Rattlesnake 400 Advance

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T E X A S M O T O R S P E E D WAY

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SPEEDREADS June 7, 2016

Crafton Looks for three-peat(s)

Defending champion looking for third consecutive win at TMS and in series PAGE 2

family affair

Nemechek father-son tandem proving to be a success PAGE 3

quiroga back in trucks

Rattlesnake 400 defending champion Matt Crafton celebrates his victory with TMS President Eddie Gossage.

Mexico City native back in truck series Te x a s M o t o r S p e e d w a y | J u n e 7 , 2 0 1 6 | R a t t l e s n a k e 4 0 0 A d v a n c e PAGE 4

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TOP NEWS FROM TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

CRAFTON HOPES THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER DURING RATTLESNAKE 400 AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY “I love coming to Texas,” Crafton said emphatically. “It’s such a great race track. I love how we can start a run at the bottom of the race track and then we are up along the fence. It’s just a blast.”

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points leader Matt Crafton drives to victory in last year’s Rattlesnake 400. He is the two-time defending champion of the race that returns to Texas Motor Speedway Friday.

Three is the number two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Matt Crafton will be focused on during this weekend’s Rattlesnake 400 at Texas Motor Speedway (8 p.m., TV: FOX Sports 1/ Radio: 95.9 The Ranch (Local) / MRN/Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90).

Crafton is looking for his third consecutive victory this season – winning the two previous events at Kansas and Charlotte – while also focusing on successfully defending his title as

Rattlesnake 400 champion for the third consecutive year.

Crafton has remained red hot during his nine previous appearances at Texas Motor Speedway. He has finished in the top 10 in all nine races, while finishing in the top five on seven occasions during that span and had led a combined 237 laps. A victory in Friday’s Rattlesnake 400 would make Crafton the first truck series driver in the history of Texas Motor Speedway to win an event three consecutive years.

Te x a s M o t o r S p e e d w a y | J u n e 7 , 2 0 1 6

He has regained momentum after a slow start to the season that included a 30th-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February. He has finished in the top 10 the previous four races heading into Texas. His string of recent success has him atop the points standings and locked into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ Chase format with 10 races remaining in the regular season.

“It feels very good,” Crafton said after his most recent victory at Charlotte. “Someone brought that to my attention last week that we hadn’t won two in a row. It feels very, very sweet to say we have done it back-toback. Now maybe we can go for three.”

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Like Father, Like Son NASCAR winning races, winning championships. Now to be able to run a full season, this is every kids dream that grows up racing on a Saturday night.”

Friday’s Rattlesnake 400 will be Nemechek’s second career start at Texas Motor Speedway.

His first visit in last November’s WinStar World Casino and Joe Nemechek (left) celebrates with his son John Hunter following the younger NeResort 350 resulted in mechek’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory at Atlanta earlier this year. an 11th-place finish.

Nemechek remains John Hunter Nemechek could not have scripted optimistic about this a better start to his first full season in the NASCAR chance at earning his third career truck series Camping World Truck Series. Nemechek, who victory considering his knack for winning on 1.5-mile scored his first career truck series victory last year at speedways.

Chicagoland Speedway, picked up his second career victory in the second race of the season at Atlanta “I feel very good about coming back to Texas,” Motor Speedway. With the win, Nemechek locked Nemechek said. “I feel like our trucks have done very himself into the new NASCAR Camping World Truck well on a mile-and-a-half, we just have to adapt to the Series Chase format. track each week.”

“To get a win early in the year we can focus on winning races and not have to worry about trying to win and lock ourselves in the Chase,” Nemechek said.

“It feels good to already get that ticket punched.”

Getting the chance to compete full time in NASCAR has long been a dream of Nemechek, who spent his childhood at the track with his father and former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joe. Challenges exist driving for the single-truck team of Nemco Motorsports, which is funded by his father. The limited funds hasn’t slowed down John Hunter nor hurt his chances at earning a championship.

“I’ve been looking to this moment for a long time,” Nemechek said. “Growing up in the sport, always wanting to be where dad was at the top ranks of Te x a s M o t o r S p e e d w a y | J u n e 7 , 2 0 1 6

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Back In The Saddle NASCAR driver German Quiroga will make his return to the Camping World Truck Series this weekend during the Rattlesnake 400 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Quiroga, who last competed in the truck series in 2014, will drive the No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota.

Quiroga will be the third driver to pilot the No. 11 this season, joining Ben Kennedy and Matt Tifft.

Texas Motor Speedway Looks To Make Its Mark On Truck Series Championship

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver German Quiroga makes his return to TMS this Friday for the Rattlesnake 400.

This marks the first visit to Texas Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2016 and the first under the new Chase format. Eight drivers who have claimed a victory or this season of qualified via points will be eligible for the seven race, three round championship battle. Texas Motor Speedway will play apart in the new Chase format for the series as the series’ return trip for the Longhorn 350 will serve as second of three races in the “Round of 6” heading into the championship event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Drivers that have secured their spot in the Chase include two-time truck series champion Matt Crafton, veteran Johnny Sauter, John Hunter Nemechek and William Byron.

Rattlesnake 400 notebook

Quiroga, a native of Mexico City, will make his sixth career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Texas Motor Speedway. In 2013, his first full truck series season, he finished a career-best third during the WinStar World Casino & Resort 400. In his most recent Texas appearance during the fall of 2014 he led 12 laps en route to a 17th-place finish.

“I’m very happy to return to Red Horse Racing,” he said.

“I hope we can put together a great run at Texas (Motor Speedway) and that we will be able to put something together so I can keep competing this season.”

Take Caution The Rattlesnake 400 will serve as the Texas Motor Speedway debut for NASCAR’s newly instituted Caution Clock in the Camping World Truck Series. Announced during the offseason, NASCAR will use a 20-minute timer that begins counting down at the start of each green flag. Should a caution period not unfold before the elapsed 20 minutes a yellow flag will fly, allowing teams the opportunity to make a pit stop for adjustments under caution. The Caution Clock will be turned off with 20 laps remaining.

Te x a s M o t o r S p e e d w a y | J u n e 7 , 2 0 1 6

Eleven drivers entered in the Rattlesnake 400 will make their Texas Motor Speedway debut. Among those making their first trip are 2016 race winner William Byron, Austin native Austin Self, JR Motorsports’ Cole Custer and ThorSport Racing’s Rico Abreu … Matt Crafton has led more than 26 percent of the laps completed this season with 263 of 989 … Veteran NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Timothy Peters remains the only driver to complete all 989 laps run during the first six races of the season … The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series once thought to be dominated by young, up-and-coming drivers in recent years is currently being dominated by seasoned veterans. NCWTS veterans Matt Crafton (39) and Timothy Peters (35) are currently first and second in the points standings. Their combined age is higher than the next three drivers in the standings – Daniel Hemric (25), Spencer Gallagher (26) and William Byron (18).

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Rattlesnake 400 entry list

20th Annual Rattlesnake "400" - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series - Texas Motor Speedway - 6/10/2016 Last Update: 6/3/2016 1:47:00 PM Entry Veh #

Driver

Owner

Crew Chief

Veh Mfg

Sponsor

1

00

Cole Custer

Dale Earnhardt Jr

Joe Shear Jr

16 Chevrolet Haas Automation

2

1

David Levine

Tracy Lowe

Daniel Sowers Jr

16 Chevrolet TBA

3

02

Tyler Young

Randy Young

Andrew Abbott

16 Chevrolet Randco

4

4

Christopher Bell

Kyle Busch

Jerry Baxter

16 Toyota

5

05

John Wes Townley

Tony Townley

James Villeneuve

16 Chevrolet Jive Communications / Zaxbys

6

6

Norm Benning

Norm Benning

Brian Poff

16 Chevrolet TBD

7

07

Ryan Lynch

Bobby Dotter

Ken Evans

16 Chevrolet BlankHood.com

8

8

John Hunter Nemechek

Joe Nemechek

Gere Kennon Jr

16 Chevrolet Fire Alarm Services, Inc

9

9

William Byron

Kyle Busch

Ryan Fugle

16 Toyota

10

10

Jennifer Jo Cobb

Jennifer Jo Cobb

Steve Kuykendall

15 Chevrolet Grimes Irrigation & Construction

11

11

German Quiroga

Tom Deloach

Scott Zipadelli

16 Toyota

TBA

12

13

Cameron Hayley

Duke Thorson

Eddie Troconis

16 Toyota

Cabinets by Hayley

13

17

Timothy Peters

Tom Deloach

Shane Huffman

16 Toyota

Red Horse Racing

14

19

Daniel Hemric

Brad Keselowski

Chad Kendrick

15 Ford

DrawTite

15

20

Austin Hill

Bryan Hill

Doug Chouinard

13 Ford

A + D Welding, Inc

16

21

Johnny Sauter

Maurice Gallagher Jr

Joe Shear Jr

16 Chevrolet Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff

17

22

Austin Self

Tim Self

Marc Browning

16 Toyota

18

23

Spencer Gallagher

Maurice Gallagher Jr

Jeff Hensley

16 Chevrolet Allegiant Travel

19

29

Tyler Reddick

Brad Keselowski

Doug Randolph

16 Ford

Cooper Standard

20

130 Jesse Little

Mark Rette

Mark Rette

16 Toyota

Carolina Nut

21

33

Ben Kennedy

Maurice Gallagher Jr

Marcus Richmond II

16 Chevrolet Jacob

22

41

Ben Rhodes

Duke Thorson

Kevin Bellicourt

16 Toyota

23

49

Timmy Hill

Jay Robinson

Jeff Spraker

16 Chevrolet TBA

24

50

Travis Kvapil

Mark Beaver

Brian Lear

16 Chevrolet Gas Buddy

25

51

Cody Coughlin

Kyle Busch

Kevin Manion

16 Toyota

26

63

TBA

Michael Mittler

Trip Bruce III

16 Chevrolet TBD

27

266 Jordan Anderson

Jeff Bolen

Paul Clapprood

15 Chevrolet TBA

28

171 Carlos Contreras

Carlos Contreras

Tim Andrews

15 Chevrolet American Club

29

175 Caleb Holman

Charles Henderson

Chris Carrier

15 Toyota

Food Country USA / Lopez Wealth Mgmt. / Lay's

30

81

Shigeaki Hattori

J R Norris

16 Toyota

SeaWatch

31

186 Timothy Viens

Jerry Brown

Mike Harmon

15 Chevrolet TBD

32

88

Matt Crafton

Rhonda Thorson

Carl Joiner Jr

16 Toyota

TBD

33

92

Parker Kligerman

Ricky Benton

Michael Hester

15 Ford

BTS Tire / Technet Advance Auto Parts / Goodyear Commercial Tire & Service

34

98

Rico Abreu

Mike Curb

Doug George

16 Toyota

Safelite Auto Glass / Curb Records

Ryan Truex

JBL

Liberty University

AM Technical Solutions

TBD

JEGS / RCI

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The number of career starts Matt Crafton has made at Texas Motor Speedway during his 16-year career. Crafton will join David Starr for most career truck series starts at Texas with his 31st career start during Friday’s Rattlesnake 400.

Te x a s M o t o r S p e e d w a y | J u n e 7 , 2 0 1 6

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PUBLIC SCHEDULE

FIRESTONE 600 WEEKEND EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

FRIDAY, June10

8:00a

VIP & Outside Campgrounds open

9a-5p

Texas Motor Speedway Credential Office Hours

ThursDAY, JUNE 9 8:00a

VICS Haulers Enter

9a-5p

Texas Motor Speedway Credentials Office Hours

9a-7p

VICS Garage Open

9:30a

NCWTS Haulers Enter

10:00a

South Tunnel Opens

11:00a

Reserved Infield Camping Opens

11a-7p

NCWTS Registration Open

11:30a-9p NCWTS Garage Open 2:30 pm

Gate 4 Opens

2:30p-3:25p NCWTS Practice 4:30p-5:25p NCWTS Practice 6:30p-7:55p NCWTS Final Practice

7a-7p VICS Registration Open 7a-10p VICS Garage Open 9a-7:30p Texas Motor Speedway Credentials Office Hours 10:45a Gate 4 Opens 11a-12:15p VICS Practice 12p-7:30p NCWTS Registration Open 12:00p NSCS Garage Open 3:00p Gates 3 & 5 Open 3:00p Gates 2 & 6 Open for Luxury Suites and Victory Lane Club Only 3:15p-4:15p VICS Qualifying 3:30p-4:15p NCWTS Autograph Session 5p-6p NCWTS Qualifying 5:15p-6p VICS Autograph Session 6:45p-7:15p VICS Practice 8p NCWTS Rattlesnake 400

(167 Laps, 250.5 Miles) 12 am Burnout Alley Closes

SATURDAY, June 11 12p-7:30p Texas Motor Speedway Credential Office Hours 12p VICS Garage Open 3:30p Gates 3 & 5 Open 3:30p Gates 2 & 6 Open for Luxury Suites and Victory Lane Club Only 6p Robosaurus Pre-Race Show 7:45p VICS Firestone 600

(248 Laps, 372 Miles) 30 min Portacool Post-Race Show featuring post race JB and the Moonshine Band

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY ticket info www.texasmotorspeedway.com 817.215.8500 Facebook: Texas Motor Speedway Twitter: @txmotorspeedway Instagram: txmotorspeedway

Te x a s M o t o r S p e e d w a y | J u n e 7 , 2 0 1 6

| Rattlesnake 400 Advance