NASCAR drivers race Wednesday in Alabama – Ready for return to Talladega

In just over two weeks, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) drivers Timothy Peters and Daniel Hemric will come to Talladega Superspeedway for the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola (Saturday, Oct. 24) with two different perspectives. Peters, the defending champion of the race, will seek to become the third driver ever to win back-to-back truck events at TSS while Hemric, a rookie in the  NCWTS, will see the track for the first time ever with hopes for a solid finish.

Wednesday both were in the Birmingham area to talk about those different expectations for Talladega’s always exciting fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, but also to spend a fun-filled day at the new Autobahn Indoor Speedway (www.autobahnspeed.com) in Bessemer, to compete against local media at the European style go-karting facility.

“This is a cool day, to be here in Alabama talking about a place that I love in Talladega Superspeedway, and to have some incredible fun with the media who live and breathe what the track is all about,” said Peters, driver of the No. 17 Toyota who hopes to join Todd Bodine and Kyle Busch as consecutive NCWTS winners at NASCAR’s Most Competitive track. “ We had a blast today racing against them in the go-karts, but I can’t wait to get back here in a few weeks. Winning Talladega was a career highlight for me and I think we can pull off another win.”

The duo of Peters, currently sixth in the championship standings, and Hemric, who is fifth, spent the morning on a media tour before settling in at Autobahn mid day to challenge other media members. Driving the hi-powered electric go-karts, Scot Harrison of WJOX 94.5 FM of the evening “Matt and Scot” show, was crowned the “Media Champion” after holding off Hemric at the finish line. Hemric, too, had an exciting day, but his thoughts are on Talladega in two weeks.

“I have never even seen the track (TSS), never been there,” admitted Hemric, the driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet who sits fifth in the title standings and is seeking his first win. “I have heard about the history of the place and how huge and extraordinary the track is so I can’t wait to get on the track for the first time. I have heard it is famous for first-time winners so we shall see. I want to learn from drivers like Timothy, so I will ask for advice. If we win, I will take it. Today was so much fun with all the media. They were so nice. I can’t wait to get back to Alabama – to Talladega – soon.”

“It’s going to be every man for himself at Talladega,” added Peters, referring to the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola. “We had fun today on the go-karts but when we come back, it’s going to be all business.”

The fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, which will be shown LIVE on FOX at 12 noon CDT, will feature not only Peters and Hemric, but also a hot and contested battle for the season-long title. Erik Jones continues to lead the NCWTS point standings by four points over second-place Matt Crafton, with defending fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola pole winner Tyler Reddick just 16 behind.

The fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola kicks off the action packed weekend, which also includes the CampingWorld.com 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday Oct. 25 – the sixth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the final race in the Contender Round, where the field of eligible drivers will be trimmed from 12 to eight at the checkered flag. In addition to the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, Saturday’s schedule includes Foodland/Food Giant qualifying for both the CampingWorld.com 500 and fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola.

TSS PR