Shige Hattori in the No. 9 AISIN/AISIN AW Toyota Tundra will become the first Japanese-born driver to compete at Daytona International Speedway in a major NASCAR touring series event.  Hattori poured on the power with a time of 49.65 seconds in qualifying.

"I am so happy and so proud of the entire Germain/Arnold team," Shige Hattori said.  "Tom (Ackerman), Mike (Hillman) and the rest of the crew have put so much time in the last few weeks.  From 7:00 in the morning until way after midnight working to get this truck ready.  This run was so awesome and is a whole team effort.  My teammate Chad (Chaffin) did just as well.  Having both the Germain/Arnold Tundra's in the top-10 is just awesome."

Hattori will make the history books starting in the 7th position in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Florida Dodge Dealers 250.  Seiichi Suzuki was the only other Japanese driver that has competed in a NASCAR-sanctioned event at Daytona in 1970 during the Grand American race.

"It is exciting to have that title," Hattori said.  "Racing at the Daytona International Speedway is a dream come true.  We have a long race tomorrow and I feel pretty comfortable in the draft.  My goal is to finish the race.  We have 25 races total and with each race I will gain much more experience.  I just am so very happy with the No. 9 AISIN/AISIN AW Tundra and especially I am most proud of the whole team."