RBR Heading to Martinsville with Whitt

The Ricky Benton Racing (RBR) Enterprises /BTS Tire and Wheel Distributors/Valvoline Ford F-150 is returning to NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) action this week for the Texas Roadhouse 200 at Martinsville Speedway. And while the team is bringing its venerable short-track truck (chassis T-4), they are coming with a new driver behind the wheel. Cole Whitt will be making his debut with the in the No. 92 Ford.

 

“Cole is a driver who has had success in this series and we feel can run well for us at Martinsville,” said team owner Ricky Benton. “We have had some success here (at Martinsville) and are bringing a good short-track truck. I know we can have a good run.”

 

Whitt has a good idea of what success looks like for his first outing with the team.

 

“I’ve seen what Ricky’s trucks have done at Martinsville,” said Whitt, who is making his first truck series start in more than four years “and I’m sure we can race with these guys. A good day would be a top-10 finish and I think we can do it.

 

“I enjoy Martinsville because it’s grassroots short-track racing,” Whitt continued. “I think my driving style fits the 1.5 mile tracks a little better,  but I know the RBR team highlights both Martinsville races on the schedule at the start of the season and I want to give them a good run.”

 

Even though it’s his first start in a while and it comes in the middle of the inaugural NCWTS Chase, Whitt does not plan to change the way he races.

 

“I will race like I always do: getting as much as I can while trying to race a smart race,” Whitt said. “I haven’t been in a truck in a few years but once I get my footing I’m sure we will be fine.” 

 

 

“We are honored to have Gerald’s Tires & Brakes on the truck this week,” said Benton. “They have been a great partner to BTS and Black’s Tire for a long time. (Gerald’s CEO) Bill (Watts) and (VP and General Manager) David (Ard) have always been great to work with and we are glad to have them and the whole team from Charleston riding with us at Martinsviile.”

 

Ricky Benton Racing has 12 starts at Martinsville since 2010, with a best finish of fifth coming in the fall 2012 race.

 

Whitt has two career starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville, both coming in 2011. In those races he has a best starting spot of second and a sixth-place finish. He also has six starts in the Sprint Cup Series at the half mile.

RBR PR