Fast and Fun Facts…
Four-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) champion, Ron Hornaday has 51 wins to his resume, yet there are still eight tracks on the 2012 schedule that have eluded him, including the two-mile tri-oval of Michigan International Speedway (MIS)
This weekend’s VFW 200 will mark the 13th Annual NCWTS event at MIS. In 12 previous starts, there is only one active NCWTS driver that has been to victory lane in the Irish Hills of Michigan, Brendan Gaughan (2003).
Calling The Shots… Truck chief, Terry “Richie” Snyder will assume the position as crew chief for this weekend’s VFW 200 at MIS. Snyder was formerly the crew chief for Max Gresham and the No. 24 NCWTS entry for the first eight events on the 2012 NCWTS schedule. Most recently, the series veteran served as the truck chief for Hornaday in the last three events at Iowa Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway and Pocono Raceway.
Irish Hills Stats… In eight previous starts at MIS, Hornaday has led 15 laps en route to one top-five and six top-10 finishes, scoring his best finish of fourth at the track in 2010. Additionally, Hornaday has an average start of 8.9, coupled with an average finish of 12.1 and has completed 99.5 percent of the laps he’s attempted (800 of 804).
Half-way To Homestead… The 2012 NCWTS season is at the half-way point going into this weekend’s VFW 200 at MIS. In the first 11 events, Hornaday has earned two top-five, five top-10 and nine top-20 finishes. The series-veteran has led 28 laps and recorded an average start of 11.4, an average finish of 11.7 and has completed 99.19 percent of laps attempted (1710 of 1724). Additionally, Hornaday’s best start of 2012 is third at Dover International Speedway (June) and his best finish is second at Iowa Speedway (July).
In The Loop… According to NASCAR’s loop data statistics, Hornaday has the following stats at MIS:
· A driver rating of 88.3, ranking him ninth overall and fifth among active NCWTS drivers
· Ranked second among fastest laps run with 18
· Ranked third among laps in the top-15 with 513, second among active NCWTS drivers
· Ranked seventh among laps led with 11, third among active NCWTS drivers
This Week’s No. 9 Chevrolet Silverado… Hornaday will pilot chassis No. 03 for the 13th Annual VFW 200 at MIS on Saturday. This is the same Joe Denette Motorsports chassis that the four-time champion piloted to a12th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway (June) and most recently a season-best finish of second at Iowa Speedway (July).
Get to the Point… Following a disappointing 19th-place finish at Pocono Raceway, Hornadayis down one position to eighth in the 2012 NCWTS driver point standings heading into this weekend’s NCWTS event, just 33 points out of fifth and 59 points behind leader, Timothy Peters.
A Penny For Your Thoughts-Ron Hornaday… “Unfortunately, we were unable to test on the new surface at Michigan a couple weeks ago like a couple other teams, so Friday’s practice session will be the first time I’ve been on the new racing surface at MIS. It is guaranteed to be an entirely new animal, but the driver that adapts the best will prevail. I expect the track to be smooth, fast and have really good grip.”
