Sauter Hopes To “Spring” Into Victory Lane At Martinsville

Johnny Sauter, No. 98 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff/Curb Records Toyota Tundra
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Martinsville Speedway – Kroger 250
Race No. 3 of 23

Team Information:
2015 Driver Point Standings: 4th (-8)
2015 Owner Point Standings: 6th (-15)
Crew Chief: Doug George

Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, which opened in September, 1947, is one of the oldest contentiously-operated race tracks in the United States, and the only race track that has been on the NASCAR circuit since its inception in 1948. The half-mile track, known as the “paperclip,” has been hosting the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) since 1995, but didn’t begin hosting the series twice a year, in the spring and fall, until 2003. While track temperatures and tire grip seem to be two of the significant changes between the two races, one thing remains the same for Johnny Sauter, driver of the No. 98 Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff Toyota Tundra; dominance.

Sauter, who will be making his 15th start at the Virginia track in Saturday afternoon’s Kroger 250, has two wins at the “paperclip.” In fact, the ThorSport Racing driver has more wins, and more laps led (286) than any other driver entered in the 250-lap event. More importantly, those two wins came in the spring races of 2011 and 2013. For a driver who is the definition of passion and perseverance, especially at Martinsville Speedway, Sauter hopes to “spring” into victory lane on Saturday.

Sounding Off – Johnny Sauter:
“I like Martinsville. Having won a couple races there has changed my opinion of it. There was a long time there when I was always fast; I just couldn’t get the finishes. I think I changed the way I drive just a little bit, trying to take care of my stuff, trying to get speed without forcing it. Having said all that, I love that race track. It’s a fun place to race – it’s short-track racing at its best. In fact, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like going there. It’s what most of us grew up doing, and we don’t get to do a lot of that now, so I think it’s fun.”

News & Notes:
That’s a stat… In 14 starts at Martinsville Speedway, Sauter’s average finish in the Spring is 11.0 and his average finish in the fall is 13.3
Chassis Chatter… Sauter will pilot chassis No. 11 in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday. This chassis was last run at the half-mile paperclip in 2014. Sauter started seventh, led 41 laps, and finished seventh.
Previous Race Recap… Sauter started 13th and finished a track-best sixth in the Hyundai Construction Equipment 200 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway.
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 Martinsville Speedway:

• 14 starts since 2006
• 3136 of 3163 laps completed (99.1%)
• 286 laps led
• Two wins (April, 2011 and April, 2013)
• One pole (April, 2011)
• Four top-five finishes
• Six top-10 finishes
• Average start: 10.4
• Average finish: 13.7
• According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Sauter ranks:

• Fifth in Average Running Position: 11.61
• Third in Driver Rating: 97.7
• First in Fastest Drivers Early In a Run
• First in Fastest Drivers Late In a Run
• First in Fastest Laps Run: 234
• Second in Green Flag Passes: 423
• First in Green Flag Speed: 91.08
• Third in Laps in Top 15: 2182
• First in Laps Led: 286

Sauter’s Martinsville Speedway NCWTS Performance Profile:

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:

• 154 starts since 2003
• 10 wins
• 56 top-five finishes
• 88 top-10 finishes
• Five poles
• 23,115 laps completed
• 1159 laps led
• Average start: 10.7
• Average finish: 10.9

Race Information:
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2015
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1
Track Details: .526-mile Paperclip
Distance: 250 laps/131.5 miles

Practice:
Friday, March 27, FOX Sports 1

• 10 a.m. ET
• 1:30 p.m. ET
• 3:00 p.m. ET

Qualifying:
Saturday, March 28, FOX Sports 1

• 11 a.m. ET

About Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff:
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.

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 competed in the NCWTS since 1996, will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by two-time NCWTS drivers’ champion Matt Crafton, the No. 98 Nextant Aerospace/Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff/Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter, and the No. 13 Cabinets by Hayley Toyota Tundra driven by Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender, Cameron Hayley in 2015.