Make Way For Another Truex

Stand-alone season normally is an opportunity for younger drivers to showcase their skills in stout equipment as they substitute for double-duty drivers. Case in point, Brad Coleman returns to the seat of the No. 18 Toyota in place of reigning series champion – and last year’s Gateway winner – Kyle Busch.

Saturday will mark the NASCAR Nationwide Series debut of another up-and-coming driver – Ryan Truex. Truex, 18, is the younger brother of two-time series champion Martin Truex Jr., who won at Gateway from the pole in his track debut in 2004. Ryan is the defending NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion and currently leads that series.

This is an open weekend for NASCAR Sprint Cup, and two drivers who normally would cede to substitutes will be competing in this stand-alone event – former series champions Kevin Harvick (a two-time Gateway winner) and Clint Bowyer.