MADISON, Ill. – Despite reverting to a backup truck for tonight’s Drivin for Linemen 200 at Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park, Rico Abreu remains confident his ThorSport Racing team will be a contender.
Abreu in his No. 98 Safelite Auto Glass / Curb Records Toyota Tundra cut down a right front tire which caused his truck to crash in Turn 2 during the first practice session, causing extensive damage to his Tundra.
“I didn’t even have time to hit the brakes,” Abreu told FS1. “Everyone here at ThorSport – they’re working hard to get this spare truck ready (and) hopefully get some laps at the end of practice here so we have something for qualifying, but we’ll see. I ran this truck (backup) last week, so it’s in just as good of shape as the one we just had.”
The team led by veteran crew chief Doug George quickly made the call to pull out the backup truck for Abreu’s 11th career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start.
The two-time Chili Bowl Nationals winner will use the same truck he ran for last Saturday night’s Speediatrics 200 at Iowa Speedway, where he finished 18th. The 24-year-old also ran the same truck earlier this year at Kansas Speedway finishing 22nd.
The Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate is searching for his first career top-five finish at Gateway.
In eight races this season, Abreu had maneuvered two top-10 finishes, including a season-best ninth at Texas Motor Speedway, a race that Abreu contended for his first career win before nudging the wall with two laps to go while running second.
After eight races, the 2014 USAC Midget National champion is 16th in the championship standings.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
