In just four previous career NCTWS starts, Larson has collected three top-10 finishes, including a runner-up designation, and led over 90 laps. His last two NNS starts have produced a second- and a sixth-place finish, as he currently sits seventh in driver point standings. Larson will race in the O’Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday night in his No. 32 Chevy Camaro and travel immediately following that event to Rockingham for NCWTS practice the following day. This weekend will mark Larson’s first “Double Duty” attempt in NASCAR’s top-three series.
TSM owners Steve Turner and Harry Scott Jr. felt Rockingham Speedway would be the perfect opportunity for Larson to get in the seat of the No. 30, with previous experience at the one-mile oval in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) competition. Larson was crowned the NKNPSE champion at Rockingham Speedway, after recording a solid sixth-place finish there in 2012.
“We’re really excited to get Kyle back behind the wheel of one of our Silverados,” commented Scott Jr. “There’s no question in my mind he’ll excel at Rockingham Speedway, and hopefully we can run well for Autism Speaks. This cause is especially important to me and the rest of Turner Scott Motorsports because it affects us so close to home with Trent Owens and his family. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to raise awareness for Autism Speaks, especially during Autism Awareness month.”
To bring attention to Autism Awareness Month, TSM has designed a special paint scheme for the No. 30 Silverado to honor Autism Speaks. Larson’s machine will feature the signature Autism Speaks blue puzzle pieces, and the name of five-year-old Gray Owens, who is affected by Autism and is the son of crew chief Trent Owens, will be placed above the passenger-side door.
“Autism Speaks is a cause that’s obviously very special to me and my family, so I’m thrilled to be a part of the No. 30 team this weekend,” Owens said. “Anything we can do to help during Autism Awareness month is really special. We’ve had success with our NCWTS program at Rockingham and paired with Kyle’s talent, I think this will be a great opportunity for everyone involved.”
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism. The organization, founded in 2005, raises awareness of autism spectrum disorders and advocates for the needs of individuals with autism, as well as their families. Along with Autism Awareness Month, Autism Speaks has also created “Light It Up Blue,” a campaign during the month of April that reaches around the world, inviting individuals, businesses, landmarks and more to utilize blue lighting to increase awareness.
“We are grateful to Turner Scott Motorsports for its commitment to our cause and will be cheering on Kyle Larson as he raises awareness in the No. 30 Autism Speaks Chevy Silverado,” said Alec Elbert, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Autism Speaks. “The efforts of our friends at Turner Scott Motorsports to honor Gray Owens exemplify the NASCAR community’s ongoing support of the one in 88 families affected by Autism.”
About Turner Scott Motorsports: Texas businessman Steve Turner, who was joined by partner Harry Scott Jr. as co-owner in 2013, established Turner Scott Motorsports in 1999. This season will mark the fourth season of full-time NASCAR competition for the organization, which expanded in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series. The team earned its first championship when James Buescher captured the NCWTS title in 2012. Turner Scott Motorsports operates out of an 110,000 square-foot state-of-the art facility in Mooresville, N.C. The Chevrolet-backed team has created alliances with General Motors’ powerhouse team Hendrick Motorsports, which provides engine support for both its NNS and NCWTS programs, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance. For more information on Turner Scott Motorsports, visit www.TurnerScottMotorsports.com.
