NEWTON, Iowa – After a month of preparation, Derek Scott Jr. will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) debut Saturday night in the Speediatrics 200 at Iowa Speedway.
Scott, 16 has partnered with Mooresville, North Carolina’s Young’s Motorsports to drive the No. 02 West Strong / Crossroads Concrete Chevrolet Silverado at the 0.875-mile short track in the eighth race of the season. Andrew Abbott will continue to serve as crew chief.
Scott, 16, hails from Franklin, Texas and began his racing career by achieving numerous go-kart wins and titles.
Accelerating his path forward, Scott also has several starts in a NASCAR Pro and Super Late Model which includes two pro feature victories on top of numerous top-five performances in both divisions.
Now, Scott prepares for his biggest journey yet under the Saturday night lights in The Hawkeye State.
“I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity to drive the No. 02 West Strong / Crossroads Concrete Chevrolet this weekend,” said Scott. “I’ve been spending a lot of time with the team, getting acquainted and comfortable. Tyler (Young, team manager) has really made me feel like home and because of his and all my great sponsors I have an opportunity to race in one of NASCAR’s national divisions at Iowa Speedway. That’s pretty cool.”
What’s even more cool about Scott’s anticipated debut is the people he’ll be surrounded by. Not only will Young be there to support the teenager in his first truck race of the season, but retired NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver and five-time winner Rick Crawford will serve as a mentor and coach this weekend.
“There’s aren’t words to describe the honor to work with Rick this weekend,” added Scott. “He’s such an awesome guy who really has taken time to invest in my goals and aspirations. He offered to come to Iowa this weekend to help us out and I think between him and Tyler, I have some of the best guys in the garage looking after me.”
While Scott doesn’t have laps around Iowa Speedway in a truck, he did partake in a private test with the team last week at Caraway (N.C.) Speedway, where he and the team shook down the truck in preparation for Saturday night’s anticipated thriller.
“I felt like the test went pretty well,” sounded Scott. “We spent the day just getting (me) more comfortable with the truck, making adjustments and giving feedback and such. Iowa is going to be a little different than Caraway, but it was a good starting place and I can’t wait to get things going this weekend.”
While the team is enjoying a solid year in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the family-owned and operated team is also building a foundation as a driver development organization where the team specializes on the fundamentals of a core development structure. Debuting Scott at Iowa Speedway adds to the inner circle of Young’s Motorsports growth this season which includes a part-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series East program with driver Reid Wilson.
“We’re excited about the direction of Young’s Motorsports,” said Young who will return to the driving duties on Jun. 25 at Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park. “Everyone is working hard to build fast trucks, while we are constantly working on different angles to bring new talent within our organization. This weekend, it’s important to keep our expectations modest for our debut together. While we know we are bringing a competitive truck to the dance, if we can leave there seeing the checkered flag, it will be a good night.”
In addition to West Strong and Crossroads Concrete, Derek Scott Motorsports, MPM Marketing, Young’s Building Systems and Randco will serve as associate marketing partners for the eighth race of the season.
The Speediatrics 200 (200 laps / 175 miles) is the eighth of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on the 2016 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, June 17 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. with a final session on deck from 5:00 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Saturday, June 18 beginning at 3:45 p.m. The 32-truck field will take the green flag shortly after 7:30 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All time Central.
