UPDATE, 11/19 7:10PM – Ciccarelli has clarified his position on the deal, stating that Viens has the money to go full-time, however since no money has been exchanged yet, the deal is not finished. Ray expects everything to work out with Viens going full-time in 2021.
After a part-time schedule in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2020, driver Timothy Viens will return to the No. 49 CMI Motorsports entry to compete full-time next season.
The news was confirmed to TobyChristie.com by Viens himself, and then followed-up by owner Ray Ciccarelli.
“I had a great time this season getting a bunch of seat time but this off season is about working hard and starting our season off right at Daytona and competing for a win,” Viens said in a media release provided to TobyChristie.com by the driver. “I have worked very well with Ray Ciccarelli and my crew chief Tim Silva, and I feel very confident in their abilities to get us competitive this season.”
Team owner Ray Ciccarelli has kept a close eye on the progress of the Vermont driver this past season, between starts in the Xfinity Series as well as the Truck Series.
“Tim has the ability to learn quickly,” Ciccarelli said. “We feel very confident in his abilities in 2021, and look forward to a great season!”
In addition, Ciccarelli has confirmed to TobyChristie.com that he expects to run three to four races himself in a second entry.
Viens spent some time in the Xfinity Series this past season driving for Mike Harmon Racing for two races, where he finished a career best 18th at Daytona in the summer.
He also competed in ten starts in the 2020 Truck Series campaign, finishing a best of 24th at the Daytona road course.
Sponsorship helped drive the effort for Viens, bringing in Boat Gadget for the 2021 season, as well as returning sponsor Subsafe.
Viens, in his part-time schedule, was often piloting a “Trump 2020” paint scheme in both the Xfinity and Truck Series, hoping to help President Donald Trump earn a second-term as commander-in-chief. The scheme drew heavy criticism from fans.
The driver also went viral across the NASCAR community in late August when two CMI trucks, and Viens were spotted in a music video by rapper Forgiato Blow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoJf9OwICds
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will begin their 2021 season in Daytona Beach on February 12th.
