KANSAS CITY, KAN: So far, 11-time Australian Supercars winning driver Cam Waters is relishing his NASCAR experience.
So much so that he’s back for more competition in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series this weekend at Kansas Speedway, looking to gather seat time and prepare himself for the future.
Waters, who made a memorable debut for ThorSport Racing at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway faced a tough challenge last month. Despite not achieving the desired outcome at the historic 0.526-mile paperclip, he was competitive and held his own against some of the series’ best in the Long John’s Silvers 200.
This experience has only fueled his determination for his next challenge in Saturday night’s Heart of America 200.
Oh, I’ve absolutely loved it like, Martinsville, it was awesome,” Waters said Friday afternoon at Kansas Speedway. “And I didn’t really have any expectations. I didn’t really know what to think. But when he told me that open mind, and yeah,
“I just absolutely loved it. Had a ball racing, was pretty wild. Everyone was telling me it was gonna be and it was, and, you know, the team were really helpful and made me feel welcomed and helped me prepare as much as I could.”
“So, I’ve had a really good experience so far. I’m sure this weekend is gonna be a pretty, pretty big experience as well. And it’s unique, right?
Waters is spot on about uniqueness. For the trucks, the 1.5-mile speedway delivered some of the most intense racing on the circuit, especially on restarts and in the closing laps when the checkered flag was on the line.
Not knowing what to expect, Waters has been tacking the Ford simulator, turning as many laps as possible, utilizing the resources available to help him make the most of his second Truck Series start.
Waters has extended his knowledge outside the simulator and relies on his recent chat with ThorSport Racing teammate Ben Rhodes, studying onboard cameras and reflecting on prior races, hoping the intel will pay dividends.
He also plans to chat with former Truck Series champion and ThorSport colleague Matt Crafton before tackling his first laps on track Saturday morning.
“Yeah, like Kansas is totally different to Martinsville a lot quicker. Yeah, so you spent a fair bit of time in a sim already,” explained Waters. “So, I’ve cut it out as much as I can, I think and, you know, watching onboard vision and previous races and spoke to Ben (Rhodes) a fair bit, waiting for Matt (Crafton) to roll into the track to chat to him, but just trying to soak in as much information as I can before, I sit in the truck tomorrow.”
The reigning Truck Series champion, Rhodes, said he talked to his Australian teammate about his race craft.
“You know, the big focus was actually just racecraft; the trucks are so unique,” Rhodes said Friday afternoon at Kansas Speedway. “And we’re just so aero-oriented; everything we do comes down to aero. And Kansas isn’t really an exception to that. I would say this might be one of the more aero-sensitive tracks that we go to.
“And the fact that it’s progressive, you can take those runs a little bit differently than some of the other racetracks. So, it was kind of working on that. How to take your runs properly, so that when you have the run, capitalize on it. And then, for sure, don’t be in a bad spot entering the corner, like don’t be in a spot going in the corner where you are vulnerable and could get into a wreck. You know, it’s if you’re gonna start something, finish it.”
While it would be the norm for drivers in Waters’s position to feel pressure to perform in the 134-lap race, he’s not putting any pressure on himself to win on Saturday night. Instead, he’s focused on learning and letting the race play out, hoping that at the end of the night, he has remained competitive to deliver a strong finish.
“It’s all a learning experience,” continued Waters. “So, I don’t think there’s pressure, but I guess I’ll apply my own pressure. Because, you know, I want to learn, I want to pick it up, and I want to go well, but ya, no, I’m not coming here to win the race. So, I’m not placing any pressure on me for that.
“I think if we can finish tomorrow night, it would be awesome. Obviously, we had good speed at Martinsville, so it’d be nice to try and finish somewhere where that speed was. So, coming here being a much different track, I’m not really sure where we’re going to stack up really in the field.
“But I think if we can keep it clean for the night, learn as much as I can. And hopefully, I’m in the mix. Yeah, if I can get that back half of the top 10 or even top 15. And I think that would be a great result. No expectations; I have no idea how it’s going to go.”
With his focus on winning the Repco Supercars Championship this year, Water is still determining if there will be any more Truck Series races on his calendar. He hasn’t ruled out returning sporadically later this year, but he insisted the work already began to be around NASCAR more in 2025.
“I would love to race NASCAR full time, but getting into NASCAR is very challenging,” explained Waters.
“And right now, I’m having a lot of fun in Australia and doing the NASCAR race this year. It’s actually been pretty cool. And a good balance. I think.
“So, for now, just get through this weekend, like we did in Martinsville. But just say what may or may not clash later in the year, and that’s kind of a good concept.
“Yeah, well, more likely next year. I think it gives me more time to find some sponsorship and all that stuff. And you know, look at the calendars again. Let’s just get through this weekend and see how we go and go from there.”
On the flip side, Rhodes said having Waters compete in the Truck Series more this year or next would be a massive benefit for the series.
“Yeah, absolutely,” offered Rhodes. “And you know, it’s funny as anybody that can kind of bring a different flavor or, or you know, viewership to the truck series. It’s always good. That’s why I’ve always been a proponent of Cup guys racing with us without limits.
“I mean, everybody says, oh, cup, cup, cup. Well, yeah, they’re also hopping in the best of the best rides when they get here. So no, Cup driver wants to look bad. And they’ve got a lot of opportunity and a lot of funding behind them.
“But the point being is is anything that brings spotlight to the truck series is a good thing and Cam is no exception to that. He’s got a good following, a whole country pulling for him. So, that’s good for the series.”
Follow Chris Knight on X (Twitter) @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].
