Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced Tuesday that it has created a full-time Camping World East team with Ryan Truex as the driver. Truex is the younger brother of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex.

The younger Truex began racing Bandoleros at a Wall Township Speedway in New Jersey; he then moved up to Legends and won the track championship there in 2007. Since then, he has graduated to a late model which he raced last year at Motor Mile Speedway in Virginia.

Truex made his first Camping World East start at Stafford Speedway last year in a Dale Earnhardt Inc. ride. Now he is ready to run the full schedule.

“In essence, Ryan was ready to move to the next level,” said Ty Norris, MWR general manager. “The Truex's had the cars and the engines, but needed someone to house, employ the staff and operate the team... Ryan has the bloodline and needed the opportunity, so we partnered in this entry. We heard he was aggressive and fast and we can’t wait to see him compete.”

The season opener for the Camping World East series is scheduled for this Saturday, April 11^th. The event will be broadcast Thursday, April 16^th on SPEED.

“I'm looking forward to starting the season with Mike (Waltrip),” Truex said. “Our first race takes place this weekend at Greenville-Pickens, which is a flat half-mile oval with not much grip. We're hoping to leave there with a strong finish.”

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