JOHNNY SAUTER LUCAS OIL RACEWAY PREVIEW
Driver of the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records/Carrier Chevrolet Silverado
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES * LUCAS OIL RACEWAY at INDIANAPOLIS * AAA INSURANCE 200
Race 13 of 25 Driver Points Leader Sauter
BRICKS AT THE BOTTOM, SAUTER AT THE TOP: Returning to Indianapolis (LOR) for one of his favorite races of the year, Johnny Sauter makes his appearance once again at the top of the driver points in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. It is the seventh week out of twelve that the veteran driver has led the points, as well as the fifth week in a row. Sauter’s best finish at LOR was first in the ASA Championship battle in 2001 with crew chief Joe Shear, Jr. His last appearance resulted in a fourth place finish after leading the race but encountering pit woes – starting from the back and catapulting to fourth in a matter of laps.
BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY: Sauter looks to Victory Lane in LOR after many good experiences here – to include building a truck in 2004 with current crew chief Joe Shear, Jr in the parking lot and almost winning the race. As a longtime short-track racer in Wisconsin, he hopes to clinch a win at what he calls “one of the most famous short tracks in the country, and the most fun to race for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.”
CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 13 team will utilize chassis No. 011 this weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway. This is the winning Martinsville chassis for Sauter back in April, as well as a fourth place finish in Phoenix over the winter.
PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Sauter drove the No. 13 home to a second place finish at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee on Friday night. After super stellar pit stops for track position, Sauter made the jump from eighth to first late in the race. After leading 22 laps, Sauter got loose and was eclipsed by Austin Dillon. His second place finish delivered the fifth top five of the season for the 13 team and preserved his points lead for the seventh week.
THOUGHTS FROM THE DRIVER: Johnny Sauter How do you feel going into the race at Lucas Oil Raceway? “There are a lot of short track fans in that part of the country that have grown up watching some exciting races, so I’m always looking forward to going to Indy. To win there would be really special, because the place means so much to me personally as a short track racer. Joe and I have so many memories there.”
What’s the biggest challenge going into Indianapolis? “As are most short tracks, you’ve got to drive the fenders off these trucks at LOR. It takes a lot of handling and communication with the team to get the setup right, and you have to drive your tail off. That’s what I grew up doing, so I’m not afraid of that type of racing. But some of these guys who are used to running wide open on the fast tracks like Nashville and Kansas, it’s an eye opener. So it’s time to get back to beating and banging to get where you want to go. I’m excited.”
How do you feel coming off a successful run at Nashville? “I’m so proud of my guys on the 13 – they had phenomenal pit stops in both cycles. It’s why we had that second place at the end of the race. I knew I was looser that Dillon, so it was a matter of time before he could reel me in. I really wanted that Gibson for Mike Curb, but we’ll take second place right now and build on it going into LOR.”
How do you feel about the handling at Indianapolis? “I’ve always had good handling trucks at LOR, so that’s what I attribute my success at the track to – and now we’re bringing back our Martinsville chassis, so I think that says a lot right there. This is one track where it’s all about handling and in my opinion, that’s short track racing at its best. You have to get in a rhythm and be aggressive.”
Race Info: July 29, 2011 Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis .686-Mile Short Track 17th Annual AAA Insurance 200 200 Laps/137.2 Miles Broadcast Info: TV: SPEED will broadcast live at 7:30 p.m. EST Radio: MRN will broadcast live at 7:00 p.m. EST Team Facts: Current Point Standings: 1st Crew Chief: Joe Shear, Jr. Chassis: 11 Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR) Johnny Sauter NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results at Lucas Oil Raceway: Starts: 2 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Top 5: 1 (2010) Laps Led: 0 Average Start: 11 Average Finish: 8 *Clinched ASA Title here in 2001; Won Final Race
