JOHNNY SAUTER BRISTOL PREVIEW
Driver of the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records/Mud Jug Chevy Silverado
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES * BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY * O’REILLY 200
Race 16 of 25
Driver Points Leader Sauter
FROM IRISH HILLS IN MICHIGAN TO SHORT TRACKS IN TN: Returning to the famed Bristol Motor Speedway, Johnny Sauter makes his appearance once again at the top of the driver points in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. It is the ninth week out of 16 that the veteran driver has led the points. Sauter has made three appearances in NCWTS at Bristol, two with ThorSport Racing in 2009 and 2010- with his best start at 4th and finish at 11th in 2010. He hopes to improve on the last finish with a secret
weapon chassis – 27 – which delivered a podium 3rd-place finish at Phoenix last year.
A JUG FOR YOUR MUD? The No. 13 team hosts a new associate sponsor for Bristol – Mud Jug Portable Spittoons. An innovative solution for those who use loose tobacco, Mud Jug is available online at MudJug.com with a 10% discount for NASCAR fans using code “NCWTS.”
ATKINS TO PLAY FOOD CITY RACE NIGHT: Co-primary sponsor Curb Records has artist Rodney Atkins, who is showcased on the No. 13 decklid for Bristol – playing at the Food City Race Night on Thursday, August 25th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $5 in advance at Food City or $6 at the gate. For more info, visit www.foodcity.com.
CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 13 team will utilize chassis No. 027 this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Built for the 2010 season, this chassis has dominated on performance – with the third place finish in Phoenix – and will make its first appearance this year.
PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Sauter drove the No. 13 home to an unfortunate but rallying 13th position, after a collision- and caution-filled race at Michigan Int’l Speedway. He qualified 14th on the grid; then ran much of the race in the third to fifth position. With fifteen laps to go, Sauter took a spin after experiencing an incredibly loose truck, which he was able to expertly steer to just a scrape with the infield wall. Sauter and team got to work, using cautions to fix everything from flat tires to track bar and front nose damage. The hard work paid off – delivering a lead lap finish for the team in 13th, while many top teams had to take their trucks behind the wall for the day. His 13th place finish regained his points lead for the ninth week, by a narrow five points over James Buescher.
THOUGHTS FROM THE DRIVER: Johnny Sauter
How do you feel going into the race at Bristol?
“Nursing some chassis and taking some deep breaths. We’ve had a tough few weeks with a lot of hard work on our finishes in Pocono and Michigan, and I give a lot of credit to every guy on my team for busting tail to get it all done…in the midst of a grand opening.”
What’s the biggest challenge going into Bristol?
“You need to start up front, just like any short track. You never know what can happen passing guys in front of you – a slip and a slide and you can get taken out in an instant. We’re looking to lead laps and play out a great pit strategy this time.”
How do you feel coming out of Michigan International Speedway?
“We had such a fast truck in practice, it was a little baffling to all of us to see the qualifying result we did. Regardless, we were running in the top five/six there for most of the race until the unfortunate spin – and the guys had to regroup and work hard to get me back out there. With all that happened, we were able to salvage a top 15 and get back to the shop to work on our short track truck.”
How do you feel about the history of Bristol?
“It’s an amazing place. Coming from short track roots, to me, driving in off Exide Boulevard gives me chills every time. It’s an old school trophy, and it’s a race I’d love to find our 13 in Victory Lane.”
Race Info:
August 24th, 2011
Bristol Motor Speedway
0.533-Mile Oval
O’Reilly 200
200 laps/106.6 Miles
Broadcast Info:
TV: SPEED will broadcast live at 8:00pm EST
Radio: MRN & Sirius XM NASCAR Radio will broadcast live at 7:45pm EST
Team Facts:
Current Point Standings: 1st
Crew Chief: Joe Shear, Jr.
Chassis: 027
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR)
Johnny Sauter
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results at Bristol Motor Speedway:
Starts: 3 (2 w/TSR – 2009/2010)
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
Top 5: 0
Laps Led: 0
Average Start w/ThorSport: 17 (best p4)
Average Finish w/ThorSport: 14 (best p11)
