Sandusky, OH – February 15, 2011 – Johnny Sauter returns to ThorSport Racing in 2010 for his third season as driver of the No. 13 SafeAuto/Curb Records Chevrolet. Sauter’s performance in 2010 gave him a “go hard or go home” reputation in the Series – due to one win (Kansas), 13 top-five finishes and 2 top-ten finishes en route to third in the final championship standings. In 2011, his goal is simple – WIN, and win consistently.
A championship contender in 2011, along with teammate and fellow contender Matt Crafton – Sauter and his newly-sponsored No. 13 SafeAuto/Curb Records Chevrolet can reach Victory Lane as often as they are capable of this year. A new pit crew, new ECR engines for more horsepower, and a new scarlet and gray paintout (thanks to SafeAuto’s Columbus, Ohio roots with Ohio State Buckeye fever) will help the cause.
Quotes
ON DAYTONA:
“It’s the beginning of the season, which is a new start for the 13 here at Daytona. That’s a definite positive. Everyone at ThorSport Racing takes this track very seriously. We’ve watched the repave process pretty closely and how the tests have gone during the offseason. It’s time to really play it to the finish and stay clean for 100 laps. Joe and I have a strategy here that will keep us conservative but competitive all the same. This track is fast – as my sponsor, Safe Auto, says – BAD FAST – and that’s my kind of track. I’m focused this year on winning races as much as possible. We have done all the preparations in the shop to make that come true.”
ON THE BEGINNINGS OF 2011:
“Daytona is a privilege to race every year, and it is definitely the ‘big one’ that has the highest excitement level associated with it. To win would be a dream come true. But mentally, I’m already preparing for the whole schedule…in my head, I’m already in Phoenix. That’s just Daytona for me – I want to finish strong and start my year right, and then let’s plug through to Phoenix and Darlington. My comfort zone is in the intermediate and short tracks, so it’s in the crosshairs while I’m at Daytona and gives me a goal. The 13 is going to win races this year. I’ve said it before to my team. I’m going to do my best to make that happen.”
ON A NEW CO-PRIMARY SPONSOR:
“Safe Auto is awesome. It’s rare to get a sponsor who really values you for your uniqueness and individuality, and that’s exactly what they said when they met me. I’m really excited to add them to the 13 team. I’m also really grateful to continue the longstanding relationship I have with Curb Records, who has supported me from the beginning. This is going to be our year at ThorSport Racing – new team, additional sponsors, new horsepower. Look for us to have that mix of consistency and firepower at the race finishes.”
MORE ‘GIFTS’ IN 2011:
“My wife Cortney will give birth to our second child the day after Martinsville (through a scheduled C-section), so life has more perspective this year. It takes a little pressure off, knowing that I won’t need a driver for that famed ‘baby watch’ that Cup has. I’ll have a daughter now, and that’s scary and amazing at the same time. It definitely makes the beginning of the season a little more hectic, but I know I’ve got the best support staff I could ever ask for in my wife and son. We are so truly blessed.”
STATS
Johnny Sauter at Daytona: Johnny has raced at Daytona in all three of NASCAR’s top divisions, the Sprint Cup Series, the Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series. In the NCWTS he has two starts, both with ThorSport Racing. The first coming in 2009, in which he finished 27th after starting ninth. He was eliminated in an early accident after completing 47 of the race’s 100 laps. He was at the front of the field for three laps before the accident. The second start came in 2010, where he qualified 10th. He was eliminated in an additional accident on lap one.
Sauter’s Daytona Truck: Johnny will pilot ThorSport Racing Chassis No. 25. It’s the truck Sauter used in competition at Daytona and Talladega in 2010. Sauter was caught up in an early crash at Daytona, resulting in a 35th-place finish. At Talladega, Sauter qualified eighth and finished third.
ThorSport Racing No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet Pit Crew:
Crew chief: Joe Shear, Jr.
Truck chief: Danny Lemasters
Rear tire carrier: Kevin Gravitte
Rear tire changer: Anthony Wasson
Front tire changer: Steve Serydynski
Gasman: Danny Lemasters
Front tire carrier: Tom Fleming Spotter: David Pepper
Jackman: Cody Slater
Transport driver: Danny Bolton
Race: The 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series kicks off with the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday February 18th. The first practice is a 3 hour + 20 minute session scheduled for 4:40 P.M. on Wednesday February 16th, with the final 50-minute session slated for Thursday February 17th at 12:10PM. The 36-truck starting field will be determined in two-lap qualifying runs at 6:05 P.M. on Thursday evening. The tweltfh annual NextEra Energy Resources 250 will go green shortly after 8 P.M. on Friday night; it can be seen live on SPEED and heard live on select affiliates of the Motor Racing Network and on Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 128.
