MOORESVILLE, N.C. – DGR-Crosley announced Thursday that dirt modified racer Kyle Strickler will drive the team’s No. 54 Toyota Tundra entry in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to work with David [Gilliland] and the guys at DGR-Crosley,” said Strickler. “I feel like things are coming full circle. My first job in NASCAR was working in a fab shop for a team that David was racing for. He won that year in Kentucky, and that win helped propel him into the Cup Series. So, to say it’s cool that I now have a shot at winning for David is an understatement.”
A regular in a dirt late model, Strickler recently ran in Eldora Speedway’s Dirt Late Model Dream where he started on the pole, led for more than 40 laps before earning two top-15 finishes. Strickler is also a two-time World Short Track Champion at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.
Although he races dirt late models full time, Strickler does have one Truck Series start, which occurred last season at Eldora. In his lone Truck Series start, he was involved in an accident that relegated him to a 31st place finish.
“DGR-Crosley has a lot of really great people within their organization – many of them with a lot of dirt racing experience,” Strickler remarked. “Knowing that I’m going to Eldora in top-notch equipment is a great feeling. The dirt racing community has been so supportive and excited for me to get this opportunity. I’ve had a bunch of individual chip in to make this possible, and I can’t thank everyone enough.”
Jerovetz Shock Service, Donaldson Grading, JRS Competition Finishes, Canady’s Pest Control, Glen Miller Demolition and G-Style Transport have all partnered with Strickler for Thursday’s event.
Strickler will have veteran Crew Chief Frank Kerr coaching from atop the pit box. Kerr, a retired sprint car driver, has won four track championships at Eldora Speedway, four All-Star championships and five Ohio Speed Week championships.
“It’s really awesome that Kyle is racing for us at DGR-Crosley,” said Kerr. “I worked with him a lot early in his modified career, and we won a lot of races together. I’m excited to be reunited with him and work with him on the NASCAR side at Eldora, a track that means a lot to me personally. I think Kyle is going to do a great job.”