BERLIN, CT :: Ryan Preece is teaming up with Tommy Lemons, Jr. and JumpStart Motorsports in the 2014 Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at South Boston Speedway. Preece, who won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Championship in 2013, says he’s excited to make his first career start in a Late Model Stock Car.
“When I talked to Brandon Earnest from JRi Shocks, I was talking about finding a good car to be in and he reached out to teams,” Preece said. “Tommy Lemons, Jr. talked to Brandon and he told him to have me call. That’s how we got the ball rolling. He’s doing me a huge favor. I’m really excited to be racing for him and his family and I’m excited to be running in the Denny Hamlin Foundation race.”
Preece, who has run in the Snowball Derby and in the NASCAR Nationwide Series before, feels confident that he can win the race.
“I wouldn’t be racing in this if I didn’t think I could win,” Preece stated. “Racecars are racecars, they all turn left. Some just do it better. The heavier cars, they’re slower on reaction but I think the Hoosier tires will help us wheel the racecar and have some fun and that’s what we’re going to do.”
“I’m really excited,” Lemons said about bringing Preece in. “He’s a heck of a wheelman and he shows that in the modified tour up north and all the other weekly series races he does up north. It’s a great opportunity for him and I both. I think he’ll be great for both parts.”
Lemons, who won last year’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 at Martinsville Speedway, will sit out the race and concentrate all his effort in to Preece’s effort.
“I want to put 100% effort in the car and Ryan running well,” Lemons stated. “That will be best for all scenarios.”
Preece is supported by Dunleavy Truck and Trailer Repair, East West Marine and Sophie’s Rest of Southhold, NY. The Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown will be held on Thursday, April 24th at South Boston Speedway in Virginia.
