Black’s Tire continues racing tradition
By Hunter Thomas
Black’s Tire (BTS) has a deep connection to racing in the Carolinas, and come Darlington race week, the family-owned company will adorn AJ Allmendinger’s Kaulig Racing No. 16 Chevrolet in the Goodyear 400 on Sunday as well as the TRICON Garage No. 15 Toyota with driver, Tanner Gray on Friday.
BTS is based in Cerro Gordo, North Carolina, which is just across the state line from Dillon County. The company has been involved in the grassroots racing scene around the Pee Dee region for years, sponsoring tracks and drivers. Darlingtonian, Hal Goodson had the support of the BTS throughout his career as well. In fact, as a car owner, company president, Ricky Benton has started drivers in two NASCAR Cup Series races and 81 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races. This year, however, the company is celebrating Darlington race week by sponsoring competitors.
If you’re a sponsor, and you’re looking for an energetic competitor that will get you TV time, then Allmendinger is certainly a driver to consider. The Los Gatos, California native puts on a show, and BTS is amped up to be a part of the performance in front of the company’s home track on the NASCAR schedule. In fact, back in the Hooters Pro Cup Series days, Kaulig Racing President Chris Rice used to help the Benton’s manage the race team.
“We love the energy that both Chris Rice and driver, AJ Allmendinger bring,” said BTS Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ricky Benton II. “That is the same energy that Black’s Tire tries bring to the tire and automotive business. Taking care of our customers and partner dealers across the Carolina’s. Darlington is special, and it’s also in our backyard. We will have a big crowd of BTS team members, families and customers coming to experience the excitement of Darlington.”
The track, Too Tough To Tame hasn’t been Allmendinger’s best track, but it certainly hasn’t been his worst either. Allmendinger has yet to start a NASCAR Cup Series race for Kaulig Racing at Darlington Raceway, but throughout his 11 series starts, his best finish came in 2014, when he finished 15th while racing for JTG Daugherty Racing. Allmendinger enters Darlington coming off a 14th -place finish at Kansas Speedway. So far this season, Allmendinger has captured one top-10 and six top-20 finishes. Allmendinger is really excited about the Black’s Tire & Auto Service sponsorship and where it may lead for future efforts.
“It’s a longstanding sponsorship in the sport,” Allmendinger said. “For me, I look forward to getting to know everybody as a part of it at Darlington, and I know Chris Rice and all of those guys have basically grown up together and have been around each other a lot, so I’m looking forward to being a part of that and try to represent the best that I can. It’s always cool whenever we’re able to get a new sponsor on the car, although they’re not new to NASCAR but part of the Kaulig family. You never know where it could be to.”
Tanner Gray is a driver who worked himself through the grassroots level, and now he’s competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The 24-year-old Artesia, New Mexico native has four starts at Darlington Raceway in the series. His best finish at the track, Too Tough To Tame came in 2020, when he finished 29th. This season however, Gray has earned two top-five finishes and two additional top-10 finishes.
“The Black’s Tire team is eager to ride along with Tanner and join our friends David Gilliland and Johnny Gray at TRICON,” said BTS Owner Ricky Benton. “We’re proud to do business across all these areas and it’s always thrilling to see Black’s Tire logos on the racetrack. We look forward to promoting together and bringing the excitement to the Carolinas for these three races.”
Gray enters the Buckle Up South Carolina 200 coming off an 18th -place effort at Kansas Speedway. Gray is eager to hit the track and put on a show for the BTS team. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race will be the first of three (North Wilkesboro and Charlotte) for BTS on Gray’s truck.
“I’m excited to represent BTS again this season after we had some strong runs together last year,” said Gray. “I’m motivated to keep up the positive momentum for our team and look forward to earning a few more solid results right in the company’s backyard.”
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Buckle Up South Carolina 200 will broadcast live on FS1 at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 12, while the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 will get begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 14 and broadcast live on FS1 as well.