Sellers Shines in Season Opener – Takes Pole and Win

Easley, SC – It was a grey and gloomy day at historic Greenville-Pickens Speedway for Saturday’s Camping World Series East Opener.  But by mid-afternoon, the clouds parted and the sun shone down on Peyton Sellers, when he won the pole, and went on to win the race.  Many said this would be the team to beat in NASCAR’s top development series in 2008. Sellers and the crew from Andy Santerre Motorsports appear to be out to prove them right.

After posting the fastest qualifying time, Sellers and the #44 Strutmasters.com Chevrolet took the green flag.  Peyton effortlessly lead the first 25 laps before the Chevy Monte Carlo SS started experiencing break problems. He lost the front brakes, then the rear, all the while maintaining his 5th place position for another 30 laps before brushing the wall and bringing out the second caution of the evening. The ASM team quickly repaired the problem and returned to the track without losing a lap, visiting pit road again under the same caution to replace a badly damaged right rear wheel.

Finding himself at the back of the pack, the 24 year old former national champion went to work, forging his way through the field like a seasoned veteran.  By lap 100, Peyton was back in the top five taking the lead from team mate Austin Dillon after a caution on lap 128.

“No question, we had the fastest car on the track tonight”, said Sellers.  “The ASM team did an awesome job getting us ready for this race, and their response to the brake problem was unbelievable.  I’m just thrilled for all of us to be able to start the season together on such a high note.”

“We have never questioned Peyton’s talent.  We have known from the beginning that if we put the right equipment under him he could potentially win every race, but, I’m telling you, I can’t believe he drove the car for that long and that well with no brakes”, commented Santerre.  “It’s a true testament to his ability.  I’ve never seen anybody do anything like that.”

Earlier in the weekend Sellers appeared for an autograph session at the SkillsUSA South Carolina state competition which was held in Greenville, SC.  SkillsUSA is one of the country’s largest student non-profit organizations, supporting skilled and technical trades.  Sellers announced a partnership with the organization last year.  Tim Lawrence, the Executive Director of SkillsUSA was on hand for the race.  “We’re thrilled to have an association with a team of this caliber”, said Lawrence.  Three of the team’s crew members are SkillsUSA alumni. 

Sellers has received significant attention from the media following his third overall finish in the series last year while running out of his home shop with just a single car.   He is featured in NASCAR’s short-track television campaign this year, and continues his weekly interviews on Sirius Satellite Radio.  The team is also sponsored by Casella Waste Systems, who will be the primary sponsor on the car for six of the remaining twelve races in the series with Stutmasters.com as the primary for Nashville race in July.

“If they have space anywhere on that car, you’d better get on it now”, commented one fan in the stands."This team is going places.”