Rookie Chad Hackenbracht was planning to make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut this weekend at Iowa Speedway, but a scheduling conflict will postpone his first series start until New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 13. Hackenbracht will instead make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut as pilot of the No. 51 for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) in Friday night’s race at Texas Motor Speedway.
“I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to drive for KBM,” said Hackenbracht. “They’re a high caliber team in the Camping World Truck Series and have quite the track record. I was hoping to race at Texas and Iowa, but I wouldn’t be able to get any practice laps in the Nationwide car, which wouldn’t be fair to the team. This is a bitter-sweet scenario and I look forward to working with TriStar in the future.”
As a result, TriStar driver Cole Whitt, who made his first start for the team at Dover last weekend, will sub as driver of the No. 44 Toyota Camry. This will be Whitt’s fourth start at Iowa Speedway. His debut at the 7/8-mile paved oval produced a sixth place finish while competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2011, and last year, Whitt claimed one top-10 finish in two NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at the Iowa short track.
“I’m looking forward to filling in for Chad [Hackenbracht] this weekend in Iowa,” said Whitt, who has led laps around “America’s Place to Race”. “I’ve had good luck at the track and I hope I can continue my success there,” said Whitt.
Iowa will continue a three week stretch for Whitt in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
TMI PT
- GEICO 500 starting lineup at Talladega Superspeedway - April 20, 2024
- Rain Cancels Saturday’s ASCS National Tour Event at Super Bee Speedway - April 20, 2024
- Chris Buescher and Ryan Blaney Talladega Media Availability - April 20, 2024