Waltrip team signs Truex’s younger brother

Michael Waltrip Racing has signed the 17-year-old brother of NASCAR Sprint Cup regular Martin Truex Jr. as a development driver.

Ryan Truex will begin his new association this weekend in the NASCAR Camping World East series season-opener at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina.

Last season, Truex finished 11th at Stafford Speedway in his CW East debut and only career start while driving a car prepared by Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

“Pairing with a racing organization like Michael Waltrip Racing and having (sponsor) NAPA Auto Parts on my Toyota is a great opportunity for me,” Truex said. “MWR is really coming on strong this year in the Cup Series and I hope to learn a lot from just being there each week.”

“In essence, Ryan was ready to move to the next level,” said Ty Norris, general manager for the Waltrip team. “The Truexes had the cars and the engines, but needed someone to house (them), employ the staff and operate the team. I’ve known the Truexes since we approached Truex Jr. about driving for DEI’s Nationwide team in 2003.

“Ryan has the bloodline and needed the opportunity, so we partnered in this entry. We heard he was aggressive and fast and we can’t wait to see him compete.”

Truex started racing four years ago in a Bandolero at Wall Township Speedway in New Jersey. He graduated to Legends and won a speedway championship at the track in 2007. Last season, Truex raced a family owned Late Model at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va.

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WAVING THE FLAG:@ Kevin Harvick is scheduled to wave the green flag for the start of the ARCA RE/MAX Series Carolina 200 race at the Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina on April 19.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup star will make the trip to Rockingham following the night race at Phoenix on April 18 — unless there is a weather problem that delays the 2007 Daytona 500 winner.

If he does make it, Harvick will also having a rooting interest in the race, with former motorcycle star Ricky Carmichael driving in the ARCA race for Kevin Harvick Inc.

“Throwing the green flag at Rockingham will definitely be a new experience for me,” Harvick said. “In all my years of racing, I’ve never been asked to be the honorary starter. I’m also looking forward to the ARCA race. It will be Ricky’s first time at Rockingham, so he should be exciting to watch.”

Andy Hillenburg, president of Rockingham Speedway, was very happy that Harvick accepted the track’s invitation.

“We are very honored that Kevin accepted,” Hillenburg said. “And, with him making an all-night trip to get back from Phoenix, it really shows how much he cares about the fans.”

Last year’s honorary starter at Rockingham was two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart.

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NATIONWIDE DEBUTS:@ Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Brian Scott will both make their NASCAR Nationwide Series debuts Saturday in the Pepsi 300 at Nashville Speedway.

Stenhouse, a former sprint car standout who finished fourth in the ARCA series last season, is scheduled to run seven Nationwide events this season for Roush Fenway Racing, while NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular Scott is set to race in Nationwide four times this season with Braun Racing.

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend,” Stenhouse said. ” … With the way these cars have been running this year, I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be in the top 10 on Saturday.”

Scott also had hopes of making a good showing for Braun.

“All three of their cars consistently run up front and have the ability to contend for the win week in and week out,” he said. “As a driver making his debut in the Nationwide Series, you can’t ask to be in a better situation.”