NASCAR Cup Series

Cameron Hayley takes Jeb Burton's old seat at ThorSport Racing

Published Feb. 10, 2015 4:56 p.m. ET

Jared Turner

ThorSport Racing, a winner of the last two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championships, has named "NASCAR Next" driver Cameron Hayley to its roster of full-time drivers for the 2015 truck season.

Hayley, who made his truck debut in 2014 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park and boasts three series starts, will pilot the No. 13 Cabinets by Hayley Toyota Tundra. The Sandusky, Ohio-based team will also field trucks for returning drivers Crafton and Johnny Sauter.

Eleven-year Truck Series veteran Jeff Hensley will be Hayley's crew chief on the No. 13 entry, which was driven last year by Jeb Burton who has landed a full-time Sprint Cup ride with BK Racing.

"It's always been a dream of mine to run in one of NASCAR's top three series," said Hayley. "I was able to get my feet wet last year running a few races, but to be able to say I'm running full time this year is really a chance to live out my dream.

"I'll make the move to Sandusky later this year so I can be in the shop every day, helping the guys, and really getting to know these trucks. I want to take full advantage of everything ThorSport Racing has to offer, soaking everything in this season. (Co-owners) Duke and Rhonda Thorson have built a championship-winning team with great resources and equipment, and it's an honor to be a part of their organization."

Hayley, 18, began his racing career in karts at age seven and debuted in NASCAR with a partial K&N Pro Series West schedule in 2011. The youngest driver ever to compete in the K&N West series, Hayley posted top-five finishes in two of his four starts, including an impressive second-place finish in his series debut at Montana Raceway Park in Kalispell. His success led to a full-time K&N Series West schedule in 2012, when he posted five top-five and nine top-10 finishes. Hayley was also named to the 2012 "NASCAR Next" class, a select group chosen by the sanctioning body that spotlights NASCAR's rising stars.

Hayley started 2013 with a bang by winning the UNOH "Battle at the Beach East vs. West Shootout" at Daytona International Speedway, and went on to notch one win, six poles and a second-place finish in the standings in his second full season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. In 2014, Hayley competed full time in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East where he collected one pole and led 247 laps en route to seven top-five and nine top-10 finishes. The Calgary, Alta., native made his three truck starts in 2014, netting a pair of top-10 finishes.

"Cameron has seen success at an early age and has been a great student of the sport," Duke Thorson said. "He has a wealth of natural talent, a great personality, and we believe he's the complete package. By making the move to live in Sandusky full time, he's proven that he's fully vested in this team and the opportunity he's been given. Being at the shop every day, learning these trucks and building a foundation with his team is what will set him apart from the competition. Everyone at ThorSport Racing is anxious to see him evolve on the racetrack this season."