Rising star Rico Abreu wins first NASCAR race
Rico Abreu earned his first stock car victory winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event at Columbus Motor Speedway in Ohio on Saturday night.
Why I do it... pic.twitter.com/aYPXodjv2N
— Harry Scott, Jr. (@harryscottjr) July 5, 2015
Not only was he victorious, Abreu also set a track record when he won the pole ahead of the race.
The 23-year-old is just 4-foot-4 and weighs 95 pounds, making him the shortest driver ever to compete in the race. He was born with achondroplasia, a genetic bone growth disorder. In order to race, he uses foot blocks to build up the accelerator and moves his seat closer to the steering wheel.
Although it is his first NASCAR victory, Abreu is no stranger to winning. He is the reigning USAC national champion and the winner of this year's 29th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl.
He signed with HScott Motorsports to run the full 2015 season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, where drivers go to develop before moving on to the higher levels.
Abreu is also a member of the NASCAR Next class, a group of 12 drivers that NASCAR has said to be up-and-coming talent.
What a awesome night for my @TeamHSMJM 98 team! Another one of those moments I will cherish forever #thankful #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/MVXeDXc88K
— Rico Abreu (@Rico_Abreu) July 5, 2015