Rico Abreu

Last updated
Rico Abreu
Rico Abreu St. Louis 2018.jpg
Abreu in 2017
Born (1992-01-30) January 30, 1992 (age 32)
St. Helena, California
Achievements2015, 2016 Chili Bowl winner
2015 Pepsi Nationals Winner
2014 USAC National Midget Series champion
2014 Belleville Midget Nationals Champion
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
26 races run over 3 years
2017 position68th
Best finish13th (2016)
First race 2015 Lucas Oil 150 (Phoenix)
Last race 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby (Eldora)
WinsTop tens Poles
050
Statistics current as of July 19, 2017.

Rico Emanuel Abreu (born January 30, 1992) is an American professional dirt track and stock car racing driver. Abreu won the 2014 USAC National Midget Series championship, and previously competed in the K&N Pro Series East in 2015 scoring one win.

Contents

Racing career

Early career and dirt racing

Abreu's midget at Angell Park Speedway Rico Abreu 97 USAC Midget at Angell Park Speedway.jpg
Abreu's midget at Angell Park Speedway
Abreu celebrating after winning a 2013 midget car race Rico Abreu celebrating win Angell Park June 2013.jpg
Abreu celebrating after winning a 2013 midget car race

Abreu first began racing dirt bikes, [1] but after watching an Outlaw kart race in Vallejo, California, [2] started to race shifter karts. [1] When he turned 15, he was given his first Outlaw kart. [2] To support his career, his father built a 1⁄8th-mile asphalt oval in his backyard. On January 24, 2009, Abreu made his Outlaw kart debut at Lakeport Indoor Speedway, finishing fourth, and scored his first Outlaw win at Cycleland Speedway. During the year, local driver Kyle Larson met Abreu at a charity karting event held at Abreu's backyard oval and, in 2011, introduced him to sprint cars. [1] During the year, he made his Chili Bowl Nationals debut, along with running his first World of Outlaws sprint car race. He would eventually win the 2011 360 Winged Sprint Car Series Rookie of the Year Award. In 2012, Abreu raced in the USAC National Midget Series, clinching Rookie of the Year, while qualifying for the A-main at the Chili Bowl. The next year, he won the Belleville Midget Nationals, the Johnny Key Classic at Ocean Speedway, the 4 Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway and the USAC Gold Crown at Tri City Speedway. In 2014, he won his first WoO race at the Thunderbowl Raceway [2] and later won the USAC Honda Midget Series national title. [3]

On January 17, 2015, Abreu returned to the Chili Bowl. On lap 26 he passed the previous year's winner Bryan Clauson and held off four-time Chili Bowl winner Kevin Swindell to win. [4] The win was Toyota's first Chili Bowl victory [5] and the first for owner Keith Kunz since 2002. [6] The following year, Abreu repeated his Chili Bowl win after defeating Clauson and Zach Daum. [7]

K&N Pro Series East

On January 20, 2015, Abreu was hired by HScott Motorsports to run full-time in the K&N Pro Series East. He made his stock car debut in the Pete Orr Memorial Super Late Model 100 at New Smyrna Speedway later in the week. [1] On July 4, 2015, Abreu won his first ever race in the K&N Pro Series East at Columbus Motor Speedway after starting from the pole position, setting a new track record. [8] [9]

Camping World Truck Series

Abreu at Martinsville in 2016. Rico Aberu (27006717263).jpg
Abreu at Martinsville in 2016.

During the 2015 season, Abreu made his Camping World Truck Series debut in the Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway, driving the No. 31 Chevrolet Silverado for NTS Motorsports. [10] In 2016, he signed a full-time drive for ThorSport Racing, replacing Johnny Sauter who left for GMS Racing. [11]

Abreu almost won his first career NCWTS race at Texas on June 10. He was within a car length of race leader William Byron with 2 laps to go, but scraped the wall and ended up cutting a tire, all but riding the wall for the last lap and a half. He still ended up finishing a career-best 9th place.

On January 11, 2017, it was reported that Abreu will not return to ThorSport Racing due to sponsorship issues. [12] However, he returned to the team for a one-off at Eldora. [13] [14]

Personal life

Born to a Portuguese father and Italian mother, [15] he currently lives in Rutherford, California. [16] His father, David, is a vineyard manager. [1] He also has a brother and a sister. Among Abreu's hobbies is fishing. [2]

Abreu is 4 ft 4 in (1.32 m) tall and weighs 95 pounds (43 kg). He was born with achondroplasia, a genetic disorder that is the most common cause of dwarfism. Due to his short stature, he needs special modifications to the cockpit area of his race cars, such as foot blocks to help him reach the throttle. [1] [5] [17] The car is also modified for Abreu, such as the pedals and the steering column being lengthened, with the powertrain and a-frame moved 6 inches (15 cm). For stock cars, the steering column, pedals, and switches are moved, while the remainder of the cockpit remains the same. [1]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Camping World Truck Series

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920212223NCWTCPts
2015 NTS Motorsports 31 Chevy DAY ATL MAR KAN CLT DOV TEX GTW IOW KEN ELD POC MCH BRI MSP CHI NHA LVS TAL MAR TEX PHO
28		 HOM
13		53rd46
2016 ThorSport Racing 98 Toyota DAY
29		 ATL
11		 MAR
10		 KAN
22		 DOV
22		 CLT
20		 TEX
9		 IOW
18		 GTW
14		 KEN
15		 ELD
3		 POC
6		 BRI
26		 MCH
13		 MSP
27		 CHI
19		 NHA
17		 LVS
20		 TAL
4		 MAR
24		 TEX
12		 PHO
11		 HOM
13		13th395
2017 89 DAY ATL MAR KAN CLT DOV TEX GTW IOW KEN ELD
26		 POC MCH BRI MSP CHI NHA LVS TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM 68th14

K&N Pro Series East

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314NKNPSECPts
2015 HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks 98 Chevy NSM
17		 GRE
9		 BRI
10		 IOW
30		 BGS
11		 LGY
9		 COL
1		 NHA
10		 IOW
4		 GLN
12		 MOT
2		 VIR
16		 RCH
11		 DOV
3		5th492

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sprint car racing</span> Auto racing with small, open-wheel, high-power vehicles

Sprint cars are open-wheel race cars, designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Historically known simply as "big cars," distinguishing them from "midget cars," sprint car racing is popular primarily in the United States and Canada, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eldora Speedway</span> Motorsport track in Ohio, United States

Eldora Speedway is a 0.500 mi (0.805 km) high-banked clay dirt oval. Located north of Rossburg, Ohio in the village of New Weston, Ohio, its website claims capacity for 22,886 spectators in the permanent grandstand, and unlimited admittance for the grass hillside spectator area. The permanent grandstand and VIP suite seats make it the largest sports stadium in the Dayton, Ohio-region according to the Dayton Business Journal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston Reid</span> American racing driver

Boston Reid is an American former stock car racing driver who has previously competed in the NASCAR Busch Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the United States Auto Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Walker (racing driver)</span> American racing driver

Timothy Tyler Andrew Walker is an American professional stock car racing driver. Walker is one of many racers who have competed in many inter-disciplinary automotive ranks. His automotive career includes cycling competition, open-wheeled sprint cars, as well as being a stock car pilot, formerly competing in NASCAR. He is the first fourth-generation driver to compete in NASCAR since the late Adam Petty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rich Vogler</span> American racing driver (1950–1990)

Richard Frank Vogler was an American champion sprint car and midget car driver. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, and his best finish was eighth in 1989.

Cory Lee Kruseman is an American racing driver. A two-time Chili Bowl champion in midget car racing, he has also competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the Firestone Indy Racing League.

Larry Rice was an American racing driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He was the 1973 USAC National midget driver's champion and won the USAC Silver Crown series in 1977 and 1981. He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Clauson</span> American racing driver

Bryan Timothy Clauson was an American professional auto racing driver, best known for his achievements in dirt track open-wheel racing, such as USAC Silver Crown, Midget and Sprint cars. Clauson was increasingly seen competing with the World of Outlaws (WoO) sprint cars in his last couple of years. Clauson also competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Indy Lights, and IndyCar Series and was a development driver for Chip Ganassi Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chili Bowl Nationals</span> Indoor midget car racing event

The Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is an indoor midget car race that takes place in January on a 1⁄5 mi (0.32 km) dirt oval track at the Tulsa Expo Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. NASCAR calls it the "biggest Midget race of the year". It is nicknamed the "Super Bowl of midget racing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dakoda Armstrong</span> American racing driver

Dakoda Armstrong is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 28 Toyota Camry for JGL Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Sweet</span> American sprint car and stock car driver

Bradley Kirk Sweet is an American professional race car driver and a veteran of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, driving the No. 49 for Kasey Kahne Racing, where he has earned the nickname 'The Big Cat'. Sweet was formerly a JR Motorsports development driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Swindell</span> American racing driver

Kevin Swindell is an American former racing driver and entrepreneur, who has competed in USAC and NASCAR competition. He has won 77 races in various dirt racing series including the Chili Bowl Nationals. Swindell is the son of three time World of Outlaws Sprint Car champion Sammy Swindell. Swindell owns and operates Swindell Speedlab, a clothing brand as well as Victory Fuel, a brand of flavored water.

Chad Boat is an American professional dirt track racing driver and team owner. The son of former driver Billy Boat, he has raced in Indy Lights and NASCAR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher Bell (racing driver)</span> American racing driver (born 1994)

Christopher David Bell is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing. He is the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanner Thorson</span> American racing driver

Tanner Delbert Thorson is an American professional dirt track racing driver. He competes in the United States Auto Club (USAC) and World of Outlaws. Thorson has also competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, last driving the Nos. 12 and 20 Chevrolet Silverados for Young's Motorsports in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Seavey</span> American auto racing driver

Logan Norman Seavey is an American professional stock car racing driver. He currently competes part-time in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, driving the No. 5B for Chase Briscoe Racing and full-time in the USAC P1 Insurance National Midget Championship for Keith Kunz Motorsports driving the No. 67 with support from Toyota Racing Development.

David Gravel is an American professional racing driver. He last competed full-time in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, driving the No. 2 Maxim for Big Game Motorsports, in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado for GMS Racing, and in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 28 Chevrolet SS for KBR Development. Gravel won the 2024 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Championship. Gravel won the Knoxville Nationals in 2019.

Kyle Larson Racing, originally Larson Marks Racing, is an American sprint car and midget car racing team owned by NASCAR driver Kyle Larson. Fielding cars for Shane Stewart and later Carson Macedo, the team won over 40 sprint car races across multiple series between 2014 and 2020; Larson himself has won multiple crown jewel midget races driving for the team.

Shane Mathew Golobic is an American professional dirt track racing driver. He competes in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and United States Auto Club (USAC) National Midget Series for Matt Wood Racing. Prior to racing nationally, much of his dirt racing participation came in his home state of California, which included winning track championships and the California Sprint Car Civil War Series in 2014.

Michael "Buddy" Kofoid is an American professional dirt track and stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the USAC National Midget Series and POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series, driving for Keith Kunz Motorsports. He is the 2021 and 2022 USAC National Midget Series champion. He also competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 51 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 15 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports. He also has competed with the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint car Series. He collected his first Win at Husets Speedway on June 23, 2022.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 McGee, Ryan (January 20, 2015). "Rico Abreu eager to make next step". ESPN . Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Rico Abreu - Stockton Dirt Track 360 Winged Sprint Car Main Event". Alpinestars . Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  3. ↑ Bruce, Kenny (January 20, 2015). "Rico Abreu Hopes to Follow Path of Nascar Standouts". NASCAR. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  4. ↑ Pennell, Jay (January 18, 2015). "Rico Abreu wins 29th Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals". Foxsports.com . Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Hembree, Mike (January 18, 2015). "Rico Abreu wins Chili Bowl with bold pass". USA Today . Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  6. ↑ Associated Press (January 18, 2015). "Rico Abreu, all of 4-foot-4, is a big hit by winning prestigious Midget race with a bold pass". Fox News Channel . Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Back-to-back: Rico Abreu earns second Chili Bowl Nationals win". Foxsports.com. January 17, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  8. ↑ ESPN.com new services (July 5, 2015). "Rico Abreu gets 1st stock car win in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East". espn.go.com . Columbus, Ohio: ESPN . Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  9. ↑ "2015 NAPA 150 at Columbus Motor Speedway - NASCAR K&N Pro Series East". YouTube.com. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  10. ↑ "ABREU, BYRON TO MAKE TRUCK DEBUTS AT PHOENIX". NASCAR. November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Abreu lands full-season deal in NCWTS". Motorsport.com . January 14, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  12. ↑ Spencer, Lee (January 11, 2017). "Rico Abreu will not return to full-time NASCAR competition in 2017". Motorsport.com . Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  13. ↑ Spencer, Lee (June 30, 2017). "Rico Abreu to make NASCAR Truck return at Eldora". Motorsport.com . Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  14. ↑ Sessa, Bill (July 5, 2017). "Abreu returns to NASCAR truck series". Napa Valley Register . Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  15. ↑ "About". Rico Abreu. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  16. ↑ Estrada, Chris (January 20, 2015). "NASCAR: Sprint car standout Rico Abreu to enter K&N East Series in 2015". NBC Sports . Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  17. ↑ Moody, Dave (January 20, 2015). "Rico Abreu Set For K&N Pro Series East Challenge". godfathermotorsports.com. godfathermotorsports.com. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.