Cobb's transporter stolen from race shop UPDATE 5: On Saturday, May 11, 2013, at around 3:00 AM, the Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing team transporter was stolen from the team's race shop in Mooresville, N.C. The value with the contents included is well over $250,000. Rowan County Sheriff's Department and Detective Carl Dangerfield is pursuing leads and has issued arrest warrants in connection with this case. "It is my sole concern to get the transporter back so that we can make Friday night's Camping World Truck Series race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway," said Cobb. "We are working with other teams right now to borrow the necessary items in the event our hauler and its contents are not returned. We are pleased with the diligent work that the Rowan County Sheriff's Department has shown in solving this crime." Any information on the whereabouts of the stolen property can be directed to the lead investigator, Detective Carl Dangerfield 704-216-8711. (Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing PR)(5-15-2013)
UPDATE: The Rowan County Sheriff's Office said it has issued warrants for the arrest of Mike Joseph Harmon and Sheila Rae Rice for felony larceny and breaking and entering in connection with the case. It values the hauler and contents at $279,000. Harmon, a NASCAR driver and team owner primarily in the Nationwide Series, has worked with Cobb in the past. Harmon used to be the team manager for Cobb's Nationwide team.(Sporting News)(5-15-2013)
UPDATE 2: Mike Harmon tweeted twice Wednesday evening, "I want it known that I have never stolen so much as a piece of bubble gum in my life. I did not take JJC hauler, there is no video of me anywhere near her shop. Today she was the windshield & I was the bug, but when we get in FEDERAL court in a couple wks there's a boulder coming".(5-15-2012)
UPDATE 3: A NASCAR driver is out on bond after deputies in Cleveland County arrested him and charged him with stealing a competitor's trailer from a Rowan County business park. He says he didn't do it. According to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, Mike Harmon was arrested on Wednesday afternoon and charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle and felony larceny. He was later released from the jail on a $10,000 bond. Harmon told WBTV that he has a strong alibi, he wasn't even in the state. He says he was in Darlington, SC for the race over the weekend, watching a friend drive his car in the Darlington 500. Investigators told WBTV on Thursday morning that they are still working to recover the stolen trailer. Harmon has attempted to get the trailer back in the past, through the court system, but the ruling went against him, investigators say. The Rowan County Sheriff's Office want the public to know that if someone is hiding the trailer until the situation gets sorted out, they could be charged with receiving stolen goods - a felony charge.(WBTV)(5-16-2013)
UPDATE 4: Two days after racing in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR driver Mike Harmon found himself being charged, again, by Rowan County Sheriff's detectives in an ongoing feud he's having with fellow driver and Camping World Truck Series team owner Jennifer Jo Cobb. On Sunday, Harmon was charged with obstruction of justice and released on $20,000 bond. Harmon is accused of stealing Cobb's race hauler. On Friday night he had his cell phone confiscated by deputies as they investigate the crime. Deputies are reportedly using his cell phone to track Harmon's GPS, text messages and phone calls. Another man, David Novak, is charged with conspiring to commit felony larceny and obstructing justice for admitting to deputies that he knew the location of the trailer but did not tell investigators. Novak is the former business partner of Cobb.(WBTV)(5-21-2013)
UPDATE 5: Mike Harmon knew where the Jennifer Jo Cobb hauler was located and initially told police he would release it to them as long as they didn't return it to Cobb, according to a probable cause affidavit released by the Rowan County Sheriff's Office. Cobb's hauler, is part of an ongoing property dispute between Cobb and her former business partner David Novak. Novak, who was romantically involved with Cobb before they stopped working together in 2012, claims in a lawsuit filed in federal court that Cobb took the hauler from storage at Harmon's shop in January. His motion for an injunction against Cobb and for the return of the hauler was denied in February, and Cobb alleges in a document filed Thursday that Novak "hired others to proceed to misappropriate" property from her shop. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Novak on Saturday on an obstruction of justice charge and a charge of conspiring to commit felony larceny. According to the arrest warrant, Novak allegedly conspired with Harmon to steal the hauler and he acknowledged to a Rowan County detective that he knew where the hauler was but would not reveal its location. Novak, who lives in Illinois, has not turned himself in. Harmon, who worked for Novak as a team manager for the Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing team in 2010, and Harmon's girlfriend already had been arrested Wednesday on charges of felony larceny and breaking and entering. An additional charge against Harmon of obstruction of justice was added Saturday, and Harmon also was forced to give up his cell phone, which could indicate his whereabouts when the hauler was stolen at approximately 3 a.m. May 11. Harmon told reporters Thursday he has paperwork that shows Novak is the one who bought the hauler and equipment from Circle Bar Racing. When asked Thursday if he knew where the hauler was, Harmon told reporters he did not and that he was on his way back from Darlington at the time the hauler was taken. Harmon was asked point-blank by reporters if it was his cab that pulled the hauler out. He said: "No." He also was asked if he knew what happened to the hauler: "I definitely don't (know)," he said. That is different from what a Rowan County police detective believes and what he testified Harmon told him. According to a probable cause affidavit released Tuesday, a Rowan County detective testified that two days after the hauler was stolen, Harmon "indicated he knew where the car hauler was located but would not reveal that information unless I promised him it would not be returned to the victim," according to the affidavit. The detective said Harmon told him May 14 that he would deliver the hauler to the sheriff's department at 8 a.m. the next day. "Mr. Harmon did not return the car hauler as he had promised," the detective said in the affidavit. "I called Mr. Harmon and he stated he had changed his mind and was prepared to be arrested if necessary." The detective said in the affidavit that Harmon's semi matches the video surveillance of the truck that towed Cobb's hauler away and that a car whose license plate matches that of the car of Harmon's girlfriend was seen at the Cobb shop at the time of the crime. (Sporting News)(5-21-2013)

Peck to continue partnership with Arthritis Foundation for limited schedule: Todd Peck announced today that he will return to drive his family-owned Peck Motorsports #40 Arthritis Foundation Chevrolet Silverado in a limited Camping World Truck Series schedule. His truck was unveiled in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Arthritis Foundation at OrthoCarolina. Peck, who was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at a young age, will continue using his racing platform to show everyone that you can still live an active and fast-paced life with the condition. (See an image on the #40 team paint scheme page.) (Breaking Limits PR)(5-18-2013)

Kwasniewski to trucks?: Dylan Kwasniewski graduates from Faith Lutheran High School on June 7, obviously a landmark day in a young person's life. So is the day someone turns 18, and for Kwasniewski that day is May 31. It is then that Kwasniewski, considered a potential future star driver, will be eligible to compete in a NASCAR Nationwide or Camping World Truck series race. He will finish the season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East but will look to possibly run in one of those other series during breaks in the schedule. "I'm confident we'll have some Truck or some Nationwide or some combination of both," said Chris Newman, president of Spire Sports & Entertainment, which represents Kwasniewski. Newman said Kwasniewski could make his debut in either of those series in Sparta, Ky., at the Truck race June 27 or Nationwide race June 28. Kwasniewski drives for Turner Scott Motorsports, which owns three full-time Truck and three full-time Nationwide teams. Turner Scott could provide Kwasniewski with a fourth seat for either or both races, but Newman said the team would need at least three or four weeks to put it together. (Las Vegas Review Journal)(5-17-2013)
NOTE: Kwasniewski is already of age to race in trucks since the age limit was moved back to 16 prior to the start of the 2013 season.(5-17-2013)

Hillman, Agnew partner with West Virginia Coal Association: Hillman Racing today announced that the West Virginia Coal Association and the Friends of Coal organization will be the primary marketing partners on the #27 Camping World Truck Series entry driven by Team 7 Motorsports driver Jeff Agnew at Charlotte Motor Speedway for Friday night's N.C. Education Lottery 200. Located in Charleston, W.Va., the West Virginia Coal Association is a trade association representing more than 90 percent of the state's underground and surface coal mine production. Its purpose is to have a unified voice representing the state's coal industry as well as increase emphasis on coal as a reliable energy source to help the nation achieve energy independence.(See an image on the #27 team paint scheme page.) (Hillman Racing PR)(5-16-2013)

New sponsor for Silas at Charlotte: Bryan Silas and his T3R2 team will welcome a new primary marketing for tomorrow night's North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bell Equipment, which manufactures and markets a wide range of earthmoving and materials handling machinery for the mining, construction, forestry, sugar and related industries will adorn the hood of the Stuart Florida native's No. 99 Ford F-Series Friday night. Bell Equipment, SA was founded in 1954 by Irvine Bell and is still managed by the Bell family today. The Bell company has grown to employ 2400 people worldwide, with production in South Africa and Germany. (T3R2 PR)5-16-2013)

Sauter's fuel cell confiscated UPDATE 2: Inspectors confiscated the fuel cell from Truck Series points leader Johnny Sauter this weekend at Kansas Speedway and will review it the first part of next week. NASCAR did not say what issue was found with the fuel cell, which was taken Thursday during the opening day inspection. Any potential penalties would also be handed down next week. Sauter won the first two races of the season at Daytona and Martinsville, and finished fourth at Rockingham. He stayed out of trouble in a crash-filled race Saturday at Kansas to finish fifth, maintaining a 12-point lead over Matt Crafton in the series standings.(Associated Press)(4-21-2013)
UPDATE: NASCAR announced penalties and fines to the #98 team that competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, as a result of rule infractions at Kansas Speedway. The #98 truck was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4K (if in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, race equipment that has been previously verified or previously approved and/or sealed by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-6 and/or 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired, or changed in any manner); 20B-16 (once a fuel cell or fuel cell components have been certified, modifications of any kind will not be permitted to the fuel cell or fuel cell components); and 20B-16.1B (standard black, safety foam with minimum free-standing height of eight (8) inches, acceptable to NASCAR Officials, and used as provided by an approved fuel cell manufacturer, must be used: Fuel cell safety foam modification.) of the 2013 rule book. As a result of this violation, crew chief Joel Shear has been fined $10,000 and suspended from NASCAR competition until the completion of the next four (4) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. He has been placed on NASCAR probation until December 31. The team has also been docked 25 championship driver (Johnny Sauter) and 25 championship owner (Mike Curb) points. The violations involving the #98 truck occurred in opening day inspection.(NASCAR)(4-24-2013)
AND:The penalty knocked Sauter out of the points lead and dropped him into a tie with Jeb Burton with 149 points through four races. The punishment moves Matt Crafton, who won Saturday at Kansas, into first by 13 points through four races.(USA Today)(4-24-2013)
UPDATE 2: Crew chief Joe Shear begins his four race suspension at Charlotte. Jesse Saunders is listed as acting crew chief.

Newberry picks up sponsor, changes number: NTS Motorsports, a Camping World Truck Series team in its infancy stages revealed today unprecedented news at their new 70,000 square foot Kernersville facility, unveiling not only a new sponsor, and a new look for their truck but also a new number for Brennan Newberry in the NCWTS. When Newberry takes to the track Thursday morning for the first NCWTS practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway, he will sport the new blue and yellow colors of Qore-24, the world's first antimicrobial barrier for the skin, in the #24 truck. Bringing a sponsor on board who agreed to a multi-year deal and who is basically launching their entire product campaign through NTS Motorsports via the truck series; what better way to promote the product than to change the truck number to match the product, Qore-24. With the permission of NASCAR, Newberry will run the #24 truck for the remainder of the 2013 season instead of the previous #14.(NTS Motorsports PR)(5-15-2013)

Crum adds sponsors, new crew chief for Charlotte: Jake Crum Racing will make its 2013 Camping World Truck Series debut on Friday, May 17th at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway. 21-year-old Jake Crum will pilot the #01 Chevy Silverado with sponsorship from Frontline Designs and Jersey Mike's Subs. Crum's efforts will be led by crew chief Doug George, who has three top-six finishes at Charlotte in four trips as a crew chief. George was also the crew chief for two victories by Kyle Busch and has 20 career NCWTS top-fives to his record.(84EXPO Motorsports Communications PR)(5-15-2013)

Awards banquet returns to Miami, date announced: NASCAR announced today the postseason awards dates for the annual Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series, set for Monday, Nov. 18 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami Beach, Fla. For the fifth consecutive season, the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series will share the awards stage, honoring the series driver and owner champions as well as the top-five drivers in each series. Reigning Camping World Truck Series champion James Buescher returned to the series in 2013 to defend his crown, and currently ranks sixth after four races. Johnny Sauter leads the points, followed by Matt Crafton and a trio of young rising stars Jeb Burton, Ryan Blaney and Ty Dillon.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)(5-15-2013)

Extra practice added to Eldora schedule: Eldora Speedway has added a pair of Camping World Truck Series practice sessions on the day before NASCAR's historic, sold-out return to dirt racing. The half-mile facility owned by Tony Stewart announced Wednesday that it would host a pair of two-hour Truck Series practices on Tuesday, July 23, the day preceding the Mudsummer Classic. The first practice will begin at 4:30 p.m., and the evening will also include a 25-lap dirt late model race. Tickets start at $10 and go on sale Thursday. The added Tuesday night slate, dubbed "Tailgate Tuesday" by the track, will be part of a race week that will have a traditional dirt-track feel. NASCAR announced in April that the event will consist of five qualifying races, one last-chance race, and a 150-lap feature split into segments of 60, 50 and 40 laps. (Yahoo! Sports)(5-15-2013)
AND: See the tentative Eldora schedule here.(5-15-2013)

Michigan National Guard on board for race sponsorship in August: The Michigan National Guard is partnering with Michigan International Speedway and sponsoring the Camping World Truck Series race in August. The Michigan National Guard 200 race on Aug. 17 will be the first time that the organization has sponsored a race. The partnership will allow the Michigan National Guard to connect with residents and potential recruits through NASCAR. The Michigan National Guard will also continue to partner with Michigan International Speedway for race activities at all of the events held at the track this year. (Michigan Live)(5-14-2013)

Different look for Dillon in Charlotte: The #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevy will sport a different look this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the National Wild Turkey Federation on board. Bass Pro Shops and the NWTF work together in wildlife habitat conservation in an effort to preserve North America's wild turkey population. The NWTF was founded in 1973 in Edgefield, S.C., and has since expanded to having local chapters in every state and Canada. Today, the NWTF has helped preserve almost 17 million acres of habitat land.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(5-14-2013)

Wauters moves from Ford to Chevy: Wauters Motorsports owner Richie Wauters has announced that his Camping World Truck Series Team has made a change of manufacturers from Ford to Chevy, effective immediately. The decision by the veteran crew chief and owner follows a series of frustrating performances in the opening rounds of the 2013 season. Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines, the prominent supplier of engines for Chevy Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series teams will provide the power.(Wauters Motorsports PR) (5-13-2013)

Kangaroo Express joins Burton for Charlotte: Jeb Burton and the #4 Arrowhead team is thrilled to announce the addition of Kangaroo Express to their Turner Scott Motorsports Silverado for the Friday, May 17 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Kangaroo Express will adorn the truck bed for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200, accompanying full-time sponsor Arrowhead.(See an image on the #4 team paint scheme page.) (Turner Scott Motorsports PR)(5-13-2013)

Townley gets involved: On Friday, May 17th, the NASCAR Foundation will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of NASCAR Day. For the special anniversary, NASCAR created the 'Ten Days of Giving' with philanthropic visits set across the country. John Wes Townley kicked off the tour in Atlanta on May 8th alongside the NASCAR Foundation and Coca-Cola. The team presented the George Washington Carver Boys & Girls Club with a new TV for their gaming room. Townley did a question and answer session and spent time playing the NASCAR game on the Wii with the kids. (Red Horse Racing PR)(5-13-2013)

King still hoping to return to trucks this season: John King is itching to climb back on the NASCAR stage. For the past few weeks, the Kingsport resident has labored behind the scenes in hopes of attracting funding for another ride in the Camping World Truck Series. It's a tedious yet vital process full of phone calls, proposals and waiting. "We've been working hard on it, and we're close to putting something together for a sponsor," said King, winner of the 2012 Daytona truck race. "Hopefully, we can announce something soon and race for the rest of the season." Saturday night, King honed his skills and fed his passion by competing in the Fastrak Late Model event at Wythe Raceway. King, 24, drove the #33 Chevy for Eddie Sharp Racing in the 2013 truck series opener at Daytona. He finished 18th after qualifying in the 21st spot. That was the last event for King until Saturday night at Wythe, where he finished ninth in a 10-car field. For now, King tends to his sprawling cattle farm in Fort Blackmore, Va., and works the phones for potential sponsors.(Tri-Cities.com)(5-8-2013)

Wallace running Eldora: Add veteran Kenny Wallace to the list of names planning to enter the lone Camping World Truck Series race on dirt this summer. Wallace said in an interview his plans for the season include eight Nationwide Series race and one Truck Series race, the Inaugural Mudsummer Classic, at Eldora Speedway on July 24. Wallace explained, "The dirt racing experience doesn't really help me in the Nationwide Series races. I'm running about eight Nationwide races this year and one Truck race (on dirt at Eldora), and to me dirt racing is like restarting your career. I should've done dirt racing in the beginning of my career. I just love it because it's really fun." (Rant Sports)(5-7-2013)

Gresham adds primary for two races: Eddie Sharp Racing announced a new partnership today at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas with NLKUSLLC that will showcase Trimmer Assist on the #8 Chevy for Max Gresham in two Camping World Truck Series races. The agreement will feature Trimmer Assist, a revolutionary new string trimmer and blower suspension system, and will be the first venture into NASCAR sponsorship for the Georgia-based company. Gresham will kick off the partnership by competing in the May 17 North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Later, Trimmer Assist will adorn the #8 Chevy as the primary sponsor with a full paint scheme at Dover Speedway on May 31. (Eddie Sharp Racing PR)(5-7-2013)

Peters returns to his roots: Camping World Truck Series regular Timothy Peters picked up right where he left off last time he raced at the 0.4-mile oval at South Boston Speedway, leading 118 laps and holding off Bobby McCarty to claim Saturday night's CenturyLink Late Model 150. The victory is the first for the Danville resident at South Boston since 2004 when he claimed the Late Model track championship, marking his third consecutive Late Model title after winning in '02 and '03 at Orange County Speedway.(Danville Register and Bee)(5-5-2013)

Cockrum returning to SS Greenlight: After finishing 15th in the season-opener in Daytona, Chris Cockrum will return to the #07 Toyota at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17. Advanced Communications Group and Accu-Tech will be on board with Cockrum for his return to the SS Greenlight Racing team.(5-3-2013)

Veteran Crawford coaching young talent: If last season was any indication as to what 15-year-old Giles Thornton is capable of doing in a race car, then that coupled with his additional crew, this season should be a thriller. Thornton, who earned the INSSA Super Late Model Rookie of the Year, also had the opportunity to race at famed racetracks in the NASCAR late model series such as Hickory, South Boston Speedway, Motor Mile and Ace Speedway. These experiences in these type cars and challenging racetracks, will certainly help Giles transition into the NASCAR K&N West Pro Cars. His first race will be at Stockton 99 Speedway, May 4, 2013. The team added Travis Sharpe, a veteran crew chief from the Camping World Truck Series to serve as crew chief. Another added bonus has been securing Rick Crawford, Camping World Truck Series driver, as Thornton's NASCAR Consultant. During the off season, the team has also been busy building new cars in their newly expanded shop. (Paddock Talk)(5-1-2013)

Congrats to the Craftons: Matt and Ashley Crafton's daughter, Elladee, who was born on April 26, came days after the Camping World Truck Series points leader won at Kansas Speedway.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(4-30-2013)

Canada race dubbed Chevy Silverado 250: The only Canadian stop for the Camping World Truck Series and the first ever NASCAR event to be held at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park will be billed at the Chevy Silverado 250. Just a 20 minute drive from General Motors Canada headquarters, the branding initiative coincides with the launch of the all-new 2014 Chevy Silverado. Formerly known as Mosport, the historic Canadian race track (and one of the world's fastest) annually hosts the American Le Mans Series and is a one time Formula One venue. After recently switching owners the track has undergone a massive renovation in the off season. Upgrades include an expanded pit stall area to accommodate a NASCAR event, on-track upgrades with larger paved runoff areas, a modified front-straight and a massive new complex to house media and VIP events. On hand for the announcement, track co-owner Ron Fellows did not rule himself out from participating in the upcoming race, telling media that he hasn't "eliminated that as an option." Fellows is a long-time racer, and an accomplished on at that, having won the 24 Hours of Daytona as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times. In his NASCAR history Fellows has two wins and three poles in the Camping World Truck Series, as well as four wins and two poles the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The Chevy Silverado 250 will take place the weekend of August 30 to September 1.(AutoGuide.com)(4-29-2013)

Bodine, Thorsport add races UPDATE:ThorSport Racing has confirmed that two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Todd Bodine will drive a SealMaster-sponsored Toyota Tundra in this weekend's race at Martinsville Speedway. Bodine will also compete in a third ThorSport entry at Rockingham and Kansas Speedways, as a teammate to Matt Crafton and Daytona winner -- and current point leader -- Johnny Sauter. More races can reportedly be added, if sponsorship is found.(Godfather Motorsports)(4-1-2013)
UPDATE: After a successful run in February at the Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway, Mattei Compressors Inc. has once again teamed up with ThorSport Racing to sponsor a truck at the Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200. The race will take place Friday, May 17 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Once again, NASCAR favorite and two-time Daytona Champion Todd Bodine will be piloting Mattei Compressor's #13 Toyota Tundra to the finish line.( Body Shop Business)(4-25-2013)

Tire testing planned for Eldora: 311 Speedway announced on their Facebook page that they will be hosting a Goodyear tire test with Camping World Truck Series teams on Wednesday, April 24. 311 is a half-mile dirt track. Goodyear and the participating teams will return to dirt when the Truck Series takes to the half-mile Eldora Speedway in July. 311 Speedway did not say which teams, or how many, are testing. The session is open to the public.(4-23-2013)

Lofton cuts schedule: Justin Lofton will take four months off from the Truck Series. Robby Gordon has reinvigorated Stadium Truck Racing, developing the Speed Energy Stadium Super Truck Series. Lofton had committed to a few of the races, but after participating in the first race of the season in Arizona and taking part in the exhibition race in Long Beach over the weekend, Lofton has decided he wants to pursue the $500,000 championship prize in the Stadium Truck Series. He will resume competing in the Camping World Truck Series once the Speed Energy season is over.(KXO Radio)
AND: Eddie Sharp Racing confirmed that Lofton has reduced his schedule, adding that the #6 will continue to run full-time. Initially, Lofton was going to run upwards of 10 races on tracks larger than one mile for ESR. After Lofton ran Daytona, the 6 has since been filled by Devin Jones, Tyler Young, and Danny Efland.(4-22-2013)

Potential changes to front of trucks in the works: NASCAR has had preliminary discussions with its three manufacturers to discuss the possibility of a makeover for the vehicles in the Camping World Truck Series. Truck Series director Chad Little confirmed that a meeting was held earlier this month at the NASCAR Research and Development Center to debate modifications would be made but nothing is "concrete." Little added that the manufacturers, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota, presented a plan that would involve an update to the front end. Potential changes include a shorter nose, narrower front end and alterations to the bumpers, headlights and grilles. The timing makes sense since there will be redesigned Silverados, F150s and Tundras in the showrooms later this season.(FOX Sports)(4-20-2013)

Efland in the 6 in Kansas UPDATE: Danny Efland will make his 2013 Camping World Truck Series season debut on Saturday, April 20 in the SFP 250 at Kansas Speedway. He will pilot the Eddie Sharp Racing #6 Chevy Silverado. Sponsorship will be announced by the team. Danny has 58 Nationwide races to his credit but only two Truck starts. He finished 21st in the 2012 Nationwide points while starting only18 races.(Danny Efland Racing PR)(04-17- 2013)
UPDATE: Danny Efland will make his 2013 Camping World Truck Series debut behind the wheel of the #6 NeuroMama.com Chevy Silverado in the SFP 250 at Kansas Speedway. Joining Efland in his return to the Camping World Truck Series is new sponsor Neuromama.com. Neuromama.com is the world's only "neural technology-enabled search engine" that becomes smarter and more accurate with every keyword and key phrase search it answers. Efland, from Irmo, SC will be making his third career start in the Camping World Truck Series, his first since 2009. (Danny Efland Racing PR)(4-19-2013)

Niece Companies joins Starr for Kansas: Backing David Starr's Toyota this weekend will be the Niece Companies of Austin, Texas and Fort Scott, Kansas. Niece Equipment and Niece Products of Kansas manufacture, rent and sell water trucks and fuel/lube trucks to the construction and mining industries. Niece employs over 100 people at its two facilities and not only services local, regional and nationally but is a major exporter to Africa, Australia and South America. Many Niece products are used for dust control in large mines, pits and quarries.(SS Greenlight Racing PR)(4-18-2013)

Hornaday penalized for Rockingham incident: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Ron Hornaday Jr. has been penalized by NASCAR following his involvement in an on-track incident last Sunday at Rockingham Speedway. Hornaday Jr., driver of the #9 truck, was found to have violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing. Altercation with another competitor on the race track during a caution period) of the 2013 rule book. As a result of this violation, Hornaday Jr. has been fined $25,000, docked 25 championship driver points and placed on NASCAR probation until June 12.(NASCAR)(4-17-2013)
UPDATE: NTS Motorsports received notification of NASCAR's penalties assessed for the incident involving Ron Hornaday Jr., occurring at Rockingham Speedway. NTS supports NASCAR's rulings and penalties, will not appeal and has no further comments.(NTS Motorsports PR)(4-17-2013)

Hy-Vee on board with Newberry: This week Hy-Vee jumped on board as primary sponsor for the #14 Chevy Silverado. They recently became the Official Grocer and Tailgate Pit Stop of Kansas Speedway and will be an associate sponsor for select races on the #14 truck. Hy-Vee operates 235 full-service supermarkets in eight Midwestern states, which makes them among the top 20 supermarket chains in the United States.(NTS Motorsports PR)(4-17-2013)

Kennedy to make Truck debut at Bristol in August: Ben Kennedy, who recently got his first win in the K&N Pro Series East tour on Saturday at 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, is scheduled to make his national touring series debut in a Turner Motorsports truck at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 21 [in the Camping World Truck Series]. Kennedy is son of International Speedway Corporation president Lesa France and the late Bruce Kennedy and great grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. Kennedy is in his junior year at University of Florida where he's studying sports management.(in part from FoxSports)
AND Kennedy will also drive for the team at Iowa and Homestead-Miami later in the season, hoping for the opportunity to move to the Camping World Truck Series full-time in 2014.(NASCAR.com)(4-17-2013)

Liberty Tire Recycling joins Wallace for Kansas, two other races: This weekend at Kansas Speedway for the fourth stop of the season for the Camping World Truck Series, the #54 Toyota Tundra team will welcome aboard Liberty Tire Recycling as the primary sponsor for Darrell Wallace, Jr. Liberty Tire recycles more than 140 million tires annually to produce crumb rubber and industrial feedstock for molded products; as tire-derived fuel for industrial kilns, mills and power plants; and as rubber mulch for landscaping and playgrounds. With Liberty Tire Recycling on the hood, decklid, and TV panel, the #54 Toyota Tundra will feature GroundSmart Rubber Mulch, a product of Liberty Tire Recycling, on the quarter panels during the SFP 250. In addition to Kansas, Liberty Tire Recycling will serve as the primary sponsor for two additional races later this season with Wallace and the #54 Toyota team.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(4-16-2013)

Gaughan goes to school: On Monday, April 15, Brendan Gaughan, driver of the #62 Chevy, took on a new role as interim college professor at Elon University in Elon, N.C. The two-time championship driver participated in a lecture focused on all things NASCAR. Gaughan shared his insights and experiences from his years of being involved in the racing industry. (Richard Childress Racing PR)(4-16-2013)

Former driver Sutton involved in serious motorcycle crash: A man is killed and a woman is critically injured in a motorcycle crash on Veterans Highway. It happened Sunday just after 9 p.m. on Veterans Highway near Benfield Boulevard in Millersville when a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle crashed after striking a raised cement median/barrier. The driver, 55-year-old Robert G. Wells of Crownsville, was transported to Baltimore Washington Medical Center, where he later died from injuries. The passenger, 41-year-old Kelly R. Sutton of Crownsville, sustained severe injuries from the crash and was transported to Baltimore Shock Trauma in critical condition. Speed and alcohol use appear to be possible contributing factors in the crash. The investigation is ongoing. Sutton has 54 career starts within trucks spanning the 2003 to 2007 seasons.(CBS Baltimore)(4-9-2013)

NASCAR announces Eldora race format: NASCAR announced today the qualifying and race procedures for the inaugural "Mudsummer Classic" the highly anticipated Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway on Wednesday, July 24. Unlike asphalt tracks, dirt tracks have historically used a format much different than typical races and that will be the case for this event, the first NASCAR national series race held on dirt in more than 40 years. The race will feature a traditional two-lap qualifying session, five qualifying races, one last-chance race and a champion's provisional to determine the 30-truck starting field. The top-20 in owners' points entering the race event will have a guaranteed starting position. Here are additional details for each round of qualifying: Two-lap qualifying determines starting position for the qualifying races. Qualifying Races: Five qualifying races; Eight laps each; only green flag laps count; Five trucks transfer from each qualifying race; Lineup for the qualifying races will be based on qualifying speeds with four locked-in trucks (trucks in the top 20); The top-five trucks in qualifying will start on the pole for their respective qualifying race; Highest finishing non-locked-in truck will transfer to race from each qualifying race; At the completion of the qualifying races, 25 trucks will have earned spots into the feature. Last Chance Race: 15 laps; only green flag laps count; The top-four finishers will transfer to the feature and start in positions 26-29; The lineup will be based on the finish from the qualifying races. Starting position No. 30 will go to the most recent past series' champion who has not already qualified. If the 30th starting position is not filled by an eligible champion, it will be assigned to the next highest finishing truck in the Last Chance Race. The race length and format are also new for the series. The race will be 150 laps divided into three segments. The segments will be 60, 50 and 40 laps. There will be pit stops between each segment, with teams having the opportunity to change tires and work on their trucks. More details on the event schedule will be released later this spring. The "Mudsummer Classic" will be the first NASCAR national touring series event held on dirt since NASCAR's premiere series competed on September 30, 1970 in Raleigh, N.C. Richard Petty won the Home State 200 at the one-mile State Fairgrounds Speedway.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing)(4-9-2013)

Gallagher set for seven races this season: Spencer Gallagher will make his Camping World Truck Series debut this weekend piloting the #21 Allegiant Air Chevy Silverado in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Rockingham Speedway. Gallagher Motorsports and Allegiant Air officials announced earlier this year that Gallagher would compete for the 2013 ARCA Racing Series championship after a successful 2012 campaign. To further progress Gallagher's racing career, team officials have added seven NCWTS starts to the 23-year-old's busy season, reserving his rookie status for 2014. In addition to this weekend's scheduled start at Rockingham, Gallagher will drive the #21 Allegiant Air Chevy Silverado at Kansas Speedway April 20, Iowa Speedway July 13, Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway September 28, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway October 26, Texas Motor Speedway November 1 and Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway November 15.(Gallagher Motorsports PR)(See an image of the truck on the #21 paint schemes page)(4-9-2013)

Sad News - William Ballew: Mr. William Earl "Bill" Ballew [father of Truck Series team owner Billy Ballew], age 81 of Blue Ridge, GA, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Life Care Center of Copper Basin. Mr. Ballew was born June 3, 1931 in Blue Ridge, GA A member of Sugar Creek Baptist Church he was a local business man operating car lots and service station. He was preceded in death by wife, Edna Griggs Ballew and son, Charles Ballew. Service info on my Sad News page.(4-8-2013)