Starr still looking to finalize 2011 deal: [David] Starr is a NASCAR truck series veteran, but after finishing the 2010 season in 10th place he has yet to finalize a deal to drive next season. Starr has a deal with Zachry to continue to be his primary sponsor, but he is still looking for a place for both to land in 2011. "This time of year is very critical and important, trying to get everything situated so the team can hire and update some equipment," Starr said. "You are trying to get all your sponsors lined up and situated so that you can enhance your racing team. And that is what we are doing right now." After starting last season with Randy Moss Motorsports, Starr made a jump midyear to SS Green Light Racing and didn't miss a beat. He maintained his spot at 10th in the points standings the rest of the season. Now Starr is hopeful the work he and the team put in together over those last races of 2010 can become a full-time commitment for 2011. "We plan on doing that (running fulltime for SS Green Light Racing next season)," Starr said. "We are working on it now. We are just wanting to make sure that the race team has enough funding to be able to do that. But right now, that is what our plans are."(Houston Chronicle)(12-29-2010)

Roush returning to trucks? Rave as driver? Been hearing unconfirmed rumors for some time that Roush Fenway Racing would be returning to the Truck Series. On a recent news broadcast from local La Crosse, Wisconsin TV station WKBT it was reported that Troy Rave, a Black River Falls native and Ho-Chunk Nation tribal member, recently crowned the 2010 Kwik Trip Late Model Rookie of the Year, at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, had signed a one-year deal with Roush Fenway Racing to drive in the Camping World Truck Series. Troy Rave recently posted the following on 4Racers.com [search Troy Rave] to clarify: "Just to get everyone caught up on whats going on. Rumors have been going around and I just want to clear things up. Yes Roush-Fenway has contacted me and my father about running trucks in 2011. Several proposals have been put on the table by Roush concerning what i'll be running in 2011. Trucks are being discussed and so is ARCA. NOTHING has been signed yet as far as contracts are concerned. We are still only in negotiation phase with our major sponsor Roush and myself. Roush will be here on Monday, and come monday or tuesday night we willl have a better understanding and more accurate information for you all!"(12-26-2010)

Vision Aviation Racing headed to trucks; two teams? UPDATE 3 Billy Ballew Motorsports merges with VAR; more info: Hearing that Las Vegas based Vision Aviation Racing, who in 2010 finished first and second in the Super Late Model division at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, CA, will run two Toyota Tundras with drivers Justin Johnson and Dusty Davis in 2011. Running Daytona is still up in the air as both drivers need approval from NASCAR, and it is also not confirmed if the teams will be full-time or run a partial schedule. Also hearing that the team purchased a shop in North Carolina and that they are getting trucks from KBM.(12-6-2010)
UPDATE: Billy Ballew Motorsports announced today that the team has merged with Vision Aviation Racing to continue to field the No. 15 and No. 51 entries in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The announcement was made today by Ballew and Vision Aviation Racing General Manager Tom Davis. The team will compete under the Vision Aviation Racing banner and race with the same winning equipment and resources Billy Ballew Motorsports is known for. Ballew will keep an ownership stake in the team. Up-and-coming drivers Justin Johnson and Dusty Davis, who both competed in the Super Late Model and K&N Pro Series West divisions in 2010 for VAR, will make their Truck Series debut in 2011. The team will remain supported by Toyota. Vision Aviation Racing, already a winning team on the West Coast, will carry on the tradition of Billy Ballew Motorsports, which just completed a history-best season with two wins and a second-place finish in the drivers' championship by Aric Almirola. The team is also known for teaming with Kyle Busch to collect 16 wins before Busch started his own operation. The team merger is still in process with key personnel yet to be finalized. The team will compete out of VAR's Mooresville facility, located directly across from the former Billy Ballew Motorsports location.(VAR/BBM PR)(12-22-2010)
UPDATE 2: Billy Ballew told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that he will play a major role in the operation of the newly merged Vision Aviation Racing. "I'm going to be very involved in the operation for at least the next 12 months," said Ballew. "I am also exploring a couple of options in the Sprint Cup Series for next year. I'm not going away." Ballew said his 2010 sponsorship struggles played a major role in his decision to merge operations. "I needed help," he said. "From a financial standpoint, I couldn't continue to do it on my own. (A merger) seemed to be the best way to ensure that we continue on in the Truck Series. The biggest part of the puzzle was finalized last night, and we'll take care of the minor details after the holidays."(Sirius-Speedway.com)(12-22-2010)
UPDATE 3: A VAR representative informed us the team will run at least one full-time truck and a 2nd part-time truck; possibly full-time if funding allows. At Daytona there will be one truck for sure; driver yet to be named. Also, both drivers have to get approval from NASCAR to run the series.(Jayski/Nancy)(12-22-2010)

Cobb to appear on CNN program: NASCAR driver and team owner Jennifer Jo Cobb appeared on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" this week to discuss extreme living with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. The interview was recorded in New York City on December 21 and is tentatively scheduled to air on Tuesday, December 28. Cobb's fast-paced lifestyle made her a natural focus on the subject of extreme living. As a team owner and driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series, she is ready to thrash out the thrills, risks and rewards associated with stock car racing. The interview will focus on the on-track and off-track exploits of the driver's lifestyle. [more details are posted on the Jayski Appearances Page].(Jennifer Jo Cobb PR)(12-22-2010)

ESR signs Bruce as crew chief: Eddie Sharp Racing announced Tripp Bruce as the crew chief for the No. 46 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team on Wednesday. Bruce will serve as leader for the No. 46 Greenville Toyota of N.C. Toyota Tundra of Craig Goess. Last season, Bruce worked with Stringer Motorsports and rookie Brad Sweet in the NCWTS. In the 2011 season, Bruce will take on the NCWTS with ARCA Racing Series sensation Craig Goess. Bruce and Goess will take to the track for the start of the NCWTS season at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 18, 2010.(Eddie Sharp Racing PR)(12-15-2010)

Memphis track sold: After being vacant for more than a year, Memphis Motorsports Park sold at a live auction Tuesday morning for slightly less than $1.9 million. Independent investor Joe Lubeck placed the highest bid for the tract - $1.875 million - after the bidding opened at $3 million. Lubeck is managing partner of Jupiter, Fla.-based Palm Beach International Raceway, formerly Moroso Motorsports Park. Jason Rittenburry, Lubeck's partner, ran the track for 11 years. The bidding took place onsite at one of the facility's parcels, 5500 Victory Lane, near Millington. The property's two tracts were sold as a whole after Morris Auction Group LLC had publicized it could be sold as separate tracts or together. The multi-track complex includes a 0.75-mile asphalt oval, a 0.25-mile championship drag strip and a 1.77-mile road course. The auction drew a big crowd but only a few serious bidders. After no bids at the opening price, Morris Auction Group quickly dropped the price to $2 million and then $1.5 million. In April, Andy Cates and Preston Thomas of Colliers International listed Memphis Motorsports Park for $6 million, a price "substantially below value," according to the website created by the commercial real estate firm to sell the property. A 10 percent buyer's premium was added to Lubeck's bid, bringing the total to $2,062,500. The closing will be within the next 30 days at the law offices of Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh PLLC. The real estate sold within less than 10 minutes of the auction's open. The personal property was then sold individually, including everything from tractors to kitchen equipment. In all likelihood, the property will remain a motorsports park. Tuesday's auction comes after the NASCAR and NHRA 2011 schedules have been released. While the NHRA has 140 tracks, Memphis was one of only 23 to host a national event and was sanctioned in 1988 as the host site of the Mid-South Nationals. "I can only imagine that it would be challenging to try to be added to their schedule at this point," [Gary Camp, director of communications at Dover] said. "But the facility is in great shape, and with some minor work, both the NHRA and the Motorsports oval could be race ready."(Memphis Daily News)(12-15-2010)

KHI signs Piquet for 2011: Kevin Harvick Inc. announced today the addition of Formula One driver Nelson Piquet Jr. to the organization's 2011 line-up. The 25-year-old native of Brazil will compete full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and for the series' Rookie of the Year honors next season. Further details regarding the program will be released at a later date. The young driver made his NASCAR debut in the Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway in February 2010. Piquet finished sixth in the event and competed in four additional races in the series. He also made his Nationwide Series debut at Watkins Glen International in August 2010 where he qualified 10th and finished seventh. Further details, including sponsorship, to be announced at later date.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(12-13-2010)

Sad News -- Donald L. Pepper: Donald L. Pepper, of Holland Drive, Owensboro, and father of ThorSport Racing team member, David Pepper, died Friday, December 10, 2010. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Agriculture and Secondary Education. He taught agriculture in high school for three years after graduation followed by a career in the agriculture industry, first with Sommer Brothers, Borden/ Smith-Douglas, and retired from Miles Enterprises after 17 years. Surviving is his wife of 57 years, Shirley Pepper,, a daughter, Debbie Pepper of Hendersonville, TN., two sons, Bruce Pepper of Greenwood, MS., and David Pepper of Huron, OH., grandchildren, Nicole Pepper, and Philip Pepper of Bloomington, IN., and a sister, Alberta (Bill) Yost of East Alton, IL., and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm. Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev. Gene Henke officiating. Burial will follow in Owensboro Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. and after 1 p.m. Tuesday. More information is available at the Glenn Funeral Home website.(12-13-2010)

Rette & Hensley out at RHR? UPDATE 2 Hensley to KHI; Rette to Turner Motorsports: Hearing that both Mark Rette and Jeff Hensely have left their positions with Red Horse Racing. [Rette was the crew chief for Justin Lofton's rookie season and Hensley Timothy Peter's crew chief.] Also hearing that Red Horse Racing plans to run with drivers Timothy Peters and Miguel Paludo in 2011.(11-30-2010)
UPDATE: As further preparation for the 2011 season, Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) has named Jeff Hensley crew chief for the No. 33 team and four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday. Hensley joins KHI from his position at Red Horse Racing. Hensley, 48, brings with him over 30 years of racing experience. A native of Ridgeway, Virginia he began his racing career at the age of 18 competing on various short tracks throughout Virginia and North Carolina. In 1985 Hensley became crew chief for his family-owned team Hensley Motorsports. With driver Chuck Bown, Hensley captured the 1990 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(12-6-2010)
UPDATE 2: Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway has learned that former Red Horse Racing crew chief Mark Rette has found a new home with Turner Motorsports. Rette will serve a crew chief for a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chevrolet to be driven at different times next season by Reed Sorenson, Jason Leffler and Brad Sweet, among others. Rette formerly sat atop the pit box for Justin Lofton at Red Horse Racing in 2010.(Sirius-Speedway PR)(12-10-2010)

White exploring opportunities for 2011: Jason White told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that he has spoken to multiple teams about the 2011 Camping World Truck Series season. White has driven for the GunBroker.com team since 2009, when GunBroker's Dwayne Gaulding took the online firearms dealer from sponsor to team owner, purchasing trucks from the former Bobby Hamilton Racing-Virginia team and forging an engine deal with Joey Arrington. The team formed a partnership with SS Green Light Racing for 2010, campaigning in Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota livery at various times en route to a 10th place finish in the championship standings. The team recorded three Top-5 and seven Top-10 finishes this season, highlighted by a pole position and a fourth-place finish in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. "I'm close to doing a deal for next year, but nothing's finalized yet," said White. "There are a lot of opportunities out there and I want to make the best decision possible. We may do the same deal next year, or we may do something different. We're trying really hard to make a decision on a manufacturer," he said. "We ended up trying them all out last season to see what was best, but I want to go full bore with a single manufacturer next year."(Sirius-Speedway PR)(12-10-2010)

Lofton part-time in 2011? UPDATE 2 Lofton out; Red Horse gearing up for 2011: During an interview on last night's Inside Alabama Racing radio program on WSNP out of Mobile, Alabama, Justin Lofton said he had sponsorship for ten races in the truck series next year and would mix up the rest of the season with off-road racing.(11-18-2010)
UPDATE: Red Horse Racing co-owner Tom DeLoach told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway that the team is strongly positioned for 2011, despite major changes in both its driver and crew chief lineup. Veteran Jeff Hensley departed for Kevin Harvick, Inc. recently, effectively swapping jobs with former KHI crew chief Butch Hylton, who will sit atop the pitbox for Timothy Peters at Red Horse in 2011. DeLoach revealed that driver Justin Lofton and 2010 crewchief Mark Rette have left the team. DeLoach revealed that driver Justin Lofton and 2010 crewchief Mark Rette have left the team. . "It was all very cordial, with no hard feelings," he said. "Justin is still not sure where he's going next year, and I think Mark just looked around and decided it was time to go in another direction." Rick Gay will replace Rette, serving as crew chief for newcomer Miguel Paludo. DeLoach has hired former driver Terry Cook to serve as the team's new Competition Director. In stark contrast to 2010, DeLoach said the team is nearly 100% funded for next season. Paludo will drive a fully sponsored entry backed by Stemco Duraline, while Peters' Toyota is already sponsored for 21 of the 25 races. "We ran a third truck last year at Daytona, but were unable to find the financing to have it continue. We're talking to a few people about it and hope to run a three-truck team full-time in 2011."(Sirius-Speedway.com)(12-7-2010)
UPDATE Lofton talking to others about limited schedule: Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway has learned that Justin Lofton has spoken to a handful of teams about running an eight to 10-race schedule on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series next season.(Sirius-Speedway PR)(12-10-2010)

NCWTS Top Performances -- 2010: There were some outstanding performances -- including the closest margin of victory in series history -- that took place during the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. NASCAR takes a look back at some of those standout performers and memorable races, as selected from discussions with the national series director, competition department and NASCAR PR managers. Check them out via the Top Performances 2010 Page.(NASCAR PR)(12-7-2010)

Johanna Long wins Snowball Derby: Johanna Long, Pensacola's 18-year-old phenom, outlasted 36 other drivers to take the checkered flag at the 43rd Annual Snowball Derby and become just the second female to win America's most prestigious short-track race. Long held off Donnie Wilson over the final 13 laps to secure the win. The crowd was on its feet for the race's final 30 laps, many hoping Long, Pensacola's racing darling, would take home the $22,500 winner's check. When she did, the reaction was deafening. "She's been a favorite among our local fans since she started racing here at age 14," Five Flags Speedway owner Tim Bryant said. "I'm not sure many of our out-of-town fans came in Johanna Long fans, but they probably left as one." And after what Long - who follows in the footsteps of Tammy Jo Kirk, the first female Derby winner in 1994 - did to secure the victory, it's no wonder the crowd went wild in jubilation. On lap 315, Long finally got what she wanted and passed Wilson on the inside. She held her lead through two more cautions and five green laps. And winning wasn't easy in the 16-caution race that saw multiple wrecks, spin-outs and car malfunctions. Long was one of just 12 drivers who finished the race. Of those, only eight cars finished on the lead lap.(Pensacola News Journal.com)(12-6-2010)

Bodine named to AARWBA All-American Team: The 2010 All-America Auto Racing Team has been chosen by members of the nation's motorsports press. The team includes the largest group ever named to the First Team, 21 drivers, as a result of the addition of a new category this year by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Ass'n. In addition, AARWBA created a new Rising Star Award to recognize a fresh new name making his mark on the sport. Todd Bodine, winning his second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship, easily outdistanced everyone in the Touring Series vote. Chosen as the Rising Star of 2010 was IRL Firestone Indy Lights champion J.K. Vernay, 23, from France, who picked up votes from nearly a third of the voters on the 15-name ballot. Vernay ended up four votes ahead of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rookie of the year Austin Dillon, 20.(NationalSpeedSportNews.com)(12-3-2010)

Homestead images added: Added a slew of images from the season-ender at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Check them out via the 2010 Camping World Truck Series Paint Schemes Page.(12-2-2010)

Truck Series Aero Test set for Jan. 5: Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody has learned that NASCAR will conduct a "Spin Aero" test for the Camping World Truck Series January 5 at Dodge's wind tunnel facility in Rochester Hills, MI. All four manufacturers are scheduled to take part in the test, as they and the sanctioning body attempt to learn more about how to keep race vehicles grounded as they are turned sideways or backward at high speed. Three similar tests were conducted earlier this year with Sprint Cup Series vehicles. Dodge's facility the only wind tunnel in North America where a model can be rotated 360 degrees while at speed, allowing engineers to accumulate data on how cars and trucks react.(Sirius-Speedway.com)(12-1-2010)

Coulter to RCR in 2011: UPDATE formal announcement from RCR: During the pre-race broadcast at Homestead on SPEEDtv, host Krista Voda reported that Joey Coulter would be the driver for the second Richard Childress Racing truck team in 2011. Coulter finished 8th in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards driver point standings in 2010.(11-20-2010)
UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing has signed Joey Coulter to drive its second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team in 2011. Coulter, 20, recently finished eighth in the 2010 ARCA Racing Series point standings, his second full season of competition, on the strength of his first series victory and six other top-five finishes. He also earned the Bill France Four Crown Award, which showcases driver talent on four distinct types of race tracks during the month of August. In 2009, his rookie year, the Miami Springs, Fla., native finished fourth in the point standings, earning two pole positions and seven top-five finishes. He will be the NCWTS teammate of Austin Dillon, who finished fourth and earned rookie-of-the-year honors in the series. Coulter made his racing debut in 1998 driving go-karts, winning more than 50 races and multiple Florida state championships through 2005. He graduated to the Florida FASTRUCK Series in late 2005 where, in less than two seasons, won four races and finished fifth in the 2006 point standings. He competed in the former USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series and the Whelen All American Late Model Series in 2007 and 2008, earning his first stock car victory in December 2008 at Southern National Raceway Park in Kenly, N.C. Further details of the program will be made at a later date.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(12-1-2010)