Rico Abreu – 2016 Phoenix Preview

Nov 8, 2016

Hero Card Requests:

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

gettyimages-621152002Team Information:
Crew Chief: Bud Haefele
Manufacturer: Toyota
Engine: Triad Racing Technologies
2016 Driver Points: 14th
2016 Owner Points: 16th

Sounding Off – Rico Abreu:

“I made my series debut at Phoenix last year, and it wasn’t one of the more memorable races of my career – definitely not how I imagined things to go. Someone in front of me hit their brakes too hard and slid all the way across the track, and I just had no where to go. A year later, I’ve learned so much about these trucks and what they need to be fast. I’m obviously still learning, but it will be nice to get back to a track I’ve seen before, and raced on. Phoenix is a cool place to race, and it’s a huge market for Safelite. I’m touring one of their largest call centers on Thursday, and they will have over 500 employees and partners in the grandstands Friday night. I just hope we can have a strong run for them, and make them proud.”

News & Notes:

  • Chassis Chatter… The No. 98 ThorSport Racing team will unload chassis No.39 for Friday night’s Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). This is the same chassis Abreu finished a career-best third with at Eldora earlier this season.
  • Phoenix Profile… Abreu, who is making his 24th career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start in Friday night’s 200-lap event at PIR, will make his second career start at the 1-mile oval. In 2015, Abreu started 14th and finished 28th due to an early accident.
  • Beyond The Glass… In advance of Friday night’s NCWTS race at PIR, Abreu will visit one of the largest Safelite AutoGlass call centers, located in Chandler, Arizona. The facility, which opened in 2010, covers 86,000 square feet. In addition to touring the call center, and meeting with all the employees, Abreu will listen in on some calls. Additionally, there will be more than 500 Safelite guest in the grandstands for Friday night’s 200-lap Lucas Oil 150.
  • 2016 Dirt Success… In 89 races this season, Abreu has 16 wins, 33 top-five, and 45 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 21 races this season.
  • Race Rewind –Texas… Making his second career start at Texas Motor Speedway, Abreu started 15th, ran as high as ninth, and finished 12th in the 147-lap event.

Abreu’s Phoenix NCWTS Stats:

  • Starts: 1 (2015)
  • Started: 14th
  • Finished: 28th
  • Laps Completed: 44 of 150
  • Status: Crash

Abreu’s 2016 NCWTS Stats:

  • Starts: 21
  • Top-5 Finishes: 2
  • Top-10 Finishes: 5
  • Best Start: 10th (Charlotte)
  • Best Finish: 3rd (Eldora)
  • Laps Completed: 3113 of 3155 (98.7%)
  • Laps Led: 1 (Charlotte)
  • Average Start: 19.1
  • Average Finish: 16.2

Abreu’s Career NCWTS Stats:

  • Starts: 23 since 2015
  • Top-5 finishes: 2
  • Top-10 finishes: 5
  • Laps Led: 1 (Charlotte, 2016)
  • Laps Completed: 3291
  • Best start: 10th (Charlotte, 2016)
  • Average Start: 18.7
  • Average Finish: 16.6

2016 Dirt Highlights:

  • Races: 89
  • Wins: 16
  • Top-5 Finishes: 33
  • Top-10 Finishes: 45

Wins:

  1. Jan 13 Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Expo Raceway – Preliminary Qualifier Night, 30th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals – Keith Kunz Motorsports, Midgets.
  2. Jan 16 Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Expo Raceway – 30th Annual Chili Bowl Feature Event – Keith Kunz Motorsports, Midgets
  3. April 15 Chico, CA – Silver Dollar Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  4. April 15 Placerville, CA – Placerville Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  5. May 28 Orrville, OH – Wayne County Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  6. June 5 Kokomo, IN – Kokomo Speedway – Keith Kunz Motorsports, Midget
  7. June 20 Orrville, OH – Wayne County Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  8. July 23 Kokomo, IN – Kokomo Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  9. August 6, Pevely, MO – Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 – 410 Winged Sprint Car
  10. August 12, Knoxville, IA – Qualifying Night, 56th Annual Knoxville Nationals – 410 Winged Sprint Car
  11. August 21, Brandon, SD – Badlands Motor Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  12. September 10, 2016 Chico, CA – Silver Dollar Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  13. September 24, 2016 Rossburg, OH – Eldora Speedway – Keith Kunz Motorsports, Midgets
  14. October 8, 2016 Rossburg, OH – Eldora Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
  15. October 14, 2016 Hanford, CA – Keller Auto Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 360 Winged Sprint Car
  16. October 15, 2016 Hanford, CA – Keller Auto 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: Friday, November 11, 2016
Time: 10pm ET on FOX, MRN Radio & SiriusXM Channel 90
Track: 1-mile oval
Distance: 200 laps/200 miles