“It’s great to be a part of this Toyota winning streak in the Truck
Series,” says Jones, who guided his Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) No. 51
Toyota Care Tundra to victory lane at the Phoenix one-mile oval, a win
that made him the youngest race-winner in series history. “Back in
Phoenix last year, we were able to really get that streak going and
carry it all the way through this year and it’s pretty awesome –
especially for Toyota and everyone involved.”
In addition, the now
18-year-old Jones registered a win at Iowa Speedway on July 11, while
Wallace picked up a first-place trophy at Gateway Motorsports Park on
June 14.
“It just shows what Toyota carries each and every weekend
to the race track,” said the 20-year-old Wallace, who became the first
African-American driver to win a NASCAR national series race in more
than 50 years when he drove his KBM Tundra to victory lane at Virginia’s
Martinsville Speedway last October. “To be able to go out and compete
for Toyota is completely an honor and pretty much the backbone of my
career ever since 2009. To be a part of the win streak that we carried
since November of last year is special. It’s really, really an honor to
be a part of that -- and for me to be able to continue the streak at
St. Louis and again on the dirt at Eldora. It’s really cool to see that
Toyota is making a huge statement throughout the Truck Series, and to
be a part of that is a lot of fun. Toyota has been strong all year.”
Jones’
team owner, Kyle Busch, ended the 2013 season with a win in the series
season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Busch also won all five Truck
Series races he’s competed in this season: Daytona International
Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover International
Speedway and Kentucky Speedway.
While KBM drivers earned 10 of
the 12 wins during the run, fellow Tundra team ThorSport Racing driver
(and 2013 series champion) Matt Crafton took the top spot at
Martinsville Speedway on March 30 and Texas Motor Speedway on June 6.
“It’s
been amazing what all the Toyota teams have accomplished with this
streak of wins,” said Crafton. “I’m really proud to have been a part of
a couple of the victories along the way. It’s an impressive record
that probably won’t be topped or matched for a long, long time. It
definitely showcases the support of TRD and the dedication that Toyota
has to the Truck Series.”
The previous mark for consecutive wins in the NCWTS was eight – set by Chevrolet in 1995 and tied by Dodge in 2001.
Toyota
began competing in the Truck Series with the Tundra in 2004. In more
than 10 years of competition in the series, Tundra drivers have
registered 122 victories and 96 pole positions. Toyota also has claimed
six manufacturer’s championships (2006-10 and 2013) and driver’s
championships for Todd Bodine (2006 and 2010), Johnny Benson (2008) and
Crafton (2013).
Although the winning streak came to an end at
Pennsylvania’s Pocono Raceway in early August, Tundra drivers look to
start a new streak – and break their own record – when the series
returns to action at the Michigan International Speedway two-mile oval
this weekend. Truck on!
See original article.
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