Continues Partnership with Arthritis Foundation
GLENVILLE, Penn. (February 18, 2014) – Todd Peck, driver of the No. 40 family-owned Arthritis Foundation Chevrolet, will attempt to make the field for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 21. The event will mark Peck’s first race at the historic, high-banked two-and-a-half-mile speedway.
“Every driver dreams of racing at Daytona,” Peck said. “The history, the excitement, the competition – it’s definitely a one-of-a-kind venue. I grew up in a racing family, so I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the track. It’s hallowed ground. When I stop and think about all of the legends who’ve reached victory lane and all of the unbelievable moments that have taken place there, it really humbles me. My first time driving at Daytona was during testing last December. I couldn’t believe I was actually driving around Daytona. I’m still in awe.”
Peck ran a limited schedule in 2013 and doesn’t meet the points requirements to have a guaranteed spot in the Daytona race. He will have to qualify into the event based on his speed at time trials. Although it seems like a daunting task, the No. 40 team has faced similar adversity throughout its truck series campaign and looks forward to the challenge.
“This will be our first race at a superspeedway; obviously we have a lot to prove,” said Keith Wolfe, crew chief and general manager of Peck Motorsports. “Our first order of business is to make the race. We’re not guaranteed a spot, so we’re going to have to earn it the old-fashioned way. Once we’re in the show, we can focus on dialing in our truck for drafting and pack racing. I know it’s going to be a really competitive field trying to make the race. Our team doesn’t have the resources that some of the larger teams have, so we know it’s going to take a lot of hustle and hard work if we want to race on Friday night. That’s OK, though. We’ve faced those circumstances every time we’ve entered an event and we’re not going to let it deter us. If there’s one thing we’ll never do, it’s give up.”
Although Daytona will be a new adventure for Peck, one thing that isn’t changing is the team’s association with the Arthritis Foundation. For the fourth year, Peck Motorsports will continue its partnership with the organization, which will don the No. 40 truck throughout the 2014 season. Peck, who was diagnosed with arthritis as a child, paired with the Arthritis Foundation to remind everyone who has been diagnosed with the condition that they can still live an active and fast-paced lifestyle.
“I’m really excited to be working with the Arthritis Foundation again,” Peck said. “It’s one of the most gratifying elements of our race program. We’ll be involved with several special projects and events this year and that should be a lot of fun. I was diagnosed with arthritis at 15, so this is a cause that’s close to home for me. I have a lot of passion for it. I’m honored to be carrying its message on our truck at Daytona and continuing our relationship in 2014.”
Peck started his career driving go karts. He worked his way up to the national level before advancing to the Allison Legacy Series. In addition to the Truck Series, he also competes in Super Cup Stock Car Series, in which he won the 2013 championship. Peck has won in every type of race car he has driven and is looking for the same success in his NASCAR endeavors. He will run a limited Truck Series schedule this season. The events are to be determined.
About Peck Motorsports
Peck Motorsports is the only professional NASCAR race team headquartered in central Pennsylvania. Founded in 1988, Peck Motorsports is a family operation. Brothers Dr. Mike Peck and Tom Peck operated the team with success throughout the 90s. Today the team is still led by Dr. Mike Peck, but this time with son Todd Peck behind the wheel.
The family has a long, trusted history in the sport. Tom Peck has numerous top-10 and top-five finishes in the highest ranks of NASCAR. Todd Peck is the next generation of Peck Motorsports hoping to carry on the legacy of proud Pennsylvania racers. The team is currently looking for primary sponsorship in 2012 to support their collaboration with the Arthritis Foundation.
About the Arthritis Foundation
Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability. The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the impact of this serious, painful and unacceptable disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest. The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.
Juvenile Arthritis (JA) affects more than 300,000 children in the U.S. JA is a term to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 and younger. There are several different types of JA.
