CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Report by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Abreu Racing photo —
Rico Abreu’s ‘big stage’ looks as though it will be getting even bigger in 2016.
The defending Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals champion, who will look to score his second straight “Golden Driller” during this week’s 30th renewal of the prestigious event, will be announcing his 2016 racing plans on Friday morning, in a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Tulsa Expo Center.
According to a report by Motorsport.com, Abreu will pilot the No. 98 Toyota Tundra full-time for two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship team ThorSport Racing, with Doug George as the crew chief for his rookie season.
The shift is one that would make Abreu the successor to the seat vacated by Johnny Sauter in the fall of 2015, after the St. Helena, California native ran the final two Truck races of the year (at Phoenix and Homestead) to gain NASCAR approval for the upcoming season. Sauter moved over to GMS Racing as one of three trucks for their operation in 2016.
The fan-favorite, who turns 24 later in January, began his NASCAR career in 2015 behind the wheel of a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East ride for HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks, and picked up the series’ Most Popular Driver Award along with a win at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway, four top fives and eight top 10 finishes in 14 starts. He ranked fifth in the series’ final standings, 54 points behind teammate and eventual champion William Byron — who also moves to the Truck Series full-time in 2016, albeit with Kyle Busch Motorsports.
Prior to his exploits on the pavement last year, Abreu was — and continues to be — one of the hottest stars in the dirt track racing scene, winning the 2014 USAC National Midget championship and the 2015 Chili Bowl as a springboard to his highly-publicized transition. He is also a three-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series winner, among numerous other dirt track accolades and accomplishments.
Abreu’s career-best in the Truck Series to date came at Homestead, where he finished 13th.
ThorSport Racing boasts the longest career of any Truck team in NASCAR, joining the series in 1996 and building a resume over the past 20 years that stacks up among the best in the sport. With the guidance of team owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson, the operation has collected two series titles (2013 and 2014 with Matt Crafton), 12 wins, 13 poles, 98 top five and 237 top 10 finishes over their still-growing career.
The organization has already confirmed Crafton (No. 88 with Menards backing) and Kentucky rookie Ben Rhodes (No. 41 with Alpha Energy Solutions and additional backing) as two of their drivers for the 2016 season. Multiple reports have them expanding to field four full-time Trucks, but nothing has been officially announced yet regarding the No. 13, which was driven by Canadian Cameron Hayley last season.
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 21-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 both the United Sprint Car Series and the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: [email protected]
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