RICHMOND, Va. – After a successful test at Chicagoland Speedway this week, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East driver Jesse Little will make his return to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 18.
Little’s second NCWTS race will again have an affiliation with ThorSport Racing, the reigning championship team, with veteran industry crew chief Harold Holly serving as crew chief. Little will drive in the No. 97 Carolina Nut Company / Protect The Harvest Toyota Tundra in the American Ethanol 225.
“The test went really well,” Little told CATCHFENCE.com Friday. “It was my first time on a mile and a half, so understanding what the truck needed at those speeds was quite a transition.”
Little spent the day testing with ThorSport Racing teammate Cameron Hayley, circled as one of the hottest drivers on the NCWTS tour.
“Cameron and I probably ran 30-40 laps side-by-side and one in front of other trying to get a better grasp on the tendencies of a truck in dirty air. That was the most beneficial part of the test for me. I feel we have a lot of speed and am really looking forward to the race.”
Little, the son of former NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Chad Little made his truck debut at Dover (Del.) International Speedway in May. The 18-year-old suffered a setback with an early race crash and finished 30th, after qualifying ninth.
In five NASCAR K&N Pro Series races, however, the Sherrills Ford, North Carolina native has had better success. Little was credited with his second career win at Iowa Speedway driving for Shigeaki Hattori in the K&N West / East combination race.
K&N west competitor Brandon McReynolds took the checkered flag, but Little received first place dignities in the East division finishing behind McReynolds. He also had a third place finish at the 0.875-mile oval earlier in the season for Team Little Racing.
Additional truck races are possible for the NASCAR Next alum this season, including Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway later this month.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
