Hoffman looking to make first Truck start at ORP

CORNELIUS, N.C. -- Nick Hoffman is set to make his Camping World Truck Series debut as he attempts to qualify for Friday's AAA Auto Insurance 200 at O'Reilly Raceway Park. The 18-year old protégé of Carl Edwards has had this race in mind since he began racing quarter midgets a decade ago in his hometown of St. Louis.

Hoffman currently runs in the American Modified Racing Association. In preparation for his Truck debut, Hoffman made the switch to asphalt tracks, competing in several Whelen Late Model Series events at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C., earlier this summer. He showed promise right out of the gate, garnering a fifth-place finish in his first outing.

Hoffman will be making his Truck debut behind the wheel of the No. 63 Mittler Brothers Ford -- the same team that gave Edwards his start. His association with the team comes down to a family connection: Hoffman's father, Darrell, turned wrenches on the truck back when Edwards was behind the wheel.

"I'm very excited and I almost can't believe this opportunity that I have," Hoffman said. "I've worked very hard to get here, but there are so many talented drivers that won't ever get the chance that I have here this weekend, so I've got to be humble about it. I'm here to learn, drive smoothly and above all finish this race. I really can't thank Carl [Edwards] and Mike [Mittler] enough for allowing me to chase my dream of driving in NASCAR. I'm pumped up and I'm going to give it all I've got."