Haas Racing Development Driver Nick Drake Making Truck Series Debut at Dover International Speedway

Photo - Jonathan Moore/Getty Images

Photo – Jonathan Moore/Getty Images

Nick Drake, a Haas Racing development driver will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut next weekend at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, CATCHFENCE.com has confirmed.

Drake, 20, will drive the No. 49 Haas Automation Chevrolet Silverado in the Dover 200 on May 13 in a collaborative effort between JR Motorsports and Premium Motorsports. Dave McCarty, a longtime veteran of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will serve as crew chief.

“I’m just really excited about the whole deal,” Drake told CATCHFENCE.com. “I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity provided by Haas Automation and everyone at JR motorsports and Premium Motorsports. It’s been a long time coming, it’s actually been since the K&N race at Dover last year since I’ve been in a stock car. We tested last week and everyone was really happy. I’m looking forward to giving these guys a run for their money next week. Hopefully, we can make something happen out of this deal.”

In addition to Dover, Drake will also compete in the June 18 American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway in the same capacity. He will test at the 0.75-mile short track on Tuesday, May 30.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West winner at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway in 2014 competed in the full NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season last year for Bill McAnally Racing where he posted two top-fives and seven top-ten en route to an eighth-place finish in the championship standings. Overall, the Mooresville, North Carolina-native has 30 K&N East starts with six top-fives and 15 top-ten runs.

Cole Custer, driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Chevrolet for JR Motorsports said Friday at Kansas Speedway he’s excited for his friend to have this new opportunity.

“I think it’s going to be great,” said Custer. “He’s shown he can really compete and he’s won a (NASCAR) K&N race. I think he definitely going to get it done. I think we can help each to setup wise and with how we’re driving.”