MARTINSVILLE, Va.: In the midst of chasing its second NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series championship, GMS Racing announced Friday afternoon at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway its 2020 lineup – which looks identical to this season.
Brett Moffitt and Sheldon Creed will again return as full-time NGOTS drivers, while up and comer Sam Mayer will increase his presence in the series while chasing the ARCA Menards Series titles.
“To have all three of these talented young men back with our organization is a blessing,” said GMS Racing president Mike Beam. “They have all brought a lot to the table for GMS in 2019. Mayer winning the K&N East Championship, Moffitt being in the hunt for GMS’ second Truck championship and Creed with multiple runner-up finishes, needless to say, that they have represented GMS well in 2019 and I have no doubt that success will continue in 2020.”
Moffitt, the reigning Truck Series champion is seeking to become the first Truck Series driver to win back-to-back championships for two different organizations. After winning six races in 2018, Moffitt with three races remaining in 2019 has won four.
“I can’t thank Mike (Beam, team president) and Mr. Gallagher (team owner) enough for the opportunity to compete full-time with GMS Racing in 2020,” said Moffitt. “It’s been awesome to work with this organization this year and we’ve been competitive each and every week. We’ve earned four wins so far this season and held a steady lead throughout the playoffs. Having next year locked down allows us to focus completely on competing for a championship this year.
“Returning with the same teammates as well will be really cool. We already know how to work together and help each other while maintaining a bit of that competitive edge. I can only imagine what we will be able to accomplish in 2020 building off the momentum from this season.”
After a slow start to his rookie campaign in Trucks, the reunion of crew chief Jeff Stankiewicz and Creed has turned up the notch during the second half of the Truck Series. While winless, Creed stands 10th in the championship standings ahead of his second Truck Series start at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway Saturday afternoon.
“I feel very confident going into next season with GMS Racing,” noted Creed, the 2018 ARCA champion. “I know I have the best group of people around me and the best organization to go out next year and compete for wins and hopefully the championship.
“I’m thankful to Mike (Beam, team president) and Maury (Gallagher, team owner) for the opportunity and continued support. The beginning of this season was a bit of a learning curve for me, but we found our groove and I’m excited to go out and compete for wins and build momentum for next year. It’ll be great to have my teammates back with me as well.”
Mayer already a champion in 2019 after being crowned the K&N East Series champion earlier this month will compete across the board in the ARCA Menards Series and the rebranded ARCA East and West along with expected participation in the newly announced ARCA showdown.
Poised to make just his second Truck Series start at Martinsville, the humbled 16-year-old will compete in six Truck Series races in 2020.
“I am excited to be returning to GMS Racing in 2020,” said Mayer. “We are being very aggressive with my schedule next year, and I think that will help challenge me and help me grow even more in my career.
“We are doubling the number of Gander Trucks races from what I am running in 2019 and once the ARCA Series is finalized, I should be running more races than the entire truck schedule. I’ve been able to accomplish a lot this season with the support from GMS and I can’t wait for next season.”
While their plans are set in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, the team has been silent thus far on their Xfinity Series plans for next season. In 113 races, Gallagher’s Xfinity program has just one win at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April 2018
John Hunter Nemechek currently drives the No. 23 Chevrolet Camaro for the team’s Xfinity program.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
