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Sheehan Upbeat After Top Ten TA2 Finish in Sebring Opener

By
Official Release
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Sebring, FLORIDA – February 23, 2021 – The LTK Insulation Technologies Damon Racing driver Tom Sheehan put down some hard work this weekend in the Trans Am TA2 Class season opener at Sebring International Raceway. In an action packed race featured in the Sunshine State, Tom climbed from P12 to P4 at one point before a late excursion in heavy traffic after the final restart saw him finish in P8 from 26 starters. Chief of timing and scoring Bill Skibbe recorded Tom’s best lap time at 2:11:238, which was sixth best overall and bodes well for the year ahead while the 18 Championship points he secured got his season off to a solid start.

“It was a good day and we’ll take it,” said Tom, after an action packed race that saw a full-course caution waved on the third lap when Jim Gallagher spun in Turn 7.

“The first race at Sebring is usually a melee and today was not much different to that. We had a good start but it got rough real quick. We kind of blew the rear tires off ten laps in and gave up a couple of spots. I just had to manage the car from there on but the late caution really played into our hands as it gave us a chance to cool down the tires and brakes.”

The late drama came about after Connor Mosack had an off-course excursion in Bishop’s corner on Lap 24 of 27 laps, setting up the green-white-checker finish.

“After the last restart we drove it right up to fourth, and then got turned coming out of Turn 4 with everyone going for the same spot. We got back up to Keith [Prociuk], and then it kind of put us back to the start position.”

Tom finished in a healthy eighth place with a gain of four positions from his P12 start on the grid, “We’re off to Atlanta now. A lot of guys saw the No. 97 passing them but they’re going to have to get used to it, that’s all!”

A glitch with the transponder prevented accurate testing timings for the No. 97 LTK Insulation Technologies Damon Racing Ford Mustang but in official practice Tom clocked a rapid 2:09:935 and lowered the bar further to 2:09:260 in qualifying for P12 on the grid. #GoLTK

Next up for the TA2® competitors will be the Atlanta Speed Tour, March 26-28 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

For more information on LTK Insulation Technologies please visit the website online at https://ltkinsulationtechnologies.com/.

About LTK Insulation Technologies:

Putting LTK insulation jackets & covers to work on your project saves your firm real money and time. The LTK Insulation products are so fast and easy. Installation is as fast as identification. Our carefully designed products line allows; fast, sure fit, 100% clean, no tool installation. Product designed for; balance valves, control valves, flex hoses, in line specialties, couplings, quick connects, unions, zone pumps. Your imagination is the only limit….GOLTK!

The One-Of-A-Kind, Ben & Pat’s Banana Pepper Sauce Joins Spencer Boyd Racing

By
Official Release
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Mooresville, NC (February 23, 2021) – NASCAR Driver, Spencer Boyd’s lunch just got kicked up a notch with today’s announcement of Ben & Pat’s Sauce Company, home of The Original Banana Pepper Sauce, being a primary sponsor of the No. 20 Chevrolet Silverado. The “Fighting Banana Pepper” will make its debut at Nashville Superspeedway.

“You can go ahead and throw away those orange and red sauces you’ve been using,” smiles Spencer Boyd. “My fans know I only partner with companies whose products I believe in and Ben and Pat have created the perfect condiment! The thought of having a fighting banana pepper on my truck is not one that had crossed my mind prior to this partnership, but I have to say I’m looking forward to see what this truck is going to look like.”

The concept of a hot banana pepper sauce was born out of two friends love for banana pepper and bacon pizza. Ben Thayer and Pat Halloran, college buddies and basketball teammates at Bates College in Maine, experimented until their sauce formula was perfected. Sourced from farms from North Carolina to Florida, the hot banana peppers are the key to their Made In America goodness. .

“We buy our peppers from American farms and donate a portion of the proceeds of every bottle sold to the Folds of Honor Foundation, an organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of America’s fallen and disabled service members,” said Ben Thayer, Co-Founder of Ben & Pat’s Sauce Company. “We believe in supporting veterans and American made businesses. This is why we partnered with Spencer. As a NASCAR driver with an eagle as his logo, Spencer shares the same values that we hold in support of hard-working Americans.”

Pat Halloran, Co-Founder with Ben, said, “We are excited to partner with Spencer and connect our spicy sauce with passionate, hard-working NASCAR fans. We can’t wait to see what the truck is going to look like.”

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series makes its return to Nashville for the first time since 2010 later this June. “I’m excited to get to this track,” said Boyd. “I think it suits my driving style and I’ve been practicing my guitar.”

About Ben & Pat’s Sauce Company

Ben & Pat’s Sauce Company is committed to creating great-tasting condiments made from simple, high-quality ingredients like hot banana peppers grown right here in the USA. Our flagship product, the Spicy Banana Pepper Sauce, is a unique, versatile condiment that adds tangy heat to everything from pizza and burgers to wing sauce and aioli. When you buy our sauce, you’ll also support America’s veterans and their families. For every bottle sold, a portion of the proceeds supports the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to the families of America’s fallen and disabled veterans. To buy our sauce, treat your taste buds, and help support a great cause, check out our website: www.bananapeppersauce.com.

Ty Gibbs’ full 2021 Xfinity schedule revealed

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images.

Coming off an historic debut and victory at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course, Ty Gibbs will return for an additional 14 NASCAR Xfinity Series races throughout the 2021 season for Joe Gibbs Racing.

The 18-year-old grandson of NASCAR Hall of Famer and team owner, Joe Gibbs, from Charlotte, North Carolina, will make his second career start in the Xfinity circuit at Phoenix Raceway on March 13.

He will then compete at Martinsville Speedway on April 9 followed by Darlington Raceway on May 8, Dover International Speedway on May 15, Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on June 5, Pocono Raceway on June 27, Road America on July 3, Watkins Glen International on August 7, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on August 14, Michigan International Speedway on August 21 and at Richmond Raceway on September 11. During the 2021 Xfinity Series Playoffs, he will also compete at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval on October 9 and at Kansas Speedway on October 23.

JGR took to social media to reveal the announcement and Ty Gibbs’ schedule.

With Gibbs’ full part-time Xfinity schedule revealed, he will also continue to pilot Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 54 Toyota Supra led by crew chief Chris Gayle.

Gibbs made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut last weekend at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course, where he led 14 laps and outlasted the field through two overtime attempts to record his first victory across NASCAR’s top three national touring series. By winning at Daytona in his debut, he became the sixth competitor to win in their series debut but the first to do so without a prior Cup start. He also became the 165 different competitor to record an Xfinity Series win and the 18th to do so while driving for his grandfather’s organization.

In addition to a part-time Xfinity schedule, Gibbs currently competes as a full-time competitor in the ARCA Menards Series for JGR and in the No. 18 Toyota Camry led by crew chief Mark McFarland.

With Gibbs’ next event on the schedule at Phoenix in March, Ty Dillon will return for the following two NASCAR Xfinity Series races with JGR at Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 27 and at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 6.

GOODGUYS ROD & CUSTOM ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL MEGUIAR’S ALL STAR GET-TOGETHER

By
Official Release
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The event will be held at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, in partnership with NASCAR’s All-Star Race Weekend.

PLEASANTON, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2021) – Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, the organizer of America’s premier hot rod and custom car events, has announced its inaugural event to be held in partnership with the NASCAR All-Star Race Weekend, June 4–6, 2021, at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. The Goodguys 1st Meguiar’s All Star Get-Together will welcome all American made and/or powered cars and trucks, including import cars and trucks using domestic powerplants.

“We are excited to partner with Texas Motor Speedway and NASCAR to offer even more for fans to enjoy in the lead-up to All-Star Race Weekend,” said Goodguys C.O.O. Andrew Ebel. “NASCAR fans love American cars, and American car enthusiasts love NASCAR, so this collaboration was a natural fit. Families will also have plenty to enjoy at the event, so it will be a great introduction to the hobby for many in the Dallas / Fort Worth region.”

The weekend will feature thousands of cars on display, Goodguys CPP AutoCross Series racing each day and awards in dozens of categories. Like other Goodguys events, vendors will be on-site selling food and other goods. The environment is family-friendly and Goodguys kindly requests that all attendees, staff and vendors wear face coverings and maintain 6 feet of physical distancing whenever possible.

“The Goodguys All-Star Get-Together is a natural fit to kick off the countdown leading into the NASCAR All-Star Race the next weekend,” said Texas Motor Speedway President and General Manager Eddie Gossage. “A Goodguys show is an all-star event for American hot rods and classics. We know Goodguys draws the same folks demographically, so it’s likely many will choose to come out and camp on site from the Goodguys event all the way into the NASCAR All-Star weekend.”

Enthusiasts who have previously attended Goodguys events in the region will notice more late-model American cars in attendance than usual. As a “Get Together” event, Goodguys welcomes all model years as long as they are American built or use an American-made powerplant. To enter a vehicle for display, visit this link www.good-guys.com/asgt.

For more information on Goodguys or the Inaugural All-Star Get Together, visit the Goodguys website at Good-Guys.com.

ABOUT GOODGUYS ROD & CUSTOM ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1983, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association produces the finest automotive events and publishes credible and entertaining media content that celebrates the passion for the great American car culture, bringing together Cool Cars, Cool People and Good Times! With over 70,000 active members worldwide, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association is the world’s largest hot-rodding association. Their events feature thousands of hot rods and customs, tricked-out trucks, muscle cars, and classics sprawled throughout venues such as fairgrounds, super speedways, and large outdoor stadiums.

TICKETS:
Tickets for Texas Motor Speedway’s 2021 major event season, including the June 13 NASCAR All-Star Race, on are sale now at https://www.texasmotorspeedway.com/nascar-indycar-tickets/.

MORE INFO:
Keep track of all of Texas Motor Speedway’s events by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the speedway website and TMS mobile app.

Arizona 811 to Sponsor Call 811 Before You Dig 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Phoenix Raceway, March 13

By
Official Release
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PHOENIX (February 23, 2021) – Phoenix Raceway today announced that Arizona 811 will serve as the title sponsor for the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, March 13. The green flag for the Call 811 Before You Dig 200 presented by Arizona 811 is set for 3:30 p.m. MT.

“Arizona 811 has been a great partner of ours for many years and we’re excited they’ve chosen to expand that relationship to become the entitlement sponsor for one of our two annual NASCAR Xfinity Series races,” said Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese. “We’re proud to have the opportunity to work with Arizona 811 and we can’t wait to see the stars of the Xfinity Series take to the track in the Call 811 Before You Dig 200.”

“As a promotional partner, Arizona 811 looks forward to educating the public about the need to ‘Know What’s Below’ by calling 811 or clicking Arizona811.com at least two working days before any digging project to learn the approximate location of buried lines in the area,” said Sandra Holmes, executive director of Arizona 811.  “Doing so can help prevent injuries, property damage and damage to underground utilities, as well as inconvenient outages to services we all rely on every day.” For more information on safe digging in Arizona, please visit Arizona811.com.

“I am honored to represent the state of Arizona and take part in educating others in excavation safety,” said Brice Box, chairperson for Arizona 811’s Education and Awareness Committee.  “We invite everyone to join us in this effort by following us on Social Media @Arizona811; like, share, and become an #AZ811PARTNER. Stay safe, stay healthy, dig smart and let’s go racing!”

A limited number reserved tables remain in Phoenix Raceway’s INfield Hub for the Call 811 Before You Dig 200 presented by Arizona 811 on Saturday, March 13. Fans looking to lock in their access for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race may do so by visiting PhoenixRaceway.com, by phone at 866-408-RACE, or in person at the Phoenix Raceway ticket office during regular business hours.

About Phoenix Raceway

Home to the 2021 NASCAR Championship Weekend, Phoenix Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest since 1964 and hosts two NASCAR race weekends each year. In 2021, the spring event weekend, March 12-14, kicks off the race season at Phoenix Raceway, featuring the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series. For only the second time in the history of the sport, Phoenix Raceway will host the NASCAR Championship Weekend, November 5-7. Over the three-day event, champions will be crowned in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series West. Phoenix Raceway also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including corporate meetings and conferences, charity events, holiday events, sport and endurance competitions, driving schools and Segway tours. For more information, visit www.PhoenixRaceway.com.

About Arizona 811

Arizona 811 was established as a nonprofit communication center in 1974 with a mission to perform excavation notification services and stakeholder education that promote the safety and welfare of the community by protecting underground facilities from damage. Services are available statewide at no cost to anybody digging.For more information, visit www.Arizona811.com.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

Garrett Smith Ready To Tackle Busy Weekend

By
Official Release
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Garrett Smith is set for a busy weekend of racing at two Southeastern dirt tracks. (Jennifer Graham / Jennifer’s Dirt Life Live Photo)

Eatonton, Ga. – (Feb. 23, 2021) – Young dirt late model racer Garrett Smith is set to embark upon a busy weekend of racing as he prepares to compete at two different tracks in two different race cars.

The Georgia native will start his weekend on Feb. 27 by competing at South Carolina’s Modoc Raceway, where he’ll battle some of dirt super late model racing’s top stars during the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series finale.

“We’ve been competitive every time we’ve gone super late model racing so far,” said Smith, who made his super late model debut with the series late last year. “There is going to be a lot of competition at Modoc and I can’t think of a better way to learn and get better than to go up against the best in the business.

“If we can go out there and be competitive, then we’ll have a shot to win at the end of the race. You can’t ask for anything more than that.”

Following the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series event at Modoc, Smith will shift gears and head south to Georgia’s Lavonia Speedway on Feb. 28 to compete during the Southeastern Late Model portion of the Georgia Spring Natty at the three-eighths-mile clay oval.

“You can never turn enough laps in these cars, so when we realized that Lavonia was running the night after the race at Modoc we decided to do two races in one weekend,” Smith said. “It’ll make for a long weekend and I probably won’t get a lot of sleep, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Learn more about Garrett Smith and follow his racing activities by liking his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Garrettsmithperformance or by following him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/garrett_smith10.

About McCallister Precision Marketing

McCallister Precision Marketing (MPM) focuses on assisting up-and-coming race car drivers with career advancement and promotion. McCallister Precision Marketing helps drivers build confidence in front of and behind the camera, giving them the tools they need to advance to the next level. The company also provides companies with a strategic plan for their sales, marketing and promotional needs. We believe in building positive relationships with our clients so that we may provide them with the most professional, yet personal guidance they need, in order to achieve their racing goals. Our clients include race car drivers, race team owners, companies and racing series’. We also work closely with charities and charity events. For more information on McCallister Precision Marketing, visit www.MarketWithMPM.com, email TonyaMac44@MarketWithMPM.com or call 803-361-6199.

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Daytona Road Course

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin led five laps and finished third at Daytona’s road course.

“What a weekend for Joe Gibbs,” Hamlin said. “In addition to Christopher Bell’s win in the Cup race, Joe’s 18-year-old grandson Ty won the Xfinity race on Saturday. Now, Joe’s got it all. In Kyle Busch, he’s got the ‘baby.’ In Ty Gibbs, he’s got the ‘baby face.'”

2. Christopher Bell: Bell muscled past Joey Logano with two laps to go to seize the win at the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 at Daytona’s Road Course. It was Bell’s first Cup win and the second week in a row a first-time winner reached Victory Lane.

“I knew I needed to get past Logano when I did,” Bell said. “Take it from me and Brad Keselowski; if you want to get to Victory Circle, you don’t want to be behind Joey with one lap to go.

“I’m thankful to be a part of this Joe Gibbs Racing team. I’ve worked hard to get to where I’m at. To win in just my second start with JGR really puts it all into perspective, including the 57 races it took Erik Jones to get his first win.”

3. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished sixth at Daytona’s road course and is now third in the points standings.

“That may have been the quietest sixth-place finish in history,” Harvick said. “I may not have been involved in any of it, but that race had a lot of action. If you thought that race lacked action, then you must have been comparing it to Jeff Gordon’s and Clint Bowyer’s rental car race. That looked like fun, at least to the drivers. If you asked the cars about it, however, they would have said, ‘This ‘Hertz.””

4. Chase Elliott: Elliott dominated early at Daytona, winning Stage 1 easily, but spun battling for position late and finished a disappointing 21st.

“I made the save of the day,” Elliott said, “after I was forced into the grass on a late restart. That’s when the race really went ‘green.’

“And speaking of ‘green,’ Roush Fenway Racing became the first carbon neutral NASCAR team. That’s no surprise, because Roush Fenway has been stuck in ‘neutral’ for years now.”

5. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski survived an early spin and recovered to place fifth in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253.

“Joey Logano and I had a healthy discussion about the incident in the Daytona 500,” Keselowski said. “It’s not like either one of us wanted to talk, but Roger Penske demanded we do it. Honestly, I would have rather tried to ‘clear the air’ in a Martinsville bathroom with Jimmy Spencer and Tony Stewart after a hot-dog-eating contest.”

6. Michael McDowell: Daytona 500 winner McDowell finished eighth at Daytona’s road course and is sixth in the points standings.

“Christopher Bell and I are locked into the playoffs,” McDowell said. “Along with Chase Elliott’s championship run last year, this is the breath of fresh air that NASCAR’s needed for years now. And that’s mostly because this sport is overwhelmingly comprised of a bunch of old farts.”

7. Joey Logano: Logano took the lead on Lap 63 when other cars pitted for fresh tires, but couldn’t hold off Christopher Bell down the stretch.

“Brad and I had a brief interaction before the race,” Logano said. “I guess we should speak at greater length. Brad suggested I set aside some time on the calendar to talk. His exact words were, ‘You should ‘block’ some time for us to meet.'”

8. Ryan Preece: Preece followed up his sixth in the Daytona 500 with a ninth in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253.

“It’s a great start to the season for JTG-Daugherty Racing,” Preece said. “Brad Daugherty is probably one of the proudest owners in the NASCAR garage. You can tell because he’s got his head held higher than usual, which is already pretty high.”

9. Kurt Busch: Busch finished fourth in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 and moved to eighth place in the points standings.

“It was a good day for Ganassi Racing,” Busch said. “Not so much for my car owner Chip Ganassi, who was fined $30,000 and suspended for one race for bringing a nonessential individual into the restricted competition area. I myself have been considered a ‘nonessential individual,’ most often by my girlfriends or wives.”

10. Cole Custer: Custer finished 13th at Daytona.

“I’m part of NASCAR’s youth movement,” Custer said. “Now, ‘twenty-something’ is also the answer to the question, ‘How old was the race winner?’, and not just the answer to the question, ‘How many beers did Clint Bowyer drink?'”

How to Safely Transport Classic, Luxury and Exotic Cars

By
SM
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Do you have a classic, luxury, or exotic car you need to be transported safely and you are looking for the best ways to do it? This is the right place to get all the answers, so follow our expert advice and be calm because your vehicle will be in safe hands. We will provide you with all the information you need to get the best classic, luxury, and exotic car shipping possible across the USA. Read this text and leave all your worries behind. This should not be one of the most stressful and worrisome tasks for any owner of an expensive car anymore.

Fully-Enclosed Trailers for Total Safety

Luxury, exotic and classic car transport servicing requires special care and attention. That is why you should start the process by looking for a moving company that is securing your vehicle inside of a fully-enclosed car trailer. This type of trailer is specially designed to transport expensive vehicles with absolutely no damage. That means no scratches, no dents, etc. You can rest assured your car won’t be exposed to the elements as well, which is quite comforting.

Something important you should know is that transportation in a fully-enclosed car trailer might not be an option with all companies. For that reason, you must ask them beforehand to verify that they provide this opportunity.

Insurance is an Absolute Must

When the time comes to choose the right classic, exotic, and especially luxury car transport cross-country, ask the company what insurance does it provide. You need to be calm during this stressful shipping situation and it will come if you know upfront what the compensation would be in case of an accident en route. This is such crucial information and you should never hesitate to ask all the questions you might have on this subject. The insurance must cover fully the cost of any possible damages on such a valuable asset as is your luxury car.

Make sure you also know how much of a deductible is involved, so you are prepared. Avoiding all types of misunderstandings about coverage will make you feel way safer about the shipping process.

Look Out for a Company with Vast Experience and Pedigree

The company that you hire must have the experience and all the licenses needed for moving these prized vehicles. The experience may be the difference between your valuable car getting at its destination safely or arriving with problems. Find a company with at least a year of practice in exotic, classic, and luxury car transport, so you can be relaxed knowing they will take good care of your vehicle.

You also have to make sure that the moving company is licensed. Engaging with one that isn’t can lead to a lot of problems and headaches that you can avoid. If you don’t find anything that says the company is licensed, don’t stop there. Keep asking about it until someone can show you that they are.

A very reliable indicator of a company’s performance is the quality of customer reviews it has received. Look at car shipping reviews in diverse sources to determine whether the experience you read about is the one you are seeking. Another excellent resource for finding the reputation of auto shipping companies is the Better Business Bureau.

Preparatory Steps for the Shipping

Once you have hired transportation services to handle your vehicle, there are some steps you can take to lower the risks of damage.

  • Check your luxury car for any fluid leaks
  • Make sure the battery is secured in mounting brackets
  • Have the gas tank a quarter full
  • Disconnect the alarm system
  • Take out all radios, CD players, and car phones that are mobile
  • Remove or retract the antenna (if there is one)
  • Remove the personal items too (but leave the spare tires)

You can also give the crew of the exotic, luxury, and classic car transport company a set of your spare keys. That’s in case that there is nothing in the vehicle that can shift during the relocation and make a mess out of the interior.

Go for Door-to-Door Transportation

Do you really want to have your precious car shipped to a terminal and then go pick it up? Why do that when you can let an experienced and highly-trained crew deliver it straight to your house or garage! You should pick this great option whenever possible. And the best one is door-to-door transportation in an enclosed carrier. Yes, it costs a little bit more, but it is totally worth it when you consider the value of the cargo.

Now that you know all about the safest ways for classic, luxury, and exotic car shipping, you can relax. Your prized asset will be home soon damage-free and classy as always so you can enjoy it for a long long time.

Interview – Q&A with Truck Series driver Ryan Truex

By
Briar Starr
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Photo Credit: Niece Motorsports

In this week’s interview, Speedway Media catches up with Niece Motorsports newcomer, Ryan Truex. Truex recently joined the team for a full-season and will contend for the 2021 Truck Series championship. During the interview, the Mayetta, New Jersey native discusses what he considers his best season, if he has any superstitions about racing and his “Welcome to NASCAR” moment, among other topics.

SM: You’ve run 52 races in your Truck Series career over the past seven years and have come close to winning multiple times. In your opinion, what’s the best you’ve ever run? 

RT: “I’d say my best season was 2017 with HRE (Hattori Racing Enterprises),” Truex said. “We were starting to build new trucks during that year and really started performing well and coming close to winning races. I knew the team was on the verge of winning races at the end of the year. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to put something together for the following season and the rest is history.”

SM: Following up on that question, you finished second twice in the series, once in 2016 at Daytona and then three years ago in 2017 at Loudon. Both times you had strong trucks. What do you think you could have done differently to score the victory or were those races just not meant to be? Is Daytona still a heartbreaker as you reflect back or is there a different race that you wish you had back?

RT: “Daytona was a tough one because I felt like we were in the right position to race back to the checkered flag and have a great shot at the win. The caution just came out at the worst time when I was trying to build a run to take the lead back,” he said. “2017 Loudon was another tough one. We took the lead on a late restart and I did everything I could to hold (Christopher) Bell off, he just had a stronger truck than me at the end of the day. I believe things happen for a reason and that my time will come. I just have to keep working at it.”

SM: Has there ever been a moment where you’ve gotten lost at a racetrack? If so, where did you get lost, and how did you get back to the right spot?

RT: Road America 2018, it took me quite a while to find the garage area,” Truex said. “I ended up in a random corner like two miles from where I was supposed to be and had to open up maps on my phone and turn on satellite view to figure out where I was and where I needed to be.”

SM: Most drivers have their ‘Welcome to NASCAR moment that’s happened during a race. When did you have that moment and how did you take that learning lesson moving forward? 

RT: “One that sticks out to me is Talladega, 2012,” Truex said. “I was running an Xfinity car for JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) in a limited schedule. Back then we were still allowed to tandem draft at the superspeedways. I was running mid-pack, just riding, and none other than Dale Jr. latched to my bumper and pushed me all the way to the front. As soon as we got there, he left me out by myself and took the lead and I got pushed right to the back again. I like to imagine he was smirking behind that visor when he did that.”

SM: In racing, many drivers are skeptical of myths or urban legends, things like the No. 13, no peanut vendors at the racetracks, etc. In your mind, what’s the craziest superstition you’ve ever heard as a racecar driver and do you believe in that superstition? 

RT: “I don’t believe in superstitions but I’ve heard them all,” he said. “MTJ (Martin Truex Jr., Ryan’s brother) with the rabbit’s foot for Homestead in 2017 that Darrell Gwynn (former NHRA Driver) gave him is probably the craziest one that I’ve heard, but it obviously worked out pretty well.”

SM: The Truck Series has really evolved from its beginnings in 1995 and has had a lot of storied drivers and unique races. If you could go back in time to race in a certain event, which event would you choose and why?

RT: “I think the first year of the series would be cool to be a part of,” Truex said. “Lots of unique tracks and drivers and the atmosphere around the new series seemed like a really exciting thing to be involved with.”

SM: Who is one race car driver that you believe will always have your back no matter what happens on the racetrack?

RT: “I think the obvious answer is my brother (Martin Truex Jr.), but there are a few others out there that I have a lot of respect for and feel like that feeling is mutual,” he said. “Brett (Moffitt) and I have known each other for a long time and we’re teammates which makes it a great combo for us. I feel like (Matt) Crafton and (Johnny) Sauter have always been two drivers that I’ve always had a great relationship with on and off the track as well.” 

SM: Sometimes people get mistaken for different people in real life and being on the grid. Has there been an instance where you were mistaken for somebody else?

RT: “If I had a nickel for every time someone thought I was Kyle Larson, I could start my own truck team.”

SM: As in most cases in racing, there are more bad days than good. Whenever you have a bad day at the tack, how do you pick yourself up and not let it ruin the rest of the day or the weekend?  

RT: “I just have to remind myself that quitters never win and the bad days will always pass,” Truex said. “You can’t let yourself dwell too much on them.”

SM: Rain delays are never fun during racing. How do you pass the time during a rain delay?

RT: “Eat all the food.”

SM: There are several new tracks on the Truck Series schedule, such as Bristol Dirt, Circuit of the Americus, Nashville returning to the schedule, Knoxville and Watkins Glen. Which of these tracks are you looking forward to the most and why?

RT: “I have Watkins Glen circled on my calendar,” he said. “I’ve always run well there, and its a track I’ve been going to for a long time – since Martin was racing there in the Busch North Series. I feel like we will have a good shot at a win there.”

SM: Wrapping this up, what’s one goal or expectation that you would like to achieve before the end of the year? 

RT: “I’ve been around the national series level for a long time,” Truex said. “I’ve been very close to winning races multiple times and feel like I’ve proven I can get the job done, but I know I need to win. Bottom line. I think I have a team capable of doing it and my plan is to finally get some trophies this year.”

Truex has made 53 Truck Series starts to date over a span of seven years, with 11 top-fives and 20 top-10 finishes with two poles along with 151 laps led. Additionally, the New Jersey native has made various starts in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series and won back-to-back NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Series Championships in 2009 and 2010.

Fans of Ryan Truex can follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Additionally, you can check out his website here.

Fans of Niece Motorsports can like them on Facebook, “follow” them on Twitter and Instagram. You can also visit their website here.

Special thanks to Michelle Brachowski for coordinating this interview and many thanks to Ryan Truex for taking the time out of his busy schedule for the interview.

Mexico City’s Max Gutierrez Looks for Two-in-a-Row to Start 2021 at Five Flags Speedway

By
Official Release
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Max Gutierrez, driver of the #30 Tough Built Ford, looks on before the Jeep Beach 175 for the ARCA Menards Series East at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna, Florida on February 8, 2021. Photo by Adam Glanzman/NASCAR

It was a finish everyone anticipated, but no one expected.

Headed into turn three on the final lap of the season-opening ARCA Menards Series East race at New Smyrna Speedway, everyone anticipated contact between the leaders. Taylor Gray had led three times on the night, including the previous five laps as he took the lead on a late-race restart. That restart involved a lot of contact into turn one, sending Mason Diaz around and out of contention.

The next restart, the final one of the race, put Sammy Smith next to Gray coming to the green. Smith had led 78 laps, leading through lap 171 when officials realigned him fourth in the field after a pit road violation. Smith had to be aggressive to get back to the lead because the race was now in overtime. He had two laps to make it happen.

Gray opened a slight lead at the drop of the green and held it for the first of the two overtime circuits. Smith closed the gap coming to the white flag. Everyone anticipated what came next.

Headed into turn three, Smith got to Gray’s bumper and made contact. That’s almost standard operating procedure in full-fendered stock car racing these days. The leader expects a shove from behind on the final lap if the driver in second place is close enough to make it happen. Smith was definitely close enough and carried a lot of speed going into the final two turns of the race. The contact didn’t just send Gray up the track, it sent Gray and Smith up the track and left the bottom groove at the high-banked half-mile wide open.

Enter NASCAR Mexico Challenge Series champion Max Gutierrez.

Driving for 2009 ARCA Menards Series championship-winning crew chief Mark Rette, Gutierrez pounced. He dove to the bottom of the track and filled the gap. When Smith and Gray came down the track, they bounced off Gutierrez, with all three making contact coming to the start finish line. But that contact couldn’t stop Gutierrez’s momentum and he nipped Smith at the finish by 0.03 seconds, about the distance from the tip of the nose to the center of his front wheel.

Gutierrez, who still lives in Mexico and commutes to the United States to race, scored the first win of his career in the most surprising fashion.

“I can’t believe it,” Gutierrez said in victory lane. “I thought we were in a good place (third) on the last lap for the season championship. Then they started bumping for first and I decided to take it. I am very happy and proud of my team. That is a great way to start off this championship.”

The next step for Gutierrez will be in Saturday’s Pensacola 200 presented by Inspectra Thermal Solutions at Five Flags Speedway. It will be the fourth time the ARCA Menards Series East has raced at the half-mile oval that is the host of the prestigious Snowball Derby every December. Current series team owner Ben Kennedy, who owns the No. 43 car driven by Daniel Dye, won in 2013 while Ben Rhodes, who recently won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway, won in 2014. Two-time champion Sam Mayer put an exclamation point on his 2020 championship season with his fifth win of the season in last year’s race.

For ticket information, visit FiveFlagsSpeedway.com or TrackEnterprises.com.

Practice for the Pensacola 200 presented by Inspectra Thermal Solutions is scheduled for 1:15 pm ET/12:15 pm local, with General Tire Pole Qualifying to follow at 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm local. Saturday’s race will be streamed live on TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold starting at 6 pm ET/5 pm local. It will be rebroadcast on a tape-delayed basis on NBCSN on Thursday, March 4 at 4 pm ET.

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