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: 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: Mike Skinner to Race at Daytona with Eddie Sharp Racing

(Mike Skinner, seen here in Victory Lane during his most recent victory at the 2009 NCWTS race at Gateway International Raceway, will race the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Josh Weingarten)

Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) has announced that 1995 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) champion Mike Skinner will join the team for the season opening race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 24. The one-race deal will place Skinner behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet for the NextEra Energy Resources 250 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

“Daytona is a bit like a homecoming for me,” commented Mike Skinner, driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet. “Angie and I lived here for 15 years, so we still have a lot of friends and family in the area. I love coming here to race, and I know the equipment at ESR is good. If everything goes according to our plan, at the end of the night we’ll be up front and competing for the win.”

After purchasing assets from Kevin Harvick Inc. following the conclusion of the 2011 season, ESR expected to run three full-time teams throughout the 2012 season. Having Skinner in the No. 8 Chevrolet entry at Daytona International Speedway moves the organization closer to that goal.

“ESR has made a significant investment over the winter and the vision is to have three full-time teams,” commented Eddie Sharp, owner of Eddie Sharp Racing. “We have two down [with Justin Lofton in the No. 6 CollegeComplete.com Chevrolet and Cale Gale in the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet] and one to go, and now with the opportunity to race Daytona with Mike, we’re inching closer to that happening. The goal is to keep Mike in the truck all year and run for a championship. If you miss Daytona winning a championship is no longer possible—you have to be there.”

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to drive for Eddie again this year at Daytona,” Skinner continued. “We’ve been in heavy negotiations with a sponsor who has signed an agreement to sponsor our truck the entire season. We’re waiting for the funding to be put in place, which would allow us to race every week and compete for the championship. If the funding doesn’t come through, then Daytona will probably be our only race unless some other sponsorship comes along. In the event that the sponsorship does come through, we can’t afford to miss Daytona—you can make up for hiccups here and there, but you can’t just give up a whole race on the front side of the year.”

Eddie Sharp Racing and Mike Skinner are still searching for sponsorship opportunities to continue competing in the No. 8 Chevrolet for the remainder of the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Anyone interested in expanding their marketing plan to include a NASCAR sponsorship is encouraged to contact Daren Havens, Director of Business Development, Eddie Sharp Racing, at (704) 489-8809.

The NextEra Energy Resources 250 from Daytona International Speedway will be broadcast live on SPEED at 7:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 24. Radio coverage of the 250-mile event will be available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90, beginning at 7:15 p.m. Fans can also tune into SPEED to watch practice sessions at 12:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 23, and qualifying just prior to the race at 4:00 p.m. EST, on Friday, February 24.

PRESS RELEASE: Red Horse Racing Adds Two-Time Truck Series Champion Todd Bodine to Driver Line-Up

(Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

Red Horse Racing announced today that two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Todd Bodine will drive the No. 11 Toyota Tundra at Daytona International Speedway for the NextEra Energy Resources 250. The Chemung N.Y. native will be backed by Good Sam Roadside Assistance, the sister company to series sponsor Camping World, for the 13th showing at the 2.5-mile speedway.

"We are thrilled to have a two-time Daytona winner as a part of our team." Team Owner, Tom DeLoach said. "Though this is a Daytona sponsor only, we are still looking for sponsors to continue the quest for the 2012 Truck Series Championship."

"We are very proud to go to Daytona and represent Good Sam," stated Bodine. "Doing their marketing around our series is a great fit for Good Sam Roadside Assistance. I cannot thank Marcus Lemonis enough for giving me and Red Horse Racing this opportunity. We will go to Daytona and do our very best to represent them and get Good Sam to Victory Lane."

Bodine captured the Truck Series season opener in back-to-back years, 2008 and 2009.

"We are excited to partner with Todd Bodine and Team Onion to sponsor him in the Red Horse Racing No. 11 Good Sam Roadside Assistance Toyota Tundra," adds Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO of Camping World & Good Sam. "Todd is an avid RVer who understands our business and our customers."

The official RV Roadside assistance of NASCAR, Good Sam has performed over 1.6 million rescues to date. Developed and road-tested for RV owners who want the best - but handle trucks, SUVs, automobiles and motorcycles too. Good Sam is the only national tire network anywhere. Call today and get the lowest guaranteed rate of $79.95.

PRESS RELEASE: Ward Burton Returns to NASCAR, Will Race Trucks at Daytona

Hillman Racing today announced that 2002 Daytona 500 Champion Ward Burton will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut behind the wheel of the No. 27 Hillman Racing Chevrolet with funding from State Waters Heaters in next month's season-opening NextEra 250 at Daytona International Speedway.

Hillman Racing is making its NASCAR debut this season, but the organization is anything but new to the sport. Team owner Mike Hillman Sr. played a key role in the founding of Germain Racing and was the architect of the group's two NASCAR championships in 2006 and 2010. Hillman acquired the championship-winning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series assets following the conclusion of the 2011 season and is set to embark as the owner and general manager of Hillman Racing for the 2012 season.

"First off, I have to thank Bob Germain for his friendship over the years; it's because of that we were able to acquire the truck teams," said Hillman. "I put my heart and soul into that organization and I wanted to continue the tradition of winning that we established there with the two Camping World Truck Series championships. I'm also appreciative of State Water Heaters for coming onboard as we continue to talk with additional marketing partners to grow this operation. Having a driver of Ward's caliber entrusting me with the development of his son's Jeb NASCAR career is a compliment to what I've been a part of in the Truck Series and the sport. I'm also looking forward to adding Ward to the list of drivers to win at least one race in each of the NASCAR National Series when we go to Daytona next month."

In 375 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts, Burton has posted fives wins, seven poles and 24 top-five and 82 top-10 finishes. Burton also has four NASCAR Nationwide Series victories, seven poles, 23 top-five and 50 top-10 finishes in 161 starts.

"I am real excited about the things we have going on with Mike (Hillman Sr.) and his program. I think this is a real good thing for Jeb and his career," said Burton. "Hillman Sr. is building a great team of people and we are hoping that we can bring some additional marketing partners on board with us to make this program a huge success. Jeb and I have our long-time supporter State Water Heaters on board with us and we are thrilled that they are going to be a part of our 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season and helping to kick off Jeb's NASCAR debut."

In addition to Burton, a driver development program is being established for Jeb Burton, the 19-year-old son of Ward. Since making his last NASCAR start, Burton has been using that time to focus on helping his son Jeb develop his racing career and his conservation efforts with The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. Being the son of NASCAR's 2002 Daytona 500 winner, it would be natural to think that Jeb Burton would have the hope of someday becoming a professional race car driver like his dad.

Jeb has been racing since he was a kid, starting in go- karts and racing his way through the ranks in ASA and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, and now at 19, he is ready to step into one of NASCAR's top tier racing series with Hillman Racing in No. 27 Chevrolet Silverado, sporting the same number that he has been racing in his Late Model division. "I'm excited to race in the truck series," said Burton.

"This is a big step from the NASCAR Whelen Series but I am ready for it. I am comfortable with my crew chief Trip Bruce and the team of guys here at Hillman Racing. There are a lot of resources here with this race team and I am real appreciative for State Water Heaters and Mike Hillman Sr. for giving me this chance."

"State Water Heaters and Ward Burton have been partners since 2007," stated Jeff Storie, Senior Marketing Manager for State Water Heaters.

"We realized early on that Ward has a natural connection with our wholesalers and contractors. Because of that connection, Ward is a great ambassador for the State brand. We're thrilled that our 2012 partnership is moving back on the track with both Ward & Jeb. We look forward to seeing what Ward, Jeb and the whole Hillman Racing team can do together and we're glad to be a part of it. Mike Hillman's results in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series speak for themselves. We're excited to see what the combo of Hillman Racing, the Burtons & State can produce."

Complete details of the driver lineup for the remainder of the season will be announced at a later date.