TAKE TWO, MARTINSVILLE: When the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series makes its way into Martinsville Speedway for the Kroger 250 on Saturday afternoon, John Wes Townley has one goal in mind – improvement. The 23-year old says, ‘You’re only as good as your last race,’ and in only two starts at the 0.526-mile track, Townley has a high finish of 18th. The No. 7 Zaxby’s Toyota Tundra team has their sights set on a solid run at the paperclip.
WHAT OFF WEEKEND?: While most of the Truck Series drivers had a few weeks of open track time, Townley was able to get on track and practice for the upcoming 250-lap race at Martinsville. The young driver took his talent to the NASCAR Nationwide series to compete on ‘The World’s Fastest Half Mile’ at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he went on to finish 17th.
ZAXBY’S: Zaxby’s has been indescribably good for over 20 years. John Wes Townley will compete with Zaxby’s serving as primary sponsor for the entire 22 Truck Series race schedule. With over 565 locations in 13 states, Zaxby’s offers an alternative to fast food with prepared-at-order Chicken Fingerz, Traditional or Boneless Wings, sandwiches, Zalads, and Zappetizers. The Athens, Georgia based chain also provides a variety of sauces ranging from Wimpy and Tongue Torch to Nuclear and Insane. It’s no surprise that Zaxby’s has been indescribably good for over 20 years. For more information, please visit Zaxbys.com, Facebook.com/Zaxbys or follow on Twitter @Zaxbys.
CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 7 Zaxby’s Toyota Tundra will take a winning chassis to Martinsville Speedway. Chassis No. 003 tackled the monster mile in June to capture Red Horse Racing’s first victory at the speedway. In addition, the chassis competed in four races during the 2012 season at both Martinsville Speedway races, the series first visit to Iowa Speedway in July, and Bristol Motor Speedway.
Most recently, the team tested chassis No. 003 at the half-mile track of Greenville-Pickens Speedway in preparation for this weekend’s 250-lap event.
REVIEW MIRROR – DAYTONA: John Wes Townley went into the NextEra Energy Resources 250 having won the ARCA Racing Series race from the pole the week prior at Daytona International Speedway. After qualifying 28th, Townley hung back with teammate Timothy Peters so they could team up when the right opportunity presented itself to go to the front. Townley’s highest running position was 13th, but the Zaxby’s Toyota Tundra was damaged in a crash at lap 92 resulting in a 21st-place finish.
John Wes Townley talks about Martinsville Speedway:
You were able to get some track time during the off weeks. How does that prepare you for Martinsville?
“It’s hard to get a good bearing as far as testing goes without being at the race track. The good thing is I was able to be on track and get in some good testing. I was able to spend some time with my guys and get to know them a little bit better during this down time and I think we’ll be good to go for Martinsville. I’ve got all the confidence in the world in my team and I’m really looking forward to it.
Does your momentum from Daytona still carry into Martinsville after having time off?
“Yes, the momentum is still driving me from Daytona. It helps out a lot. Confidence wise, I feel great. What else drives me is that ‘You’re only as good as your last race’ and we need to improve from where we finished at Daytona. We have a great team and a great sponsor with Zaxby’s. I’m really looking forward to getting back on track and get the season rolling.”
