Fast Truck, Perfect Game Plan and lots of Luck Necessary at Talladega Superspeedway
Max Gresham Eager to Avoid Trouble in the No. 8 Made in USA Brand Chevrolet
Denver, N.C. (October 15, 2013)-As with any race that requires the use of a tapered spacer to reduce speeds, Max Gresham knows the potential for his No. 8 Made in USA Brand (MIUSA) Chevrolet to finish either in the top 10 or in the garage will likely depend as much on others’ performance, as on the truck and his own this upcoming Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway in the Fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola.
“The biggest thing about Talladega is staying out of trouble,” the 20-year-old driver for Sharp-Gallaher Racing said. “The tapered spacer bunches up the field because nobody has the power to pull away from the pack. When you’re racing side-by-side, 10 trucks deep, a little mistake by somebody else generally turns into a big accident for the rest.”
“If you avoid the trouble, you are more likely to get a good finish.”
Gresham will be driving a Chevrolet Silverado that originally came from Kevin Harvick Inc.’s fleet but has been active in the Sharp-Gallaher Racing stable since 2012. It will be the first time Gresham has driven the truck in a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.
“Everyone goes to Talladega with a game plan,” crew chief Chris Showalter said. “We have our plan, too. Our first priority is to be smart and stay out of trouble. While there are certain risks with running in big packs of traffic, there are benefits, too. You can go from the back of the pack to the front in a lap or two. So there’s no real reason to be in the middle.”
While Gresham has two career starts at Talladega’s sister track, Daytona International Speedway, Saturday’s race (4 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1) will be his first at the Alabama facility.
“We’ve gained so much momentum and experience since Daytona,” Gresham said. “I know our team has what it takes to earn a solid finish. I have high hopes going into the race.”
“Talladega is also close to home for me, so I know I will have a lot of support from my friends and family in the stands.”
And while the end result of the race is not completely in his hands, Gresham hopes to give his family, friends, and fans something to cheer about.
About  Sharp-Gallaher Racing
Established in 2013, Sharp-Gallaher Racing (www.SGRracing.com) was formed with the partnership between team owner Eddie Sharp Jr. Â (Eddie Sharp Racing) and businessman Bill Gallaher. SGR is a championship-winning organization, claiming the 2009 ARCA Racing Series Championship title with driver Justin Lofton. In 2010, SGR began the transition into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, moving to full-time competition in 2011 and expanding as a multi-truck team in 2012. SGR earned its first victory in the team’s 36th Camping World Truck Series event. The 2013 lineup includes Max Gresham (No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado) and Justin Lofton (No. 6 Chevrolet Silverado) in the Camping World Truck Series, and Will Gallaher (No. 8 Chevrolet Impala) in the UARA Stars Series. Additionally, SGR continues to build its driver development program fielding various drivers in the ARCA Racing Series, the UARA STARS Series and other late model events across the southeast.
About Made In USA Brand
The Made In USA Brand Certification Mark is the only certification mark logo registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for labeling and identifying goods either made or grown in the United States.
The number of Made In USA Brand accredited companies has grown to over 900 in just over a year.
Companies interested in securing the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark to label their products and marketing materials are encouraged to log on to www.MadeInUSABrand.com.
Race fans interested in pledging along with Max Gresham to look for and purchase made in USA manufactured goods can take the pledge for FREE at www.PledgeForUSA.com.
