——
(Press Release from HScott Motorsports)
Rico Abreu (Photo: Courtesy HScott Motorsports)
HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks announced USAC National Midget champion and open-wheel standout, Rico Abreu, will join the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East team in 2015.
Abreu, 22, competed in more than 100 open-wheel races in 2014 in the United States and New Zealand. He posted 26 wins across 410 winged and non-winged sprint car, 360 winged sprints, and USAC midget competition in which he also won the national championship. Abreu most recently won the 2015 Chili Bowl Nationals last weekend.
“Joining HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks is a great opportunity for me,” Abreu said. “As a full-time open-wheel driver on dirt, I’m aware that there will be a learning curve for me this season. Knowing that Harry (Scott) and Justin (Marks) have faith in me to be successful in stock cars is a great confidence boost. I’m up for the challenge and look forward to learning from my teammates and making the most out of this season.”
Abreu joins teammates William Byron, J.J. Haley, Scott Heckert and Dalton Sargeant to complete the roster for the newly-formed HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks five-car team. Abreu, a native of Rutherford, Calif., will compete in all 14 series events and continue to race in open wheel events across the country.
“Rico has remarkable talent and is a great fit for this organization,” said co-owner Harry Scott Jr. “The addition of Rico to our stout lineup of drivers raises our level of excitement even higher going into the 2015 season.”
Marks, also a co-owner of World of Outlaws sprint car team Larson Marks Racing has followed Abreu’s dirt track career closely.
“Rico is a driver that has already proven to himself on so many levels in his young career,” said Marks. “I can’t wait to see what Rico and his fellow teammates accomplish this year in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.”
Abreu’s No. 98 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East entry will be led by veteran K&N crew chief Mardy Lindley. Lindley has amassed five-career victories in three seasons, along with the 2013 K&N title with driver Dylan Kwasniewski.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season gets underway on February 15 at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway. Abreu will kick-start his experience in stock cars and on pavement by competing in the Pete Orr Memorial Super Late Model event also at New Smyrna Speedway this Saturday, February 24.
Abreu will participate in a teleconference with media members today at 11:30 am, ET. Call-in information will be released imminently.
About HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks: HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR K&N Pro Series East team. Based in Mooresville, N.C., HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks is co-owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Xfinity Series car owner Harry Scott Jr. and entrepreneur and driver Justin Marks. Scott’s recent past success as the 2-time defending car owner champion of the K&N Pro Series East brings instant credibility to the new team. HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks will continue to develop the brightest rising stars in the motorsports community. For more information on HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks, please visit www.hscottmotorsports.com
Good for him. It would be cool to see how far he goes in NASCAR.