Test Article - Wednesday, 29 January 2020 12:03
Jeremy Clements Racing sets sights on a Playoff Run, Repairable Vehicles returns for 2020 - Wednesday, 29 January 2020 11:53
Celebrating NASCAR Champions at Darlington Raceway in 2020 beginning with the 1950s - Wednesday, 29 January 2020 11:52
Baker, First to Break 200-mph Barrier at Talladega, Among 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Class This Friday Night - Wednesday, 29 January 2020 11:50
Praytor(s) Ready for Daytona - Wednesday, 29 January 2020 11:50
Austin Wayne Self ready to spook the competition at Martinsville Speedway
23 Oct 2018 Speedway Digest Staff
Getty Images for NASCAR
Set for the final stretch of the 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season, Austin Wayne Self (@AustinWSelf) heads to Martinsville (Va.) Speedway hoping to spook the competition with a strong performance in Saturday afternoon's Texas Roadhouse 200.
With the Austin, Texas native's grassroots extending back to the Lone Star state, Self has been able to apply those short track fundamentals throughout most of his career and especially at a demanding short track like Martinsville.
Traditionally, the famed 0.526-mile paperclip has been a favorite for the Niece Motorsports veteran driver, but the Texan admits he doesn't have the results to show for it lately. He hopes to change that in the penultimate short track event of the year.
"Honestly, I enjoy racing at Martinsville," said Self, driver of the No. 22 GO TEXAN | AM Technical Solutions Chevrolet Silverado. "It's a very demanding short track where you almost have to treat every race lap like a qualifying lap. Stuff happens in a hurry and momentum is key to success.
"For me, once I get into a rhythm and the race settles down into a good pace, that's where I tend to make up most of my ground. I finished 15th in my first start in 2016, I'd like to better that this weekend."
Self and his Niece Motorsports team certainly have had the speed, as of late, to boast another top-10 finish this season. A ninth-place at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway followed by a top-12 effort at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in the last two races have shown the team continues to have a bigger presence near the front when it counts the most.
"I thought for sure we were going to have back-to-back top-10 runs at Talladega," Self recalled. "We had a really good truck and honestly a shot at the top-five – but we got turned when the big one happened on the backstretch. We still were able to finish, just wish it would have been in the top-10.
"Still, the pace we've been able to show lately is something to be proud of. We've had speed, whether it comes to the short tracks, a road course, an intermediate track and even a superspeedway. That's a good shot in the arm for this final four-race stretch. I'm eager to get to Martinsville and see what we can deliver."
For the second consecutive race, Self and his Niece Motorsports team will support Dwarfism Awareness month. Since 2009, Little People of America (LPA) has been recognizing October as Dwarfism Awareness Month with the intention of raising positive awareness around dwarfism, addressing common misconceptions and increasing opportunities for people with dwarfism around the country.
Abel Greene, a relative of Self is just two years old and was diagnosed with Achondroplasia, a type of Dwarfism. Greene's parents Amanda and Adam are both of average height with no history of any type of Dwarfism on either side of the family.
Recently, Abel visited the Niece Motorsports shop, where he was given an exclusive tour as well as some one-on-one time with Self and teammate Justin Fontaine. The team hopes to have Abel and his family at the race track this weekend.
"Everyone at Niece is proud to continue to support Dwarfism Awareness Month," sounded Self. "October is traditionally known for Breast Cancer Awareness month and we're huge advocates of that, but it's important for us to remember the others too. If we educate others on Dwarfism Awareness Month and everything the community has to offer, we've done a really great thing."
After 19 races, Self sits 13th in the series' standings. He carries an average finish of 16.3 entering Martinsville.
Like last year, the Texas Department of Agriculture's GO TEXAN program and AM Technical Solutions will also support Self in his 60th career start.
GO TEXAN represents Texas agri-business on state, national and international levels by building recognition with the GO TEXAN mark.
Along with its signature mark in the shape of Texas, GO TEXAN celebrates, promotes and supports the business savvy and plainspoken grit Texas agriculture is known throughout the world.
Don't mess with Texas, CForce Bottling Company, Flying Circle and Kreuz Market will serve as associate partners in the 20th race of the year.
In 59 NCWTS races, the 2015 ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year has one top-five (second at Daytona 2017) and four top-10 finishes. The Texan maintains an average finish of 18.1 during his three years of competition.
For more on Austin Wayne Self, like his Facebook page (Austin Wayne Self) or follow him on Twitter @AustinWSelf.
For additional information on CForce premium artesian water, please visit cforce.com.
For more on Flying Circle, please visit flyingcirclegear.com, like them on Facebook (FlyingCircleGear) and follow them on Instagram (@flyingcirclegear) and Twitter (@flyingcircle_). Also connect with Flying Circle on Pinterest and YouTube.
For more on Niece Motorsports, please visit niecemotorsports.com.
The Texas Roadhouse 200 (200 laps | 105.2 miles) is the 20th of 23 races on the 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck schedule. Practice begins on Fri., Oct. 26 from 12:05 p.m. – 12:55 p.m., while final practice is set for 2:05 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Sat., Oct. 27 beginning at 10:05 a.m. The 32-truck field will take the green flag shortly after 1:00 p.m. with live coverage on FS1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Eastern)
Niece Motorsports PR
Speedway Digest Staff
Follow us on Twitter @SpeedwayDigest
Latest from Speedway Digest Staff
Test Article
Jeremy Clements Racing sets sights on a Playoff Run, Repairable Vehicles returns for 2020
Celebrating NASCAR Champions at Darlington Raceway in 2020 beginning with the 1950s
Baker, First to Break 200-mph Barrier at Talladega, Among 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Class This Friday Night
Praytor(s) Ready for Daytona
More in this category: « Peters, GMS Racing Revive Winning Combination For Martinsville With Autos By Nelson As Sponsor Justin Fontaine seeking Martinsville Speedway redemption »