SST Music City GP confirmed, 11 drivers expected

The Stadium Super Trucks weekend at the inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville will feature a grid of eleven trucks with heavy involvement from Crosley Brands, who will sponsor four drivers including a pair of returning faces after years away. On Wednesday, the series’ entry as a support round for the NTT IndyCar Series was formally confirmed by both race and SST organisers. The series’ participation was initially announced by the GP last week. Scheduled for 6–8 August, practice/qualifying will take place on the first day followed by a race on each of the next two.

Crosley Brands, a radio and record company run by SST driver Bo LeMastus, serves as the title sponsor for the series and will also sponsor their CEO. Arie Luyendyk Jr., a three-time race winner who most recently ran the season opener in St. Petersburg, will also drive a Crosley-sponsored truck, as will Ricky Johnson and Jeff Ward. Johnson and Ward, both motocross and off-road stars, make their returns to SST after last racing in the inaugural season in 2013, Johnson made four starts that year and scored a runner-up finish at San Diego, while Ward ran the first four races with a highest placement of eighth at Long Beach and San Diego.

“We couldn’t be happier to be in Nashville with the Crosley Stadium Super Trucks,” said LeMastus. “We just enjoy being involved and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is going to be a huge annual event. Scott Borchetta from Big Machine is a big supporter of music and motorsports, and so are we at Crosley. We plan to be involved with this event for many years. In addition to being the title sponsor of the Stadium Super Trucks series, Crosley will also be the primary sponsor on four trucks in the race. Crosley will sponsor the trucks of Arie Luyendyk Jr., Jeff Ward, Ricky Johnson and myself. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The GP will be held on a 2.17-mile, 11-turn street circuit in downtown Nashville. Four ramps will be placed in various locations around the track.

“The addition of Robby Gordon‘s Crosley Stadium Super Trucks to the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix line up is very exciting, as we have added to the massive lineup of entertainment and racing stars coming to Nashville,” race CEO Matt Crews added. “Nashville is a world-class city and global entertainment capital and the SST trucks will be a huge hit on the streets of Nashville.”

In addition to the Crosley quartet, Gordon and son Max, Matt Brabham, Sheldon Creed, and Greg Biffle were listed in the initial announcement as other drivers scheduled to take part. While not mentioned in the statement, full-timers Bill Hynes and Robert Stout are also expected. Further drivers will be announced as the weekend nears.

“We’re very excited to add an additional race to our 2021 schedule,” Gordon commented. “The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is going to be a huge event, as Nashville is known for music and entertainment, and we’re looking forward to bringing the thunder to the streets. In addition to the great racing, our garage area will be open for all fans to stop by and get up close and personal with the trucks.”