As the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) waves the green flag at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday night’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200, there will be one individual who will check the box on race number 700.
Chris Showalter “Showie”, truck chief on the No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, has been working in the NCTS since the inaugural race on Feb. 5, 1995 at Phoenix Raceway.
“It’s hard to believe this will be race number 700,” said Showalter. “I think it has been the community of people that I have worked with over the years that keeps me coming back season after season. These people have truly become family. It’s easy to come to work and go to battle everyday when you are with your best friends.”
Showalter started off his career with the Ohio-based Liberty Racing and driver Butch Miller in 1995. He excelled quickly by being a truck chief, moving to ThorSport Racing for a year before making the move to North Carolina to work for Joe Gibbs Racing and drivers J.D. and Coy Gibbs.
Showalter also served as the truck chief for Travis Kvapil’s 2003 championship-winning season. He spent a good portion of his career at Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM). Showalter recalled this time at KBM as being some of the best moments in his career.
In 2023, Showalter car chiefed Nick Sanchez’s rookie year in the NCTS. Sanchez drove the No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet with Rev Racing who had a technical alliance with KBM. Showalter was a huge part of Sanchez’s rookie success, boasting 2 top 5s, 12 top 10’s and 5 poles.
He continued to work with Sanchez, in 2024, after the Spire Motorsports acquisition last year. In February, Sanchez, Showalter and team celebrated their first victory together at Daytona International Speedway in the 2024 NCTS opener. They are currently sitting 4th in points, with 5 top 5s, 7 top 10s and 2 poles.
“It was great starting off the season with a win,” said Nick Sanchez. “More importantly, it was a testament to how hard the team works to bring the best truck each week to the track. I am extremely lucky to work with and rely on Showie and the guys. His knowledge is vast and his experience is extremely beneficial to our race success. Cheers to 700 on a day that also happens to be his birthday. We are hopeful to celebrate in victory lane.”
Fans can catch practice for the 201-mile event at 1:35 PM ET on Friday, May 24th, followed by qualifying at 2:05 PM ET. The North Carolina Lottery 200 is set to kick off at 8:30 PM ET. Tune in to FS1, MRN, or Rev Racing’s social media channels for live coverage of the event.
Rev Racing/Spire Motorsports PR
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