Sixty-seven different drivers posted a top-10 finish in their first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start, the most recent being Brian Ickler (No. 51 Miccosukee Resorts Toyota) at Kansas Speedway on April 27.
It took Jason White (No. 23 GB Racing Dodge) a little bit longer — quite a bit longer.
But if recent performance is any indicator, the Powhatan, Va., native is primed to run with the leaders.
White finished 10th in the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250, ending the longest top-10 drought in series history. The race marked the 29-year-old competitor's 59th NCWTS start.
White is one of only three drivers (see below) to have started more than 40 races before landing that elusive top 10. His best previous finish, 13th, came in his second appearance at Martinsville Speedway in 2001.
The Kansas performance, during which White battled for the race lead, is a counterpoint to his first full season (2007) during which he failed to qualify four times and posted no finishes among the top 20.
"It's been so tough, waiting for one this long," said White of his first top-10 performance, while noting that several other races earlier this year could have matched or bettered his Kansas showing. "We had a tire (go down) and another time somebody wrecked us."
White made his first series start in 1999, finishing 26th at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. Nearly a decade later, he's finally got a team and equipment capable of showcasing his talents.
And he believes the Kansas showing is just the beginning.
"Definitely," he said. "We've got a new team and some experienced guys who are giving me good trucks that handle well enough to get up there and pass some people."
What the Dwayne Gaulding-owned team doesn't have is a manufacturer active in the series. White drives a Dodge "and we're at some kind of disadvantage," he said of being the only team fielding a Ram pickup truck. "That makes it tough but that was our only option."
Still, White qualified eighth for the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway and he feels the best is ahead.
"Hopefully, we can keep knocking them (the competition) off weekly," White said.
