Snyder named crew chief for Gresham; truck image added: Joe Denette Motorsports is pleased to announce that Terry "Richie" Snyder has been named crew chief for the #24 Made In USA Brand Chevrolet of Max Gresham for the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Snyder got his start working on late models and has a background in racing that spans more than 10 years. With extensive experience building suspension, Snyder also served as a fill-in truck chief on Johnny Benson's 2008 Championship winning team. He was also the truck chief for Timothy Peters during the 2009-2010 NCWTS seasons and for Jason White in 2011. Over the past seven years, Snyder has contributed to 15 wins, seven pole awards and 65 top-five finishes in the NCWTS.(Joe Denette Motorsports PR) [Rendering of the #24 Made In USA Brand Chevrolet being driven by Max Gresham is posted on the #24 NCWTS 2012 Paint Schemes page.](1-25-2012)

#3 truck image added: Rendering of the #3 Tracker Boats/Bass Pro/Artic Cat/UNOH Chevrolet being driven by Ty Dillon is posted. Check it out on the #3 NCWTS 2012 Pain Schemes Page.(1-25-2012)

Busch wins CRA SpeedFest for KBM: The 2012 CRA Super Series SpeedFest 200 may have started at a new venue, but for Kyle Busch and his #51 KBM Camry the race ended in a familiar location - Victory Lane. Busch, who won back-to-back SpeedFests in 2009 and 2010 when the event was held at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga., led 86 of the final 100 laps of Sunday's race at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Ga. en route to his third career SpeedFest title. Bubba Pollard finished second, followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular David Ragan in third. Casey Smith and T.J. Reaid rounded out the top-five finishers.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(1-30-2012)

Cockrum to run Daytona for Sieg Racing: Chris Cockrum's father, Lynn, confirmed on the phone with News/Talk WSB yesterday that they have forged a partnership with RSS Racing [Ryan Sieg Racing] to run the #93 truck at Daytona and possibly more races. The #93 ended 2011 ranked high enough in the points to be locked into the field at Daytona, assuring Cockrum and sponsor Advanced Communications Group (his father's company) a spot in the race.(News/Talk WSB)(1-23-2012)

Carmichael; "Rug Pulled Out From Under" in KBM/Monster Energy deal: Multi-time AMA motocross and supercross champion-turned NASCAR driver Ricky Carmichael says he is uncertain of his plans for 2012, after sponsor Monster Energy elected to back brothers Kyle and Kurt Busch in a new NASCAR Nationwide Series effort. In an exclusive interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's SiriusXM Speedway with Dave Moody, Carmichael said he initially was assured the Monster Energy sponsorship would remain with him in 2012, and that the 20 NASCAR Nationwide Series races announced yesterday for Kurt Busch were supposed to be his. "I had a handshake with the CEO of Monster Energy," revealed Carmichael. "But the weekend of Texas (Motor Speedway), it went away. We were good to go, but when Kyle had his issue (at Texas), it all went sideways." Carmichael said he believes his shot at retaining the Monster Energy sponsorship disappeared for good when Kurt Busch parted company with Penske Racing after the conclusion of the 2011 campaign. Gradually, Carmichael said he realized KBM was not the right place for him. Carmichael said he feared his image would suffer from signing with Busch, adding, "I had a feeling that if I went there, I would lose fans. I was afraid people would say, `I used to like Ricky Carmichael, but now I don't because he races for Kyle.' I felt it wasn't right for me. I need everything to be positive, and nothing negative. "I have no disrespect for Kyle Busch," insisted Carmichael. "He's a heck of a driver and he's going to win a lot of races. I haven't really come close to winning in NASCAR, so I've got no leg to stand on. I can't complain about the decision. (Kyle and I) just have a different way of racing." Carmichael said he maintains a friendly relationship with Monster Energy, and could continue with them in some capacity this season. "I have no issues with Monster whatsoever," he said. "I'll be a part of their family forever. I feel like I played a huge (role) in bringing Monster to NASCAR in the first place. They gave me the money and said, `Go find your best NASCAR deal.' We won two or three Supercross titles together, and two or three outdoor championships. They gave me some awesome opportunities over the years. I have nothing bad to say about them, they've been behind me 100% and always will be." The former supercross champion said that while he is trying to assemble a limited schedule of NASCAR racing for this season, his involvement will be "somewhat limited. It's tough when you get the rug pulled out from under you in late December," he said. "There's not much to fall back on. It's going to take some time to get things nailed down again, but hopefully, we can come back in 2013 and do it right. "Things happen for a reason," said Carmichael. "Hopefully, this will open up some other avenues for me." (Read complete article at Sirius-Speedway.com)(1-20-2012)

Las Vegas race date changed: This year's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29. The event was originally set for Oct. 13. The date change was made due to the cancellation of the IndyCar event scheduled for Oct. 14. "Running the race on Oct. 13 would have necessitated a daytime event in order not to go head-to-head with the Saturday-night Sprint Cup race in Charlotte on the same day," said LVMS President Chris Powell. "The date switch allows us to run the event under the lights, and that allows more people to attend the race. We appreciate NASCAR's working with us to make this change." The start time for the Sept. 29 event is to be determined, but the event will run in the evening hours. The date change also returns the event to its more traditional late September slot on the series schedule.(LVMS.com) [Revised schedule is posted on the 2012 NCWTS Schedule page.](1-20-2012)

Turn One Racing to field Cup car; also #60 in trucks: Turn One Racing announced today that they will field a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car in 2012, starting with the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, March 4th. The team is building on the experience earned over the last three years of competition in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where the team earned a ninth place finish in the 2011 standings with driver Cole Whitt. The team is also in the process of putting together a full season program for the No. 60 truck. The driver, crew chief, and sponsor lineup for both teams will be announced at a later date.(Turn One Racing PR)(1-20-2012)

Townley returning to truck series; ROTY candidate: UPDATE Rice named as crew chief: RAB Racing with Brack Maggard announced Friday that John Wes Townley will compete for 2012 Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving its Toyota Tundra. Townley, 22, has made seven starts in the Camping World Truck Series, most recently at Phoenix International Raceway in November 2008. Townley will join teammate Kenny Wallace, driver of the #09 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. While the season-opening event will mark Townley's first laps at Daytona International Speedway in Camping World Truck Series competition, he is no stranger to the World Center of Racing. In three ARCA Racing Series starts, the Watkinsville, Ga., native has two top-five finishes, including a career-best finish of third in February 2010. Townley will be backed by new sponsors for the 2012 season, as well as current sponsors of RAB Racing's NASCAR Nationwide Series program. The 22-race NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule kicks off on Feb. 24 at Daytona International Speedway.(RAB Racing PR)(1-13-2012)
UPDATE: RAB Racing with Brack Maggard has named Chris Rice as crew chief for John Wes Townley's #09 Toyota Tundra for the 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. Rice, a former race-winning crew chief in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has experience atop the pit box in all three of NASCAR's top divisions since 2003. In his most recent stint serving as crew chief for a Camping World Truck Series team, Rice garnered one top-five and two top-10s in 15 starts with driver Shelby Howard in 2008.(RAB Racing PR)(1-28-2012)

Cambensy joins new team, Level 1 Motorsports, for 2012: Level 1 Motorsports is pleased to announce its new driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Tucson, Arizona's Cody Cambensy. Level 1 Motorsports will be taking the track in 2012 with their newly developed team. He has has one prior start in the Camping World Truck Series. Level 1 Motorsports is owned and operated by James Martin and Jim Blankenbaker. Between the both of them they bring over 40 years of racing experience and have been a mainstay in NASCAR racing for quite some time. Cambensy will be taking the wheel of the #53 truck starting with Martinsville Speedway in March. Level 1 Motorsports plans to run as many races possible with Cody in 2012 to prepare for 2013. Level 1 Motorsports and Cody Cambensy will be working to announce their sponsors, manufacturer and schedule for 2012 in weeks to come.(Cody Cambensy/Level 1 PR)(1-17-2012)

Gresham to promote Made in USA; debuts at Daytona with ARCA & Trucks: NASCAR driver Max Gresham today announced a promotional association with the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark for the 2012 racing season. Gresham, who will compete for Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season, indicated the association will debut at Daytona International Speedway next month. Developed by Marcie Gabor, President, Made In USA Brand, a principal at Conrad Phillips Vutech, a branding and marketing firm located in Columbus, Ohio, the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark is the only certification mark for identifying goods either made or grown in the United States registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. According to Jim Vutech, principal at Conrad Phillips Vutech, the association with Gresham will provide the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark an opportunity to build awareness of the symbol among millions of patriotic businesses and fans that support American motorsports. Race fans interested in pledging along with Max to purchase made in USA manufactured goods can log on to Pledge for USA. Gresham will open his 2012 racing season when he wheels the #9 Made In USA Brand Chevrolet in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 18. The event will take the green flag at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be shown live on SPEED. Gresham will then turn his sights to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where he will pilot the #24 Made In USA Brand/Joe Denette Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado in a 250-mile test at Daytona.(Joe Denette Motorsports PR)(1-18-2012)

Keselowski to run some trucks in 2012; new crew chief for Kligerman: Brad Keselowski Racing will make its next transitional step in 2012 as the team owner will run a handful of Camping World Truck Series races -- including the Daytona season opener -- as a teammate to Penske Racing development driver Parker Kligerman. In addition, Keselowski has hired veteran crew chief Doug Randolph to head Kligerman's program. Randolph last year worked on Rusty Wallace Racing's Nationwide Series program with Steve Wallace that finished 10th in the series but recently closed its doors. Keselowski's races will be managed by Jeff Stankiewicz, who in 2011 led Kligerman's team to 11th in the Truck Series with four top-five and eight top-10 finishes in 25 starts. "It's starting to come together," Keselowski said Saturday afternoon after his Preseason Thunder test ended at Daytona International Speedway. "I'm roughly planning to do six races, but I'd prefer not to drive it, to be quite honest. "But for Parker's sake, I think it's important to get a good evaluation because this is a make or break year for Parker. We need a good evaluation of where our equipment's at throughout different periods of the year so we can understand whether or not he's making the most of our opportunity. "Before you can say what the most of an opportunity is you have to define what the opportunity is. Are we giving him a good opportunity? Are we giving him an average opportunity? I don't have an answer to that and I think we'll have a much better indicator if we're able to achieve that." Keselowski said one of his primary personal goals is still to win a Truck race and that Daytona's "absolutely a possibility. You just have to be smart and be there at the end." To that end Keselowski said his team has built a brand new truck for Kligerman to race at Daytona and that Keselowski would race the Dodge that Kligerman used last fall at Talladega.(NASCAR.com)(1-15-2012)

Papis to drive Legends car: Bruce Silver Racing announced that NASCAR Driver Max Papis will be driving the 54 Racing Electronics Legends Car in the Masters Division this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In a business meeting earlier this week, Max mentioned to Bruce that he really wanted drive a Legends Car on the Road Course. He had driven a Legends Car once before on an oval. Wednesday evening, Max was fitted into the 54 Car at 860 Motorsports, which sets up the cars for Bruce Silver Racing. Bruce Silver, Gregory Lang and TJ Larsen will be driving other Bruce Silver Racing cars sponsored by Racing Electronics with 860 Motorsports setup.(Racing Electronics)(1-13-2012)

New associate partner for ThorSport in 2012; image added: The Peanut Roaster, delivering gourmet peanuts and products since 1949, announced today that they will be an associate-level sponsor on the #13 Toyota Tundra of ThorSport Racing, driven by Johnny Sauter. The new partnership debuts January 15-17th in San Francisco, California at the Winter Fancy Food Show, with the "Hot Honeys truck" being debuted in the Peanut Roaster booth onsite. A partnership between ThorSport Racing and the Peanut Roaster is the marriage of two companies to grow specialty product sales in the coming years. After a successful 2011 season in the NCWTS, with two wins and two poles under his belt - Johnny Sauter is ready to race again in 2012. "I couldn't be happier to have the 'Hot Honeys' and Peanut.com on my truck this year," he said candidly. "All kidding aside, I'm an avid peanut eater! So selfishly, now I get to eat all the gourmet peanuts I want. Seriously though, I am really looking forward to working with them, and hopefully we'll see them in Victory Lane soon." The Peanut Roaster was started by Larry Monahan Sr., considered a pioneer in the development of frying water-blanched peanuts in the 1940s. In 1949, he began roasting and selling peanuts to passing tourists from his family-owned restaurant, and a beloved brand was born. Today, the peanut tradition continues with president and son, John S. Monahan - using the same recipes developed by his father in the late Forties.(ThorSport Racing PR) [Rendering of Thorsport Racing's #13 Peanut Roaster/Hot Honey's Toyota being driven by Johnny Satuer is posted on the #13 NCWTS 2012 Paint Schemes Page.](1-13-2012)

Lofton golf tournament a success: After a successful two-day event over the weekend, The Second Annual Justin Lofton Charity Golf Tournament presented by College Complete.com, accomplished the goal of surpassing last year's inaugural event. Hosted by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Justin Lofton, the golf tournament had over 100 golfers, a supportive list of sponsors, and an impressive turnout for the Saturday night auction. Lofton, who is from nearby Westmorland, California, chose to host the event near his hometown so that the community could be more involved. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Imperial Valley was his charity of choice for the event, and is located just miles from the golf course. Currently, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Imperial Valley serve over 600 Imperial Valley youth, providing kids a safe, supervised, and affordable place to go every day after school. Nearly 200 kids are greeted daily by caring adult staff and participate in character-building, educational and recreational programs all while making friends and having fun. Concentrating on youth who need the most support, the Club provides programs in four key areas: health and fitness, education, the arts, and most importantly, in character development. Through support of the Second Annual Justin Lofton Charity Golf Tournament, supporters are broadening the opportunities for children through tutoring programs, sports programs, arts and crafts, computer labs, and mentoring. The total amount raised for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Imperial Valley will be determined over the next few weeks, as final auction items are picked up and donations are counted.(Justin Lofton PR)(1-10-2012)

Leffler named as primary driver for KBM's #18: Kyle Busch Motorsports announced today that Jason Leffler will be the primary driver of the team's #18 Tundra in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for the 2012 season. The veteran driver will be behind the wheel for at least 14 races this season, beginning with the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway. Dollar General, the nation's largest small-box retailer, will serve as the primary sponsor for Leffler's 14-race schedule. Leffler has been a fixture in the NASCAR Nationwide Series throughout the last decade, finishing in the top 10 of the final point standings each of the last five seasons. In 292 career Nationwide Series starts, the 36-year-old driver has recorded two wins, eight poles, 42 top-five and 106 top-10 finishes. In 46 career Truck Series starts, the California native has registered one win, 19 top-five and 29 top-10 finishes. Leffler's 10 career poles rank him 10th on the series all-time list. In 2002, he captured a series-leading eight poles, ranked second with 494 laps led and collected 11 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes en route to a fourth-place finish in the final Truck Series point standings. KBM is still seeking sponsorship for the remaining eight races on the 2012 Truck Series schedule.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(1-9-2012)

Overstreet joins RBR Enterprises as crew chief, manager: UPDATE Reutimann signs on for some truck races: The #92 BTS Tire and Wheel Distributors/fleetHQ.com Chevrolet will have a new man on top of the pit box making the race day calls in 2012. NASCAR Veteran Jason Overstreet has been named crew chief and team manager for the Ricky Benton Racing Enterprises Camping World Truck Series entry. His first race with the team will be the season-opener in Daytona on February 24, 2012. Overstreet spent 2010 and 2011 at Rusty Wallace, Inc. where he served various roles, including crew chief and car chief for Michael Annett, Brendan Gaughan and David Reutimann. Prior to moving to RWI, Overstreet served as crew chief for Johnny Sauter at ThorSport Racing and at Germain Racing for Justin Marks. From 2004-08, Overstreet was the crew chief for Reutimann at Darrell Waltrip Racing. A driver for the #92 BTS Tire and Wheel Distributors/fleetHQ.com Chevrolet for 2012 has yet to be determined.(RBR Enterprieses PR)(12-7-2011)
UPDATE: Less than a week after announcing a new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride with Tommy Baldwin Racing, David Reutimann now has a seat on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Reutimann has signed to run 13-15 races on the 2012 Camping World Truck Series for RBR Enterprises, which teamed with driver Clay Rogers to finish 20th in points a year ago, despite running only 15 of 25 events. Jason Overstreet -- who worked with Reutimann when he won the 2004 Truck Series Rookie of the Year title with Darrell Waltrip Motorsports -- will serve as crew chief. The team will debut in the 2012 lid-lifter at Daytona, with subsequent races to be announced.(Sirius-Speedway.com)(1-6-2012)

UNOH partners with Ty Dillon for rookie season: The University of Northwestern Ohio will be a major associate sponsor partner of Richard Childress Racing's #3 Chevrolet Silverado in Ty Dillon's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rookie season in 2012. The University of Northwestern Ohio's College of Applied Technologies offers a unique curriculum to young people interested in professional motorsports competition as a career. The College of Applied Technologies offers associate degrees and diploma programs in High Performance Motorsports. Student interns training in this curriculum will be assisting RCR Development at the track during race weekends. Dillon, 19, takes the next step in his motorsports career after earning the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship. In his first full ARCA season, he earned seven victories, seven pole qualifying positions and 16 top-10 finishes in 19 races. He made his debut and competed in three Truck Series races during the 2011 season, finishing third November 4 at Texas Motor Speedway in just his second start.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(1-5-2012)

Long moves to Nationwide with MLR: Warsaw, Ind.-based ML Racing has announced that Johanna Long will drive the #70 Biomet-Foretravel Motorcoach Chevrolet Impala for the 2012 and 2013 seasons on the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Long will join a team that is owned by Mary Louise Miller, one of the few female owners in NASCAR. Miller is known as a big supporter of women in racing. At 19 years old, Long becomes the youngest female driver to compete in the Nationwide Series, and she will be competing for Rookie of the Year in 2012. ML Motorsports will run 21 races in the #70 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.(ML Racing PR)(1-5-2012)

Bruce Cook & RCR part ways UPDATE Cook moves to JR Motorsports: Hearing that Bruce Cook [2011 NCWTS Owner Champion crew chief] and Richard Childress Racing have mutually agreed to part ways and he will not return as crew chief for the #2 truck in 2012. Cook is currently seeking other opportunities.(Nancy/Jayski)(12-10-2011)
UPDATE: JR Motorsports has hired Bruce Cook as crew chief for the #5 team, which will run primarily with Earnhardt Jr. in select races. Cook comes to JR Motorsports from Kevin Harvick, Inc., where he served as crew chief in 2011 in the Camping World Truck Series, predominately for the #2 KHI Chevrolet, which won the owner's championship. With Cook atop the pit box, his team scored six wins, 19 top-fives and 22 top-10s. Cook was also the winning crew chief of the Nationwide Series season-opener at Daytona in 2011 with driver Tony Stewart.(JR Motorsports PR)(1-5-2012)

Funding issues block Benson's return to truck racing: Veteran NASCAR driver Johnny Benson announced in September that he would make his long anticipated return to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2012, driving the #66 Chevrolet Silverado for Turn One Racing with major sponsorship from his home state and Pure Michigan. Although Benson acknowledged that the deal was not quite done and full season sponsorship was lacking, it now appears that the deal has fallen through. As a result, Compton and his Turn One team now have a vacant seat for the 2012 season. "We are looking at several drivers and sponsorship scenarios for next season," he explained. "We are looking at all of our options and are excited about the opportunities that we have in front of us. We have no doubt that we will be a top contending team again in 2012." Compton expects to make an announcement regarding 2012 in the coming weeks.(Turn One Racing PR)(1-4-2012)