The #47 JTG-Daugherty Racing transporter carrying the primary and backup cars for Ryan Preece caught fire on its way to Kansas Speedway for Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400. The trailer, race cars, uniforms and other equipment sustained damage.
The hauler caught fire in Illinois at near Interstate 24 mile marker near Columbia.
JTG-Daugherty Racing is a two car team, also fielding the #37 for Chris Buescher. As a result of the damage to both the primary and backup race cars of the #47 team, JTG-Daugherty Racing is using Buescher's backup car as Preece's primary car and the #47 team is using a trailer borrowed from Hendrick Motorsports as its headquarters for the Kansas weekend.
“We appreciate the outpouring of support from the NASCAR community following what happened yesterday on the way to Kansas Speedway,” a statement from the team on Friday read. “We are planning to have two cars on track this afternoon (for practice) to compete on Sunday. Thanks to Hendrick Motorsports, the No. 47 team is working out of their test hauler, and we are planning to run the No. 37 backup car as the No. 47 primary car. We have no further updates at this time. Thank you for your understanding.”
The #47 JTG-Daugherty Racing transporter wasn't the only NASCAR team transporter to have difficulty getting to Kansas Speedway. The #10 Kaulg Racing transporter wrecked in North Carolina on its way to Kansas for Saturday's Kansas Lottery NASCAR Xfinity Series race. That team was able to get another transporter carrying race cars to Kansas Speedway for driver Ross Chastain.