Venturini Motorsports (VMS) announced today a joint technical alliance with Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) to field rookie driver Matt Tifft in the upcoming NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) NextEra Energy 250 season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 20th.
“As a driver it’s an honor and privilege to race at Daytona. Daytona has played such a huge role in NASCAR over the years. I’m excited for this opportunity and looking forward to my first laps around the iconic track.” said Tifft. Tifft, with sponsorship support from Federated Auto Parts, will drive the No.25 Venturini Motorsports prepared Toyota Tundra under the lights at Daytona and will carry a special paint scheme in recognition of the company’s 30th Anniversary.
“When the chance to sponsor Matt at Daytona came our way, we jumped at the opportunity,” said J.R. Bishop, Director of Motorsports and Event Marketing for Federated. “Matt has been a great ambassador for Federated since he raced the Federated ARCA car last year and we are pleased to continue our relationship with him in 2015.”
Tifft, a University of North Carolina at Charlotte freshman, has three NCWTS career starts all coming in 2014 with a career high eighth place finish in his series debut at Martinsville Speedway (VA.).
“Last year we had a few good runs but it was mostly about gaining experience and getting comfortable in the truck. This will be my first restrictor plate race so I need to be smart with my strategy and adapt to the style of racing,” added Tifft.
In addition to Daytona, Tifft will run a six-race schedule and share the driving duties behind the wheel of his Tundra with KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver Daniel Suarez competing for the Truck Series Owner’s Championship.
Tifft has made 12 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards starts the last two seasons, registering six top-five and eight top-10 finishes. The Ohio native registered a career-best runner-up finish in this year’s September event at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta (KY).
In addition to his time in the ARCA Racing Series, the 18-year-old has competed in the NASCAR K&N East and West Series, posting one top-five and nine top-10 finishes across 24 starts.
The NCWTS NextEra Energy 250 will air live Friday, February 20th on FOX Sports 1 at 7:30 p.m. EST.
VMS PR
