Team Information:
Started: 13th
Finished: 22nd
Laps: 196/200
Status: Running
Driver Points: 18th
Owner Points: 21st
Rico Abreu Race Recap:
Rico Abreu, driver of the No. 98 Safelite AutoGlass/Curb Records Toyota Tundra made his track debut at Dover International Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) JACOB Companies 200 on Friday. Starting from the 13th position, when qualifying was canceled due to weather, and the field was set based on the rulebook – a combination of practice speeds from Thursday afternoon – Abreu worked his way into the top-10 by lap 40, and was running in the seventh position when he made contact with his rookie teammate, Ben Rhodes on lap 62 in Turn 4. Although the incident would send the No. 41 of Rhodes behind the wall for a majority of the race, Abreu was able to continue racing his Toyota Tundra with minimal damage. Making multiple trips down pit road to work on his Safelite Toyota Tundra, the Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender would restart 22nd at lap 66, but would began to work his way back through the field, scored 18th at lap 100, and knocking on the door of a top 10 finish by lap 140. However, the 24-year-old driver had to make an unscheduled pit stop late in the 200 lap event, due to a flat tire on his No. 98 machine. The loss of valuable track position relegated Abreu to a disappointing 22nd place finish behind teammate, and race winner, Matt Crafton, following a very strong run at the Monster Mile.
Quote:
“I was confident going into this race. We had a really fast Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra in practice on Thursday, but obviously didn’t get the finish we deserved today. I’m hoping Charlotte (Motor Speedway) next week goes a little bit better. The speed is there, now we just need to put it all together. We have a good team here and I can’t thank Duke and Rhonda Thorson, Toyota, and Safelite AutoGlass enough for the opportunity and their support.”
News & Notes:
- The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series had three practice sessions on Thursday afternoon in preparation for Friday’s JACOB Companies 200 at Dover International Speedway. Rico Abreu was 9th, and 23rd, respectively.
- Qualifying for the 17th annual event was cancelled on Friday afternoon due to weather. The 32-truck field was set based on the rule book – combined practice speeds – and Abreu rolled off from the 13th position for the 200-lap event.
- Abreu started 13th, ran as high as seventh, and finished 22nd in his first NCWTS start at the Monster Mile.
- In 2016, Abreu has one top-10 finish (Martinsville)
- In seven career NCWTS starts Abreu has one top-10 finish
- Abreu’s ThorSport Racing teammates finished 1st (Crafton), 19th (Hayley), and 28th (Rhodes)
- Up next: The NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, May 20, 2016