ONE YEAR LATER: Last year for the Truck Series season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Elliott Sadler climbed behind the wheel of a Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) vehicle for the first time. Sadler was quite successful capturing the outside pole for the start of his first Truck Series race at Daytona and ran solidly in the top five until he was caught up in a multi-truck accident on lap 32. One year later Sadler is now competing full time for KHI in the Nationwide Series and will run a select number of Truck Series events in 2011. Sadler will return to where it all started with KHI, Daytona International Speedway, for his first race of the 2011 season.
TRUCK SERIES SUCCESS: Sadler comes back to the Truck Series looking to repeat his achievements in 2010. A victory at the inaugural Truck Series event at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway last July brought renewed confidence to the 35 year old Sadler.
“That win will always serve as a turning point in my life,” Sadler said. “Kevin [Harvick] kept telling me that you don’t forget how to drive a racecar that you only need the right people and the right equipment. I almost didn’t believe him until we won the race at Pocono.”
REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD: Bruce Cook will call the shots atop the pit box for the No. 2 KHI Truck Series entry in 2011. Cook and Sadler are no strangers. Cook led Sadler’s Nationwide team at Robert Yates Racing in 2005 and 2006 serving as car chief and crew chief throughout those two seasons. Cook is a NASCAR veteran who has worked with many drivers over the years and found great success both in the Truck and Nationwide Series.
10 YEARS OF RACING: In 2011, KHI will celebrate their 10th year of competition in NASCAR. Team co-owner Kevin Harvick made KHI’s first start in the Truck Series event at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway in 2001, narrowly missing the win by inches to series veteran Jack Sprague. Ten years later Kevin and DeLana Harvick have two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championships to their credit and multiple wins with a host of drivers to boast in their over 80,000 square foot facility in Kernersville, North Carolina. During 2011 all KHI vehicles will carry a commemorative decal as the company celebrates its accomplishments over the last 10 years.
MAKING A NEW MARK: Sadler reunites with former sponsor CitiFinancial as they rebrand themselves as OneMain Financial. As Sadler puts himself in position to become a NASCAR champion in 2011, OneMain Financial found no better fit than their former brand representative to take them to a new level as they debut their new logo and colors under the watchful eye of loyal NASCAR fans at Daytona International Speedway. OneMain Financial will sponsor Sadler during the season opening Truck Series event at the 2.5-mile tri-oval and for 29 NASCAR Nationwide Series events in 2011.
CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 2 team will utilize chassis No. 053 this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Chassis No. 053 is a new chassis that has undergone extensive testing in the wind tunnel during the off season.
THOUGHTS FROM THE DRIVER: Elliott Sadler
What do you like about racing in the Truck Series?
“I really enjoy the atmosphere in the Truck Series. There is a good mix of drivers both veterans like myself and my KHI teammate Ron Hornaday, but there are also younger drivers trying to make their mark like my other KHI teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. and Austin Dillion. I just love how hard you have to race because you do not have very many laps to get the job done. It is good hard racing and it is just a lot of fun.”
How does it feel being reunited with former teammate Bruce Cook?
“It is funny because when I walked into KHI for the first time I felt like I was back at Robert Yates Racing. Many of my old teammates work there so I felt right at home. Bruce and I have been very successful in the past and I know with his expertise and the equipment KHI has that we have a great shot to win the Truck race at Daytona.”
Media Access: Members of the media can now log on to www.kevinharvickinc.com to gain access to press kit information online. For more information, please email Jessica Stroupe at KHI: jstroupe@kevinharvickinc.com.
About OneMain Financial:
Our name will be new, but our experience runs deep. In fact, CitiFinancial – soon to be - OneMain Financial has a 99-year heritage of providing responsible lending solutions. Every single Personal and Home Equity Loan is approved and serviced locally at more than 1,300 branches nationwide. We’re not just in your neighborhood; we’re part of your community. We have remained committed to making the neighborhoods where we do business better places to live and work. And since racing is a sport with deep roots and involvement in many of our communities, it makes the sport a perfect partner for OneMain Financial.
Elliott Sadler
Truck Series Statistics at
Daytona International Speedway
Starts: 1
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
Top 5: 0
Top 10:0
Laps Led: 25
Race Info:
February 18, 2011
Daytona International Speedway
2.5-Mile Tri-Oval
Nextera Energy Resources 250
100 Laps/250 Miles
Broadcast Info:
TV: SPEED will broadcast live at 7:30 p.m. EST
Radio: The Motor Racing Network (MRN) will broadcast live at 7:15 p.m. EST
Truck Specs:
Chassis: 053
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR)