DENVER, N.C. (Dec. 15, 2010)- Eddie Sharp Racing announced Tripp Bruce as the crew chief for the No. 46 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team on Wednesday. Bruce will serve as leader for the No. 46 Greenville Toyota of N.C. Toyota Tundra of Craig Goess.
“I am thrilled to have Tripp Bruce on board for the 2011 NCWTS season with ESR,” said team owner Eddie Sharp. “Bruce is very well-respected in the NASCAR community, and I really look forward to having him bring our organization to the next level. He will be a fantastic mentor and leader for our driver Craig Goess and the No. 46 team.”
Bruce is a veteran of the motorsports industry, spanning the top NASCAR series. He got his start as a crew chief in 2004, when he joined Ultra Motorsports with the No. 2 NCWTS team. His guidance helped the team post three wins – Martinsville Speedway with Jamie McMurray and Darlington Speedway and Homestead Miami Speedway with Kasey Kahne.
Bruce took the reins at Evernham Motorsports in 2005 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, working with various drivers through the course of two years. He racked up three wins, four top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. In 2006, Bruce took top honors, winning the NNS Crew Chief of the Year award.
In 2007, Bruce went to work with Bill Davis Racing to serve as crew chief for Johnny Benson in the NCWTS. Bruce worked with BDR from 1999 to 2003, and continued his success with the team as he captured four wins, 12 top-fives and 19 top-10 finishes in his first season with Benson. The next year, Bruce achieved a life-long goal with Benson, capturing five wins, five poles, 14 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes on his way to the 2008 NCWTS Championship.
Last season, Bruce worked with Stringer Motorsports and rookie Brad Sweet in the NCWTS. In the 2011 season, Bruce will take on the NCWTS with ARCA Racing Series sensation Craig Goess.
“I am really excited for this new opportunity at Eddie Sharp Racing,” said Bruce. “I believe that it is the right time and place, and I’m ready to get things rolling. Eddie has been busy building the organization and is at the level now where everyone is ready to compete in one of NASCAR’s top series. I’m looking forward to working with Craig Goess, and I’ve been following his career for the past few years. I think getting down to Daytona to test is going to help to continue to build our confidence and relationship, and I’m excited for this next season.”
Goess finished second in the highly-competitive ARCA Racing Series in 2010. The Greenville, N.C., driver also made his debut in the NCWTS in 2010, competing at Talladega Superspeedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. His 10th and 12th place finishes in his first two events helped prepare Goess for his first full season in the NCWTS in 2011.
“I think it will be a great fit to work with Tripp Bruce,” said Goess. “I’m really looking forward to working with such a highly-esteemed crew chief, and I think that he will help show me the ropes of the NCWTS. His credentials are top-notch, and I really think it is going to help all of us at ESR get up to speed with the NCWTS and help with the learning curve. We are all going to lean on his expertise, and I’m thrilled to get back on the track at Daytona. ”
Jefferson Hodges served as interim crew chief last season for the two NCWTS events Goess competed in. “We were fortunate enough to have Jefferson Hodges quickly jump in last season and take the reins to lead the No. 46 truck on an interim basis,” said Sharp. “In 2011, Hodges will continue to make an impact on the organization, and we are very excited to have him with ESR.”
Bruce and Goess will take to the track for the start of the NCWTS season at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 18, 2010. For more information on the team, please visit www.teamESR.com.
