New Dirt Ace at MB Motorsports for Eldora Dirt Derby

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

Since its inception, MB (Mittler Brothers) Motorsports has fielded a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series truck, and were previously known as the proving ground for future Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers Carl Edwards (2002) and Jamie McMurray (2000). Even remembered for being the truck that Tony Roper lost his life at Texas Motor Speedway in 2000.

Over the past three years, the single-truck team that bears the No. 63 on its side door has gained notoriety as being an annual contender at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio with driver Bobby Pierce, scoring the team’s only pole and top-five in his debut July 22, 2015.

As the series makes the popular stop for the sixth time, MB Motorsports went with a different approach and decided not to go with Pierce, but announced another dirt track ace on Wednesday. For July 18th’s Eldora Dirt Derby, it’ll be Kyle Strickler piloting the No. 63 G-Style Transport Chevrolet Silvarado for his Truck Series debut.

Known as “The High Side Tickler,” Strickler will also have the IMCA (International Motor Contest Association) Super Nationals sponsoring the truck, which he said it’s important to have the event being represented in his NASCAR debut.

“The IMCA Super Nationals is a crown jewel in American dirt track racing and I’m very proud to have them on board with us at Eldora,” said Strickler, who’s a two-time event champion.

It’s six-day event will take place at Boone Speedway in Iowa September 3-8.

The 34-year-old has had huge success in dirt modified around the Carolina area, notably winning back-to-back Harris Clash victories held at Knoxville in 2012 and 2013.

Car owner Matt Mittler said he’s optimistic Strickler will provide another solid finish at the half-mile clay dirt oval.

“There’s no disputing Kyle Strickler is a premier dirt track racer,” said Mittler. “I am extremely excited to get to Eldora and see what we can do. As long as we can put a solid truck underneath him, I think we can bring home another good finish for the 63 truck.”

Strickler will be the fourth driver to run for Mittler’s operation at Eldora, and will seek to bring home the team’s fourth top-10. If so, it’ll be MB Motorsports’ third at Eldora with Pierce scoring a runner-up finish in 2015 and sixth last year.