Photo by Jonathan Moore/NASCAR via Getty Images
Team Information:
Crew Chief: Bud Haefele
Manufacturer: Toyota
Engine: Triad Racing Technologies
2016 Driver Points: 13th
2016 Owner Points: 15th
Sounding Off – Rico Abreu:
“I made my track debut at Homestead in 2015, so it’s refreshing knowing that when we get on track Friday morning, I’ve seen the place. We can work on balance and handling versus me making laps and getting a feel for the track. 2015 was a great learning experience for me, and we had a decent run. The high line is definitely the place to be on this race track, which is where I like to run given my dirt track racing experience. I learned last year that once you get up top, you have to make sure another truck doesn’t break your momentum. I’m confident going into this weekend, and hope we can have a strong run to finish out the season for not only everyone on this team, but also for Safelite. They have been so supportive this year – they always have such a great turn out at the race track, and we owe them one.”
News & Notes:
- Chassis Chatter… The No. 98 ThorSport Racing team will unload chassis No.55 for Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This is the same chassis Abreu raced at Pocono Raceway (6th), Michigan International Speedway (13th), and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (17th) earlier this season.
- Miami Minute… Abreu, who is making his 25th career NCWTS start in Friday night’s 200-lap event, will make his second start at the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway. The ThorSport Racing driver started 14th, and finished 13th in his track debut in 2015.
- Intermediate Track Facts… In nine career NCWTS starts on an Intermediate-style track (1.5 miles in length), Abreu has one top-10 (Texas), and four top-15 finishes.
- 2016 Dirt Success… In 90 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 22 races this season.
- Race Rewind – Phoenix… Making his second start at Phoenix International Raceway, Abreu started a career-best third, ran as high as third, and finished 11th in the 150-lap event.
Abreu’s Homestead NCWTS Stats:
- Starts: 1 (2015)
- Started: 14th
- Finished: 13th
- Laps Completed: 134 of 134
- Laps Led: 0
Abreu’s 2016 NCWTS Stats:
- Starts: 22
- 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: 24 since 2015
- Top-5 finishes: 2
- Top-10 finishes: 5
- Laps Led: 1 (Charlotte, 2016)
- Laps Completed: 3441
- Best start: 3rd (Phoenix, 2016)
- Average Start: 18.0
- Average Finish: 16.4
2016 Dirt Highlights:
- Races: 90
- Wins: 16
- Top-5 Finishes: 33
- Top-10 Finishes: 45
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
- September 24, 2016 Rossburg, OH – Eldora Speedway – Keith Kunz Motorsports, Midgets
- October 8, 2016 Rossburg, OH – Eldora Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 410 Winged Sprint Car
- October 14, 2016 Hanford, CA – Keller Auto Speedway – Abreu Vineyards 360 Winged Sprint Car
- 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 18, 2016
Time: 8pm ET on FOX, MRN Radio & SiriusXM Channel 90
Track: 1.5-mile oval
Distance: 134 laps/201 miles