Dejected Driver Exposes NASCAR’s Brutal Financial Reality After Possibly Career-Ending Blow

It’s a tale as old as time. A teenage racer looked up to racing legends on his screen and carried starry dreams of emulating them on track. Missed his high school graduation for the love of NASCAR. The budding racer finally saw his name in the prestigious NASCAR Truck Series, and yet, the stars shattered moments later.

Timeline of young Mason Maggio after the 19-year-old qualified for the Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway this week. In a reality shared by many racing hopefuls with ambitions and skills to compete with the best and brightest, Reaume Brothers Racing’s #33 Truck Series driver Maggio was eligible but, sadly, incapable of taking part in the UNOH 200 race.

Sponsorship concerns forced the No. 33 Ford F-150 to withdraw from the Bristol UNOH 200

After years spent polishing his hands at go-kart tracks, Mason Maggio, who is currently 19 years old, debuted last year in the Craftsman Truck Series. In less than two years, Maggio received opportunities from four different racing teams and even competed in an Xfinity race in Las Vegas this year. After a 20th-place finish in the Truck Series at Nashville, Maggio competed at Kansas last weekend in AM Racing’s #22 Ford and Professional AG Services’ sponsorship. He was excited to reunite with Resume Brothers once he qualified for the race at Bristol.

However, harsh truths were uncovered when Fox journalist Bob Pockrass posted the list of contenders for the UNOH 200. In a dismaying turn of events, Maggio took to his social media account after Pockrass released his name in 21st place. The young racer informed his followers that a lack of financial support prevented him from participating further. Maggio previously competed in Kansas under the sponsorship of Professional AG Services.

Maggio further thanked his team for giving him an invaluable opportunity. He added he was attempting to secure sponsorships for further races with the support of team owner Josh Reaume.

“Thank @joshreaume for giving me the opportunity and wish him and the #33 team the best of luck this weekend. I am still working closely with Josh & @RBR_Teams on putting together plans for future races that I hope to announce here soon!”

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Despite those reassurances, the 19-year-old’s future remains uncertain. NASCAR’s inability to provide steady funds for upcoming racers destroyed many rising stars over the years. This experienced female racer is another prime example.

Female driver ended her career after failing to receive NASCAR aid

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Angela Ruch was a NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series driver who was forced to succumb to Maggio’s fate. After her Xfinity debut in 2011, she registered an impressive performance in the Gander Outdoors Truck Series in 2019. Driving for NEMCO Motorsports, she finished in an outstanding 8th position in Daytona. It was the second-highest female performance in the history of the Truck Series.

Consequently, Angela, who is the niece of American professional stock car racing driver Derrike Wayne Cope, received an offer to race full-time in the 2020 Truck Series. This was made possible through an alliance between Reaume Brothers Racing and Niece Motorsports.

Unfortunately, after five races in the #00 Chevy, her career came to an abrupt halt before the Ponoco race. Reason? The same sordid tale of finances She posted a heartfelt plea to NASCAR to support their Tier 2 and 3 racers as well. The last tweet regarding her NASCAR career still reads, “Update on my racing schedule”.

Mason Maggio would continue to find another means of financing before his name disappeared from the pages of NASCAR. But Angela Ruch and countless other racers were overshadowed by the darker underbelly of racing tracks.

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The governing body does not shy away from spreading the spotlight on their racers’ victories. Perhaps it is time for them to step up and shield their drivers from the sword of sponsorship looming over them.