TRUCKS: GMS Racing adds Haley for 2017

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion Justin Haley will take the next step of his career in 2017.

GMS Racing announced Friday that Haley has joined the organization driving the No. 24 Chevrolet. Haley will begin his tenure at Martinsville Speedway on April 1. His 18th birthday on April 28 then makes it possible for Haley to run the remainder of the season.

Haley has six career starts in the Truck Series with one top-10 finish. He will compete for 2017 Rookie of the Year honors with crew chief Kevin Bellicourt. Bellicourt enters his second year as Truck Series crew chief and joins GMS Racing after working with Ben Rhodes at ThorSport Racing.

"I'm so excited and thankful for this opportunity with GMS Racing," Haley said in a team release. "The past few years in K&N has been an effort to get to the next step in my career and I don't think we could have done any better than joining GMS, especially at this point in time. Everyone knows what they've been able to accomplish over the last year and it's that type of consistency and drive that every driver wants to see when making a decision like this.

"Kevin Bellicourt coming on for 2017 is one of the most exciting parts of this deal. He's had a lot of success with young drivers and I can't wait to see what we're able to accomplish."

Haley captured the K&N East championship on the strength of two victories and 14 top-nine finishes in 14 races.

"There are a lot of great things happening at GMS Racing," said Bellicourt. "It's one thing to watch the progress and success from a distance, but to now be a part of what is coming together is a completely different experience and I'm thankful for the chance to be here. Justin is a great driver, who has had a lot of success fast, but he has handled it like a driver who has been doing this for years. I'm excited to see what he's able to do once we get him in the No. 24."

There will be an announcement concerning sponsorship and other details for all three drivers at a later date.