Last October, the folks at Toyota Racing issued Mike Iaconelli a custom-fitted fire suit for a 120-mph hot lap with NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. around Charlotte Motor Speedway. Later that autumn day, the two shared time catching bass on shakey-head-rigged finesse worms at Lake Norman.
This week, Ike is jumping into his Toyota Tundra and towing his boat from his New Jersey home to famed Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. It’s doubtful he’ll be wearing a fire suit on the 516-mile drive, but he's nonetheless blazing with excitement to return to NASCAR’s inner circles.
In the case of Bristol, it’s a small circle that provides the most exciting short-track race of the year. Iaconelli will be there to sign autographs for race fans, as well as to get an inside look at Truex’s world on an actual race weekend. His Tundra and boat will also be on display for the 160,000 or so fans that fill one of the largest sports venues in the world.
“I gotta be honest, until recently, I wasn’t much of a NASCAR fan,” said Iaconelli. “But based on my experiences with Martin Truex Jr. last year in Charlotte, and what some of my buddies have told me about Bristol, I can’t wait to get there.
“I’m also excited just to go and observe how they've grown their sport so big in a fan-friendly way. My goal at Bristol is to watch, learn, have a good time and bring some of that experience back to fishing. I also know that a ton of NASCAR fans love to fish, so I’m looking forward to talking fishing with the race fans too.”
Truex, driver of the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry, reciprocates excitement for Ike’s return to NASCAR.
“Mike is a pretty intense guy when he’s fishing and it will be pretty cool to bring him into our world at an actual race and show him just how intense NASCAR racing is, especially at Bristol,” said Truex, who like Iaconelli is a New Jersey native.
In addition to sharing the same home state, Truex shares Ike’s love of fishing.
“I caught a lot of smallmouth in Traverse City before the Michigan race last weekend. I do pretty good fishing on my own, but of course he’s a pro, and he’s real good."
Truex, who heads to Bristol sitting 21st the Sprint Cup standings, continued, “If anything, I’d like to ask Mike when he wants to go fishing again. He’s a lot of fun to hang out with; he’s a good dude. Plus, he’s a Phillies fan, and he’s from Jersey, too.”
