Rookie Driver to Make Debut Appearance at Dover International Speedway
PALM COAST, Fla. (May 27, 2015) – After two weeks of racing at 1.5-mile tracks, Ray Black Jr. is looking forward to switching things up when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series visits Dover International Speedway, which is a one-mile concrete race track. The driver of the No. 07 ScubaLife.com Chevrolet Silverado for SS Green Light Racing will be making his first start at the track that is better known as the “Monster Mile” due to its high speeds, narrow straightaways and 24 degree banking in the turns.
“I’m excited to visit Dover for the first time and see what it is that everyone seems to love about it,” said Black. “Everyone says it’s such a great track, so I’m looking forward to getting out there, laying down some laps and trying to move around the place a little more than I’ve been able to during the last two races.”
Despite the reputation the track has as being a monster, Black is sure his team can figure out the racing style even with just one NCWTS practice session. After all, it was just at Charlotte Motor Speedway that the team came back from an engine change during practice to earn Black’s season-best qualifying effort.
“I haven’t asked anyone about strategies for racing at Dover, but I’m confident in my team,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of firsts this year, but we have always been able to come together, figure out what we need to do and rise to the occasion. I’m looking to do just that and conquer the Monster Mile.”
With the Dover International Speedway being a narrow track, Black will rely on earlier experiences from Martinsville Speedway, another track with close contact racing, to find success. Despite going for a spin at Martinsville, Black and his team played with pit strategy to battle their way into the Top-15 and earn a 13th place finish.
“Martinsville was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot more about short track racing there,” he said. “Shorter tracks had previously been a little bit of a challenge for me, so being able to go into Dover knowing how well we ran at Martinsville definitely gives me some extra confidence.”
With a solid finish at Dover, the rookie driver is hoping to get back into the Top-10 of the NCWTS championship standings. He is currently just two points behind 10th place driver, Daniel Hemric.
Fans can tune in and see if Black conquers the “Monster Mile” when Fox Sports 1 airs the Lucas Oil 200 at 5:30 pm ET on Friday, May 29. The race will also be broadcast by MRN Radio.
Fans can also keep up with Ray Black Jr.’s race weekend by following him and his sponsor, ScubaLife on Twitter at @TeamScubaRacing and @RayBlackJr. Learn more about Ray Black Jr.
