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Truckin’ Thursdays: Ben Kennedy’s Saga Continues

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Camping World Truck Series teams have been idle for the last month, but for the first time in a long time, there’s actually news coming out during this extended break. And over the last couple of weeks, that news has centered almost exclusively around Ben Kennedy.

In case you’ve missed it all, Kennedy and Red Horse Racing parted ways a couple weeks ago. According to the team, the last minute deal from the beginning was for just the first three races, and apparently the pair couldn’t find a way to continue the partnership further.

“We wish Ben all the best in his career,” team owner Tom DeLoach said via a team release. “Red Horse Racing will continue to focus on pursuing the championship with Timothy Peters and the No. 17. We expect to field two teams in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and we will announce further plans as they are confirmed.”

Enter Matt Tifft. Just days after announcing the departure of Kennedy, RHR announced Tifft had joined the organization for three races, beginning with Kansas next weekend and running through Charlotte on May 20.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity to join Red Horse Racing,” Tifft said in a team release. “I’m looking forward to working with (teammate) Timothy (Peters) and (crew chief) Scott Zipadelli on our No. 11 Toyota Tundra team. We’re going to some tracks I really enjoy and I’m confident we’re going to have some speed and we’ll go and try to get some really good runs.”

(Photo: Mike Neff)
Sauter won at Dayonta, might Kennedy find similar success as his teammate? (Photo: Mike Neff)

But Kennedy wasn’t left sitting on the sidelines for long. Fast forward to this week, and he has found a home for at least 10 races this season at GMS Racing. Beginning May 6 at Kansas, Kennedy will pilot the No. 33 Chevrolet alongside teammates Johnny Sauter and Spencer Gallagher. A team release called the partnership a “multi-race deal with 10 races already confirmed,” which leads you to believe there is potential for the deal to extend to the remainder of the season if things fall the right way.

“I am very excited to join GMS Racing for the remainder of the 2016 season,” says Kennedy. “I have watched the organization grow into a powerhouse team over the last year. All of their teams show up to the track each weekend with fast Chevrolets and I have total confidence that GMS will provide me with a solid truck each weekend. It’s a great privilege to join Johnny (Sauter), Spencer (Gallagher), Kaz (Grala) and Grant (Enfinger) in the driver lineup. I am looking forward to the accomplishments we will achieve together as a team. ”

Of course that leaves Grant Enfinger, who was showing great promise behind the wheel of the No. 33 before being replaced by Kaz Grala at Martinsville, still on the sidelines. But all is not lost for the driver who started the season opener at Daytona on the pole.

“A lot of people have been asking about my racing plans lately so I am going to give an update as best I can,” Enfinger posted on his Facebook page earlier this week. “The only confirmed truck races that I will be in the seat of a GMS Racing truck as of now are Kentucky, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Talladega. There is still hope to add to that schedule, and everyone here at GMS Racing is working hard for that.

“I am still working here at GMS Racing everyday and the relationship continues to be great. I can’t wait to get back in the truck, but when I’m not I will continue to help all of my teammates here at GMS Racing. I am proud of what we have accomplished to this point, and I’m grateful for the past, present, and future at GMS Racing.”

The musical chairs in the Truck Series have continued once again, but who will be sitting on the sidelines after Kansas next weekend?

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Tim

Would you writers please use the team names at least once in your articles……………IE GMS racing, I have no clue what that acronym stands for. It would nice to know. BTW great article!:)

Kaz

Just to clarify I did not “replace” Grant in the 33 truck. In February prior to the 1st truck race, it was announced that I would be sharing the 33 truck with Grant for select short track races.

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