In 2006, a cornfield in Central Iowa became a state-of-the-art motorsports facility known to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) as, “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet.” Iowa Speedway, designed by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace, is the first driver-designed track on the circuit and home to race No. 9 on the 2014 NCWTS schedule. Since September 2009, the 7/8-mile track has been a “Field of Dreams” for many series regulars as an annual standalone event.
In seven NCWTS races at the Midwestern track, there have been six different winners and although Sauter has never won in the Hawkeye State, he leads all NCWTS drivers with the most top-five finishes (6).The point leader also has the best average finish (4.9), and is one of only two drivers that have completed 100 percent of laps attempted. The ThorSport Racing driver has planted the seed and hopes to bring home his third top-five finish in three starts this season for Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff.
Sounding Off – Johnny Sauter:
What’s it like to race at Iowa?
“Iowa is a track that always produces great racing and we’ve seen some good finishes there. I’ve always run well there, but I’ve never been able to close the deal. In order to be successful at Iowa, you’ve got to get over the bumps in turns one and two to carry your momentum down the backstretch. If you can handle that, you can bring home a good finish. This team continues to be consistent week in and week out and although we don’t always have the best truck, we seem to salvage a decent day. My last top-five finish was when Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff was on the truck at Gateway – maybe bringing back the green machine this weekend will do the trick.”
Sauter’s Hawkeye State Stats:
• In seven starts at Iowa Speedway, has compiled six top-five and six top-10 finishes
• Leads all NCWTS drivers with the most top-five finishes (6)
• Has led 24 laps
• Has completed 1417 of 1417 laps attempted (100%)
• One of only two drivers to complete 100% of laps attempted
• One of only two drivers to have finished on the lead lap in all seven starts
• Best start: 4th (September, 2012)/Best finish: 2nd (2010)
• Average start: 8.4/Average finish: 4.9
• Leads all NCWTS drivers with the best average finish (4.9)
• According to NASCAR’s Loop Data statics, Sauter ranks:
º First in Laps in the Top-15 (1346)
º Second among Closers
º Third among Fastest Laps Run (81)
º Fourth in Average Running Position (6.38) and Driver Rating (107.0)
Johnny Sauter 2014:
• Ranks first in the 2014 NCWTS driver point standings for the second straight week with an eight point lead over ThorSport Racing teammate Matt Crafton
• Recorded a season-best third-place finish twice at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and Dover (Del.) International Speedway
• Recorded a season-best third-place start at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City
• In eight starts in 2014, Sauter has four top-five and seven top-10 finishes
• Has led 64 laps
• Has completed 93.9% of laps attempted (1252/1334)
• According to NASCAR’s Loop Data statistics, Sauter ranks:
º First in Laps in the Top-15 (1241)
º Third in Average Running Position (7.369)
º Fourth in Driver Rating (98.5)
Sauter’s Career Truck Series Stats:
• 138 starts since 2003
• 9 wins
• 52 top-5 finishes
• 77 top-10 finishes
• 5 poles
• 21,004 laps completed
• 1069 laps led
• Avg. Start: 10.7
• Avg. Finish: 11.0
Sauter’s Favorite Smokey Mountain Flavor: Wintergreen Pouches
Looking for Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff in Iowa? Look no further, you can find it here:
Casey’s General Stores, Cigarette Outlet, Git-N-Go, Kwik Shop, Quick Trip and Walmart or you can buy online at SmokeySnuff.com
ABOUT SMOKEY MOUNTAIN:
Smokey Mountain is America’s original and best-selling tobacco-free smokeless brand. Appealing to adult smokeless tobacco consumers who are seeking tobacco-free and nicotine-free alternatives, Smokey Mountain is available in long cut and easy-to-use pouches. For more information visit www.SmokeySnuff.com .
ABOUT CURB RECORDS:
Curb Records is one of the world’s leading independent music companies. Owned and operated by Mike Curb since 1962, Curb Records has achieved 375 Billboard number one records, nearly 1,200 Billboard Top Ten records and charted just under 4,000 Billboard records. Today’s roster includes some of the top names in Country, Christian and Pop/Rock music. Curb Records was honored as Billboard Magazine’s 2001 Country Music Label of the Year and Radio & Records Magazine’s 2005 Overall Gold Label of the Year. For more information visit www.curb.com.
ABOUT THORSPORT RACING:
ThorSport Racing, based in a state-of-the-art 100,000-square-foot facility in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport, which has run in the Truck Series since 1996, in 2014 will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by 2013 drivers’ champion Matt Crafton, the No. 98 Nextant Aerospace/Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff/Carolina Nut Co./Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter and the No. 13 Carolina Nut Co. Toyota Tundra driven by Jeb Burton in the Truck Series and the No. 13 Toyota Camry in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.