Craig Goess preview

Last Race – Phoenix International Raceway: In the second event of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, Craig Goess took to the Phoenix International Raceway for the first time in his career. Goess climbed into the No. 46 Greenville Toyota of N.C. Tundra and took time to learn the one-mile track during practice. Battling the handling of the car for 150 miles, Goess crossed the finish line in the 23rd position.

Craig Goess, Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota in the pits for damage repair

Eric Gilbert

First Trip to The Lady in Black: Goess will compete at the Darlington, S.C., track for the first time in his career. He will face the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval for the third event of the 2011 NCWTS season.

Say What? With a last name like Goess, people often get tounge-tied. “The official pronunciation of my last name is like saying “Go” and the letter “S”,” said the Greenville, N.C., native. “I usually don’t correct people, but I’ve heard some crazy pronunciations. People get creative sometimes.”

In the Points: With two events under his belt, Goess currently sits in the 14th position in the Official Driver Standings in the NCWTS. He also sits seventh in the 2011 Rookie Standings after the Phoenix International Speedway event.

Tune In: Not at the track? Tune into SPEED for coverage of the Keystone Light Pole Qualifying on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Too Tough to Tame 200 will also be live on SPEED with coverage beginning at 5 p.m. Radio listeners can turn on MRN and SIRIUS XM 128 at 4:45 p.m. Saturday.

Meet Craig Goess: Goess and fellow NCWTS drivers will take part in a series autograph session at Darlington Raceway on March 12. Fans have the opportunity to meet the drivers on pit road from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m ET.

Follow the Action: Be sure to follow all the action on and off the track this weekend at www.facebook.com/TeamESRand www.twitter.com/TeamESR.

Goess on going to Darlington Raceway: “I have not had the opportunity to compete at Darlington Raceway before in my career, so I’m excited to see what the Lady in Black is about. Darlington is definitely a driver’s track, and there is such a rich history of great racing at the track.”

-source: esr