Derek Griffith will join the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series ranks for the first time at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Kyle Busch Motorsports announced Thursday (July 1).
Griffith will pilot the No. 51 in the final race of the regular season with sponsorship from JBL and Hudson International Speedway.
He’s run 10 ARCA Menards Series races in 2020-2021- eight in 2020 with Chad Bryant Racing and two this year for Venturini Motorsports. He’s earned three top fives and eight top 10 finishes in the series.
“Derek has proven himself as one of the top young talents in Super Late Model racing in recent years, has been very competitive in his limited ARCA opportunities and is deserving of the opportunity the chance to make a start in the Camping World Truck Series,” Busch said in a team release. “As a Super Late Model racer myself, I know that to win some of the races he’s been able to win the last few years, he’s had to beat some of the best drivers in the country. Many of those drivers have the talent to compete at the National Series level but never get the chance, so to be providing Derek with this opportunity is really special and I know that he’ll do a great job for us.”
All I can say is WOW! pic.twitter.com/vI59slCEir
— Derek Griffith (@DerekGriffith12) July 1, 2021
Several drivers have piloted the No. 51 so far this year, including team owner Kyle Busch, Drew Dollar and Parker Chase.
Griffith will join fellow KBM teammates John Hunter Nemechek and Chandler Smith at Gateway on Aug. 20 at 9 p.m. ET; the race will air on Fox Sports 1 and the Motor Racing Network.
About the author
Joy joined Frontstretch in 2019 as a NASCAR DraftKings writer, expanding to news and iRacing coverage in 2020. She's currently an assistant editor and involved with photos, social media and news editing. A California native, Joy was raised watching motorsports and started watching NASCAR extensively in 2001. She earned her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies at California State University Bakersfield in 2010.
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Here’s a young driver who definitely deserves this great opportunity Glad to see he’s on his way..