Jonathan Shafer, a winner in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour last season at Ace Speedway, will make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in Saturday's event at Martinsville Speedway.
The 17-year-old driver will be joining forces with On Point Motorsports to pilot the No. 30 Toyota Tundra TRD pro at the half-mile paperclip with funding from Auto’s by Nelson, Osgar’s Auto Body, Solid Rock Carriers, Slinger Print Works, Tri Star Racewear, and Rangeline Group.
A native of Ashland, Ohio, Shafer has aspirations of contesting an eight-race campaign for the single-truck operation this season, but whether or not that comes to fruition is entirely dependent on sponsorship backing.
“I’m beyond excited to make my first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race with On Point Motorsports at one of my favorite tracks, Martinsville Speedway,” said Shafer. “I consider this to be my home track because my mom’s family lives right down the road and I have spent a lot of time in this area when I was growing up.”
Shafer has competed in several different racing divisions throughout his career, starting at four and a half years old racing USAC quarter midgets, before graduating to National USAC Midget racing with Keith Kunz Motorsports, which included the Chili Bowl Nationals.
On top of that, Shafer has competed in the World of Outlaw Dirt Sprint Cars, before making a recent switch to pavement racing, to compete in the CARS Late Model Tour, and most recently the ARCA Menards Series, where he teamed up with Venturini Motorsports.
“My goal is to give Steven Lane, and the team a good finish and to run every lap with no damage. With funding and sponsorship, I hope to run seven more races this year with On Point.”
In 35 starts in the CARS Late Model Tour, Shafer has a single victory coming last season at Ace Speedway, plus nine top-five and 16 top-10 results. Running 13 of 15 events in 2022, Shafer recorded a 14th-place result in final points.
Shafer will be the fifth driver to get behind the wheel of an On Point Motorsports truck this season, joining fellow teammates Tanner Carrick, Colin Garrett, Chris Hacker, and Ryan Vargas. So far this year, the entry has a pair of top-15s, both by Ryan Vargas at Atlanta and Texas.
Photo Credit: CARS Tour, Twitter