Daniel Dye commented on the upcoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at St. Petersburg alongside the IndyCar Series. This event will be part of the same weekend as the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which is the season opener for the IndyCar Series.
The St. Petersburg Truck Series race at the 1.8-mile, 14-turn layout through downtown streets and parts of the Albert Whitted airport runway will be the first time the series competes on a street circuit. The 80-lap race is part of the Firestone Grand Prix weekend, with trucks racing on Saturday and the IndyCars racing on Sunday.
Dye also took a light shot at the IndyCar competitors as St. Pete track is set to start building from Monday.
“Our trucks look much like the Ram 1500 sitting over there in the parking lot. There’s not a big spoiler on the back, there’s not a big wing in the front, and there’s a lot more body panels on that truck,” Dye said (via Tampa Bay Times).
“So I think we’ll go quite a bit slower, but sorry to the IndyCar guys because I think we’re going to be a littler more exciting to watch. On Saturday afternoon we’ll be running into each other and it should be something to see. … Plus, there will be some really cool guys in that race,” he added.
“You Got to Try And Master” – Former Indy champion on NASCAR Return to St. Petersburg Truck Race
The crossover race weekend also features four-time IndyCar Series champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti. The Scotland native came out of retirement this year and also announced his return to NASCAR with TRICON Garage and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson’s majority owner Legacy Motor Club. Franchitti will pilot the No. 1 Toyota truck with Dollar Tree as the sponsor.
Franchitti won the IndyCar race St. Petersburg in 2011. He also commented on enjoying the challenge of a street circuit and is looking forward to the experience of racing a NASCAR truck.
“The thought of racing a NASCAR truck on a street circuit is really intriguing to me. The different surfaces, the fact that part of it is on an airport, then you go into the streets, the different bumps, all those things you got to try and master,” Dario Franchitti said.
The Truck Series race in St. Petersburg is set for Feb. 28 at noon Eastern Time on FOX. The larger Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, will run from Feb. 27 to March 1.
Also Read:
Cleetus McFarland’s NASCAR Truck Series debut at Daytona obstructed; needs to pass upcoming test
What changes has NASCAR made to Daytona 500 qualifying in 2026?
Kaulig Racing confirms crew chief lineup for massive five-truck expansion with RAM
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
