KANSAS CITY, Kan: Officials from Diversified Motorsports Enterprises (DME) confirmed today that the team has added this weekend’s doubleheader at Kansas Speedway to their 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series schedule.

On the heels of the team’s most recent race at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway last month, 31-year-old Robby Lyons will return to drive the team’s No. 97 Chevrolet Silverado in Friday night’s Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200 and Saturday afternoon’s e.p.t. 200.

Team owner Logan Puckett reiterated that NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie Jesse Little remains with the organization but is welcoming Lyons and partner Sunwest Construction for the ninth and 10th races of the season.

“Diversified Motorsports Enterprises is excited to have Robby Lyons back behind the wheel this weekend at Kansas,” offered Puckett. “I reiterate that our team is focused on growing and that includes adding additional races to our schedule even with a different driver.

“Robby did a great job at Pocono as has Jesse (Little) to kick off the 2020 season with our partner Teletrac Navman. Because of the coronavirus pandemic and the protocols in place with NASCAR, our initial 2020 schedule has shifted. We’re working hard with all of our partners on their agendas and we will release a revised schedule soon.”

As for Lyons, Puckett says he was impressed with his efforts at Pocono and looks forward to a double dose of Truck Series racing this weekend at Kansas.

“Robby has done a great job under the Diversified Motorsports Enterprises banner and look forward to seeing the job he can do at Kansas. I know that the lack of practice and even qualifying can be a determent to some of the teams, but we take the lack of track time in stride and just look forward to a positive weekend of racing with Robby, Bruce, the DME team and partners too.”

Under the leadership of Bruce Cook, Lyons, a native of Seminole, Fla. will make his second Kansas Speedway Truck start. In 13 prior NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series starts, Lyons has a career-best finish of 12th in his series debut at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway in 2017.

He made his Kansas Truck debut in 2018 finishing 26th in an entry fielded by Premium Motorsports.

In addition to Trucks, Lyons has also run four NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller including his most recent race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway where he earned a respectable 19th-place finish.

Follow Robby Lyons on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates throughout the weekend.

For more on Diversified Motorsports Enterprises, please visit team-dme.com, like them on Facebook (TeamDME97) or follow them on Twitter (@teamDME97).

Get to know team owner Logan Puckett by following him on Twitter @LPuckett_89.

The Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200 (134 laps| 201 miles) is the ninth of 23 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series races on the 2020 schedule. The 38-truck field will take the green flag on Fri., Jul. 24, 2020 shortly after 6:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Central).

The e.p.t. 200 (134 laps| 201 miles) is the 10th of 23 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series races on the 2020 schedule. The 38-truck field will take the green flag on Sat. Jul. 25, 2020 shortly after 12:30 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Central).

About Sunwest Construction:

Sunwest Construction was founded in 1986 and has grown into the premier construction and development company on the west coast of Florida. Over the past 30 years they have built and developed over 17,000 condominium units and now specialize in mid-high-rise developments as well as commercial buildings and hotels alongside Marriott and Hampton Inn.

“Huff to also make NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series debut at Kansas”

KANSAS CITY, Kan: After sitting out the most recent ARCA Menards Series race at Iowa Speedway, rookie Ryan Huff returns to the scene this weekend with a special paint scheme for Friday night’s Dawn 150 at Kansas Speedway.

Huff’s No. 10 Fast Track Racing Ford Fusion will pay tribute to racer Shawn Balluzzo who died during the second of two Modified Division races on Jul. 11 at Langley (Va.) Speedway.

Balluzzo was 64.

According to the Virginian-Pilot, Balluzzo was the winningest driver in the history of the track.

Among his accolades on the track included winning 16 of 17 division races at Langley in 2019. He also had 11 track championships and a portrayed a driving style that made him one of the most respected competitors in short track racing.

Like many, Balluzzo was a mentor to many, including Huff. An upcoming racer from Virginia, Huff, 19, spent plenty of time with Balluzzo who often offered crucial advice for Huff as he continues to climb through the ranks of Motorsports.

Huff will make his Kansas Speedway debut in the Dawn 150 but is racing in Balluzzo’s honor.

“Shawn Balluzzo meant a lot to me,” said Huff. “He always had time for me or any young driver for that matter. I respected his advice and he taught me just as much on the track as he did off the track.

“I decided not to go to Iowa Speedway last weekend so I could go to Langley and join others and pay our respects to him. He was the definition of a true racer and I hope I can go to Kansas this weekend and not only make him proud, but my team too.”

In his most recent intermediate race, Huff earned his second career top-10 finish with a career-best eighth place effort.

Bringing the same No. 10 Shawn Balluzzo Tribute Ford Fusion that he raced at Kentucky Speedway earlier this month, Huff is optimistic he can contend for another solid finish during his rookie campaign.

“I’m always excited to get to the track and do well,” added Huff. “Kansas is another new place for me, so I plan to be respectful but being told that there is a lot of similarities between Kentucky and Kansas will hopefully be a benefit for me.

“I feel like we had a car capable of running inside the top-10 at Kentucky and we did just that. I believe it’s going to be a stronger field at Kansas, but we’ll run our race and hope when the checkered flag waves – we’ll be in a good spot to be satisfied with the finish.”

It is going to be a busy weekend for Huff.

In addition to running the ARCA Menards Series race with Fast Track Racing, the Williamsburg, Va. native will also make his NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series debut on Saturday night in the Kansas 200.

Huff will drive the No. 33 Chevrolet for Reaume Bros. Racing.

“I’m very thankful and humbled to have the opportunity to make my NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series debut this weekend at Kansas,” added Huff. “This is a big leap for me, but I feel like I’ve surrounded myself with good people who support this next step as we try to eye our focus on 2021.”

As for his goal on Saturday night, Huff’s mission is simple.

“Finish the race,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if we are on the lead lap or five laps down. This weekend is about getting experience and completing as many laps as I possible can. If we can accomplish our goal on Saturday, it is going to give us the motivation to get ready for the next Truck Series race.”

HB Hankins, Land & Coates and Southeastern Services will serve as associate marketing partners for both races this weekend.

Despite missing Iowa, Huff remains sixth in the ARCA championship standings.
For more on Ryan Huff, follow him on Twitter (@driverRyanHuff) and like him on Facebook (@driverRyanHuff).

The Dawn 150 (100 laps | 150 miles) is the eighth of 20 races on the 2020 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Fri., Jul. 24 with a one-hour group practice session from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The race is set to take the green flag shortly after 9:00 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), while ARCARacing.com will stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (Central).

The e.p.t. 200 (134 laps| 201 miles) is the 10th of 23 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series races on the 2020 schedule. The 39-truck field will take the green flag on Sat. Jul. 25, 2020 shortly after 12:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Central).

KANSAS CITY, Kan: Set for their fourth ARCA Menards Series race of the season together, Chad Bryant Racing (CBR) and rookie driver Derek Griffith trek west hunting for a top-five finish in Friday night’s Dawn 150 at Kanas Speedway.

The likable Griffith returns to the scene on the heels of a career-best seventh-place finish two weeks ago at Kentucky Speedway in the General Tire 150. And while his first intermediate debut was quite the learning experience, the Hudson, N.H. native is eager to pick up right where he left off from Kentucky.

“I am super excited to hit another mile and a half-track with some experience behind me,” said Griffith. “I’m hoping with some of the seat time I’ve had, we can roll out and be good off the start and I can get racing!”

At Kentucky and because of COVID-19 protocol, Griffith had limited practice aboard his No. 22 Original Gourmet™ Food Company Ford Fusion before throwing the 23-year-old into a hungry pack of wolves – most whom had prior experience on bigger tracks.

Griffith, though held his own throughout the 100-lap race, turning some of his fastest laps of the event in the closing laps. With another limited practice on deck at Kansas, Griffith has a better baseline than Kentucky.

“Although the tracks are different, the mindset is still the same,” added Griffith. “I know I’ll be able to trust the car and we can keep working on it. The more the race went on at Kentucky the more comfortable I became.

“I have to get into that frame of mind as if I’m competing in those last couple of laps at Kentucky during practice at Kansas to put us in a good spot for the race.”

Still, while the fundamentals are the same, Kansas Speedway will run under the lights, providing a new element for Griffith.

“I think it’s going to be a blast racing under the light at Kansas,” sounded Griffith. “Yes, I think the handling has the opportunity to change itself depending on the track conditions, but that’s why I have Paul (Andrews) in my corner to help make it all seem seamless.

“I really think with what I learned at Kentucky and our determination as a team should put us in a good spot for the race.”

Saturday’s race will mark the fourth race with Original Gourmet™ Food Company as the primary partner of Griffith’s No. 22 Ford Fusion.

Headquartered in Salem, New Hampshire, Original Gourmet™ has been innovating in the sweets and snack industry since 1994. Their story started with a recipe and a vision.

Their curiosity for making special blends of flavors and colors of candy became a passion for providing people with bold tasting lollipops.

Griffith’s car will be covered in a variety of the company’s 26 lollipops flavors.

Original Gourmet’s lollipops are the largest pops sold with a bright taste and bright colors – standing out from all the rest. Weighing in at 1.1 oz., these lollipops are gluten and peanut free delights that have a plastic stick and will not get soggy like all the other lollipops do.

Team owner Chad Bryant says Griffith is doing everything he needs to do behind the wheel and hopes to continue to showcase his ability in his second stint with a mile-and-a-half track this weekend.

“Derek has done a great job in the No. 22 Original Gourmet™ Food Company Ford Fusion,” offered Bryant. “I was super impressed of the job he did at Kentucky with the lack of actual on-track time. If the race was 50 laps longer, we would have been able to get a few more spots on the track.

“The gains he made at Kentucky will be put on display at Kansas and I look forward to seeing our No. 22 Original Gourmet™ Food Company Ford Fusion contending for a stronger finish.”
For more on Derek Griffith, please visit derekgriffith.com, like him on Facebook (Derek Griffith Motorsports) and follow him on Twitter (@DerekGriffith12).

For more on Chad Bryant Racing, please visit ChadBryantRacing.com, like them on Facebook (Chad Bryant Racing) or follow them on Twitter (@ChadBryantRace).

For more on Original Gourmet™ Food Company and their products, please visit ogfc.net.

The Dawn 150 (100 laps | 150 miles) is the eighth of 20 races on the 2020 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Fri., Jul. 24 with a one-hour group practice session from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The race is set to take the green flag shortly after 9:00 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), while ARCARacing.com will stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (Central).

KANSAS CITY, Kan: Continuing to impress in his limited ARCA Menards Series schedule with CR7 Motorsports, rookie Jason Kitzmiller invades Kansas Speedway looking for his third top-10 finish in just his sixth series’ start in Friday night’s Dawn 150.

After bouncing back from an accident at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway last month, Kitzmiller and his Codie Rohrbaugh-led team bounced back with a top-10 finish at Kentucky Speedway earlier this month, a huge accomplishment for the rookie in his intermediate track debut.

With success in the books, Kitzmiller heads to Kansas Speedway extremely humbled and determined to add more laps to his resume.

“I’m ready,” says Kitzmiller. “I learned a lot in Kentucky. I mean a ton. It was important for me and our CR7 Motorsports team to not only bounce back but make some strides. We kept working on our No. 97 A.L.L. Construction Inc. Chevrolet and it was really comfortable at the end of the race.

“I need to go to Kansas Speedway this weekend and capitalize and keep showing everyone that we have fast cars and that experience is paying off.”

Being a rookie in ARCA Menards Series competition, Kitzmiller admits he has put pressure on himself to perform, especially with his lack of stock car experience, but with the armed personnel of former ARCA competitor Rohrbaugh and advice from a spotter like Tim Fedewa, Kitzmiller is happy with his 2020 season so far.

“Codie, Doug (George) and Tim (Fedewa) have all been a huge asset to me,” Kitzmiller added. “Whether it’s doing something right or doing something wrong – I’m listening to every word.

“Codie has had success at Kansas Speedway before and I’m hoping that I can adjust to a similar setup and we can be in a good position when the green flag drops. I think it is going to be a quick race and I believe we will have a couple of opportunities to work on it and be better for the future.”

It will be a busy weekend for CR7 Motorsports. In addition to the Dawn 150, the team will also compete in back-to-back NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race with Rohrbaugh aboard the No. 9 Chevrolet Silverado.

The team will continue to bring attention to Joshua Shirk.

On May 17, 2020, eight-year-old Joshua Shirk was kayaking with family in rural West Virginia.

While on the water, the kayak capsized and Shirk became trapped under the water in debris.

When family was finally able to pull him to safety, the young boy had no pulse. Quick work by medical workers at a local hospital were able to revive him but he remained in critical condition.

Shirk was later transported to WVU hospital in Morganton, West Virginia where he has made vast improvements but still needs the love, prayer and support of many.

Over the last three weeks, Shirk has been able to come off a breathing machine and has started intense physical rehabilitations with a focus on working his muscles and standing up with assistance. His progress this week has been exceptional, as his muscles continue to strengthen.

With prayer, love and support working, Rohrbaugh and Kitzmiller hopes others will now pledge their support alongside his CR7 Motorsports team uniting strength in numbers and the power of prayer.

“This continues to be really important to me,” said Rohrbaugh. “The prayers from everyone are working and I’m so happy that Joshua is making huge strides towards his recovery. I plead when asking the NASCAR and ARCA communities to continue to support him by offering their thoughts and prayers to his family. It really means a lot to me.”

Marketing partnership(s) opportunities are available for the No. 97 Grant County Mulch Chevrolet and No. 9 Grant County Mulch Chevrolet for the 2020 ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series seasons and beyond. Interested inquiries are encouraged to contact at tonya@gcmulch.com or 304.257.8783.

The Dawn 150 (100 laps | 150 miles) is the eighth of 20 races on the 2020 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Fri., Jul. 24 with a one-hour group practice session from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The race is set to take the green flag shortly after 9:00 p.m. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), while ARCARacing.com will stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (Central).