Sauter Aims to “Snuff” the Monster in Friday’s Lucas Oil 200

May 27, 2015

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Team Information:

2015 Driver Point Standings: 4th (-17)

2015 Owner Point Standings: 5th

Crew Chief: Doug George

Sandusky, Ohio (May 26, 2015) – Johnny Sauter, driver of the No. 98 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff/Curb Records Toyota Tundra, has won at least one race in all six of his full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) seasons. However, the ThorSport Racing driver has yet to win at his favorite track, Dover (Del.) International Speedway, site of Friday’s Lucas Oil 200.

With its steeply banked turns and a reputation for brutal treatment on both driver and machine, the one-mile concrete oval has more than earned its nickname of the “Monster Mile.” Sauter, who has six previous starts at Dover, including a track-best third-place finish in 2014, knows that it will take experience to tame the Monster’s high-banks on Friday, and the ThorSport Racing driver can’t think of a better place to get his first win of 2015 than at a track he “loves.”

Sounding Off – Johnny Sauter:

“I’ve been racing long enough that when you go to these other tracks you kind of become numb to the speed. Dover’s one of those places that never gets old. You can drive the race track as hard as you want all day long, and it will take it. There just aren’t a lot of places like that. Dover’s just fun, I love it.”

“I don’t know why I haven’t won there; I would love to. It’s one of my favorite tracks. I’ve had trucks capable of winning, we were close there last year, and then something out of my control happens. Dover is just a tough track. It’s a high-banked, one-mile oval that’s demanding on both drivers and our equipment. The high speeds that we carry through the banked turns makes it hard for us to see what’s ahead; you are on the edge every second of every lap. It’s demanding, it’s fun, and it’s a track I would love to win at.”

News & Notes:

Chassis Chatter…The No. 98 ThorSport Racing team will unload chassis No.52 for Friday’s Lucas Oil 200. This chassis was last seen at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway. Sauter started 17th and finished 10th.
Previous Race Recap…Starting 19th in the NC Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte (NC) Motor Speedway, Sauter battled a tight-handling Toyota Tundra throughout the 134-lap race and finished 15th.

Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff… Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, America’s original and best-selling tobacco-free smokeless brand, will be back on board the No. 98 Toyota Tundra for its second of eight NCWTS races in 2015 with Sauter at Martinsville. The brand, which appeals to adult smokeless tobacco consumers who are seeking tobacco-free and nicotine-free alternatives, is available in seven different flavors including long cut and easy-to-use pouches.

Sauter’s NCWTS Stats at Dover:

Six starts since 2009
1147 of 1151 laps completed (99.7%)
0 laps led
Two top-five finishes
Three top-10 finishes
Best start: Third (2010)
Best finish: Third (2010)
Average start: 5.7
Average finish: 10.8
According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Sauter ranks:
- Fourth in Average Running Position (8.9)
- Third in Driver Rating: 96.9
- Second in Fastest Laps Run: 32
- Third in Laps in the Top 15: 979

Sauter’s Dover International Speedway NCWTS Performance Profile:

Date	Started	Finished	Laps	Status	Led
2009	4	5	200/200	Running	0
2010	3	15	204/204	Running	0
2011	7	11	200/200	Running	0
2012	4	24	143/147	Running	0
2013	10	7	200/200	Running	0
2014	6	3	200/200	Running	0

Johnny Sauter’s 2014 Highlights:

Finished fourth in the NCWTS driver point standings
Sixth consecutive full-time season driving for ThorSport Racing
Earned a win at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, extending his win streak to six consecutive seasons
Earned eight top-five and 16 top-10 finishes
154 laps led
Average finish: 9.3

Sauter’s Career Truck Series Stats: