Meritor, Inc. is the executive title sponsor of the Meritor ChampTruck World Series for the 2015 season, marking the return of big-rig truck racing to major U.S. racetracks for the first time since 1993. The announcement was made at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
Spearheaded by ChumpCar International founder and CEO John Condren, the Meritor ChampTruck World Series debuts April 24 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, N.J. with professional and amateur teams competing in two-axle, Class 8 trucks at speeds up to 100 mph.
“Our partnership with ChampTruck is an opportunity to bring this great sports entertainment back home again,” said Krista Sohm, vice president, marketing & communications for Meritor.
Condren added: “ChampTruck is all about ‘Real Racing – Real Tracks – and Real Big Trucks.’ It’s all about bringing back the real excitement of racing by opening events to independent operators and large fleets, and making it fan-friendly and family-affordable with immediate access to the trucks, the drivers and teams. Together with Meritor, we’ll be working to establish a fan base for truck racing at big-time venues and on national TV.”
Any conventional or cab-over truck that’s at least 5 years old can race in the Meritor ChampTruck World Series. Drivers earn and accumulate points for the national championship event in the fall.
Meritor has sponsored truck racing in Europe and South America since 2010. “Semi truck racing has been popular in Europe for more than 25 years, and big-rig racing has the same potential to bring excitement to racing venues across the United States,” Sohm said.
The Meritor DriveForce Tour, which includes an interactive walk-through product display trailer, will be present at select events. Meritor will offer track-side hospitality for customers.
In addition to the debut at New Jersey Motorsports Park, the Meritor ChampTruck World Series will take place at the following tracks, many of which host NASCAR events:
- Thunderhill Raceway, Willows, Calif., May 22 through May 24
- Pikes Peak International Raceway, Fountain, Col., May 29 through May 31
- Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C., July 2 through July 4
- Gateway Motorsports Park, Madison, Ill., July 17 through July 19
- Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Va., Aug. 6 through Aug. 9
- Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 28 through Aug. 29
- Motorsports Park Hastings, Hastings, Neb., Sept. 11 through Sept. 13
- Portland International Raceway, Portland, Ore., Oct. 2 through Oct. 4
The 2015 Meritor ChampTruck Series National Championship race will be held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Oct. 30 through Nov. 1.
