KYLE – Texas’ very own Austin Wayne Self returns to Central Texas Speedway tonight and will compete in the Pro Late Model class at the NAPA Know How 250 season opener.

Black’s Barbecue in Lockhart, Texas is one of Austin Self’s new race sponsors. Photo by Mike Haag

The 20-year old stock car driver and Austin native, who is competing this year on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series circuit, has a break in his schedule and is looking forward to returning to his roots this weekend where his stock car racing career began about six years ago.

On Thursday, Self made a stop at Black’s Barbecue in Lockhart, Texas to meet his fans and to visit with one of his new sponsors.  While there, he signed autographs and took pictures with race fans.  He also took a tour of the barbecue joint and enjoyed a sampling of their smoked ribs, sausage and brisket.

“It feels good to finally come back to Texas and what a treat that I get to come out here to Lockhart, the heart of Texas and visit Black’s Barbecue,” Self said.  “It’s finally great to be able to come down here and check out where all of the magic is done and where the barbecue is made.”

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Austin Self signs an autograph for a young race fan. Photo by Mike Haag

Self said that Black’s Barbecue recently became an associate sponsor on his NASCAR Truck.  With the addition, Black’s Barbecue join Texas Tea, Simpson, Go Texan and Don’t Mess with Texas as other Texas companies that are loaning him support this season.

“The coolest thing about Black’s Barbecue is that we get to eat barbecue every weekend at the races,” Self said.  “They ship us barbecue for every race for the team to enjoy.  It’s funny because living in North Carolina, they think they know what barbecue is, but they have never had Texas barbecue.  I finally got Kent Black and these guys on board.  I’m just excited to not only eat good barbecue but to show North Carolina what good barbecue tastes like.”

Austin Wayne Self with Eric Lenderman and Kent Black of Black’s Barbecue in Lockhart, Texas. Photo by Mike Haag

Self said that he is looking forward to climbing in a Late Model stock car and racing against some of Texas’ top short-track racing talent.

“I have a lot of fun racing at Central Texas Speedway,” Self said.  “There are a lot of good drivers, and it should be a lot of fun.  I like to look back and see how much that I have learned.  The more years that go by, the more fun I have when I come back down here and go racing.  I’ve learned so much from all of the guys that I have raced with there.  To be able to come back and race with them again is awesome.”

Self said racing at Central Texas Speedway helped him develop into the driver that he is today.

“It’s easy to get out of your comfort zone,” Self said.  “It used to be really nerve-racking to get out there and race with those guys.  Now that I have raced other places like Atlanta or Chicago where you go 180 mph, I feel like I go full throttle around this racetrack.  For me it’s even better because now I can race harder.  For me I feel like the racing gets even better and you drive that car to its limit.  When I go out here at Central Texas Speedway, I like running the top groove and it’s a lot of fun.  I like to come here and race because the guys you race against and the facilities are awesome.”

Austin Wayne Self checks out the meat on the world famous barbecue pits at Black’s Barbecue in Lockhart, Texas. Photo by Mike Haag

Earlier this year Self made his debut in the No. 22 Toyota in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and he said that he plans to run the entire 2016 NCWTS schedule.  Prior to that, Self competed in the ARCA Racing Series during the past three years where he had 45 starts, one victory, 13 top-five finishes, 30 top-10 finishes and he won the rookie-of-the-year title in 2014.

“It was a big adjustment going from racing an ARCA or Sprint Cup type of car to racing a NASCAR Truck,” Self said.  “You can imagine what it is like driving a truck at 180 mph.  I think Toyota and AM Technical Solutions do a great job giving me a truck that is going to handle as good as it gets.  These things are a handful to drive.  They punch a big hole in the air and that makes it difficult to race around other trucks.  The competition in the class is really tough but it’s been really cool driving them.”

Austin Wayne Self introduces himself to a few customers at Black’s Barbecue in Lockhart, Texas. Photo by Mike Haag

Self added, “I learned a lot about how the air effects the handling on the Trucks.  I had never been to Atlanta before.  It’s a very difficult track and it’s fast and bumpy.  It also eats up the tires.  The biggest thing I learned was to be patient and to continue to learn how to drive these trucks.  I think that once I get it and it clicks, we will be right up there.

Self’s next NCWTS race will be on April 2 at Martinsville Speedway.  He will also compete at Kansas Speedway on May 6, Dover International Speedway on May 13 and Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20 before returning to Texas to compete at Texas Motor Speedway on June 10.

“I am real excited to go to Martinsville,” Self said.  “Short track racing is what I have been doing for most of my career.  I am looking forward to racing against some of the best short track racers in the world in that race.  I am also looking forward to racing at Charlotte and Texas Motor Speedway.”

Self said that he has never raced at Texas Motor Speedway, but he does have fond memories watching races there while growing up.

“I remember going and watching races there and picking a number of a driver out of a hat and did a little pool to see who would win,” Self said.  “This year someone will have to pull my name and I don’t know if I will have to feel bad or good for them.  We will find out there in the next couple of months.”

Self said that he really appreciates all of the support that he has received from his Texas sponsors, and he is looking forward to visiting with several of the company representatives at the races at CTS tonight.

“It’s cool to be able to have Texas support me the way it does between Texas Tea, Don’t Mess with Texas, Go Texan, and Black’s Barbecue,” Self said.  “It’s been a dream to race in the NASCAR Truck Series, but all of this has made the dream a lot sweeter with having my home state and home towns represent me.  That’s more than I can ask for and I hope that I can represent and make my state proud.”