KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick said:

This is a very unique opportunity to have a driver like Nelson be a part of KHI. In five starts in the Truck series this season, he not only gained valuable seat time but proved himself by getting some solid finishes. We are excited to have Nelson as a part of our Truck series program as he takes another step forward in his career.

Piquet added:

I am very excited to join KHI and to drive in the Truck series. I look forward to combining what I have learned this year from running five races in the series with the professionalism and experience of the KHI organization.

Piquet made his CWTS debut last season in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway. He finished sixth driving for Red Horse Racing. With that finish he became the first Brazilian driver to earn a top 10 in series history.

He went on to drive four races in Billy Ballew Motorsports’ No. 15 Toyota. He finished 16th in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, eighth in the WinStar World Casino 400k at Texas Motor Speedway, 10th in the VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway, and 20th in the Smith’s Food & Drug Stores 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Meanwhile, KHI also recently signed Jeff Hensley, Red Horse Racing crew chief of driver Timothy Peters, to serve in the same role for the No. 33, driven by four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday. Former KHI crew chief Butch Hylton signed with RHR to serve as crew chief for Peters.

Harvick said:

We are proud to welcome Jeff to KHI and to be able to pair him with Ron Hornaday. Jeff brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge, which we think will be beneficial to not only the No. 33 team and Ron but the organization as a whole.

Hensley added:

I am thrilled to be a part of KHI and really excited to get to work. Ron is a tough competitor and we have a record fifth career championship that we are focused on for 2011.