ThorSport Racing

“We’d like to thank everyone at Chevrolet for all the support over the last 16 years,” said Matt LaNeve, vice president of motorsports partnerships for ThorSport Racing. “ThorSport Racing, along with dedicated owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson, have a long-standing history and commitment to conservative, steady growth within NASCAR. Toyota’s business and competitive philosophies are in line with our 2012 goals for both Frank Kimmel, as he pursues his 10th ARCA Racing Series Championship; and our NCWTS teams of the 13, 88 and 98, as we further look to increase competition. We are aggressively chasing not only wins in our two respective series, but championship trophies for our drivers and sponsors.”

ThorSport Racing currently operates three NCWTS teams – the No. 13 of Johnny Sauter; the No. 88 of Matt Crafton; and the No. 98 of Dakoda Armstrong. The organization will also field the No. 44 Ansell / Menards Toyota Camry during the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season. The No. 13 Safe Auto / Curb Records entry finished second in driver championship points in 2011, matching the organization’s highest previous finish by the No. 88 Menards entry and Matt Crafton in 2009 – narrowly missing the championship by six points but capping the year off with a win at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18th; adding to driver Sauter’s win list, shared with a trophy clock at Martinsville earlier in the year. The No. 88 Menards entry, piloted by Matt Crafton, finished 8th in overall driver championship points, earned two poles and wheeled into Victory Lane at Iowa Speedway during the 2011 season.

“ThorSport Racing is a first-class organization and a championship-caliber race team, as well as one of the most respected teams in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” said Lee White, president and general manager of TRD, U.S.A.(Toyota Racing Development). “We look forward to working together with the entire ThorSport race team and are confident that it will raise the level of our entire Toyota Tundra racing program.”

“We’re always on the forefront of competition in whatever series we are competing in,” said David Pepper, Director of Competition and Team Manager for ThorSport Racing. “We’re looking forward to forging ahead with Toyota in the competition arena in 2012. We’re actively hiring top talent to our existing crew members on our championship-caliber teams. We’re encouraged, during a down economy in both the country and in racing, to be hiring and adding jobs back into our industry.”

ABOUT THORSPORT RACING

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing’s first race came at the Milwaukee Mile on July 6, 1996. NASCAR’s only Ohio-based team, which has run full season schedules annually beginning in 1998, will run in 2012 the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by Matt Crafton; the No. 13 Safe Auto / Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter; the No. 98 Ferrell Gas / Agrisure Toyota Tundra driven by Dakoda Armstrong; and the No. 44 Ansell / Menards Toyota Camry driven by Frank Kimmel in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

ThorSport Racing has wheeled into Victory Lane with Terry Cook, Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter since its inception and has finished a dominating eight times within the top 10 in points with both trucks. Sauter wheeled into Victory Lane twice in 2011 – Martinsville and Homestead-Miami; Crafton in Iowa. Both earned two poles, respectively. In 2011, ThorSport Racing matched its highest previous driver points finish by Matt Crafton and the No. 88 in 2009 – with the No. 13 of Johnny Sauter. In 2009 and 2010, both Crafton and Sauter finished in the top five in driver points. ThorSport Racing operates in a state-of-the-art, world-class 100,000 square foot racing facility in Sandusky. For more information, visit us on Facebook: Facebook/ThorSportRacing or Twitter: Twitter.com/ThorSportRacing

ABOUT TOYOTA:

TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development)

Powering all of Toyota’s American racing programs is TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Salisbury, N.C. A subsidiary of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., TRD serves as the North American racing arm for design, development and assembly of Toyota’s factory racing engines.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.76 million vehicles in 2010. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com, www.lexus.com, www.scion.com or www.toyotanewsroom.com.

- ThorSport Racing Press Release

No. 7 Duroline Brakes and Components Toyota Tundra

Miguel Paludo

Under the caution Paludo reported to the team that he had a problem. Paludo’s spotter and Red Horse Racing Director of Competition, Terry Cook, saw the truck was leaving a trail of something. Smoke from the tailpipes indicated that the No. 7 Toyota Tundra had an internal issue. Paludo took the truck to the garage area where an internal mechanical issue was discovered. The damage was determined to be terminal and Paludo retired from the race early, relegating him to a 32nd-place finish in the final race of 2011.

Red Horse Racing (RHR)

Founded in 2005 by former Mobil Corporation executive Tom DeLoach and NASCAR veteran Jeff Hammond, Red Horse Racing aims to be a professional racing team that strives for excellence on and off the race track. Red Horse Racing hopes to build and maintain solid, mutual relationships with its partners to win races and championships and to represent itself in a professional manner. The team has four victories and five poles in its brief existence. DeLoach and Hammond also own Performance Instruction Training (PIT), the number one pit crew training center in the world that also has many corporate training options that include team-building, lean manufacturing, motorsports demonstrations and more.

- Red Horse Racing Press Release

No. 7 Duroline Brakes and Components Toyota Tundra

ACHIEVING GOALS: In 2010, Miguel Paludo made his second start for Red Horse Racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Competing full-time in 2011, Paludo has earned three top-five finishes, seven top-10 finishes and has paced the field for 19 laps. The driver still has one more goal to accomplish in 2011, finishing in the top-15 in the driver point standings. After some bad luck late in the season Paludo finds himself 17th in points, but only nine points away from a top-15 finish.

SECOND TIME AROUND: Last season Paludo earned his first top-10 finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway finishing ninth in the season finale. Paludo completed each of the 134 laps in the event, while preparing for his first full season in the Truck Series in 2011.

RUNNING: This past weekend, while the Truck Series enjoyed a rare off weekend, Paludo competed in his first half-marathon. Paludo competed in the Thunder Road Marathon in Charlotte, North Carolina with pit crew coach Adam Merrell and with Amy Cook, wife of spotter and Red Horse Racing Director of Competition Terry Cook. When he is not on the track, Paludo spends his time staying in shape, mainly running. This is the first half-marathon Paludo plans to compete in as he trains to compete in the New York City Marathon in 2012.

CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 7 team will unload chassis No. 132. This truck last saw on-track action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where Paludo earned a 10th-place finish. This chassis has competed only one other time in 2011, where Paludo piloted the truck to a fourth-place finish at Lucas Oil Raceway in July.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Last week at Texas Motor Speedway, Paludo made a late-race surge to finish ninth earning his seventh top-10 finish of 2011. Paludo was the highest Toyota finisher in the 147-lap event. With the run Paludo swept top-10 finishes at Texas Motor Speedway in 2011 earning an eighth-place finish at the 1.5-mile track in the Lone Star state in June.

Miguel Paludo

Homestead-Miami Speedway has been a great track for you in the past. What do you like about the track?

“What I like most about Homestead-Miami Speedway, is that you can run and be fast either from the bottom or the top. Last year I learned a lot and I’m looking forward the last race with the rookie stripes.”

What are your plans for the off-season? Will you be traveling home to Brazil?

“My plans are to go to Brazil, and right now it is summer there. So I want to enjoy family and friends there and get ready for 2012 season.”

Red Horse Racing (RHR)

Founded in 2005 by former Mobil Corporation executive Tom DeLoach and NASCAR veteran Jeff Hammond, Red Horse Racing aims to be a professional racing team that strives for excellence on and off the race track. Red Horse Racing hopes to build and maintain solid, mutual relationships with its partners to win races and championships and to represent itself in a professional manner. The team has five victories and six poles in its brief existence. DeLoach and Hammond also own Performance Instruction Training (PIT), the number one pit crew training center in the world that also has many corporate training options that include team-building, lean manufacturing, motorsports demonstrations and more.

- Red Horse Racing Press Release

No. 98 Ferrellgas / Agrisure Viptera / Drive for Savings Chevrolet Silverado

A somewhat tame afternoon at Talladega served some misfortune in the early stages, first for a multi-car incident in turn three on lap 14. This gave the Ferrellgas/Agrisure/Drive For Savings pit crew their first opportunity to service the No. 98 Silverado. With four fresh tires and a chassis adjustment, Armstrong left pit road in 21st and went back to riding cautiously, just behind the lead pack for the next portion of the race.

Trouble would soon find Armstrong’s ThorSport Racing teammates Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter as the two were tangled in an incident with the No. 16 on lap 37. Under the caution period that ensued, crew chief Dan Stillman called Armstrong to pit road for four tires, one can of fuel and no adjustments. After restarting in the 16th position, the 20-year-old rookie dodged another bullet less than ten laps later and relayed to his crew that the trucks weren’t lining up well in the draft and it was getting “pretty wild out here”.

Just past the halfway point, Armstrong decided to test the waters in the middle of the front pack and pushed his way towards the front for several laps until the fourth caution of the afternoon on lap 60. Pitting for the final time for fuel only, Stillman informed his driver they were good to go through the finish on fuel, and provided words of encouragement for the final portion of the race.

“A lot of crazy things are still bound to happen out there, just keep doing what you’re doing and run your race,” Stillman instructed.

Armstrong rode quietly near the rear of the front pack for the remaining laps while continuing to search for a dancing partner and found himself in the top 15 on the final restart with two laps remaining. He quickly maneuvered his way towards the front of the outside lane and moved inside the top ten on the final lap until the pack completely spread out and broke the draft coming out of turn four, pushing Armstrong back to 17th.

Dakoda Armstrong

“I know we were capable of a better finish, but I learned a lot about the draft with the trucks and had some fun running up to the front the couple of times we were able to find a drafting partner. But we finished and we’re not torn up. Anytime you can leave a restrictor plate race without any damage is a good day.”

About ThorSport Racing:

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing’s first came at the Milwaukee Mile on July 6, 1996. NASCAR’s only Ohio-based team, which has run full season schedules annually beginning in 1998, currently runs the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet Silverado driven by Matt Crafton, and the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet driven by Johnny Sauter.

ThorSport Racing has wheeled into Victory Lane with Terry Cook, Matt Crafton, and Johnny Sauter since its inception and has finished a dominating seven times within the top 10 in points with both trucks. In April 2011, Sauter wheeled into Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway. In 2009 and 2010, both Crafton and Sauter finished in the top five in driver points. In 2011, ThorSport Racing has moved into a state-of-the-art, world-class, 100,000 square foot racing facility in Sandusky, and has also expanded its operations with the addition of a third NCWTS team, the No. 98. The team is set to run select races in 2011, and full-time in 2012 with Rookie of the Year contender Dakoda Armstrong.

- ThorSport Racing Press Release

Stop Diabetes

‘BAMA BOUND: Miguel Paludo will make his way to Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway this weekend. Paludo will make his first laps around the 2.66-mile Superspeedway this weekend, as he tries to improve on his last restrictor-plate finish of fourth in the season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Paludo has two fourth-place finishes at Daytona and Lucas Oil Raceway, but his career-best Truck Series finish came in August at Michigan International Speedway where he finished third.

SOMBRERO DOMINANCE: The Toyota emblem is often referred to as a “sombrero”, this logo has crossed the finish line first, most often at Talladega. Toyota drivers have been dominating at the track since the series made the decision to race at the historic 2.66-mile track in 2006. Toyota has been in victory lane four times in the last five races giving them a winning percentage of 80.

EYE IN THE SKY: One of the most important aspects for a rookie driver at Talladega Superspeedway is to have an experienced spotter. Paludo will listen to veteran Truck Series driver Terry Cook as he makes his first laps around Talladega Superspeedway. The six-time Truck Series winner will help Paludo to navigate through traffic and hopefully to victory lane at day’s end. Cook will be perched high atop the 2.66-mile track some 40 feet plus in the air so he will have the best view of the track.

FIRST TIMER: The newest addition to the Paludo family, Oliver, Miguel and Patricia’s son will make his first appearance at a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

NEW COLORS: This weekend Paludo will carry new colors as the 28-year old driver of the No. 7 Toyota Tundra promotes health, wellness and the fight to find a cure for diabetes. Paludo, who suffers from Type I diabetes, continues to be an advocate for research and education for children and adults who struggle with the disease.

“My diabetes does not stop me from living my dream as a racecar driver. I want to be someone that children and adults can look up to and realize that even though you have diabetes your life does not have to stop. You just have to be more careful what you eat and drink, be sure to get plenty of rest and exercise daily. Eventually diabetes will become part of your daily routine. I hope by having the Stop Diabetes colors on the truck this weekend, that we can continue to raise awareness for diabetes and hopefully one day find a cure.”

CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 7 team will unload chassis No. 140. The last time this truck was on the track was last season at Daytona International Speedway with Timothy Peters behind the wheel. The No. 7 team will unload last year’s Daytona race winning vehicle for Paludo to weave through the air at the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Paludo earned a 27th-place finish after being caught up in an on-track incident on lap 31 of the 146-lap event. The No. 7 Toyota Tundra sustained heavy front-end damage and was unable to complete the event.

Miguel Paludo

What are your thoughts going back to a superspeedway?

“I’m really excited to go back to a superspeedway. Daytona was the first race of the season, first superspeedway and I loved it. We had a shot to win there and I’m sure that Talladega will be the same way.”

About Red Horse Racing:

Founded in 2005 by former Mobil Corporation executive Tom DeLoach and NASCAR veteran Jeff Hammond, Red Horse Racing aims to be a professional racing team that strives for excellence on and off the race track. Red Horse Racing hopes to build and maintain solid, mutual relationships with its partners to win races and championships and to represent itself in a professional manner. The team has five victories and six poles in its brief existence. DeLoach and Hammond also own Performance Instruction Training (PIT), the number one pit crew training center in the world that also has many corporate training options that include team-building, lean manufacturing, motorsports demonstrations and more.

- Red Horse Racing Press Release

No. 88 Menards / Ideal Door Chevrolet Silverado

DEUCES WILD: This weekend when Crafton takes the green flag, he will officially surpass Dennis Setzer for second in all-time consecutive starts in the series with 268. Terry Cook is the current record holder with 296, which Crafton can break at the end of the 2012 season if the schedule has 25 or more races.

SAIL THE OPEN SANDS: In addition to running 219 miles behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet Silverado, Crafton’s week in Vegas includes some extracurricular driving activities. Crafton will embark on the maiden voyage of his newly built sandrail, a lightweight motor vehicle designed for off-road driving and skimming the surface of sand dunes. Be sure to tune in to this weekend’s NCWTS Setup on SPEED to see Crafton hit the dunes with Ray Dunlap.

COME SAY ‘CIAO’ AT THE RIVIERA: This weekend, both the No. 88 and No. 13 trucks will carry the Riviera Hotel & Casino on board as the official Las Vegas hotel of ThorSport Racing. Crafton and teammates Sauter and Dakoda Armstrong will also be making an appearance at the ‘Riv,’ signing autographs at a meet and greet on Friday, October 14 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. local time. Visit www.rivierahotel.com for more information.

YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO SHOP: The ThorSport Racing online store is open for business and is now accepting credit cards. Head over to http://store.thorsport.com or click the Merchandise tab on ThorSport.com to find gear for all of the ThorSport Racing drivers.

CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 88 team will utilize chassis No. 41 this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This is the chassis Crafton drove to the pole position earlier in the season at Michigan International Speedway. Crafton most recently raced No. 41 at Kentucky Speedway two weeks ago.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Crafton and the No. 88 team rallied back from mechanical issues on the first lap to finish 23rd at Kentucky Speedway. After being forced into the garage immediately after the green flag due to a bad vibration, the team quickly repaired the Menards/Ideal Door Chevrolet and returned to the track, earning back several laps and gaining many valuable positions before taking the checkered flag in the Kentucky 225.

Matt Crafton

Do you like going out to Las Vegas?

“I love going out there, it’s the West Coast, that’s where I’m from. I always go out there early to head home for a bit and spend some time in the desert. I just finished building a brand new sandrail, so I’m really looking forward to getting out onto the dunes to break it in. Everyone says it’s so hot out there, but it’s a dry heat. It’s definitely a little different than hot weather on the East Coast.”

What do you like about Las Vegas Motor Speedway?

“I love racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway because there’s always a great turnout in the stands, and it has been a really good racetrack for ThorSport. Two years ago, me and Johnny [Sauter] finished one and two, and we both ran well and finished in the top five last year too.”

How does Las Vegas Motor Speedway compare to other intermediate tracks?

“It has definitely gotten more of a second groove over time. When we first went there, everyone would run around the bottom, but now the groove has moved up, especially in 1 and 2. That’s what I really like about the place, the fact that the groove has moved with age. It also has one of the best garages in the sport.”

Race Info:

October 15, 2011

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

1.5-Mile D-Shaped Oval

Smith’s 350

146 Laps/219 Miles

Broadcast Info:

TV: SPEED will broadcast live at 3:30 p.m. EST

Radio: MRN will broadcast live at 3:00 p.m. EST

Team Facts:

Current Point Standings: 8th

Crew Chief: Bud Haefele

Chassis: 41

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR)

Matt Crafton NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

Starts: 10

Wins: 0

Poles: 0

Top 5: 3

Top 10: 4

Laps Led: 18

Average Start: 14.7

Average Finish: 15.2

- ThorSport Racing Press Release

No. 98 Ferrellgas / Agrisure Viptera / Drive for Savings Chevrolet Silverado

Several changes were made by the No. 98 crew throughout both practice sessions to help Armstrong get through the bumps in the turns. The 20-year-old driver also took some advice and followed his veteran ThorSport Racing teammates Johnny Sauter and Matt Crafton on the track, as well as received help with the setup of the truck as Crafton jumped into the No. 98 for a few laps during final practice to diagnose the handling. The strategy worked, and Armstrong knew he had a good truck for the race. Spending most of practice working on race runs, the team didn’t get the chance to do any practice qualifying runs and Armstrong put his Ferrellgas/Agrisure/Drive For Savings Chevy in the 20th starting position.

“We had a good handling truck in practice; we just didn’t get a chance to do a mock qualifying run and didn’t have the speed for one lap during qualifying. I knew once we got into the race the truck would handle really well,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong proved his notion right and navigated his Chevy up into the top 15 within the first ten laps, but noticed that the dirty air he was experiencing in traffic further back in the pack was slowing him from gaining any more positions. Crew chief Dan Stillman decided to make the call for fuel only the team’s first pit stop of the night to help advance his driver to the front of the pack where he ran as high as third near the mid-point of the race.

The pit strategy call put the team on different schedule than the rest of the leaders, but was necessary to get Armstrong to the front of the pack where the No. 98 machine handled much more to his liking. He continued dance just outside the top-five through the next long run of the evening, but had to stay on pit road a little longer than most during the last pit stop to pack the Ferrellgas/Agrisure/Drive For Savings Silverado full of fuel. The extra few seconds on pit road put Armstrong in the ninth spot when the checkers flew.

Dakoda Armstrong

“I think in the end our strategy may have hurt us from getting a top-five, but it helped us get up there and stay there for a while because our Silverado ran so much better up in the clean air. It was a great opportunity for our team to run up at the front and really boosted everyone’s confidence.”

About ThorSport Racing:

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing’s first came at the Milwaukee Mile on July 6, 1996. NASCAR’s only Ohio-based team, which has run full season schedules annually beginning in 1998, currently runs the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet Silverado driven by Matt Crafton, and the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet driven by Johnny Sauter.

ThorSport Racing has wheeled into Victory Lane with Terry Cook, Matt Crafton, and Johnny Sauter since its inception and has finished a dominating seven times within the top 10 in points with both trucks. In April 2011, Sauter wheeled into Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway. In 2009 and 2010, both Crafton and Sauter finished in the top five in driver points. In 2011, ThorSport Racing has moved into a state-of-the-art, world-class, 100,000 square foot racing facility in Sandusky, and has also expanded its operations with the addition of a third NCWTS team, the No. 98. The team is set to run select races in 2011, and full-time in 2012 with Rookie of the Year contender Dakoda Armstrong.

- ThorSport Racing Press Release

No. 88 Menards / Ideal Door Chevrolet Silverado

SPARTA STATS: With 11 previous starts at the track, Crafton has solid stats at the Sparta, Kentucky facility. With three top-five and seven top-10 finishes, Crafton has racked up an average start of 12.6 and an average finish of 11.5. He has a best finish of 3rd, which he earned consecutively in 2008 and 2009. Crafton’s engine failure at the spring race is his only DNF at Kentucky Speedway.

IT’S A TIE: When Crafton takes the green flag in this weekend’s event at Kentucky Speedway, his total number of consecutive NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race starts will hit 267, tying Dennis Setzer for second in all-time consecutive starts in the series. Crafton will take over second place exclusively in the following event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Terry Cook is the current record holder with 296, which Crafton can break at the end of the 2012 season if the schedule has 25 or more races.

GET OUT THE PLASTIC: The ThorSport Racing online store is open for business and is now accepting credit cards. Head over to http://store.thorsport.com or click the Merchandise tab on ThorSport.com to find gear for all of the ThorSport Racing drivers.

CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 88 team will utilize chassis No. 41 this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. The team debuted this chassis at the spring Kentucky race. Crafton most recently used this truck at Michigan International Speedway where he won the pole and dominated the race before getting taken out in a late-race wreck.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Crafton earned a top-10 finish for the third week in a row in a wreck-free race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. After running in the top five for most of the event, strategy in the final pit stop of the day resulted in a sixth-place finish for the No. 88 Menards / Great Lakes Wood Floors Chevrolet.

Matt Crafton

How do you feel going into the race at Kentucky Speedway?

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Kentucky, especially after the way our race went earlier this season. We had a very good truck when we went to Kentucky in July, and unfortunately we didn’t really get to show it when the engine blew. We’re planning to go back with the same chassis, which was really fast in Pocono and Michigan too, and I definitely think we’re capable of bringing that truck to victory lane.”

Race Info:

October 1, 2011

Kentucky Speedway

1.5-Mile Tri-Oval

Kentucky 225

150 Laps/225 Miles

Broadcast Info:

TV: SPEED will broadcast live at 8:00 p.m. EST

Radio: MRN will broadcast live at 7:45 p.m. EST

Team Facts:

Current Point Standings: 6th

Crew Chief: Bud Haefele

Chassis: 41

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR)

Matt Crafton NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results at Kentucky Speedway:

Starts: 11

Wins: 0

Poles: 0

Top 5: 3

Top 10: 7

Laps Led: 9

Average Start: 12.6

Average Finish: 11.5

About Menards:

With 263 stores in 13 Midwestern states, Menards has the tools, materials and supplies for all your home improvement needs whether just needing a light bulb or can of paint to building a deck or new home. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember. Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town and the way guests are always treated like family in a hometown hardware store atmosphere.

About Ideal Door

Since 1963, Ideal Door has been an industry leader in sectional garage doors and the preferred choice of home owners, architects and builders for their current and future door needs. For more information, visit www.idealdoors.com.

- ThorSport Racing Press Release

ThorSport Racing

ThorSport Racing has competed in the Truck Series since 1996 and has had at least one truck starting in more races than any NCWTS team – making them the longest tenured team in the Series. The team has six wins, eleven poles and has led the series in driver points 13 of 17 weeks in 2011 between both Crafton and Sauter.

Matt Crafton

“I’m really proud to be extending my relationship with ThorSport Racing,” said Crafton. “Team owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson and all the guys on my team have really become like a second family to me. When I first came to ThorSport, Duke promised me that this team would keep getting better every single year, and every year we continue to break records and raise the bar on the way to being what I believe is the best organization in the series. I’m really happy to continue to have the opportunity to race for them again next season.”

Johnny Sauter

“It’s an honor to drive for a fourth year with Duke and Rhonda Thorson,” said Sauter, who is currently second in driver championship points with eight races to go in 2011. “They have progressively built championship-caliber teams over the course of 16 years. It’s rare to find the support I’ve found here on the 13 team. I’m proud to have a home at ThorSport Racing, and I hope to continue that championship spirit in 2012.”

“Clearly with all the exciting things weve had going on in the 2011 season, having all of our drivers back in 2012 just continues the good news here at TSR,” said David Pepper, Team Manager. “We feel as if we have two of the top competitors in the NCWTS in Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter; and an outstanding young talent in rookie Dakoda Armstrong. We’re excited about getting all of our drivers and teams together in 2012 so that we can compete for poles, race wins and top fives into the future.”

“We have three quality drivers in our stable at ThorSport Racing, and that’s great for the Series as well as our growing sponsorship and partnership programs,” said Matt LaNeve, Vice President of Motorsports Partnerships. “We’re looking forward to seeing Matt, Johnny and Dakoda continue a strong tradition of excellence in 2012.”

Program details regarding sponsorship of the No. 88 and No. 13 Chevrolet Silverados are forthcoming.

ABOUT THORSPORT RACING:

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing’s first race came at the Milwaukee Mile on July 6, 1996. NASCAR’s only Ohio-based team, which has run full season schedules annually beginning in 1998, currently runs the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet Silverado driven by Matt Crafton; the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet driven by Johnny Sauter; and the No. 98 Ferrell Gas / Agrisure Chevrolet driven by Dakoda Armstrong.

ThorSport Racing has wheeled into Victory Lane with Terry Cook, Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter; both Crafton and Sauter visiting Victory Lane already in 2011. Since its inception, ThorSport Racing has finished a dominating seven times within the top 10 in points with both trucks. In 2009 and 2010, both Crafton and Sauter finished in the top five in driver points. In 2011, ThorSport Racing moved into a state-of-the-art, world-class 100,000 square foot racing facility in Sandusky.

For more information, visit us:

Facebook: Facebook/ThorSportRacing

Twitter:Twitter.com/ThorSportRacing

YouTube: YouTube.com/ThorSport

- ThorSport Racing Press Release

No. 7 STEMCO / Duroline Toyota Tundra (Miguel Paludo) - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCAR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: This Tuesday, July 26th, Miguel Paludo will celebrate his 28th birthday. The soon-to-be first time father will spend his day with friends and family. One thing that is certain: a trip to Rita’s ice cream shop in Mooresville, North Carolina, one of Paludo’s favorite sweet treats to commemorate the day.

EXPERIENCE FROM ABOVE: This weekend’s event at Lucas Oil Raceway will mark Paludo’s first laps around the 0.686-mile speedway. Luckily for Paludo, he will have experience in his ear guiding him. Spotter and Red Horse Racing General Manager Terry Cook is a former winner at Lucas Oil Raceway. Cook scored his fifth career Truck Series win at Lucas Oil raceway in 2002. Cook joined Red Horse Racing at the end of 2010.

SHORT-TRACK ACE: Paludo heads into Lucas Oil Raceway with an average finish of 13.0 at short-track races in 2011.

COUNTDOWN: Paludo and his wife Patricia are counting down the days until they become first time parents. The Paludo’s are expecting their first child Oliver anytime now. Patricia’s official due date is August 29th.

MOST POPULAR DRIVER VOTING: The voting is now open to cast your ballot for this year’s most popular NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. Fans can visit www.nascar.com in order to cast your vote for this year’s winner.Fans can vote once per day every day for their favorite driver.

CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 7 team will unload chassis No. 132 this week at Lucas Oil Raceway. This will be the first on-track appearance for chassis No. 132 this season.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Last week at Nashville Superspeedway, Paludo and the No. 7 team brought home a 14th-place finish. With the run Paludo gained 13 positions from the No. 7 team’s finish at Nashville Superspeedway in Apirl.

Miguel Paludo

You have been very successful at short-track racing thus far in 2011. What do you like most about it?

“I like the speed. The tracks are very fast. I like that you can run your own line and that you have to outsmart your competitors. Sometimes at short-tracks the fastest truck doesn’t win, but the smartest driver does. The one who takes care of their equipment the best wins the race.”

What are your plans to celebrate your birthday? Do you have any family traditions?

“My family and I are going to go to the zoo. My mother is going to make my favorite meal from Brazil then we are going to go out on the lake. I have a new boat that we have not used yet. We are going to spend the night on the boat. I’m a pretty simple guy. I really don’t care for huge parties with a lot of people. Something simple and quite with family is what I prefer.”

Red Horse Racing (RHR)

Founded in 2005 by former Mobil Corporation executive Tom DeLoach and NASCAR veteran Jeff Hammond, Red Horse Racing aims to be a professional racing team that strives for excellence on and off the race track. Red Horse Racing hopes to build and maintain solid, mutual relationships with its partners to win races and championships and to represent itself in a professional manner. The team has four victories and five poles in its brief existence. DeLoach and Hammond also own Performance Instruction Training (PIT), the number one pit crew training center in the world that also has many corporate training options that include team-building, lean manufacturing, motorsports demonstrations and more.

- Red Horse Racing Press Release

No. 13 Karl Chevrolet / Curb Records / Carrier Chevrolet Silverado

“I’m looking forward to getting back on a short track,” said Sauter, who comes from a legendary short track racing family in Wisconsin. “Local sponsors fuel this sport, and it’s what we’re built on. I’m honored that Karl Chevrolet has come on board the No. 13 for this week. We’re focused on winning races every week, and we’ve been so close here the last few. It’s time to try to bring one home.”

Carl Moyer, Dealer Principle of Karl Chevrolet, is thrilled to have his dealership align with ThorSport Racing and Johnny Sauter.

“Karl Chevrolet is proud to be associated with ThorSport Racing and Johnny Sauter for the third consecutive season at Iowa Speedway. It has been a pleasure to follow and be a part of Johnny’s career as he has developed into one of the top drivers the Series has to offer. We admire the competitive drive Johnny brings each and every lap, and the way he has fought to the top of the point standings. Excited to see what he can do here with Karl Chevrolet on the hood!”

ThorSport Racing VP of Motorsports Partnerships, Matt LaNeve, sees added value in the new association with Karl Chevrolet, a native Iowa company.

“We are excited to be able to bring Karl Chevrolet into the ThorSport Racing family of partners,” said LaNeve. “The partnership with Johnny and Karl Chevrolet gives the dealership the opportunity to showcase their company and presence in Iowa on a national stage. With a frontrunning truck all year, Johnny is poised to bring home a great finish for us all at Iowa. We’re looking forward to it.”

The Truck Series will return to Iowa Speedway on July 16th for the third time in the series’ 16-year history. Sauter will join fans at Karl Chevrolet with his teammate, Dakoda Armstrong, on Thursday, July 14th to sign autographs and be a part of their special fan festival at the flagship dealership.

About Karl Chevrolet

Since 1978, Karl Chevrolet has enjoyed continued growth in all aspects of their business including new and pre-owned vehicle sales, parts and accessory sales, along with service and collision center work. Karl Chevrolet ranks annually as one of the top General Motors and Chevrolet brand sales leaders, ending 2010 as the fourth largest volume Chevrolet dealer in the United States; including being the #1 Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned dealer in the Nation for the fifth consecutive year. More information on Karl Chevrolet can be found at www.KarlChevrolet.com.

About ThorSport Racing

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing’s first race came at the Milwaukee Mile on July 6, 1996. NASCAR’s only Ohio-based team, which has run full season schedules annually beginning in 1998, currently runs the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet Silverado driven by Matt Crafton; the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet driven by Johnny Sauter; and the No. 98 Ferrell Gas/Agrisure Chevrolet driven by Dakoda Armstrong.

ThorSport Racing has wheeled into Victory Lane with Terry Cook, Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter since its inception and has finished a dominating seven times within the top 10 in points with both trucks. In April 2011, Sauter wheeled into Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway. In 2009 and 2010, both Crafton and Sauter finished in the top five in driver points. In 2011, ThorSport Racing will move into a state-of-the-art, world-class 100,000 square foot racing facility in Sandusky.

For more information, visit us on Facebook: Facebook/ThorSportRacing or Twitter: Twitter.com/ThorSportRacing

- ThorSport Racing Press Release

Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Centennial Celebration

The Ronald Reagan Centennial is a historic, year-long celebration to commemorate the 100th birthday of the 40th President of the United States of America. A series of substantive and celebratory events, partnerships and initiatives – such as this – sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation are planned throughout 2011.

As President, Ronald Reagan started the 1984 Firecracker 400 at Daytona where he gave the command, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” from aboard Air Force One. Later that day, Air Force One landed at Daytona International Airport behind the speedway in full view of the fans. That day, Richard Petty captured his historic 200th victory in a car owned by Mike Curb.”I have been proud to be a part of the Ronald Reagan President Foundation since its inception. We are particularly excited about the newly renovated Library that coincides with President Reagan’s 100th birthday. I am also very proud of my longstanding relationship with Johnny and his success over the years. We are excited to be celebrating this Centennial with both Johnny and ThorSport Racing,” said Mike Curb Owner of Curb Records.

“Like President Reagan, Mike Curb’s vision of America that is optimistic, patriotic, and proud is as alive today as it was when he served as Lt. Governor of California from 1979-1983,” said Stewart McLaurin, Executive Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Centennial Celebration. “As many Americans take a moment this year to remember the life, lessons and legacy of President Reagan, we are honored to have this special tribute.”

Sauter’s relationship with Curb goes back over ten years, when he first raced in the Nationwide (then Busch) Series and Sprint Cup Series with his team. 2011 marks the third year of co-primary sponsorship of the No. 13 truck with Sauter and ThorSport Racing in the NCWTS. Nashville Superspeedway also marks ThorSport Racing’s 327th consecutive race, matching Circle Bar Racing for second all-time in the series and the longest-standing operation dating to 1996.

“It’s very cool to see Mike Curb making his 500th start in NASCAR, and I’m proud to be the one making it for him,” said Sauter. “We’ve been racing together a long time, and he’s been a huge supporter of mine over the past 10 years. It would be great to win such a momentous race for him, especially seeing as how it’s in the Curb Records backyard of Nashville. I hope we can keep our momentum going coming off the win at Martinsville. I want to bring home the Gibson guitar for the Curb contingent.”

The NASCAR tribute video is available now at the Ronald Reagan Foundation’s YouTube channel located here: www.youtube.com/reaganfoundation.

Rodney Atkins, recording artist for Curb Records, will also be at the celebration as he debuts his brand new single, “Take A Back Road”. The new single will appear on Rodney’s new album scheduled for the Fall of 2011. “Take A Back Road” will be available at iTunes beginning Tuesday, April 26th. Media availability will be throughout the day at Nashville Superspeedway on Friday.

About Curb Records

Curb Records is one of the world’s leading independent music companies. Owned and operated by Mike Curb since 1962, Curb Records has achieved 358 Billboard number one (1) records, nearly twelve hundred (1,200) Billboard Top Ten records and charted just under four thousand (4,000) Billboard Records. Today’s roster includes some of the top names in Country, Christian and Pop/Rock music. Curb Records was honored as Billboard Magazine’s 2001 Country Music Label of the Year.

About Rodney Atkins

Curb Records recording artist Rodney Atkins has been successfully leading the country music charts and selling albums since his career began in 2006 when he hit the scene with his first number one, “If You’re Going Through Hell,” which was also the Number One Country Song of the Year according to Billboard in 2006. The East Tennessee native has recorded three studio albums, Honesty, If You’re Going Through Hell and It’s America and charted seven Top 20 singles including five number one’s: “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “Watching You,” “These Are My People,” “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In),” and “It’s America.” Rodney Atkins’ brand new single, “Take A Back Road” is available at iTunes on Tuesday, April 26th.

About The Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Centennial Celebration is a historic, year-long celebration to commemorate the 100th birthday of America’s 40th President. The Centennial Celebration is sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. For more information, visit www.reagancentennial.com

About ThorSport Racing

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing’s first race came at the Milwaukee Mile on July 6, 1996. NASCAR’s only Ohio-based team, which has run full season schedules annually beginning in 1998, currently runs the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet Silverado driven by Matt Crafton; and the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet driven by Johnny Sauter.

ThorSport Racing has wheeled into Victory Lane with Terry Cook, Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter since its inception and has finished a dominating seven times within the top 10 in points with both trucks. In April 2011, Sauter wheeled into Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway. In 2009 and 2010, both Crafton and Sauter finished in the top five in driver points. In 2011, ThorSport Racing will move into a state-of-the-art, world-class 100,000 square foot racing facility in Sandusky.

For more information, visit us on Facebook: Facebook/ThorSportRacing or Twitter: Twitter.com/ThorSportRacing.

- ThorSport Racing Press Release

ThorSport Racing

“Eibach Springs is pleased to announce the sponsorship agreement between ThorSport Racing with their drivers Matt Crafton, Johnny Sauter and Dakota Armstrong for the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season,” said Frank Simonetti, Motorsports Manager for Eibach Springs Inc. ThorSport Racing brings an incredibly talented line up of drivers to the Eibach team. We are looking forward to an exciting 2011 season.”As part of this agreement, Eibach will provide these ThorSport Racing with the new ER Platinum Springs for all of their race trucks,” explained Simonetti.

David Pepper, ThorSport Racing’s Team Manager said, “We’re excited to add Eibach Springs to the ThorSport Racing family of motorsports partners. We are focused on a bright, competitive and winning season for all our teams in 2011. We look forward to a winning relationship for many years to come with Eibach.”

ABOUT EIBACH:

Eibach enjoys a worldwide reputation as a leading manufacturer of Performance Suspension Springs, Components and Systems and Hi-Tech Industrial Springs, mostly for critical applications. Eibach is represented worldwide with subsidiaries on all five continents in Germany, USA, England, Japan, Australia and South Africa, with manufacturing plants in Germany and California, USA. Beyond that, Eibach is represented in more than 80 countries through national importers and/or representatives. The range of applications is extremely diverse, covering practically all Hi-Tech areas of the Industrial and the Automotive markets, where reliable Spring Technology is needed.

ABOUT THORSPORT RACING:

ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing’s first race came at the Milwaukee Mile on July 6, 1996. NASCAR’s only Ohio-based team, which has run full season schedules annually beginning in 1998, currently runs the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet Silverado driven by Matt Crafton; and the No. 13 Safe Auto / Curb Records Chevrolet driven by Johnny Sauter.

ThorSport Racing has wheeled into Victory Lane with Terry Cook, Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter since its inception and has finished a dominating seven times within the top 10 in points with both trucks. In 2011, Sauter wheeled into Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway in April. In 2009 and 2010, both Crafton and Sauter finished in the top five in driver points. In 2011, ThorSport Racing will move into a state-of-the-art, world-class 100,000 square foot racing facility in Sandusky.

For more information, visit us on Facebook: Facebook/ThorSportRacing or Twitter: Twitter.com/ThorSportRacing

- ThorSport Racing Press Release

No. 7 STEMCO / Duroline Toyota Tundra (Miguel Paludo) - Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCAR

But those hopes were dashed by another driver with an unfortunate accident early in the 147-lap race. And by early, we mean in the first turn on the first lap.

Paludo and the Rick Gay-led crew didn’t give up, and the No. 7 STEMCO-Duroline Toyota Tundra continued to a 27th-place finish after completing 135 laps. That wasn’t what anyone wanted, but Paludo and the team used the adversity as a learning experience, trying to get the truck faster despite its heavy damage.

That wasn’t nearly what Paludo had hoped for before the race. The 27-year-old Brazilian was making his first appearance at the famed 1.366-mile track, and he began the weekend by taking some laps in a NASCAR pace truck with Red Horse Racing Competition Director Terry Cook (a former truck series driver) and met with fellow Toyota driver Todd Bodine the day before the race.

Paludo then made his first laps at speed during Saturday’s two practice sessions, gradually learning the track while he and Gay worked on the truck’s handling.

By the end of the final practice, Paludo got comfortable enough to post the 10th-fastest speed of the 38 trucks entered.
Paludo qualified 14th and planned to take the first 20 laps learning to race in traffic, but he never got the chance.
“My confidence was pretty high,” Paludo said. “I knew at the start that there was going to be a lot of traffic, and I was going to be a little patient. I would’ve been a little cautious on the first 20 laps or so, just to see how the traffic was, and then try to move forward. But we didn’t have time.”

As the field entered Turn 1 just after the green flag, Paludo’s truck was struck in the left rear by a veteran driver, sending the No. 7 sideways and into the wall.

Miguel Paludo - Photo Credit: John Harrelson / Getty Images for NASCAR

The right rear of Paludo’s truck was heavily damaged, and Paludo could only limp around at a reduced speed for the rest of the race. Plus, the accident opened up the cockpit to outside air – and debris – and Paludo’s sparkling white firesuit was covered in tire rubber and dirt after the race.

Still, Paludo practiced “perseverança” – Portuguese for perseverance – for the two-hour race. A damaged truck is not an easy vehicle to drive, and Gay and the No. 7 crew continued to work on it throughout the race despite being several laps down.

“I learned how to try to run fast laps with a torn-up truck,” Paludo said. “The truck was very, very loose after the accident, but Rick and the guys made changes every time we stopped to try to make it better. No one wanted to be in that position, but every lap we make on the track is a learning experience, and we learned as much as we could tonight.”
Paludo managed a smile after the race, though it clearly masked his frustration over the lap-one, turn-1 crash.

“I didn’t expect that, for sure,” Paludo said. “This veteran is a very experienced driver. He went straight to my door, and then I hit the wall and turned sideways. Then, everything starts.

“It’s hard when you get caught up in a wreck early in a race, but when it’s the first corner, it’s more frustrating. We had an awesome Toyota Tundra today before the race, and I knew I could be at least a top-10 tonight. But we have to pick up the points, learn about it, and go to Martinsville.”

- Red Horse Racing Press Release

Red Horse Racing

After finishing fourth in the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway, Paludo struggled to a 25th-place finish at Phoenix in the No. 7 K&N Filters Toyota Tundra.

Paludo, however, remains in the top 10 of the Camping World Truck Series points standings, slotting in ninth after two races. And he’s the second-highest rookie in the truck series.

Paludo spent part of the lone Phoenix practice learning the unique track. Phoenix has four distinct turns, with each end of the track banked differently, with different radius turns. He ended up 24th on the practice chart, and later qualified 28th.

As the race started, leader Clint Bowyer set a blistering pace and caught Paludo a lap down. Paludo continued to drive a steady race, making a pit stop under caution on lap 42 for four tires and a wedge adjustment as crew chief Rick Gay worked on a loose truck.

Thanks to a fast pit by the Red Horse crew, Paludo restarted 24th on lap 48. He raced around that position for the next 60 laps, getting encouragement from Gay and spotter Terry Cook. Paludo improved his line and his position until a yellow flag on lap 107.

Racing underneath another driver, Paludo slipped in Turn 4, and the two trucks made contact. With little grip, Paludo spun and was collected by another truck.

2011 NCWTS Miguel Paludo – Photo Credit: John Harrelson / Getty Images for NASCAR

Paludo lost another lap in the caution as the crew made repairs and sent him back to the track. With less than 50 laps remaining, Paludo went into survival mode, and he came across the finish line in 25th, three laps down.

“Tough day,” Paludo said. “We’re always learning, but it’s so hard because we got a really good fourth-place last week at Daytona. And here we got caught by the leader by lap 30, lap 40. It’s hard.

“But it’s a learning process, and I think we’re going to be good in Darlington. I know that’s part of the job. One time you’re on the top and the other time you’re not. Let’s see what we’ve got in Darlington.”

Paludo is ninth in the Camping World Truck Series points standings, 12 out of the lead and two behind eighth-place. He is the second-highest rookie in the standings.

The next race for the truck series is the Too Tough To Tame 200 at Darlington Raceway on March 12.

- Red Horse Racing Press Release