PRESS RELEASE: John King Captures Daytona International Speedway Victory

(NASCAR rookie John King shocked the racing world Friday night when he earned the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Daytona International Speedway is a place where dreams come true. That was certainly the case for Red Horse Racing's Rookie of the Year contender and driver of the No. 7 Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra John King during Friday night's NextEra Energy Resources 250, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. The 23-year old, Kingsport, (Tenn.) native crossed the finish line first and took the checkered flag after three attempts at the green-white-checkered finish.

The young driver qualified for the 100-lap event in the 23rd position and elected to stay in the back of the pack for the beginning of the race for the storm to settle at the front of the field. King was scored in the 34th position when the first caution flag was displayed on Lap 16 for an accident in turn four.

Crew chief Chad Kendrick brought King to pit road for four tires and fuel. The team visited pit road for a second-time to top off with fuel before the restart on Lap 23.

King cracked his way into the top-20 when the second caution flag was displayed on Lap 43 for debris. Sitting in the 19th-place, the team made a quick stop in for Sunoco racing fuel and returned to the track. King restarted Lap 46 in the 17th place looking for a guide in teammate Todd Bodine who lined up 19th.

The caution quickly waved for the third time on Lap 51 and the team elected to stay out as it was too soon to visit pit road. King was able to obtain two positions and restart Lap 54 in 15th. After picking up five additional spots, the fourth caution was displayed on Lap 63 for an accident on the frontstretch.

Kendrick brought the Red Horse Racing Tundra down pit road for a fuel only stop. Before the field resumed racing, King visited pit road to top off with fuel to make it to race end. On the Lap 68 restart, King was scored in the 23rd position.

King was scored inside the top-10 in eighth place when the caution flag was displayed on lap 85 for an accident in turn four. The team elected to stay on track to maintain position. The field restarted on lap 90 and when the sixth caution flag was waved just five laps later, King was able to pick up five additional positions, now putting him inside the top-five in the third-place.

The field took its first attempt at a green-white-checkered finish on Lap 99 but was quickly waved back under caution in lap 101 for an accident on the frontstretch. King maintained the third-place position and was looking for his way to the front.

The second attempt at the green-white-checker was on Lap 103. With the white-flag in sight, contact was made on the frontstretch on lap 105 bringing out the red-flag conditions for the heavy debris. King was now sitting in the leader's position. After nearly 12 minutes of clean-up the field resumed to the track.

The third and final green-white-checkered finish is where King found himself in position to come across the 2.5-mile tri-oval in the first position. The green-flag waved for the final time on Lap 107 as King sailed smoothly for two more laps before collecting the race victory. This was King's first victory in eight Truck Series starts, including his first start at Daytona. King is also only the third driver to collect his first Camping World Truck Series win at the famed superspeedway (Robert Pressley - 2002, Michael Waltrip - 2011) and the only Truck series Rookie to accomplish the feat.

Comments from the driver: 

"I'm a rookie, this is unreal. This Red Horse Racing team is unbelievable. This is a dream come true. I knew what the organization was when we went to Red Horse. I didn't know how great it was. Thank you, Tom DeLoach, everyone at the shop, JGR Engines and Toyota. I've never driven anything to smooth in my life."

"My expectations were to just come out and finish the race. It wasn't until we made it into the top-five on the restarts that I thought, 'Man, this could happen.' There were a couple of uncertainties with the green-white-checkered's we had to encounter, but Timothy stuck with me on that restart and pushed so we made it happen."

The Truck Series returns to action on Saturday, March 31st at Martinsville Speedway for the Kroger 250 which can be aired live on SPEED at 1:00 p.m., ET.

PRESS RELEASE: Driving the Dollar General Tundra is "Chance of a Lifetime"

When asked about the opportunity to drive the No. 18 Dollar General Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) this season, Jason Leffler described it as the "Chance of a Lifetime."

That's high praise from a man who has raced in the Indianapolis 500, piloted Sprint Cup Series cars for Chip Ganassi and Joe Gibbs, and has been a fixture in the top-10 of the final NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) standings the last five years.

So why is driving the Dollar General Tundra the chance of a lifetime? Every driver strives to land a competitive ride which allows him the opportunity to run up front and win races. In its first two seasons competing in the Truck Series, KBM's No. 18 Tundra has visited Victory Lane 16 times, led 1,895 laps and recorded 32 top-five finishes in 50 starts.

When Leffler makes his debut behind the wheel of the No. 18 Dollar General Tundra in Friday's NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (DIS), he's hoping to one-up his most recent finish at the famed speedway. The veteran driver came home second in last July's Nationwide Series race at the 2.5-mile tri-oval, crossing the stripe .04 seconds behind race winner Joey Logano.

To end a race at DIS in Victory Lane, one must adhere to the old adage: to finish first, you must first finish. While he's yet to win on the high banks of Daytona, Leffler has shown a knack for being around at the finish of the race. In 22 career Daytona starts across NASCAR's top three series, the California native has been running at the finish 18 times.

In a race that will feature a mix of rookies and veterans, starting near the front of the field may be the best way to avoid early trouble and to be around for the finish. Leffler boasts two previous pole awards at the "World Center of Racing," he led the field to the start of the Nationwide Series race in July of 2007 and the Truck Series race in 2003.

Leffler has started first and he's usually around for the finish. He's hoping Friday will be his night to finish first at DIS.

Jason Leffler, Driver of the No. 18 NCWTS Dollar General Tundra:

Are you excited about the opportunity to drive the No. 18 Dollar General Tundra?

"This is the chance of a lifetime. All the pieces are already in place to go win races and to have a sponsor like Dollar General onboard is incredible. I'm looking forward to carrying on the winning tradition, getting back to Victory Lane and starting off Daytona in a big way."

What type of racing do you expect to see in the Truck Series race at Daytona?

"I think you'll see a lot of tandem racing, especially at the end. You may not see it for the duration of the race -- NASCAR has changed some of the rules trying to stop everybody from doing it the whole race -- but to have a shot at winning, you're definitely going to need a partner. You will definitely see a lot of two-truck tandems coming to the stripe."

What will the transition from the Nationwide Series to the Camping World Truck Series be like?

"I think that the biggest transition will be just knowing the competition -- knowing the drivers that you're running around. I've been in the Nationwide Series full time for six years. To switch series -- obviously I've raced around a lot of the guys that run up front in the Truck Series -- it's a matter of learning the races and learning your competitors. With switching teams, you have to learn the ins and outs of a new team, but everyone at KBM has made me feel like I fit right in. I feel at home. Really, it's just about running good and I don't think there will be any real hiccups with that."

Eric Phillips, Crew Chief of the No. 18 NCWTS Dollar General Tundra:

What is the outlook for the No. 18 Dollar General Racing Team going into the 2012 season?

"Everyone on the team is excited and ready to get to Daytona. We feel really good about what we've done in the offseason and everyone on the team is upbeat. We're looking forward to working with Jason (Leffler) and expect to run up front and be in a position to win races with him behind the wheel. A few of our guys from the 18 truck last season have been promoted to the Nationwide Series team this year, but we've replaced them with some quality people and I don't expect us to miss a beat. It's good for our guys to know that if they come in and do a good job with the truck team there is a system of promoting from within at KBM."

This is the first superspeedway truck you've built in-house, what was the decision behind building the new Tundra?

"We just felt it was time to get better. We started out with some older stuff the first couple of years. With only running the superspeedway trucks twice a year, we felt that our time and money were better served concentrating on the other 23 races so we focused on building new short track and intermediate track trucks."

PRESS RELEASE: Rockingham Speedway to hold NCWTS and K&N Pro Series Tire Test March 6-7

In advance of NASCAR's return to the Rockingham Speedway, Goodyear will be holding tire tests for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and K&N Pro Series East on March 6-7 and the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour will be on site on April 18.

The grandstands will be open to fans free of charge on all three days.

"This is a great opportunity for race fans to come out and get a taste of what the racing action is going to be like for our two big race weekends this year," said Rockingham Speedway President Andy Hillenburg.

The Camping World Trucks make their debut at the famed one-mile oval on April 15, 2012 in the Good Sam Club Roadside Assistance Carolina 200, presented by Cheerwine. The Southern Modifieds and the K&N East Series will conclude their 2012 season at Rockingham on Nov. 3, 2012.

For more information on the Good Sam Club Roadside Assistance Carolina 200, presented by Cheerwine, or to purchase tickets for any of the speedway's events, contact Rockingham Speedway at 910.205.8800 or visit online at www.rockinghamspeedway.com.

PRESS RELEASE: Cale Gale To Pull Double Duty at Daytona

The 2012 season is sure to be a pivotal year in the career of Eddie Sharp Racing’s (ESR) talented NASCAR driver, Cale Gale. After growing up in Mobile, Ala., with a dream of racing stock cars, the 26-year-old is poised to finally compete in his first full-season of NASCAR competition. While he will spend the season making a bid for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), he will spend the next two weeks at Daytona International Speedway getting as much seat time as possible while pulling double duty. Driving both ESR’s No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado in the NCWTS and the No. 6 Rheem Chevrolet in the ARCA Racing Series, Gale is expected to compete in 450 miles of racing during Speedweeks in Daytona Beach, Fla.

“I’m excited to finally get to the track and get the season started,” said Cale Gale, driver of the Rheem Chevrolet. “I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to work with [crew chief] Jerry Baxter and the team during the ARCA race this weekend; hopefully it will give us an opportunity to work on our communication and make sure that everything is in order for when we come back next weekend for the truck race.”

In addition to the full NCWTS schedule, Gale will come home to Mobile to compete in the inaugural ARCA Racing Series event at Mobile International Speedway on March10. Throughout his ARCA career, Gale has competed in a total of nine races, achieving eight top-10s, six top-fives and a win at Gateway International Raceway in just his second start.

Gale’s 2012 full-season NCWTS ride with Atlanta-based Rheem Manufacturing Company continues a relationship which began with Gale competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona in February 2008. That same year, Gale turned heads by winning the Nationwide Series pole and finishing fourth at Bristol in the Rheem No. 33 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Since then, he has competed under the Rheem colors in NCWTS, ARCA and Super Late Model series events.

“Rheem is extremely pleased with our new relationship with Eddie Sharp Racing and that our company and brands will continue to be associated with Cale Gale”, said Ed Raniszeski, Rheem Corporate Director Strategic Relationships. “ESR is a classy operation and Cale is a very talented young driver who has earned an opportunity to reach for his dream. We respect his dogged determination to succeed and believe this opportunity is an example of what is possible through hard work and commitment to excellence as a person and as a professional. Above all, Cale is an outstanding young man whose easy-going nature and genuineness connects with fans at all levels, as well as with our customers. We wish him the very best this season.”

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 from Daytona International Speedway will be broadcast live on SPEED at 4:30 p.m. EST, on Saturday, February 18. Fans can also tune-in to the NCWTS’ 2012 season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 24. Live coverage of the event will begin at 7:00 p.m. EST on SPEED, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

PRESS RELEASE: ThorSport Racing "Charges Towards a Championship" in 2012 with Nos. 13, 88 and 98 and Partners

ThorSport Racing, the longest-tenured team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, announced today its 2012 lineup of drivers and sponsorships on their "charge towards a championship." Returning for an unprecedented 12th year is Matt Crafton, who will pilot the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra in 2012; the relationship is one of the longest-running sponsorship partnerships in NCWTS history between a sponsor and driver. Johnny Sauter, 2011 driver champion runner-up and a ThorSport Racing driver since 2009, returns to the seat for a fourth season with the No. 13 Hot Honeys/Curb Records Toyota Tundra. Rookie Dakoda Armstrong rounds out the stout lineup, actively racing for the Rookie of the Year title in the No. 98 EverFi/Drive for Savings Toyota Tundra for a full season.

"We're excited to take on this year from all fronts," said Matt LaNeve, Vice President of Motorsports Partnerships for ThorSport Racing. "With such a great arsenal of really dedicated partners and sponsors, as well as the support from Toyota and Toyota Racing Development (TRD), we are ready to get to the racetrack. It's going to be a very successful year!"

Crafton, after a win in Iowa in 2011, returns to the track at Daytona with a renewed focus on a championship trophy, as well as a new crew chief. Longtime friend and member of the No. 88 team, Carl Joiner, takes to the top of the pit box as crew chief of the No. 88 Ideal Door/Menards Toyota Tundra team. "There's always something special in the air when a new season approaches, particularly when at such a special place like Daytona," said Jeff Abbott, Promotions Manager & Spokesperson for Menards. "We can't wait to see the familiar neon-yellow #88 on the track and look forward to another outstanding season with Matt Crafton."

Sauter takes to the track in Daytona with more than just Victory Lane on his mind - he wants that championship trophy. After two visits to Victory Lane in 2011 and a narrow miss by six points of the championship, he's got nothing but positive vibes in his corner about the 2012 season. And he's ready to take it on by the horns. He returns with longtime crew chief and best friend, Joe Shear, Jr. atop the pit box. A sponsor and partner of both Johnny's and ThorSport Racing for their fourth year, Curb Records returns with the No. 13 for the season. "Johnny and I have a long history together in racing and many years of a great friendship and mentorship," said Mike Curb, President of Curb Records. "It has been amazing to watch his progress in the NCWTS in the last few years with ThorSport Racing, and we're ready to support him this year on a championship hunt."

Sauter also brings a partner on board with a little "buzz" - the Hot Honeys Honey Roasted Chipotle-flavored peanuts. In a partnership with The Peanut Roaster, the No. 13 will rotate race hoods throughout the season, focusing on a variety of peanut brands and products. "The Peanut Roaster is thrilled to have Hot Honeys on the hood of the number 13 this year. Nothing could be finer than to see Johnny Sauter drive that yellow honeycomb truck to Victory Lane at Daytona- what an awesome paint scheme," said John S. Monahan, President of The Peanut Roaster. "Grab a bag or can of our deliciously different Honey Roasted Chipotle peanuts today and enjoy while watching the race. We're excited to start engaging NASCAR fans in the Peanut Roaster brand in a variety of ways this year. They're all available at Peanut.com."

Rookie Dakoda Armstrong, earning his first top 10 finish in 2011, returns to ThorSport Racing in 2012 ready to tackle the chase for a Rookie of the Year trophy. The stiff competition doesn't phase him, as the former Rookie of the Year in ARCA Racing knows how to compete under pressure. He brings with him his 2011 crew chief, Dan Stillman, and his No. 98 EverFi/Drive for Savings Toyota Tundra team.

"We're thrilled to bring EverFi and our learning platforms to NASCAR," said EverFi Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Jon Chapman. "We share NASCAR's passion for speed in our urgency to bring critical life skills to schools across the US. It's going to be a fun and exciting 2012 season with Dakoda and ThorSport Racing." Armstrong also returns with Drive for Savings, a strong supporter of his racing efforts in 2011. "Drive for Savings (DFS) is very excited to sponsor Dakoda Armstrong in the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series," said Andrew Racer, Vice President of Sales for Drive for Savings. "The race season is about to kick off in Daytona, and we are ecstatic. We are so proud to take part in Dakoda's wonderful career in racing. He is a champion both on and off the track, so we are proud to play a part of his success. Let's all have a safe and exciting 2012 season and good luck to everyone, especially our driver!"

PRESS RELEASE: Jason White and GunBroker.com Together Again in 2012

(Gateway International Raceway photo)

Jason White and GunBroker.com will once again partner for the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. White will pilot the No. 23 GunBroker.com Ford with horsepower being supplied by Roush Yates Engines. The GB Racing team will operate out of its 30,000 square foot race facility in Mooresville – formerly the home of AJ Foyt Racing.

“I am extremely honored to continue my relationship with GunBroker.com and greatly appreciate their support of my racing career,” stated Jason White. “Sponsors such as GunBroker are what make this sport so special and I am lucky to have such a loyal supporter and partner. We have worked hard to build this program and we have assembled a talented group of dedicated employees that are working hard to prepare for Daytona and the 2012 season.”

Doug George has joined the organization as Crew Chief for the No. 23 Ford. George is a veteran within the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with 113 career races as Crew Chief including two career victories with driver Kyle Busch.

“I am excited to get our own race team up and running again,” added White. “We ran our own program in 2009 with some solid results and we are working hard to expand on that. I really like what we are building at GB Racing and we have set a goal of being a regular fixture in the top five. I look for the 2012 season to be my best yet.”

Jason White has become one of the veteran drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Series having compiled 129 career starts in the series. He competed for Joe Dennette Motorsports last season where he finished 15th in the final standings after finishing 10th in the 2010 season standings.

Currently a single truck team, GB Racing is considering expanding into a multi-team operation.