Auto: Quiroga is 1st Mexican to earn Trucks pole

NEWTON - German Quiroga stood up and announced it proudly, concluding a post-qualifying news conference.

"First pole by a Mexican," the rookie NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series race car driver said with a smile.

Quiroga was the fastest of a tremendously quick field, writing history by becoming the first Mexican-born Trucks Series polesitter. The driver of Red Horse Racing's No. 77 Toyota Tundra raced to a track record 138.620 miles per hour in qualifying Saturday, starting in front for the American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway.

"I'm very, very happy," Quiroga said about the feat. "We've been running fast."

Much of the field was fast with the top five qualifiers surpassing the old track record. Miguel Paludo, Ty Dillon, Brendan Gaughan and Ross Chastain all posted laps faster than 138 mph.

Quiroga has progressed almost as fast as he whipped around the 0.875-mile oval. He entered Saturday's race with two straight top-10 finishes, placing third at the WinStar World Casino at Texas Motor Speedway and eighth at UNOH 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Some of the pressure was alleviated when he learned his team would run a full schedule.

"I'm getting better," Quiroga said. "I'm learning a lot. I have great teammates."

Crew chief Dan Stillman said he didn't know what to expect from Quiroga. Questions due to limited experience have been quickly answered.

"He amazes us every week," Stillman said. "Not that we didn't expect it. It's just a pleasant surprise to have those results."

Quiroga has adjusted well to the series. He is more comfortable with the trucks and has worked well with his crew.

"He's learning the trucks better and giving great feedback," Stillman said. "Now he's on the pole. That's a result of his hard work and our communication."

TRUCKS' YOUNG GUNS

Don't consider it a youth movement, but young drivers have maneuvered to the top of NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series.

At the forefront is 20-year-old driver Jeb Burton. He entered the American Ethanol 200 at Iowa Speedway on Saturday second in points, trailing Matt Crafton by 22. He was only 18 points ahead of 21-year-old Ty Dillon, who won the previous Trucks contest held at Kentucky Speedway on June 27.

They serve as the elder statesmen. Ryan Blaney, 19, is sixth in points, becoming the youngest driver to win a Trucks event. He was just 18 years and eight months when he reached victory lane here last September. Darrell Wallace Jr., also 19, is ninth in points this season.

Chase Elliott is considered a strong threat to break Blaney's age mark. The 17-year-old son of NASCAR champion Bill Elliott has three top-10 finishes in as many starts, placing fourth in the Lucas Oil 200 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway on May 31.

"It shows we can do it," Burton said. "We can run with the best of the best. We just got to have our opportunity."

Elliott said he feels he is close to earning that first win. Age isn't a factor to him. He considers himself just another driver.

"I haven't thought about it a lot," Elliott said about being the youngest winner in the series during a teleconference this week. "For me, we are just there to win like everybody else is and try to do a better job than the next guy. So, haven't really put a whole lot into my age and how old I am and how old the rest of these guys are. Just more so our personal program and what we need to do to be a little bit better."

EXTENDED RELATIONSHIP

Iowa Speedway and Growth Energy jointly announced Saturday that the multi-year sponsorship will be extended through the 2014 season. The partnership has held the NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series American Ethanol 200 at the Newton track.

"We're glad to have them back for then and beyond," Iowa Speedway Chairman of the Board Conrad Clement said.

The partnership seems like a natural fit. American Ethanol, launched by Growth Energy and National Corn Growers Association, relates well to the state associated with corn production.

"It's pretty easy to make that decision, because of what you folks deliver," Growth Energy Vice President of Development Kelly Manning said. "This track is a fantastic venue for us. Not only is it in the heart of corn country, heart of ethanol country, the folks here understand the value of ethanol and what it brings to our country, helping lessen our dependence on foreign oil."