Photo by Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images
Race Information:
Started: 20th
Finished: 13th
Laps: 134/134
Laps Led: 0
Status: Running
2016 Driver Points: 13th
2016 Owner Points: 16th
Rico Abreu Race Recap:
Rico Abreu, driver of the No. 98 Safelite AutoGlass/Curb Records Toyota Tundra, made his second career start at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season finale. Starting 20th, the Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender ran as high as seventh, battling a tight Toyota Tundra throughout the 134-lap event, and finished 13th behind race winner, William Byron. The top-15 result was Abreu’s second top-15 finish at the 1.5-mile track.
Abreu will close out his rookie season in the NCWTS 13th in points with two top-five, and five top-10 finishes.
Rico Abreu Quote:
“We started the race tonight pretty loose, just needing more stability getting into the corner, and then we got really, really tight. We were patient throughout the night, and I got a lot of help and guidance from my spotter, Tracy Hines. We were able to bring home a truck in one piece, and a decent finish. Obviously, this isn’t how we wanted to close out the season but I have to thank Duke and Ronda Thorson, and everyone at ThorSport Racing who put in all the hours, and hard work this season to bring top-notch equipment to the race track. I also have to thank Toyota, and everyone at Safelite for their support this season. This season was a learning curve for me, and I hope to keep building on my experience in the future.”
News & Notes:
- The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) had two practice sessions on Friday morning at Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS). Rico Abreu was 12th, and 27th, respectively, in both sessions.
- Making his second start at HMS, Abreu started 20th, ran as high as seventh, and finished 13th in the 134-lap event.
- In two starts at HMS, Abreu has two top-15 finishes.
- In 23 starts in 2016, Abreu has led one lap en route to two top-five (Eldora & Talladega), and five top-10 finishes.
- Abreu will unofficially finish 13th in the 2016 driver point standings, and fifth in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year battle.
- In 25 career NCWTS starts, Abreu has led one lap en route to two top-five (Eldora), five top-10, and 12 top-15 finishes.
- Abreu’s ThorSport Racing teammates finished seventh (Matt Crafton), 16th (Cameron Hayley), and 20th (Ben Rhodes)