Kentucky adds a second Truck date for '11 season

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR announced Friday the addition of a Camping World Truck Series event to the July 2011 NASCAR national-series race weekend at Kentucky Speedway.

The Thursday, July 7 event will mark the 10th race on the Truck Series schedule and completes the 2011 schedule. It will be the first time the series has raced on a Thursday evening since 2005.

A Nationwide Series event follows on Friday, July 8, with the Cup Series following on Saturday, July 9. The tripleheader marks the first time all three NASCAR national series have run on the same weekend at Kentucky -- it will be the Cup Series' first event at the track.

The Truck Series has raced at the 1.5-mile tri-oval since 2000.

"The Midwest fan base has supported the Camping World Truck Series at Kentucky Speedway for over 10 years," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president, racing operations. "This will be a great addition to the inaugural Sprint Cup Series race weekend, adding to what will already be a tremendous three nights of racing for the fans."

Seven of the previous 10 Truck Series races held at the speedway were won by past, reigning or future champions. Five won the series championship in the same season. Ron Hornaday is the only two-time Kentucky winner.

The Truck Series will return to Kentucky on Oct. 1. It will be the first time the series has raced twice in the Bluegrass State in the same season.

The 2011 season is the 17th for the Truck Series. It begins Feb. 18 at Daytona International Speedway.

Truck Series: 2011 Schedule