Quite possibly one of the most feel-good stories of the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season has more reason to feel good heading into 2016.
Jordan Anderson who captivated an audience through social media and at the track through his heroic tenure of non-stop travel, cross-country solo road trips and sleepless nights will drive for Bolen Motorsports this season.
Anderson will debut with the team next month at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway driving the No. 66 Chevrolet Silverado for new series owner Jeff Bolen.
“Growing up as a kid in Columbia, my dream was to always compete in the upper ranks of NASCAR,” says Anderson. “From turning my first laps in a Go-Kart around my elementary school to working on my Dirt Late Model in my parents’ backyard – the reason I’ve had the opportunities to progress through the ranks from the dirt tracks to Daytona is thanks to the support of the people in Columbia and the everyday life lessons learned there.”
The Columbia Metropolitan CVB and the Columbia Regional Sports Council using the slogan “Columbia SC Famously Hot,” the city’s tourism department has also partnered with Anderson for his second-year full-time tenure on the tour.
Anderson in his No. 66 Columbia SC Famously Hot Chevrolet Silverado hopes to be one of the 32-starters for the Feb. 19 NexEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona. Without any owners points, Anderson must qualify on time.
The 24-year-old Forrest Acres, South Carolina native competed in 17 of 23 races last season partnered with veteran driver Mike Harmon. Despite limited resources and funding, Anderson soared to a competitive and career best 13th at Michigan International Speedway.
Additional strong runs at Kansas Speedway, Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park, Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway propelled the former Late Model racer into national spotlight with his captivated devotion, passion and love for the sport.
The South Carolinian began racing in karts as an eight-year-old. Beginning in INEX Legends Car, he transitioned into Late Models before making one start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.
Success in CARS’s X-1R Pro Cup Series paved the way to additional opportunities in Late Models, as well as making his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway for MAKE Motorsports.
Bolen, also a South Carolina native told CATCHFENCE.com that while the team is currently based in South Carolina, they eventually plan to move their operations to Mooresville, North Carolina.
“We knew from the beginning that we had an opportunity to grow Columbia’s NASCAR legacy with Jordan,” says Bolen.
A graduate from Belmont Abbey College in Charlotte, NC, Anderson has been able to utilize his degree in business and marketing to obtain his own sponsorships throughout his racing career.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
