Driver Jake Crum’s ascension on smaller racing circuits accelerated his climb onto NASCAR’s radar. His Camping World Truck Series experience is moving a little slower.
A 19-year-old from Statesville, Crum made his second career start in NASCAR’s truck series Friday at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind.
Driving a family-sponsored Chevrolet for Coulter Motorsports, he completed 196 of 200 laps and finished the AAA Insurance 200 one spot behind Elliott Sadler in 25th place.
“You can only do so much with what we have, equipment wise,” Crum said. “I believe if we had a little better equipment we could have definitely got up there in the top 10.”
He qualified 28th in a 36-truck field.
“I thought we were going to run all right,” he said. “It turned out we didn’t run so hot.”
He’s not used to that.
His racing résumé includes several championships among other notable achievements. In 2007, Crum became the youngest driver to win a UARA-Stars Late Model Touring Series event at age 15. He set the bar higher the following year by clinching the UARA-Stars Championship while driving for the family-owned operation.
On Oct. 4, 2009, Crum became the youngest winner in the history of the annual Bailey’s 300 at Martinsville Speedway. It was a signature victory for Crum, who turned 18 just nine days prior to the prestigous Late Model Stock Car race.
Similar success hasn’t materialized yet in the truck series, but Crum isn’t disheartened.
“I enjoy it,” he said. “If I could find a sponsor, I really do feel like I could take it to a top-notch team and run really well, run competitive, maybe for rookie of the year or even for the championship. That’s just how I feel.”
Like the economy, money is tight for Crum. He has been selective in the number of truck races he competes in because he lacks a full-time ride with reliable sponsors.
He anticipates having a ride for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 later this month at Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Bristol is unique and unbelievably fast when you go off in the corners,” Crum said. “The progressive banking is so high, you get down in the corner and it just slams the truck down in the ground. It feels like the force drives your chin down to touch your chest. From a driver’s perspective, it’s really crazy.”
He speaks from experience. Last summer, Crum made his truck series debut in the same Bristol race. He qualified 13th and finished 31st in his Honey Do Service Chevrolet for SS Green Light Racing.
Crum surged to seventh before contact with his teammate sent him to the pits for repair. He worked his way back through the field before the fuel pump gave out, ending his night.
Patience is a virtue Crum said he’s learned each time driving in the truck series.
With that said, he hopes he isn’t waiting much longer for a breakthrough performance in the truck series.
“If I could find a sponsor, (my expectations) would definitely be to win a race this year,” said Crum, who has also raced ARCA and NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. “If I run a few more this year in top-notch equipment, especially if I run in a Toyota, I definitely expect to win a race or finish at least in the top five.”
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