRICON Garage, and huge thank you to Toyota Racing and Safelite for putting us in position here. Yeah, really uneventful day for us, a good day. I feel like these first two races were going to be really tough, Daytona and Atlanta, and got through them with two top-fives. Can’t complain, and that’s what championships are made of, and that’s what we’re going for. Once again, huge thank you to TRICON Garage, Toyota Racing and Safelite.”

Did you have anything for Kyle Busch there in the end?

“The 7 (Kyle Busch) was really good. He did everything right and timed the runs out that we would get, and we didn’t get a big run. I was talking to Ty (Majeski) and wondering why he didn’t back up at any point and he said he was afraid that me and the 17 (Taylor Gray) were going to pick him. That makes sense. I understand why he did that – a little bit circumstancal, but I don’t think we really had the speed today with our Safelite Tundra TRD Pro today to be the leader by any means, but we had a great strategy. Everyone at TRICON Garage put us in position to win. We will work on it for the next time at a drafting track and go from there.”

TAYLOR GRAY, No. 17 JBL Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: 4th

What more did you need there at the end?

“Yeah, the racing was kind of tough today. A lot of single file – couldn’t really build huge runs. The 7 (Kyle Busch) truck – props to them. They were the class of the field. They were just driving away from us. We had a pretty good JBL Tundra TRD Pro. TRICON Garage put a really good effort in. Pretty good points day today. Jeff Hensley (crew chief) on the box calling really good shots. Almost came from the back to the front challenge.”

How important is it to bounce back from Daytona?

“It’s extremely important. I feel like we should have two top-fives by now, and we were close to a win in Daytona. It’s really good to come out her and bounce back from such a good weekend to a bad weekend to starting off the season strong here.”

DEAN THOMPSON, No. 5 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: 10th

Describe your day, finishing in the top-10 and leading your first laps in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

“Yeah, I feel like we did really good. I feel like we executed well. Same thing at Daytona last week, I feel like myself and my whole team executed well, the same way we planned on today. And this time, people played nice. I said two things before the race started, I said ‘if luck swings our way’ and ‘if people work with us,’ I feel like we can win this race. Luck swang our way and then, people didn’t work with us there at the end. Coming to the checkered, at like five laps to go, I tried the bottom and no one wanted to go to the bottom with me, so finished 10th. Yeah, can’t thank Thompson Pipe Group, TRICON Garage and Toyota Racing for all that they do for me.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 26 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
FR8 208 | Saturday, February 24, 2024

Ford Finishing Positions:
2nd – Ty Majeski
12th – Lawless Alan
13th – Matt Crafton
16th – Jake Garcia
21st – Keith McGee
24th – Layne Riggs
25th – Mason Maggio
29th – Ben Rhodes
30th – Conner Jones

TY MAJESKI, No. 98 Farm Paint/Curb Records Ford F-150 – HOW DO YOU FEEL THOSE LAST 10 LAPS BEING BEHIND KYLE BUSCH AND NO TEAMMATES BEHIND YOU TO HELP? “It’s a tough spot. You’re playing with runs and timing. When you drag the brake and try to build the run to try to put him in a spot where he’s got to block. I did what I wanted to do. I got to his bumper down the backstretch and it was in my hands to make the move. He blocked the bottom so I faded right to try to get to his quarter panel. If the 11 could have gone with me, we probably could have won the race, but it just didn’t work out that way.”

HOW MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS DID YOU HAVE THERE? “Not many. I was just afraid if I backed up to try and get a run to the 11 I felt they would try and hang me because I knew they had two teammates – it was the 11 and the 17 together. I don’t know. Looking back at it, Corey said after the race he was gonna go with me, but I wasn’t communicated that. I just didn’t want to risk it. I did what I wanted to do. I got to Kyle’s bumper down the backstretch, just playing with runs the last eight or nine laps, knowing that I could get to him and how I had to time it to get to him, but obviously he was gonna play blocker, which you have to do. I got to his bumper and probably needed a little bit more help from Corey and it just didn’t work out.”

BUT SECOND IS A GOOD DAY, RIGHT? “Yeah, it was a good day. At one point we were like 20th getting passed by trucks with all kinds of damage. We were so loose in the back. We made one really good call on the cone and went from like 16th, if I would have chose the top I would have restarted 16th and instead I restarted third and I was able to get to the lead and hold that track position.”