Rico Abreu – 2016 New Hampshire Preview

Sep 21, 2016

Hero Card Requests:

Send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to: ThorSport Racing Attn: Hero Card Request PO Box 2218 Sandusky, OH 44871

Rico-Safelite-TSR-2016Team Information:
Crew Chief: Doug George
Manufacturer: Toyota
Engine: Triad Racing Technologies
2016 Driver Points: 14th
2016 Owner Points: 14th

Sounding Off – Rico Abreu:

“I’ve got a start under my belt at New Hampshire in the K&N Series. I think these tracks, like Loudon, that I’m seeing for the second time, will be good for me. I wont have to spend so much time during practice learning the track, I can work with my crew on fine-tuning the truck for speed. Our goals are still the same this year although we didn’t make the Chase – learn as much as I can, and get better every week. We’re getting there, just need to capitalize the rest of the season.”

News & Notes:

  • Chassis Chatter… The No. 98 ThorSport Racing team will unload chassis No. 45 for Saturday’s UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS). This is the same chassis Abreu raced at Kansas Speedway (22nd), Iowa Speedway (18th), Gateway Motorsports Park (14th), and Kentucky Speedway (15th) earlier this season.
  • Granite State Debut… Abreu, who will be making his 19th career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start on Saturday, has one previous start at NHMS in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (2015).
  • 2016 Dirt Success… In 77 races this season, Abreu has 12 wins, 26 top-five, and 38 top-10 finishes.
  • Rookie Stripe… Abreu, who is competing for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in 2016, is currently fifth in the standings after 16 races this season.
  • Race Rewind – Chicago… Making his track debut at Chicagoland Speedway in the NCWTS, Abreu qualified 15th, ran as high as fourth, and finished 19th, due to late-race tire issues on his Safelite Toyota Tundra.

Abreu’s Loudon K&N Pro Series East Stats:

  • Starts: 1 (2015)
  • Started: 15th
  • Finished: 10th
  • Laps Completed: 70 of 70 (100%)
  • Laps Led: 0

Abreu’s 2016 NCWTS Stats:

  • Starts: 16
  • Top-5 Finishes: 1
  • Top-10 Finishes: 4
  • Best Start: 10th (Charlotte)
  • Best Finish: 3rd (Eldora)
  • Laps Completed: 2356 of 2393 (98.5%)
  • Laps Led: 1 (Charlotte)
  • Start: 18.8
  • Finish: 16.5

Abreu’s Career NCWTS Stats:

  • 18 starts since 2015
  • Top-5 finishes: 1 (3rd, Eldora, 2016)
  • Top-10 finishes: 4
  • Laps Led: 1 (Charlotte, 2016)
  • Laps Completed: 2534
  • Best start: 10th (Charlotte, 2016)
  • Average Start: 18.3
  • Average Finish: 16.9

2016 Dirt Highlights:

  • 77 Total races
  • 12 Wins
  • Top-5 Finishes: 26
  • Top-10 Finishes: 38

Wins:

  • Jan 13 Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Expo Raceway – Preliminary Qualifier Night, 30th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals – Keith Kunz Motorsports, Midgets.
  • Jan 16 Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Expo Raceway – 30th Annual Chili Bowl Feature Event – Keith Kunz Motorsports, Midgets
  • April 15 Chico, CA – Silver Dollar Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  • April 15 Placerville, CA – Placerville Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  • May 28 Orrville, OH – Wayne County Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  • June 5 Kokomo, IN – Kokomo Speedway – Keith Kunz Motorsports, Midget
  • June 20 Orrville, OH – Wayne County Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  • July 23 Kokomo, IN – Kokomo Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  • August 6, Pevely, MO – Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 – 410 Winged Sprint Car
  • August 12, Knoxville, IA – Qualifying Night, 56th Annual Knoxville Nationals – 410 Winged Sprint Car
  • August 21, Brandon, SD – Badlands Motor Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  • September 10, 2016 Chico, CA – Silver Dollar Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car

Abreu’s Career Stats:

  • 2011 360 Winged Sprint Car Series Rookie of the Year
  • 2012 won the Trophy Cup at Thunderbowl Raceway
  • 2012 USAC National Midget Series Rookie of the Year
  • 2013 & 2014 Belleville Midget Nationals Winner
  • 2013 4 Crown Nationals Winner at Eldora Speedway
  • 2013 & 2014 Johnny Key Classic Winner – One of five drivers to win back-to-back titles
  • 2013 USAC Gold Crown Midget Nationals
  • 2014 USAC Midget National Champion
  • 2015 Chili Bowl Nationals Winner
  • 2015 Pepsi Nationals Winner
  • 2015 NASCAR K&N Series Most Popular Driver
  • 2016 Chili Bowl Nationals Winner

Race Information:
Date: Saturday, September 24, 2016
Time: 1:00pm ET on FOX Sports 1, MRN Radio & SiriusXM Channel 90
Track: 1.028-mile oval
Distance: 175 laps/185.15 miles