Camping World Trucks - Paludo Preview - Homestead

ACHIEVING GOALS: In 2010, Miguel Paludo made his second start for Red Horse Racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Competing full-time in 2011, Paludo has earned three top-five finishes, seven top-10 finishes and has paced the field for 19 laps. The driver still has one more goal to accomplish in 2011, finishing in the top-15 in the driver point standings. After some bad luck late in the season Paludo finds himself 17th in points, but only nine points away from a top-15 finish.

SECOND TIME AROUND: Last season Paludo earned his first top-10 finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway finishing ninth in the season finale. Paludo completed each of the 134 laps in the event, while preparing for his first full season in the Truck Series in 2011.

RUNNING: This past weekend, while the Truck Series enjoyed a rare off weekend, Paludo competed in his first half-marathon. Paludo competed in the Thunder Road Marathon in Charlotte, North Carolina with pit crew coach Adam Merrell and with Amy Cook, wife of spotter and Red Horse Racing Director of Competition Terry Cook. When he is not on the track, Paludo spends his time staying in shape, mainly running. This is the first half-marathon Paludo plans to compete in as he trains to compete in the New York City Marathon in 2012.

CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 7 team will unload chassis No. 132. This truck last saw on-track action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where Paludo earned a 10th-place finish. This chassis has competed only one other time in 2011, where Paludo piloted the truck to a fourth-place finish at Lucas Oil Raceway in July.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Last week at Texas Motor Speedway, Paludo made a late-race surge to finish ninth earning his seventh top-10 finish of 2011. Paludo was the highest Toyota finisher in the 147-lap event. With the run Paludo swept top-10 finishes at Texas Motor Speedway in 2011 earning an eighth-place finish at the 1.5-mile track in the Lone Star state in June. Miguel Paludo Talks about Homestead-Miami Speedway:

Homestead-Miami Speedway has been a great track for you in the past. What do you like about the track?

"What I like most about Homestead-Miami Speedway, is that you can run and be fast either from the bottom or the top. Last year I learned a lot and I'm looking forward the last race with the rookie stripes."

What are your plans for the off-season? Will you be traveling home to Brazil?

"My plans are to go to Brazil, and right now it is summer there. So I want to enjoy family and friends there and get ready for 2012 season."