Following an impressive performance last week at the Chicagoland Speedway, Chad McCumbee and the SS Green Light team heads west to another first time venue in the nations heartland as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series travels to the Iowa Speedway for the Lucas Oil 200.
If you build it, they will come…. For years Iowa was more famous for growing corn and dirt racing than high-speed asphalt speedways and NASCAR racing. That all changed in 2007 with the opening of the state of the art Iowa Speedway near Newton; 2009 marks the first year for both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series to visit the 7/8-mile track. The Nationwide Series was there last month, now it is the trucks turn to invade the track.
"I feel really good about going to Iowa. I'm fortunate to have run a lot of laps testing Cup cars at both Iowa and Richmond and they do have a lot of similarities. I hope that track time will benefit us, as many of the other drivers have not been there before," said McCumbee. "I think we have a great shot at another top-ten and maybe even better."
"I think we're bringing a competitive truck this week," Crew Chief Bobby Dotter said. "It's the first time this year we've run it, but Chad ran it a couple times back in 07. He says it has always driven well and has qualified strong in the past. For whatever reason we have yet to have a good finish with it, I have a feeling we could change that."
McCumbee and the No. 07 team are running without primary sponsorship this week. "We are trying hard to look at the big picture; showcase the talented team we have assembled and position ourselves for the future," said owner Ken Smith. "The economy has made this the most challenging season I have ever seen. We're thankful for the support the team has received this year and we are dedicated to build the rest of 2009 and beyond."
The SS Green Light team will run two trucks at Iowa as Camping World West Series driver Jamie Dick will make his debut in the Truck Series in the No. 08. "It's going to be tough because the West race is on the same day as all the practice for the Truck Series. On Friday, it's going to be pretty busy going back and forth," said the 20-year old from New Mexico.
Could Iowa Speedway become the Field of Dreams for Chad McCumbee and the SS Green Light team? "I don't know about that," McCumbee chuckled. "I was dreaming of the pole last week and Matt (Crafton) woke us right up. We were real fast in the race, just got a little out of cycle and kept us from a top-five at the end. We should have another level playing field this week."
• This will be the Chad's 86th NCWTS start and 94th career NASCAR start.
• Chad has one top-five and five top-tens in fourteen starts so far this season.
• The Lucas Oil 200 marks the 213th consecutive start in the NCWTS for SS Green Light Racing. Chad's thoughts on the Iowa Speedway and the Lucas Oil 200:"I'm really looking forward to Iowa. We had a great run last week at a new track so there is no reason to believe we can't have another. It's a great facility and they will pack the stands. Even though it's less than a mile, it kinds drives like a mini-speedway; it's a pretty quick place and there should be plenty of action."
The inaugural Lucas Oil 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway is set for Saturday, September 5, 2009 beginning at 9:00pm central. SPEED TV will live coverage begins at 8:30pm along with MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio.
