MIAMI, Fla. – After starting the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season with a team-best sixth place finish at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 19, Young’s Motorsports is hoping to end their season with another strong showing in Friday night’s Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
This weekend’s 134-lap race will be full throttle for the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team as the team will field two trucks in the season-finale. Scott Lagasse Jr., a native of St. Augustine, Fla. will pilot the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado, while newcomer and University of Miami student Patrick Staropoli will make his NCWTS debut in a collaborative effort with SS Green Light Racing in the No. 07 AutoNation Cure Bowl Chevrolet Silverado.
Young’s Motorsports principal and veteran Truck Series driver Tyler Young will oversee both efforts, while serving as a driver coach for Staropoli, a former NASCAR K&N Pro Series West winner.
“This is a very busy weekend for us, but a very excited one at the same time,” said Young. “I’m proud to have both Scott and Patrick in our trucks this weekend. Both drivers have their own agenda for what they want to accomplish this weekend and there’s little doubt in my mind that with a little luck that can happen.
“Both Scott and Patrick are natives of Florida and they both have great partnerships promoting great things. I’m proud to be a part of that too. Without a doubt, Friday night’s truck race is important for everyone and if we can leave there with two solid finishes, I’ll be thrilled.”
AutoNation has teamed with Staropoli to raise awareness for the AutoNation Cure Bowl being held at Camping World stadium on Dec. 17, 2016 to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Currently, this is the only college bowl game to donate its proceeds to charity.
As the season comes to a close, Young’s Motorsports is proud of what it has accomplished. When Young decided to step out of the seat full time this year to focus on building the brand and strengthening the overall program, it opened the doors for several drivers to take their turn at the No. 02 ride.
Drivers Derek Scott Jr., Dylan Lupton, Staropoli and Dominique Van Wieringen all made their series debut with Young’s Motorsports. Entering Friday night’s race, Lupton earned the best result with a 12th at Talladega Superspeedway last month.
Veteran drivers Austin Hill and Austin Theriault also took their turn aboard the No. 02 truck for a combined five starts overall. Young, who made 14 starts this season earned the best result overall
with his career-best sixth at Daytona in February.
No matter the results at Homestead, Young said he’s proud of what his team has accomplished this season and it only will help them to be better for 2017 and beyond.
“It’s been a great year,” said Young. “We’ve worked with a lot of great, young talented drivers, while working with guys I’ve raced with throughout my career. We’ve also had some strong finishes, learned a lot about them, learned a lot about us. It all helps with the bigger picture.
“We’ll be back next season and look forward to announcing our plans in the coming weeks.”
In 22 races this season, Young’s Motorsports has tailed two top-10, seven top-15 and 13 top-20 finishes. The team has been running at the finish of 18 of the 22 races run in 2016.
The Ford EcoBoost 200 (134 Laps / 201 Miles) is the 23rd of 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on the 2016 schedule. Practice begins Fri., Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., while a final session has been etched in from 10:30 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. Qualifying will take place later in the day at 3:45 p.m. The 32-truck field will take the green flag shortly thereafter at 8:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Eastern).
No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Homestead-Miami Speedway Fast Facts:
Driver: Scott Lagasse Jr. (@scottlagasse)
Owner: Randy Young (Young’s Motorsports)
Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Silverado
Engine Builder: Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR)
