Driver of the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records/Carrier Chevrolet Silverado
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES
* MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
* VFW FOUNDATION 200
Race 15 of 25
Johnny Sauter
U Coat It on the No. 13 Hood
BRINGING THE HORSES TO MICHIGAN: Returning to the Irish Hills of Michigan, Johnny Sauter makes his appearance once again in the top two of the driver points in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. This time, he comes with not only an aggressive driving style on the intermediate tracks, but some help in the horsepower department. With the switch to ECR engines in 2011, it has helped finishes for the 13 team at all tracks. Sauter has made one appearance at Michigan in the NCWTS in 2010; however, it will be his tenth overall appearance at the track in NASCAR.
PUTTING THE GRAND IN GRAND OPENING: Sauter goes to Sandusky on Monday for the grand opening of the new 100,000 square foot ThorSport Racing shop with wife Cortney for two full days of festivities. In honor of the 40,000 square feet of premium epoxy floors from U Coat It, they will don the hood of the No. 13 truck for the Michigan weekend.
CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 13 team will utilize chassis No. 039 this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Newly built for the 2011 season, this chassis has dominated on performance – it debuted at the intermediate track of Texas and ran up front most of the evening. Sauter would have won the race minus a restart penalty. The team hopes its horsepower and speed keep it at the front at Michigan.
PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Sauter drove the No. 13 home to an amazing 4th position, after starting last on the grid due to a truck change after hitting the turn 3 wall at Pocono. In a dramatic race, under rain conditions, Sauter came from 23rd position to fourth within 15 laps and was able to hold his ground. His fourth place finish still preserved his points lead for the ninth week, but a NASCAR penalty of six points due to rear end height leaves him one point behind Austin Dillon.
THOUGHTS FROM THE DRIVER: Johnny Sauter
How do you feel going into the race at Michigan International Raceway?
“It’s a big week – the grand opening, our Cedar Point World of Wheels, having U Coat It on the truck. There’s a lot going on, and that helps. We’re back to focusing on the summer and into the fall of racing. Lots of really hard racing is yet to come.”
What’s the biggest challenge going into Michigan?
“Fuel mileage and horsepower. It’s technically an intermediate track, being a two-miler, but it’s wide open the whole way. We’re going to have long green flag racing laps, even in trucks – so it’ll come down to pit strategy and making smart moves there. I really believe in Joe’s calls. I’m confident with our ECR horsepower this year. Last year, we just didn’t have it in us like some of the other teams. This year, we’re coming back with a lot of horses under the hood.”
How do you feel about the new shop and representing Sandusky?
“It’s awesome to see that shop come to fruition. You have no idea how much hard work from so many people that has taken to get up and running. The guys would come back from racing all weekend, drive 10 hours or more home, and help move stuff from shop to shop. And we’d get top fives. They’re just amazing. Also, to have Officer Andy Dunn’s badge on the truck – a fallen officer from Sandusky, where we are based – that’s special. It’s a small thing we can do for his family. The city as a whole has really rallied around us.”
How do you feel about the handling at Michigan?
“It’s big, there are lots of grooves to choose from, much like the Superspeedways. You’ll see guys trying all sorts of lines, but overall it’s foot to the floor and get that truck to the front. I feel like we’ve got the chassis to do it – Texas, we ran up front all night. That is one fast truck. I can only hope we can put it into Victory Lane.”
Race Info:
August 20th, 2011
Michigan International Speedway
2.0-Mile D-Shaped Tri-Oval
VFW Foundation 200
100 Laps/200 Miles
Broadcast Info:
TV: SPEED will broadcast live at 12:00pm EST
Radio: Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 & MRN will broadcast live at 12:30 p.m. EST
Team Facts:
Current Point Standings: 2nd
Crew Chief: Joe Shear, Jr.
Chassis: 039
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR)
Johnny Sauter
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results at Michigan International Speedway:
Starts: 1
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
Top 5: 0
Laps Led: 0
Average Start: 6
Average Finish: 14
*8 appearances in NNS & NSCS
