Justin Simonson

Driver Name
Justin Simonson

Nickname
Samsonite

How did you get your nickname?
My nickname came from back in the day when my new crew could not remember my real last name so they called me "Samsonite." Like the suitcase!

Occupation
Body Shop Manager

Age
28

Birthday
8/19/1981

Primary Division
Pro Truck

Truck Number
09

First Year Racing at CNS
2010

Racing Biography
I grew up in Pueblo, CO where I discovered my passion for racing at a young age. My racing history has maintained a gradual progression as my skills and abilities have sharpened. I cut my racing teeth on BMX bicycles at the ripe age of 10. From there, I added a motor into my two wheeled escapade and began racing motocross, where I turned pro in 2001. Ivan "Ironman" Stewart once told me "with age you've got to get a cage!" So eventually, two wheels was not enough so I restored a 1976 Pontiac Trans Am for drag racing at Pueblo Motorsports Park. The appeal of road course racing caught my attention so I began racing Go-Karts. In 2006 I was awarded Rookie of the Year in the Colorado Sprint Championship. In 2007 I moved up to the shifter pro-stock class and won a regional championship in CO. It was at that time that my emerging talent was noticed by Owen Motorsports. As a huge compliment to my ability, they offered me a sponsorship to race and represent their company in the super stock division at I-76 Speedway in Ft. Morgan, CO. Again I earned Rookie of the Year and won the championship in 2008. In the following year, the momenturm of the Owen Motorsports sponsorship helped me reach yet another super stock championship in 2009. In late 2009 Hilton Motorsports recruited me to take on the challange of racing in the Snap-On Tools Pro Trucks at Colorado National Speedway. In my first year of Pro Truck racing I finished in the top 10.

Favorite Sprint Cup Driver?
Kevin Harvick because I would fly to Dover, DE and meet up with my family. We would all go to the Monster Mile and watch the races! The first time I ever went Dover Kevin won a Busch race by a couple car lenghts and I have followed him ever since.

Personal Hero?
Jeremy Mcgrath!

Superstitious?
I'm not sure about "all drivers" because I do not have superstitions. Its like if you walk under a ladder and it is supposed to be bad luck. Just pay attention and don't bump into the ladder so the tools or objects that are on the ladder don't hit you in the head! Just some food for thought.

Website
http://www.mhctruck.com

Crew Members
Mike Barrows, Adam Hilton, Chris Cox, Corey Cox and Lloyd Dempewolf.

Sponsors
Choice Paint and Supply 303.777.7283
Colographic 303.288.4796
Moneybags Fabrication 720.298.7183
Denver Radiator (Serck Services) 303.297.0355
Schafers Racing Oil
MHC Kenworth - Denver Body Shop