MOORESVILLE, N.C. — It’s going to a brave new racing world for recently-turned 16-year-old Dawson Cram this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, and the rising young driver is looking forward to every minute of the experience.
Cram, an alumnus of the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway who nearly captured his first win in the premier Pro division on the final night of the summer season in July, will attempt to make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in Saturday’s Texas Roadhouse 200 presented by Alpha Energy Solutions.
Behind the wheel of the No. 11 Cram Racing Enterprises Chevrolet Silverado, Cram will seek one of 32 starting positions for Saturday afternoon’s race, the first of three races in the second round of the Truck Series playoffs.
Long-time sponsors Bojangles’ and Fluidyne High Performance will back Cram’s effort this weekend, with his uncle — current JGL Racing crew chief Clinton Cram — guiding him from atop the pit box.
The 200-lap event will mark the teenager’s jump into the national spotlight for the first time in his young career.
“It’s going to be exciting and all-new for me; I think the biggest thing that we’re all hoping right now is that the weather cooperates on Saturday,” Cram told Race Chaser Online. “I can’t say enough about my sponsors, family, CRE teammates and our friends, because this opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
“Thank you to NASCAR for allowing me the honor of being able to compete in a premier level series. My goal is to learn every lap and gain experience to continue on the path of my dreams.”
The Mooresville, N.C. native is one of the fan-favorites among the U.S. Legends Car contingent, and has also spent time in Super Truck and Late Model ranks of the NASCAR Whelen All American Series at Hickory Motor Speedway over the past two seasons.
However, Saturday will mark his most-exciting — as well as perhaps his steepest — challenge to-date.
Because the truck is a new entry, Cram will have to time his way into the field on speed during 21 Means 21 Pole Qualifying on Saturday (10 a.m. ET, FS1). With 34 trucks on the provisional entry list as of Monday and no owner points to fall back on, Cram will have to land in the top-27 in the first round of knockout qualifying in order to race later that afternoon.
Despite only having two hours of practice on Friday afternoon to find the speed he needs, Cram is optimistic about what lies ahead, after testing his late model at Martinsville last month in preparation for the upcoming weekend.
“We just want to go out, make the race, first off … and then have a good day,” said Cram. “It’s all about learning and I couldn’t be more thankful to have this amazing opportunity.”
Defending Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter was last year’s winner of the Texas Roadhouse 200, punching his ticket to the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway as a result.
The Texas Roadhouse 200 presented by Alpha Energy Solutions takes the green flag at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: editor@racechaseronline.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
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Good luck making the race. Keep the doors on it, and remember tbis is you audition. Keep Bodine happy.
Just so you all know, this is not some snot nosed little rich kid who has had everything handed to him. Dawson Cram has worked his way up through the racing ranks since he was 5 years old. He works on his own race cars and has been known to salvage parts from other cars and junkyards just like his father before him and his two grandfathers before that. He also helps other kids in racing, working on their cars and coaching them in racing. He works in an automotive shop in the afternoons as part of his high school curriculum and works with his dad in their race shop in the evenings building cars and C-10 trucks to sell sometimes to earn enough money to buy race tires and gas so he can stay competitive. And, you know what? He’s good at it! He’s a very competitive driver and earned every bit of the praise he’s getting. And he’s 16. -Proud Grandmother