At first glance, the truck at the center of a Pennsylvania criminal case sounds like something a NASCAR fan would actually want to own.
According to investigators, the vehicle was a retired NASCAR Truck Series race truck with ties to one of the sport’s longtime independent competitors. For racing fans, that kind of machine could make for a unique collector’s item, garage centerpiece, or conversation starter at a local car show.
Pennsylvania State Police say the problem wasn’t the truck itself. Instead, investigators allege the retired race truck was given the identity of a completely different vehicle and sold as a street-legal 1999 Chevrolet S-10.
That allegation has now led to multiple criminal charges against Lycoming County resident Yancy Cupp, including theft by deception, forgery, tampering with public records, and altering a vehicle identification number.
Police Say Race Truck Was Given The Identity Of Another Vehicle
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the vehicle at the center of the case was a retired professional race truck that had never been titled or assigned a valid vehicle identification number in any state.
Investigators allege that Cupp installed a VIN plate taken from an unrelated vehicle and then used that VIN to obtain a Pennsylvania certificate of title.
Police say the truck was later marketed as a street-legal 1999 Chevrolet S-10. Authorities allege the vehicle was represented as having been converted for road use and equipped with features commonly associated with street-legal vehicles, including headlights, turn signals, and a horn.
According to investigators, the truck was ultimately sold for $10,000.
Authorities say a later examination determined that the vehicle was not street legal.
Truck Appears Connected To Veteran NASCAR Driver
According to investigators, the vehicle was advertised as a former NASCAR Truck Series race truck that its previous owner had converted for road use.
Based on vehicle descriptions and sales materials, the truck appears consistent with a former Circle B-sponsored race truck associated with veteran NASCAR Truck Series driver Norm Benning, one of the sport’s longtime independent competitors.
However, because Pennsylvania State Police allege the vehicle was assigned a VIN from an unrelated vehicle and marketed under a false identity, Guessing Headlights cannot independently verify the truck’s complete history with certainty.
Investigators have not explained how Cupp came into possession of the vehicle. Local reporting indicates that the truck’s previous owner denied converting the vehicle for street use and denied claims that he made it road legal.
The Truck May Have Been Desirable Without The Alleged VIN Washing
One of the stranger aspects of the case is that the truck itself appears to have been an interesting piece of racing history, regardless of whether it could legally be driven on public roads.
If this is the truck it appears to be, it likely had appeal without being represented as a street-legal Chevrolet S-10. A retired NASCAR Truck Series vehicle connected to Benning, Circle B Diecast, and the broader world of NASCAR collectibles would likely attract interest from racing fans and collectors on its own.
Retired NASCAR race vehicles often find homes with collectors, racing enthusiasts, museums, and fans who appreciate their history. While many race vehicles can never legally be driven on public roads without extensive modifications and inspections, that does not necessarily diminish their appeal to motorsports fans.
That point has also come up in online discussions of the case, where racing fans have focused less on the truck as a road vehicle and more on its apparent NASCAR pedigree.
In other words, the truck may have already been cool enough.
Multiple Charges Filed
Cupp has been charged with dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, alteration or destruction of a vehicle identification number, disposition of a vehicle with an altered vehicle identification number, theft by deception, forgery, criminal use of a communication facility, deceptive business practices, false application for a certificate of title or registration, tampering with public records, and board of vehicle violations for deceptive vehicle advertisements.
As with all criminal cases, the allegations remain accusations, and Cupp is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.