NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Bobby Dale Earnhardt will be behind the wheel of the No. 66 Copeland Insurance Toyota for MBM Motorsports this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. The running of the My Bariatric Solutions 300 is set for Saturday afternoon and comes on the heals of what started as an impressive day at Kansas for the MBM team.
It will be the second start for the driver in the Xfinity Series this season with eyes of running the remaining two races in 2018. Earnhardt, who’s run in the ARCA Racing Series, ARCA Truck Series and multiple regional dirt track events, says that sponsors coming on board have helped put him back behind the wheel of a Xfinity car.
“I’m excited to be back in the No. 66 for Texas, Earnhardt said. “Great sponsors make this happen – like Copeland Insurance coming on as the primary. And PIMCO Claims out of Smyrna Tennessee joining us along with HABCO Inc, Circle S Ranch and Honor Flight. These companies know we work hard as small team, so I want to make sure we make the best run possible for them.”
From Pits to Track at Texas
When a driver approaches a new track it’s natural to reach out to fellow drivers for advice. In Bobby’s case, advice often comes from his younger brother Jeffrey who’s run Texas several times in his career. Texas is one of the tracks that Bobby Earnhardt has never raced on in any of the series he’s logged starts in. However, he has worked the pits for other drivers over the years.
“First time behind the wheel at Texas – I’ve gotten some advice from my brother before I went to Richmond and Kansas for the first time,” Earnhardt said. “How to drive the tracks entry exit when to get in and out of the gas, stuff like that.”
However, Jeffrey is not scheduled to run Texas this week, so Earnhardt says the information will come from seat time.
“We may touch base, we’re a racing family – that’s what we tend to talk about,” Earnhardt said laughing. “But, practice will be key for me at Texas. Never raced at there, but I’ve pitted cars and while watching from the pits and thought it would be pretty awesome to get out there and run!Now I get my chance to be the one behind the wheel at this massive fast track. Can’t wait, I think it’s gonna be something awesome to do. Can’t thank my sponsors enough!
Running their Own Race
Earnhardt started the Kansas race in the 27th position and ran much of the afternoon in the top-twenty on the lead lap. However, a faulty fuel pump sidelined the No. 66 early. It was a disappointment for Earnhardt as one of his stated goals entering Kansas was to finish the entire race.
“Small teams run different types of races – a win for a small team may be going the distance, finishing five spots better than last week,” Earnhardt said. “Goals are to improve, finish in the top-wherever, goals are different for every small-team. Our goal, at Kansas, was to be running at the end – for a while it looked like we were going to achieve that. Probably would have had a great finish considering how many cars wrecked at the start. But, the fuel pump went and ended the day.”
Earnhardt says he has a similar goal for Texas that he did for Kansas – run the best race possible and improve as a driver and team. Akawork hard!
“My goal is to work hard, finish with the best race possible,” Earnhardt said. “Like I was saying – small teams have certain goals. Sure, we want to win! But to get there you have to say ‘OK, last week we were here… this week we need to be here’ it’s all about hard work and I think sponsors coming on board with us like Copeland Insurance Agencyin Manhattan, Kansas and PIMCO in Tennessee, HABCO. I think they recognize our hard work and appreciate what we’re doing.”
About Copeland Insurance
Copeland Insurance Agency has been serving the insurance needs of Kansas for over 50 years. Copeland agents have the experience and resources to get customers the most comprehensive insurance coverage at the best prices. Copeland offers everything from Auto Insurance to Home Insurance as well as specialized coverage for business, workers compensation, farm insurance coverage, such as crop, agribusiness, and harvest. For more information visit www.copelandinsurance.net
About PIMCO Claims
PIMCO Claims, LLC (formerly PMCO Inspections) was founded in 2014 as a company of Ladder Assists serving nationally as a vendor for insurance companies. After years of successful service and growth, 2018 was the year to expand and evolve the company from PMCO Inspections to PIMCO Claims, LLC to take on more than simply ladder assists, becoming a full-service Adjusting firm, property inspection, and mitigation company. Today, PIMCO Claims is a national company based in Smyrna, TN, with adjusters licensed in multiple states. For more information visit www.pimcoclaims.com
About HABCO, Inc.
Founded in 1992 by Joe Hodges and Tim Buyse, HABCO, Inc. has become one of the most well-known industrial contractors in the Midwest with a goal of providing customers with an outstanding product and great customer service. The company specializes in the grain and feed industry and has evolved into an organization with the capability to take on a wide variety of projects utilizing innovative solutions. The company objective is to give their customers the ability to achieve their production goals while meeting all their expectations for quality, efficiency, durability and safety. More information can be found at www.habcoinc.com.
About Kansas Honor Flight
ESR will dedicate space on their cars, or trucks, in every series and race they are entered in for Honor Flight graphics. The Honor Flight Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which works as an umbrella organization for many local chapters and various subgroups across the United States. The goal is to help veterans visit the memorial dedicated to them in Washington, D.C. The Honor Flight Network has escorted over 200,000 WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War era veterans to their memorials in Washington, D.C. More information can be found at www.kansashonorflight.org or at www.honorflight.org.
About Earnhardt – Shearer Racing
Earnhardt – Shearer Racing competes in a wide variety of racing series including the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and several regional sanctioning bodies. The team races on everything from dirt tracks to super speedways. The organization is headed by Bobby Dale Earnhardt and John Shearer. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/EarnhardtShearerRacing.
