CORNELIUS, N.C. — Michael Waltrip Racing and Pastrana Waltrip Racing hold their annual Fan Fest 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25 at MWR headquarters in Cornelius, N.C. PWR driver Ryan Truex joins Waltrip, David Reutimann, Martin Truex Jr., Bobby Labonte, Brett Moffitt and Tim Brown, modified racer and star of the History Channel’s 2010 reality series “Madhouse,” will sign autographs from 5:30-7 p.m.
There are a variety of activities scheduled including show car displays, pit stop practices, games, musical entertainment and food from Mac’s Speed Shop. Fans can also tour the race shop at no charge. Before Fan Fest, Truex and the No. 99 team have work to do at Iowa Speedway where they compete in Sunday’s NASCAR Nationwide race.
RYAN TRUEX QUOTES
TRUEX ON FAN FEST: “I really enjoy Fan Fest. It’s an opportunity to hang out with your fans. It’s important to let your fans know you appreciate their support. If it wasn’t for all the NASCAR fans we wouldn’t be able to do what we love to do every day. Michael Waltrip and the entire company puts together a really cool afternoon. The fans can come out and get autographs, watch pit stops, play games and even get some food. I am really looking forward to hanging out with all the fans next week.”
ON IOWA: “I love racing at Iowa. I have raced there twice and last year I was able to finish fifth. I am always excited to go back to a track that I have had success on. It also helps to return to a track so I don’t have to spend half the day learning my way around. Iowa is fast and wide so you’ve got plenty of room to pass which is really exciting for the fans. Iowa is probably one of the nicest tracks we go to all year. Rusty Wallace and his folks did an awesome job designing the facility. They always seem to have a packed house so hopefully we can put on a great show for all the fans.”
NOTES OF INTEREST
• Michael Waltrip Racing, Gary and Blake Bechtel and Travis Pastrana own Pastrana-Waltrip Racing that fields Toyota Camrys out of the MWR shop in Cornelius, N.C. The Bechtels’ have owned cars in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series since 1990. The Morgan Hill, Calif. residents’ teams have visited victory lane 10 times in the Nationwide Series.
• Truex has made 2 starts at Iowa Speedway in the K&N Pro Series East. He has one top-five finish and a 2.5 starting average. He has also led seven laps of completion at the Iowa oval.
• Pastrana will race in the K&N Pro Series East/West race at Iowa Speedway Saturday night.
• Truex is the only teenager to win back-to-back K&N Pro Series East titles (2009 & 2010), and he is the first driver to bring a championship to Michael Waltrip Racing.
