Former Chili Bowl Champ Rico Abreu Joins Elite Truck Series Team For 2016

Former Chili Bowl champion Rico Abreu will be racing full time in one of NASCAR’s major series this year.

For the 2016 season, Abreu will drive the No. 98 ThorSport Racing Toyota in the Camping World Truck Series under veteran Doug George.

The 4-foot-4 racer announced the move Friday via Twitter, just a day before attempting to become a repeat champion in the Chili Bowl.

Abreu is a crowd favorite, and his first Chili Bowl win was praised nationwide.

Although he suffers from Achondroplasia, a condition that limits bone growth, he doesn’t let his  size hold him back.

"Obviously with my unique stature, there's some limitations in the car, some foot blocks they put in there [that] push forward into the seat so I can get up under the wheel," he explained.

He also says his size has helped him become a role model to the youth.

“Because of my stature and I'm more their size but look grown up, it's intriguing to them and that helps as well and then they get to watch me race on the track which is cool for them," said Abreu.

The 2014 USAC Midget champion made his Truck Series debut back in November. Later in the season, he finished 28th and 13th in a pair of races.