Jack Smith, the accomplished ASA Late Model veteran who boasted four wins and a potent 42% Top-10 average in ASA Late Model competition in 2006, has partnered with Foristell, Missouri's MB Motorsports for this weekend's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series' "Ohio 250" at Mansfield Motorsports Park. Smith, a native Buckeye, has collected a lot of hardware on paved shorttracks like the half-mile oval but never in the NCTS.
"I am extremely grateful to Mike Mittler, the MB Motorsports team and all of my sponsors and the great network of people around me who made this happen," commented Smith. "Mike is a true pioneer in this sport and I have so much respect for him and appreciate the opportunities he gives to drivers such as myself. I have waited for an opportunity to drive in one of the top three NASCAR divisions and racing close to home at a little bullring like Mansfield is a dream."
Mittler's Cooper Bussmann/Mittler Brothers Machine & Tool/Dave Porter Truck Sales No. 63 Ford F-150 has already made two appearances on the 2007 tour but each with a different driver and none on a shorttrack. The Midwestern based team owner is credited for giving their first NASCAR debuts to accomplished racers including Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards and the late Tony Roper so Smith has earned quite a distinction to have Mittler see potential in him.
"I'm excited about Mansfield," Smith noted. "I have competed on various tracks but shorttracks are still my favorite. The MB Motorsports team has been working hard to prepare a good truck for us to go out there and hopefully improve on their strong finish at Kansas. Being a ½-mile and my first race, my goal is to just race clean, stay out of trouble and prove myself as a capable driver to the team and other competitors. And, of course, the biggest accomplishment would be an opportunity have a trouble-free race and earn a respectable position in my debut. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is fiercely competitive and a lot of action takes place out there, I can't wait to finally be a part of the greatest sport on earth!"
For the latest news on Jack Smith visit http://www.jacksmithracing.com or for more information on the MB Motorsports' team including future announcements on additional appearances in the NCTS by Jack Smith, log on to http://www.mbracing.net.