Late model driver Brad Foy will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut Saturday at Martinsville Speedway, driving the No. 0 Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing Chevrolet.
"I really want to thank Jennifer and the team for helping make this happen. I'm doing this not only for my love and passion for racing, but for my dad," said Foy, whose father, Brian, was killed in his home in May. "He was taken from us 6 months ago … far too soon. I just want to make him proud and race in his memory. It would bring me more joy than I could explain right now. It's been the worst 6 months of my life since he has been gone."
The No. 0 truck is owned by Kenneth Grimes and has made 10 attempts in 2015, qualifying for seven races with driver Caleb Roark behind the wheel. Roark's best finish this season was 28th at Michigan.
Cobb received an email from Foy -- a Moneta, Virginia native -- and pledged to help him as much as possible to make this race happen. Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing is self-funded, as are Foy's late model efforts.
"As a small team we can only offer Brad so much, but I assured him if he could cover some minor expenses to make this effort, we would do everything we could to fulfill his dream to make this attempt," said Cobb. "Our team will do our best to make this an experience Brad will never forget and hopefully we can gain him some support for future racing efforts with JJCR."
Foy will have to make the Martinsville field on qualifying speed, and he hopes to gain momentum for his racing hopes in 2016.
"It's going to be tough but I'm excited to give it my all," Foy said. "I know my dad would be proud to see me keep trying.”
Foy's father was 66 when he was killed in a home invasion. The home was one of several burglarized in Franklin County, Virginia, the Roanoke Times reported in May. Daniel Percy Arnot, Brian Foy's 30-year-old former son-in-law, was charged with first-degree murder in the case.
Arnot was indicted Sept. 16, The Franklin News-Post reported. Three others also face charges in the murder and related thefts.