2016 ARCA / CRA Super Series champion Cody Coughlin will join ThorSport Racing for the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, CATCHFENCE.com has confirmed.
Coughlin will drive the No. 13 JEGS / RIDE TV Toyota Tundra for the full 23 race schedule on the heels of a limited NCWTS campaign and the 2016 JEGS / CRA All-Stars Tour championship too.
Coughlin made history as the first driver to win both CRA titles in the same season.
Michael Shelton will return to the series and lead Coughlin’s effort this season. Shelton, who most recently called the shots for John Wes Townley at Athenian Motorsports has been a fixture in the series since 2009 and has one NCWTS championship with driver James Buescher in 2012. Overall, Shelton has seven wins, 34 top-five and 72 top-10s and five poles to his resume.
Rich Lushes, formerly of Rette Jones Racing and HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will be the team’s truck chief this season.
“ThorSport Racing is a great team, one I’ve always admired at the race track,” said Coughlin. “Their professionalism, the speed they display, and their record, speaks for itself. Considering the team and I are both based in Ohio, it makes for a great fit, and I’m proud to be part of this championship-caliber organization.”
Coughlin, 21, began his oval track racing career in Quarter Midgets, but has since mirrored the path of NASCAR stars, competing in Late Models, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and now the Truck Series.
In two part-time seasons in ARCA (2014 and 2015) driving for the potent Venturini Motorsports, Coughlin earned two poles and led 23 laps en route to five top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in 17 starts. Since 2015, the third-generation driver has made 12 NCWTS starts, including 10 last season for Kyle Busch Motorsports, a fellow Toyota team. Coughlin earned a career-best 12th at Texas Motor Speedway this past June.
Six Late Model wins also allowed the Delaware, Ohio native to claim the two Late Model titles under the Champion Racing Association banner in 2016.
JEGS Automotive, a premiere source for high-performance parts will continue to back Coughlin at ThorSport. Additionally, Ride Television Network Inc., a 24-hour, high-definition television network dedicated to equestrian and agriculture enthusiasts returns to ThorSport and will serve as a co-primary sponsor throughout the season.
Coughlin replaces Cameron Hayley, who CATCHFENCE.com first reported would not return with the team this season.
A Joe Gibbs Racing spokesperson says Coughlin will remain a developmental driver with its organization despite being out of its team circle.
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