NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick and Camping World [parent company of NASCAR Truck Series title sponsor Gander RV & Outdoors] Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis have each pledged $50,000 to any NASCAR Cup Series regular driver to enter and win a Truck Series race that Kyle Busch is also entered. The challenge was initiated by Harvick after Busch won the Strat 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Feb. 21. It was Busch’s seventh-consecutive Truck Series win, dating back to the 2018 season and including win in all five of the series races he entered last season.
Cup Series drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott have accepted the challenge and they’ll share the seat in the #24 GMS Racing Chevrolet for a combined three of the remaining four races Busch plans to enter. Elliott will be the first of the two drivers to climb into the truck, taking the wheel for the next race on the Truck Series schedule March 14 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He also plans to drive the truck May 30 at Kansas Speedway.
Challenge accepted. I’ll see you all in Atlanta @KyleBusch @KevinHarvick @MarcusLemonis,” Elliott [@ChaseElliott] tweeted. “Thanks to @GMSRacingLLC and @HootersRacing!!! #GameOn #di9.”
Larson will drive the #24 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 20.
“Count me in for @HomesteadMiami,” Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) tweeted. “Thanks for the opportunity to make some cash money @GMSRacingLLC and @TeamChevy.”
Elliott and Larson each have two-career Truck Series wins, Elliott in 12 races and Larson 13, each winning once with GMS Racing. Elliott last contested a Truck Series race in 2017 and Larson in 2016.
Busch is the winningest driver in the Truck Series with 57 wins in 151 races. Aside from the LVMS race and the three races entered by Elliott and Larson, Busch also plans to enter the March 27 race at Texas Motor Speedway.
If no Cup Series regular is able to win a Truck Series race that has Busch in the field this season, a donation will be made to the Bundle of Joy Foundation, a charitable cause established by Busch and his wife Samantha to assist families dealing with fertility issues.
