Johnny Sauter hopes to compete in the Great American Race - but he has to qualify first.

BK Racing signed the Camping World Truck Series standout to run the No. 83 Dustless Blasting Toyota in the Daytona 500.

Sauter, 36, has five Cup starts at the 2.5-mile track with three top 20 finishes. He won the truck opener at Daytona in 2013.

Since the No. 83 finished 41st in the Sprint Cup owner points, Sauter will have to earn one of the 43 starting positions. Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is scheduled for Feb. 15 with the Duel 150 qualifying races scheduled for Feb. 19.

It’s been eight years since I’ve run the 500, but it’s the biggest race of the year, so yeah, I’m excited. Johnny Sauter

“You have to have a little bit of luck – and stay out of trouble,” Sauter said. “I think plate racing is a little bit of equalizer especially at the Cup. It’s been eight years since I’ve run the 500, but it’s the biggest race of the year, so yeah, I’m excited.”

Veteran crew chief Doug Richert will be the crew chief for Sauter’s effort. The pair worked together at Pocono Raceway last August.

Numbers Game

Sauter finished fourth in the NCWTS last season behind the wheel of the No. 98 ThorSport Toyota Tundra. He won at Michigan International Speedway – his 10th career truck victory – and earned the pole for the truck race at Chicagoland Speedway. Sauter also has three wins in the Xfinity Series.

Sauter was fitted for his seat at the shop on Thursday. He joins J.J. Yeley, who will pilot the No. 23 Dr. Pepper Toyota with Joe Williams calling the races. Yeley has 220 Cup starts. The 38-year-old Phoenix native finished 10th in the 2013 Great American Race.

A press conference is scheduled for Monday to announce the third entry in BKR's driver lineup.