Veteran truck series owner Bobby Dotter has called on NASCAR K & N Pro Series East driver CJ Faison to pilot the #81 Toyota Tundra at Kentucky Motor Speedway June 27, 2013. This will be Faison’s second ever start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series after making his debut just weeks ago at Dover International Raceway.
Faison takes over this week for David Starr who has been behind the wheel of the SS Green Light Racing No. 81 for the first seven races of the year is taking a break from the seat while continuing to secure additional sponsorship for the balance of the 2013 NCWTS season.
Thursday night’s race will mark the 300th consecutive start for the SS Green Light Racing team, a historic streak that dates back to 2001. Often running multiple trucks per race, the veteran team has run a total of 462 starts in the NCWTS. The team has a long history of giving young drivers opportunities to showcase their talents in one of NASCAR’s top series.
Former NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Mark McFarland will guide the rookie driver in his second NCWTS start from atop the SS Green Light Racing pit Box. In 2003, McFarland drove one race for the SS Green Light Racing team finishing 12th at Richmond.
“Mark is currently my crew chief in the K & N Series,” Faison said. “Mark drove for Dale Jr. for a couple years there in the Pro Cup and Nationwide Series. He’s got a lot of experience and he’s one of those guys who is very, very smart in what he does. He’s like an older brother really; I look up to him in all aspects because he has taught me so much so far. He’s a great guy!”
The rookie driver has been getting plenty of advice from his veteran owner and experienced crew chief, “We’re going to be patient and take what the truck will give you. I’ve learned that you really need to respect the bigger tracks. I’ve raced at Rockingham and Dover, but Kentucky is really different; it’s bigger, and flatter and faster so we are just going to take it one step at a time.”
“Kentucky is supposed to be a really rough track but that doesn’t really phase me because Rockingham is really rough as well,” he continued. “I came from dirt, that’s where I really grew-up racing from age four until fifteen so the bumps will not play and mind games with me that’s for sure; I think we’ll be alright there.”
“My dad is the one who really got me into racing, he drove the big-block modified up in the Northeast. I told my dad that I wanted to race in NASCAR when I was four and a half; he called my bluff, sold his stuff, bought me a go-cart and I have been racing ever since,” Faison concluded. “I was hooked from the first time I ever went to the track; I really can’t get enough of it. If I could race seven days a week I’d be in a car somewhere. ”
The UNOH 225 is the 300th consecutive NCWTS start for the SS Green Light Racing team and the 2nd career start for Faison in the Truck Series. Todd Peck will make his sixth career NCWTS start at Kentucky behind the wheel of the National Arthritis Foundation No. 07.
The UNOH 225 will prelude the NASCAR Nationwide Series Feed the Children 300 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at the Kentucky Speedway.
SS Green Light Racing PR
