MOVING MUSTANGS FOR ROUSH FENWAY RACING
It’s time to step back into the NASCAR world with Roush Fenway Racing truck driver, Eloy “Nemo” Trevino.
A popular figure in the NASCAR Xfinity Series paddock, Eloy drives an International Lonestar for the North Carolina-based outfit. The almighty prime mover pulls all the gear for Ryan Reed’s #16 Lilly Diabetes team including the Ford Mustang stock cars.
We got in touch with Eloy just before the Xfinity Series Drive for the Cure 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and he was kind enough to field our questions about life on the road with Roush.
G’day Eloy! How did you end up driving a Roush Fenway Racing Xfinity Series hauler for a living?
Eloy Trevino: “I grew up around Michigan International Speedway and I have always been around racing. When I had the time, I worked with teams around local short tracks. Eventually I worked my way up to bigger series including ARCA, Trucks and Xfinity series with Roush Fenway Racing.”
We don’t have the International Lonestar in Australia but they sure look mean. What is it like to drive?
Eloy: “I tell people it's the Lincoln of big trucks. Driver comfort is unbelievable in this truck. All the controls, the gauges and leg room are awesome. The power is great and I love how people react seeing the truck. It's really a fun truck to drive.”
How many miles does the hauler travel per year?
Eloy: “We race 31 weeks a year. We crisscross the country to about 75,000 miles a year.”
What do you know about the history of the trailer?
Eloy: “The trailer used to be a test hauler for Roush for a number of years. Then they moved it to use in the Cup series for Trevor Bayne for a number of years. Last year was my first year with the trailer.”
How is the trailer laid out? What would we find where?
Eloy: “Toward the rear of the trailer are crew lockers and a kitchen area with two refrigerators. Coffee area and snacks. The middle area is for parts storage. I like to tell people we carry a three car in parts. Anything we might need during the weekend we have. There’s a work area toward the front for the shock engineer and in the nose of the trailer is a lounge area for the crew chief and managers. The trailer fits our needs very well.”
How much maintenance is required to keep the truck looking so clean?
Eloy: “I wash and polish the truck every week. I spend three to five hours on the polishing. There are wash guys that go to all the tracks and wash us there but if I get dirty on the way, I'll stop and wash so I travel clean. Because we're a rolling billboard, it’s important to always look the best. It’s probably one of the more important parts of my job. I’ve come to appreciate it.”
What is your favourite track to drive to?
Eloy: “My favourite track is Michigan Speedway. It means I'm home and I have family and friends around all weekend. It's fun for me to share my experience with them. Locals will reach out and tell me to honk when I go by, or will time it so they're all out at the road to wave. It's very special going home because of all the support I have.”
Do you often find that people want to have a chat about the hauler at truck stops and gas stations? And do you enjoy this attention?
Eloy: “I find that to many people, seeing the hauler is the closest they will ever get to racing. People will ask where’s the car, how do we get it in and is the driver inside? I accommodate them as best I can. I pass out driver cards or a hat or two. Moms with kids will fly in and take the kid's pictures. It's fun to see. I never mind, it's what we do and it is what catches people's interest. I hear all the time, 'I don’t watch racing, but I will this weekend. Good luck'.”
Do you have any interesting stories from your time driving for Roush Fenway Racing?
Eloy: “I've had some great experiences driving for Roush. I have seen and done so much because of them. Let's grab a beer, sit around the fire and we'll talk about them stories.”
We might just take you up on that offer, Eloy! Make sure you follow Eloy on Twitter. Roush Fenway Racing is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, Ryan Reed tweets here and the #16 Xfinity Series team posts regular updates on Twitter.