Carlos Contreras Reaches 100th Start Milestone At Texas Motor Speedway

Topics:  Carlos Contreras, O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
October 28, 2014

JUSTIN, Texas (October 29, 2014) - - A week after watching his nephew make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) debut at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Carlos Contreras will exchange a radio for a steering wheel and compete in Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS).

More importantly, Contreras’ start on Saturday will reach a huge milestone for the Hispanic racer. By taking the green flag in the final stretch of the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) season, Contreras will have competed in 100 national series races across the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series, dating back to 1999.

RaceTrac will adorn the hood of the No. 87 Chevrolet Camaro as the primary marketing partner in Contreras’ 13th race of the season. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, RaceTrac has been serving guests since 1934 and now operates more than 370 convenience stores locations in Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Texas. Recently, RaceTrac opened their 100th store in Texas to coincide with Contreras’ feat.

“I’m so happy to reach 100 races,” said Contreras. “It is something that is really special for me and my family. We were the first Hispanic driver in NASCAR in 1999, and now will be the first to reach 100 races in the national series.

“There is just so many people that I have to thank. The list goes on and on. I especially want to thank my wife, Alejandra. She left her life in Mexico to start this adventure with me. I want to thank my kids Carlos and Andrea too. Also, my brother Enrique, who was the one that started this project. He has always believed in me and has been supporting me every day. It was because of him that the door opened for me into NASCAR and that still continues today with other Hispanic drivers. Lastly, my best friend, Mike Vazquez. He is like my brother. Since 2003, we’ve been working together and he has been by my side at all times. Without his help, I wouldn’t be reaching 100 races.”

After a much needed two week break following a 19 consecutive week stretch for the NASCAR Nationwide Series tour, the season resumes for the final three races of the year, beginning in the Lone Star state.

Contreras, a native of Mexico City, Mexico has never competed at the 1.5-mile speedway in a Nationwide car, but he does have six starts in a truck, including a ninth place finish after starting 16th in 2001. This weekend though, Contreras will reunite with TMS for the first time since 2002.

“Obviously, it’s been a while since I’ve been to Texas,” added Contreras. “I’m sure the track has changed a lot since 2002, but hopefully we can unload our No. 87 RaceTrac Chevrolet Camaro with some speed and keep adjusting it to the track conditions. I have a feeling the track will change a lot from the start to the end of the race, so if we can stay ahead of that, we should be able to bring home a satisfying finish on Saturday.”

He added, “As I enter my 100th race, I can’t help, but forever be grateful to RaceTrac for helping me achieve this goal. It’s because of them and people like Roman Ruiz (Global Aircraft Solutions), Hector Andreu (Hot Wheels), Mike Vazquez (38 Special, Pitbull and Voli Vodka) and of course, my current team Rick Ware Racing. Together, this weekend we make history. 100 starts in NASCAR. It’s a great feeling!”

For team owner Rick Ware, his team is honored to be a part of Contreras’ noteworthy achievement.

“It’s an honor for Rick Ware Racing to be the home for Carlos’ 100 NASCAR start,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure to work with him and his marketing partners this season, but we’re equally as focused on making this weekend a memorable one for him and the folks at RaceTrac.

“Texas is a tough track, but I believe that Carlos can get the job done and bring home a solid finish on Saturday afternoon.”

Following Texas, Contreras is schedule to pilot a Rick Ware Racing car in the 2014 season-finale at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway on November 15.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge is set for Saturday, November 1. The 200-lap contest is scheduled to air live on ESPN, the Performance Racing Network (PRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 90 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Central. The green flag is scheduled to fly at 2:46 p.m. local.

For more on Carlos Contreras, follow him on Twitter or visit his Facebook page.

Rick Ware Racing is on Twitter. Follow them @RickWareRacing.

About Rick Ware Racing:

Rick Ware Racing (RWR) has competed in every NASCAR sanctioned series, ARCA Series, the WMA Motocross Series, AMA Arenacross, Motocross and Supercross Series, Summer X-Games and Rolex Grand-Am Series.

About RaceTrac:

Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, RaceTrac has been serving guests since 1934 and now operates more than 370 convenience store locations in Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Texas. In January 2012, RaceTrac introduced its new 6,000 square foot store design, featuring 24 hour Swirl World frozen yogurt, fresh salads and sandwiches, up to 24 fueling stations and more than 4,000 items to satisfy the needs of its guests. While operating under the mission of making people’s lives simpler and more enjoyable, the company has been named a top workplace by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (2011 - 2013), the South Florida Business Journal (2012), the Orlando Business Journal (2011, 2013) and the Dallas Business Journal (2009 – 2010, 2013), as well as recognized on Forbes list of largest private companies (1998 - 2013). Convenience Store News has also honored RaceTrac on the Top 100 Convenience Stores list (2003 – 2013), Top 20 Growth Chain list (2013) and named Carl Bolch, Jr. as the Retailer Innovator of the Year (2009) and named RaceTrac the Best Cold & Frozen Beverage Innovator (2013). For more information, visit RaceTrac on Facebook, Twitter, Web and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Lisa Ware
lrware@aol.com
336.210.6411