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Daytona Int'l Speedway - NextEra Energy Resources 250, Friday, February 12, 2010, 8:00pm Eastern

SPEEDtv: Prerace - 7:30pm; Race - 8:00pm

Race info includes...
Preliminary Entry List: There are 39 trucks listed on the Preliminary Entry List for the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona Int'l Speedway. Complete entry list is posted on the Daytona Race Page.(2-8-2010)

General Notes:
#01-JJ Yeley named as driver for the #01 Koma Unwind Chillaxation Drink Chevy
#18-Heluva Good listed as sponsor for the #18 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota
#21-Donny Lia listed as driver for the #21 SS Green Light Racing Dodge
#98-Landon Cassil listed as driver in 3rd entry for ThorSport Racing Chevy

Locked-in Notes:
#2-Elliott Sadler locked in on 2009 points from the #33, Delana Harvick, owner
#3-Austin Dillon locked in on 2009 points from the #48, [Hillenburg] Richard Childress, owner
#47-Brett Butler locked in on 2009 points from the #08 [Dotter], Rick Ware, owner
#48-Bryan Silas locked in on 2009 points from the #47, Andy Hillenburg, owner
#56-Tayler Malsam, locked in on 2009 points from the #16 [Scott], Kyle Busch, owner
Truck Series News & Notes - Daytona: NASCAR's Prerace News & Notes for the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona Int'l Speedway are posted on the Daytona Race Page.(2-8-2010)
Preliminary Entry List
Weekend Schedule
News & Notes - Daytona Int'l Speedway
Complete 2009 Camping World Truck Series Race Results

2010 Truck Series Schedule

2010 Truck Series Team Chart

2010 Truck Series Paint Schemes

NEWS/PR's/RUMORS

K&N to sponsor Peters at Daytona: K&N will serve as the primary sponsor of the #17 at Daytona International Speedway. K&N Engineering is the inventor and leading innovator of reusable cotton gauze filter technology for automotive applications. From humble beginnings as a family run business over 40 years ago, K&N Engineering is now a truly global company with offices in the U.K. and the Netherlands. Crescent Tools On Board… The Crescent Tools logo will adorn the #17 Toyota Tundra as an associate sponsor for the entire 2010 season. The Crescent brand product line now consists not only of adjustable wrenches, but also a wide selection of other tools. Veteran crew chief, Jeff Hensley joined the #17 Red Horse Racing team during the off-season. Hensley experienced success with Mike Skinner and most recently Brian Scott. With nine Camping World Truck Series wins under his belt, Hensley feels confident that he and Peters will be a fixture in Victory Lane this season.(Red Horse Racing PR)(2-9-2010)
Lia to SS Green Light Racing: SS Green Light Racing is pleased to announce it has rounded out its 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series roster with the signing of two time Whelen Modified Champion and truck series winner Donny Lia for the upcoming NCWTS season. Lia will pilot the team's #21 truck for the season opener at Daytona under the guidance of veteran Butch Miller. After running the #21 in Daytona, the SS Green Light team plans for Lia to share the SS Green Light #07 with Tony Jackson Jr. with crew chief Jason Miller.(SS Green Light Racing PR)(2-9-2010)
Yeley in the #01 for DRM at Daytona: Daisy Ramirez Motorsports has announced that a deal has been made with former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver J.J. Yeley to drive for the new team in Daytona for the NextEra Energy 250 February 12. Koma Unwind Chillaxation Drink will be the primary sponsor of the #01 Chevy Silverado in the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. This weekend will be the debut for the DRM (Daisy Ramirez Motorsports) team and DRM has confidence in utilizing a driver with the skills and experience of Yeley.(Ramirez Motorsports PR)(2-8-2010)
Images added: Schematics for Randy Moss Motorsports #5-International/Monaco RV Toyota being driven by Mike Skinner and the #81-Zachry Toyota for David Starr are posted on the 2010 Paint Scheme Page.(2-8-2010)
Tide returns as sponsor for KHI: Kevin Harvick Inc. announced today Procter and Gamble along with retail partner Kroger Food Stores will feature their family of brands across the sheet metal of four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday's #33 Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway as well as serve as the primary sponsor on Kevin Harvick's #2 Chevrolet for both Martinsville Speedway Truck Series events in 2010. The familiar yellow, blue, and orange circle will adorn the hood and quarter panels along with Kroger Food Stores and Procter and Gambles other featured brands, Bounce, Iams, Pringles, Charmin, Bounty and Downy. "Having the opportunity to bring the Tide colors back to the track as a primary sponsor is an honor for KHI," said Harvick. "I had good success in the Truck Series last year winning my first Truck race in Martinsville last spring while carrying Procter and Gamble and Kroger colors. I'm ready to get back to short-track racing and bring Tide back to victory lane. Who knows maybe I'll even try the Icky Shuffle."(KHI PR)(2-8-2010)
Image added: Image of KHI's #2-Tide Chevy being driven by Kevin Harvick in 2010 is posted on the #2 Paint Schemes Page.(2-8-2010)
Piquet enters Daytona with Red Horse Racing: Red Horse Racing is pleased to announce the addition of Nelson Piquet Jr. to its stable of drivers for the 2010 Camping World Truck Series season. Piquet Jr. will pilot the #1Toyota Tundra in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. "We have closely observed Nelson in our testing and believe he has a great future in NASCAR. He exhibits excellent car control, gives good feedback, but needs the side by side experience. He'll get plenty of that in Daytona!" said Tom DeLoach, managing partner of Red Horse Racing. "Nelson has a huge international following which hopefully will attract a race partner for the team." Red Horse Racing is still seeking sponsorship of the #1 Toyota Tundra. For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact Tom DeLoach at Red Horse Racing.(Red Horse Racing PR)(2-8-2010)
Images added: Images of Rick Ware Racing's #6-EZ-Slider Chevy & #47-Fuel Doctor Chevy are now posted on the 2010 Paint Scheme Page.(2-8-2010)
Hornaday looking for 1st superspeedway win; Longhorn on-board: Ron Hornaday will be behind the wheel of the #33 Longhorn Chevrolet for Kevin Harvick Inc. at the season opener next Friday, February 12th, at Daytona Int'l Speedway. "Since I first sat behind the wheel of a race car I wanted to go to Daytona. I know a lot of drivers say that, but driving through the tunnel at Daytona always gives me chills. To win a race at Daytona would fulfill a dream. It would be a great accomplishment," said Hornaday. Dave Fuge has joined KHI and the #33 team as crew chief for the 2010 season with Longhorn returning as sponsor. Longhorn is a low price leader in the moist snuff category, manufactured in the same fine tradition as some of our other tobacco products including Red Man, Timber Wolf and White Owl.(Kevin Harvick PR)(2-7-2010)
Image added: Schematic for SS Green Light Racing's #23 Gunbroker.com Dodge is posted on the #23 Paint Scheme Page.(2-6-2010)
David Starr to #81 RMM Toyota: UPDATE: Official announcement; Zachry returns as sponsor: Hearing that David Starr has signed on as driver for the #81 Toyota with Randy Moss Motorsports and will participate in the upcoming test at New Smyrna Speedway on Wednesday and Thursday.(Jayski)(1-11-2009)
UPDATE: Top engineering, construction and maintenance provider, Zachry Holdings, Inc. will partner with driver David Starr and Randy Moss Motorsports during the 2010 Camping World NASCAR Truck Series. Zachry looks forward to engaging employees and customers in partnership with Randy Moss Motorsports and the #81 Zachry Toyota Tundra. Since 2008, Zachry has benefitted from the NASCAR arena by exhibiting at racing events to recruit new employees, create bonds among existing employees and spread brand recognition of the 85-year-old family company. As a collaborative force, Starr has joined Zachry in spreading the message of safety and value at racing events and many of the 100-plus Zachry job sites nationwide. Zachry looks forward to relationship with both David Starr and Randy Moss Motorsports through the 2010 season. Zachry, a true EPC provider, is engaged in the planning, building and renewing of the world's most critical infrastructures including emerging energy, power, cement, refining and nuclear facilities.(David Starr/Zachry PR)(2-5-2010)
Rick Ware Racing plans two full-time entries for 2010: RWR will compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and expand into the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for a run at the title. Perhaps the biggest change in 2010 for Rick Ware Racing is a full effort in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Veteran Donnie Neuenberger will run in select races in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series and Brian Rose will make his return to the NASCAR circuit as well for RWR in 2010. Neuenberger will compete at Daytona in the #6 EZ Slider Cylinder Liners Chevy with Rick Ware as crew chief. Besides Daytona, EZ-Slider will be sponsoring the truck for races at the Talladega Superspeedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Dover, and the Atlanta Motor Speedway, among others. Also slated in the #6 truck will be Chrissy Wallace, Tim Brown and Michael Guerity. Brett Butler will race the #47 Fuel-Doctor Chevy and contend for "Rookie of the Year honors. Gary Cogswell will be the crew chief. Fuel-Doctor will be the primary on RWR's Arenacross team as well as several select races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Series.(Ware Racing PR)(2-5-2010)
Congrats to Kyle Busch & Samantha Sarcinella: Congratulations go out to Kyle Busch and Samantha Sarcinella on their engagement to be married. Samantha announced the engagement via Twitter.(Twitter.com/SamSarcinella)(2-5-2010)
SS Green Light Racing tabs Murphy for Daytona: UPDATE Dietz & Watson to sponsor at Daytona: SS Green Light Racing is pleased to announce that Florida native Sean Murphy will pilot the team's #07 Chevy Silverado in the season-opening NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 February 12th at the Daytona International Speedway Sean is no stranger to the SS Green Light Racing team having run twenty-four NCWTS races since 2004 for the Mooresville-based team including two previous starts in a truck at Daytona. Jason Miller will be Murphy's crew chief at the NCWTS season-opener at the world center of racing.(SS Green Light Racing PR)(1-21-2010)
UPDATE: The SS Green Light Racing #07 will have a fresh look when Sean Murphy takes the green flag at Daytona in the season opening Nextra Energy 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. Dietz & Watson, home to the World's Best Meat Delicacies and Artisan Cheeses, will adorn Murphy's Chevy Silverado on Friday, February 12th. The Pennsylvania-based purveyor of Premium Meat Delicacies and Artisan Cheeses has been producing the highest quality, freshest products for over sixty years. Dietz & Watson distributes its products to over forty states. The company has an outstanding reputation for superior tasting all-natural ingredients in all of its products. The company is bold in its slogan: "Expect the Best."(SS Green Light Racing PR) [Image of the #07-Dietz & Watson Chevy is posted on the #07 Paint Scheme Page.](2-5-2010)
Miccosukee sponsorship leaving the sport? UPDATE: Miccosukee out: Sponsorship from Miccosukee Indian Gaming in all three of NASCAR's national series - Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Trucks - could be terminated as a result of an early February vote by the Indian tribe. The tribe, which runs Miccosukee Resort and Gaming located in Miami and along the southeastern edge of the Florida Everglades, elected a new chairman, Colley Billie, on Jan. 5 who campaigned on promoting a new and "proactive" economic development platform. Several sources confirmed the tribe plans a Feb. 4 vote to decide whether it will continue its sponsorship in NASCAR, which includes Cup [#09-Almirola] and Nationwide teams [#1-James Buescher] to be fielded in 2010 by team owner James Finch and a Truck team [#18] owned and driven by Kyle Busch. The chances the NASCAR sponsorships will continue are considered slim, sources said. A spokesman for KBM said Monday the organization was aware of the Feb. 4 vote and would field the team regardless of whether the Miccosukee sponsorship continues.(Charlotte Observer)(1-26-2010)
UPDATE: James Finch learned late Thursday afternoon that Miccosukee Resort and Gaming will no longer sponsor his Phoenix Racing teams. Finch had a contract for the full Nationwide Series schedule and 18 Sprint Cup races but when the Chairman of the Miccosukee tribe Billy Cypress lost the last election, Phoenix Racing became sponsor-less for Daytona and beyond. [Sources confirmed that this decision also impacts sponsorship for the #18 Kyle Busch Motorsports truck team.](FoxNews.com)(2-5-2010)
Musgrave returns to trucks with Ballew in Daytona: The 2005 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, Ted Musgrave will make his return to the series at Daytona International Speedway piloting the #15 Hope for Haiti Toyota Tundra in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 for Billy Ballew Motorsports. Musgrave, who sat out the past season due to lack of sponsorship, will pilot the Billy Ballew Motorsports entry in the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season opening race February 12, 2010. The series veteran has 191 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career starts with 17 wins, 80 top-five and119 top-ten finishes and12 pole starts. Hope for Haiti will serve as the primary sponsor on the #15 Tundra. Associate sponsors Eco Clear Solutions, MagicJack.com and Bee My Bear are all lending a hand in the Hope for Haiti cause.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(2-4-2010)
BeBevCo NASCAR bound with Daisy Ramirez Motorsports UPDATE 2 Earnhardt withdraws: Daisy Ramirez Chief Operating officer of BeBevCo and CEO and founder of Potencia Energy Drink will throw her hat in the ring as a new team owner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The 2010 debut will come in Daytona for the NextEra Energy 250 on February 12. BeBevCo will lend its support through its on fire brand KOMA UNWIND "Chillaxation Drink." The first Hispanic Female owned NASCAR Truck team [Ramirez Motorsports] will run its operation this season from the famed "GARAGE MAHAL" that formally housed the Sprint cup team of Coors Light and Team Sabco. " This is a perfect situation we are putting together as BeBevCo's offices now inhabit the entire upstairs of the building. We will be able to keep a keen eye on day to day operations downstairs, invite our vendors and retail partners to visit with our company and our major marketing program all at once," said Ms. Ramirez. "We are extremely excited about our direction and will be announcing our truck numbers and driver line up in the coming days." [Dan Glauz is listed as crew chief on the web site.](CNNmoney.com)(1-25-2010)
UPDATE: The DRM (Daisy Ramirez Motorsports) team will make its debut at the globally celebrated Daytona International Speedway, with an equally famous last name, Earnhardt. Kerry Earnhardt the oldest son of the 7 time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt and brother of Dale Earnhardt Jr. will pilot the DRM Chevy in the NextEra Energy 250 February 12. Taking over the driving duties at Martinsville in March will be three time winner in 2009 in the ASALMS series Dillon Oliver, Oliver with over 80 victories at only 20 years old will try catching up over the remaining 23 races for the 2010 Rookie of the Year award.(Ramirez Motorsports PR)(1-28-2010)
UPDATE 2: Ramirez Motorsports has been informed that Kerry Earnhardt has decided to withdraw from driving the KOMA Unwind Chevy at Daytona due to conflicts in some previously scheduled events that were unable to be rescheduled. DRM is now looking at all alternative driver options for eligible drivers to run Daytona & Atlanta. Meanwhile Crew Chief Dan Glauz continues to put finishing touches on the teams Chevys.(Ramirez Motorsports PR)(2-4-2010)
Carmichael, multi-year sponsorship deal with Monster UPDATE 2 Hylton as crew chief for ARCA race: During SPEEDtv's Race Hub broadcast Wednesday, Ricky Carmichael announced that Monster Energy will sponsor the #4-TurnerMotorsports Chevy for the full 2010 Camping World Truck Series season along with nine ARCA events. Carmichael also stated that the agreement with Monster was a multi-year deal.(1-27-2010)
UPDATE: Mike Fritts, who served as Carmichael's crew chief in his first stock car endeavor in 2007, will again assume the role as crew chief for the 2010 season. A HREF="http://www.teamturnermotorsports.com/news/full/46">Turner Motorsports PR)(1-27-2010)
UPDATE 2: The former supercross champion will make his fourth ARCA start in two years this weekend at Daytona. In his previous three starts (Talladega, Daytona and Rockingham) Carmichael has qualified in the top 10 twice. Veteran Crew Chief, Butch Hylton, will call the shots for the #4 Monster Energy entry during the ARCA opening-season race this weekend.(2-4-2010)
Graceway Pharmaceuticals returns as sponsor for Almirola; Monteith in 2nd Ballew entry for seven UPDATE Image added: Graceway Pharmaceuticals, LLC along with Billy Ballew Motorsports announce the continuation of their partnership for the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Season. Graceway Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Bristol, TN joined forces with Billy Ballew Motorsports in 2009, at Bristol Motor Speedway, sponsoring all three of the team's entries. Graceway remained the primary sponsor on the #15 and the associate sponsor on the #51 entry for the remainder of the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. In 2010, Aric Almirola will be the driver of the #51 Graceway Pharmaceuticals, LLC Toyota Tundra. Nate Monteith will join Almirola in a second Graceway sponsored Tundra for Billy Ballew Motorsports in seven of the 2010 truck series events. Graceway Pharmaceuticals will also be the associate sponsor on the #09 James Finch NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car with Aric Almirola piloting the entry in 2010. The AKAwareness.com design will return this year. Graceway's sponsorship is part of a national public education campaign to raise awareness of actinic keratosis (AK) - a potential early warning sign of skin cancer - as well as the long-term consequences of sun damage over a lifetime.(Billy Ballew Motorsports)(2-3-2010)
UPDATE: Image of the #51 Graceway Pharmaceuticals/AKAwareness.com Toyota is posted on the #51 Paint Scheme Page.(2-3-2010)
Image added: Added schematic for ThorSport Racing's #88-Menards/Ideal Door Chevy with driver, Matt Crafton. Check it out on the 2010 Paint Scheme Page.(2-3-2010)
McCumbee & Silas entered with Hillenburg at Daytona: Car owner Andy Hillenburg has a lot to look forward to in the following weeks in Daytona Beach. Andy is back in the ARCA Series with Bryan Silas. "Not only will Andy be busy with the ARCA race but he also has two trucks entered in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event. Piloting the #49 truck will be series veteran Chad McCumbee and in the #48 will be Bryan Silas. "I am really excited to have these two drivers in my trucks next week," said Hillenburg. Chad McCumbee has one win with Fast Track Racing in the ARCA series at Nashville Superspeedway in 2007. "Fast Track will always be special to me it's where I got my first stock car win," claims McCumbee. Andy will again be running the full 2010 Camping World Truck season with multiple drivers.(Fast Track Racing PR)(2-3-2010)
Navistar to sponsor #5 truck for RMM with HTM: Navistar Inc., the longest-running team sponsor in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series garage, is making a bold run at the 2010 championship as it partners with the #5 Toyota Tundra driven by Mike Skinner for Randy Moss Motorsports with HTM. Navistar, which made its NCWTS debut in 2001, will look for Skinner to earn his second series title in 2010 while raising awareness of its International brand commercial trucks and Monaco brand RVs. The Randy Moss Motorsports with HTM team is expected by many to field a champion truck in 2010 after collecting three wins during the 2009 campaign. Skinner and the #5 Toyota Tundra, along with the team's #81 machine, will operate from the team's headquarters in Statesville, North Carolina. The sponsorship of the #5 entry will provide a premium platform for Navistar to market its industry leading lineup of International brand commercial trucks and Monaco brand RVs in 2010. NASCAR fans across the country rely on these vehicles for work and for play. The NCWTS is a great way for the company to thank loyal owners and attract new customers with the help of their International and Monaco dealer partners.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)[For past news surrounding HT Motorsports and RMM visit the November 2009 Archives Page.](2-2-2010)
Double-duty for Papis at Daytona: A year ago, many critics questioned whether or not 2004 Grand-Am Series champion Max Papis would be able to make it in NASCAR. Those critics are now supporters, as Papis prepares to begin his second season in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition in the #13 GEICO Toyota Camry for Germain Racing. In addition to his duties in the #13 GEICO Camry, Papis will also pilot the #9 GEICO Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 12th.(GEICO Racing PR)(2-2-2010
Congrats to Krista Voda & "PK Kelley: FOX Sports on-air personality Krista Voda was married January 23 in Pittsburgh. She wed Phillip "PK" Kelley, an independent contractor for network television, sports and entertainment, and a longtime fixture in the NASCAR garage. Kelley and Voda, host of NCWTS Setup on SPEED, will reside in Cranberry Township, PA.(SPEEDtv.com)(2-2-2010)
Hunt Brothers Pizza to sponsor Sadler in Cup & NCWTS: The 2010 NASCAR season isn't underway just yet, but Hunt Brothers Pizza is already celebrating a huge win: the company just inked a deal to sponsor veteran driver Elliott Sadler in both the Sprint Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series! This is Hunt Brothers Pizza's second year as the primary sponsor of a NASCAR racing team Hunt Brothers Pizza Racing and its first with Sadler behind the wheel. Sadler is a three-time winner about to embark on his 12th season as a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver. He'll be flying around the track in the #19 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford Fusion owned by Richard Petty Motorsports, a legendary name in auto racing. In addition, this year marks Sadler's debut at Daytona International Superspeedway with the Camping World Truck Series (CWTS). He will be driving Kevin Harvick Inc.'s #2 truck, also sponsored by Hunt Brothers Pizza, on February 12.(Kevin Harvick Inc PR)(2-2-2010)
Ramirez Motorsports enter second truck with Contreras for Daytona: BeBevCo in cooperation with Daisy Ramirez Motorsports has announced today that a second entry for the NASCAR Camping World Series season opener has been filed. The DRM #00 Chevrolet will be driven by the most accomplished Mexican stock car driver in motorsports. Carlos Contreras will be behind the wheel for the NextEra Energy 250, and the truck will be sponsored by Potencia Energy Blast, as well as Alpina Bottled Water. With 70 NASCAR Camping World Truck starts, and 15 NASCAR Nationwide starts under his belt, Contreras also has claimed 8 series championships in his native Mexico. "His popularity and prestige among Latin American racing fans made him a perfect fit for the second DRM entry with the Potencia Energy Blast Chevy" said team owner and BeBevCo COO Daisy Ramirez. "Alpina Water will be also on our truck at Daytona as we move closer to an exclusive distribution partnership in all of Central America with them for Koma Unwind and Potencia Products" said Brian BeBevCo CEO Brian Weber.(Ramirez Motorsports)(2-2-2010)
Cobb to debut the #10 Ford at Daytona: Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing will debut the #10 Ford F-150 in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at the Daytona International Speedway on February 12. Cobb will attempt a full schedule with the goal of winning the Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year title and inspire others that age or gender is no obstacle. The new team, based in Mooresville, N.C., will have support from Mike Harmon Racing to help pool resources and talent. Cobb, also a motivational speaker, will draw attention to her fashion line, Driver Boutique and Driven for Men -- merchandise for those who live "driven" lives -- on her truck, but the team continues to look for additional partners for the season. She comes into this season with more hope than ever in her career. The Kansas City, Kan., native has four previous starts in the Camping World Truck Series, but is now ready to compete with the best drivers and teams in the series.(Cobb Racing Team PR) [Past news on this race team is posted on the January Archives page.](2-1-2010)
NASCAR revises method of setting starting lineups: NASCAR will revise its five-year-old procedure governing guaranteed starting positions for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2010. The revision will open up additional spots in the line-up for teams qualifying via time trials. Under the procedure implemented in 2005, the top 30 eligible owners' trucks were locked into the starting lineup and guaranteed a spot among the top 35 positions in the 36-truck field. Beginning with the Feb. 12 NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway, the "lock-in" will be reduced to the top 25 eligible owners who have entered the event based upon 2009 Owner Championship point standings. The 36th and final position continues to be reserved for a past champion not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champion is eligible, the position is filled by the next fastest qualifier. The reduction in guaranteed starting positions brings the series in line percentage-wise with the NASCAR Nationwide Series, which guarantees a top 30 eligible owner's car a position among 42 of 43 starting spots.
Twenty-five teams competed in all 25 races in 2009 and are thus eligible for guaranteed starting positions for the season's first four races. Eligibility for the lock-in is set by 2010 Owner Championship points for the remainder of the season. "All owners who would have been locked in under the previous procedure will have guaranteed starting positions at Daytona and for three additional races," said NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Director Wayne Auton. "Teams which saw limited competition in 2009 or are new to the series will have greater opportunity to qualify for races than they might have had in the past - especially at short tracks such as Martinsville Speedway - where drivers who may not have a great deal of experience at the national series level are attempting to further their careers." The revised procedure does not affect races in which qualifying is canceled. Starting fields in such instances are based upon a separate procedure dictated by the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rule Book.(NASCAR PR)(2-1-2010)
Jamie Jones & Turner Motorsports part ways UPDATE: more info: Hearing that crew chief Jamie Jones parted ways with Turner Motorsports as of Thursday, January 28, 2010. Also hearing that the #31 truck [driver James Buescher] may not be going to Daytona as the truck is not ready.(1-29-2010)
UPDATE: Ricky Carmichael told Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that James Buescher's #31 Turner Motorsports Silverado was never intended to race in the season opener at Daytona. "James has a full-season Nationwide deal this year with James Finch, and that is his number-one priority," he said. "His #31 Truck will run a limited schedule this season, and Daytona was never supposed to be part of the deal."(2-1-2010)
Bodine/Germain Racing still searching for sponsorship: Todd Bodine has won four of the last five NASCAR Truck Series races at Daytona and Talladega, so his Germain Racing team heads to Daytona next week with optimism. What the team doesn't have is sponsorship yet for the 2010 season. Like many teams, Germain Racing is starting the year unsure of what the future holds. Bodine is the 2006 series champion and has finished in the top four in points in each of the last five years. The team is trying to work with partners from past seasons to put together a program. It will go to Daytona with Bodine and also bring a truck for Max Papis. For Truck teams looking for sponsorship, they have time to work on sponsorship before the meat of the truck schedule. After the Feb. 12 season-opener at Daytona, there's only one race over the next five weeks (March 6 at Atlanta) and then after back-to-back race weekends at Martinsville and Nashville, there's four weeks before the race at Kansas. The team was able to find enough sponsorship last year, piecing together programs throughout the season. "We did it all year last year, we made it work and survived," [Mike] Hillman Jr. said. "We're ready to go, building stuff, working hard in the shop."(SceneDaily.com)(1-31-2010)
Sauter to run Fontana Cup race for Tommy Baldwin UPDATE more races: Per Tommy Baldwin Racing's facebook page, looks like the team will run a 2nd team at Auto Club Speedway in February with Johnny Sauter driving the #35 Tommy Baldwin Chevy, see images on the #35 Cup Team Scheme page.(1-30-2010)
UPDATE: Sauter is scheduled to run at least three races: Auto Club in Feb., Martinsville in March and Pheonix in April.(1-31-2010)
Setzer & Team Gill Racing team up for Daytona UPDATE 2 PlaneGuts.com to sponsor: Hearing that there will be a second entry for Team Gill Racing at Daytona that reunites former teammates Danny Gill and Dennis Setzer. Setzer is scheduled to be behind the wheel of the #46-Dodge for the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona Int'l Speedway on Friday, February 12th.(1-22-2010)
UPDATE: Team Gill Racing announced that former teammates Danny Gill and Dennis Setzer will reunite to run at Daytona. Setzer has finished second in the truck series points race in 2003, 2004, and 2005. He has 18 career truck series along with 159 top-tens since 1995.(Team Gill Racing PR)(1-23-2010)
UPDATE 2: Team Gill Racing continues its growth with the announcement that veteran driver Dennis Setzer will pilot the #46 PlaneGuts.com Dodge Ram in the upcoming NextEra Energy Resources 250 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona, February 12, 2010. Plane Guts is the pinnacle of aircraft interior refurbishing and complete makeovers. The company's facility is based centrally in the United States in Tyler, Texas. With the capability of working on every major large jet down to the smallest personal aircraft, there is not a plane that they can't turn into a show piece.(Team Gill Racing PR)(1-26-2010)
ThorSport Racing -- no changes for 2010: With major personnel movement throughout most of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams during the off-season making news, one team that has been notably silent on that topic is ThorSport Racing. Matt Crafton returns to the seat of the #88 Menard Chevrolet with crew chief Bud Haefele calling the shots for the fifth consecutive season. Together they have scored one win (Charlotte 2008), 25 top-five finishes, 53 top-ten finishes, two poles, and two top-five finishes in the championship standings. Johnny Sauter teamed up with long-time friend - and sometimes crew chief - Joe Shear, Jr. in the second half of the 2009 season. Shear led Sauter to his first series win just four races later at Las Vegas, six top-five finishes, eight top-ten finishes, and one pole. He also led the charge from eleventh in the standings after Chicagoland to sixth at the end of the year.(ThorSport Racing PR)(1-25-2010)
Benson to Team Gill Racing for Daytona UPDATE other races with TGR? Team Gill Racing announced today that 2008 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, Johnny Benson, will be debuting their #95 Ford F-150 in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 NCWTS event at Daytona, February 12, 2010. TGR will be competing in all 25 Camping World Truck Series events for the 2010 season. "We really needed to start this year out right. We wanted to show up and let everyone know that Team Gill Racing is bringing a lot to the table every weekend. We have a lot of really good things working in or favor right now. We feel like we're going to be a force to be reckoned with all season and well into the following years." says Gill. Benson, who logged six wins in the NCWTS in the 2008 season, just edging out second place to win the points championship, will be sharing the seat of the #95 with rookie Lance Fenton for the 2010 season. Fenton is scheduled to run at least seven of the 25 events for 2010 behind the wheel of the #95. Fenton will be making his first event start with Team Gill Racing in the ASA Transcontinental Series event scheduled for January 31st at the 1.5-mile Phakisa Freeway Circuit in South Africa. Upon his return from the event in South Africa, Fenton will also compete in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 in the ARCA racing series presented by ReMax and Menards February 6, 2010.(Team Gill Racing PR) [Past news on Gill & Fenton team merger is posted on the December Archives Page.] (1-21-2010)
UPDATE: A press release was published on jayski.com Thursday night stating that Team Gill Racing was committed to racing all 25 races. However, Benson said the team has committed to race only Daytona at this point. “I haven’t seen that release,” said Benson, the 2008 Camping World champion who lost his ride this past June when his Red Horse Racing team folded due to lack of sponsorship. “As far as I know, right now, I am only doing Daytona. It might be more races, or it might be a one race deal. I just don’t know. “But I am extremely excited about going to Daytona. (Car owner) Danny Gill has been around a long time and he’s a great guy, and I’m confident that we will be able to run in the top five.”(MLive.com)(1-22-2010)
Trucks headed to Darlington? UPDATE 2 formal announcement made: Sirius NASCAR Radio's Sirius Speedway with host Dave Moody is reporting that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will compete at Darlington Raceway in August of this year, as a replacement for the now-canceled event at the Milwaukee Mile. Expect an official announcement during tomorrow's NASCAR portion of the annual Media Tour.(Sirius Speedway PR)(1-19-2010)
UPDATE: Hearing that the date for the Darlington Truck race will be August 14th.(1-20-2010)
UPDATE 2:NASCAR today announced the addition of historic Darlington Raceway to the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule. The August 14 "Too Tough To Tame 200" replaces an event at The Milwaukee Mile on the 25-race schedule and marks the series' return to the 1.366-mile South Carolina track that hosted four races between 2001 and 2004. "Our fans have asked us to bring back the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series because Darlington is a perfect fit for the tough racing the series offers," said Darlington Raceway President Chris Browning. "We are excited to be able to bring back the trucks in 2010 and look forward to putting on a memorable show for all of our fans." NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champions Bobby Hamilton and Ted Musgrave are among previous series winners at Darlington Raceway - Hamilton winning twice in 2001 and 2003. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Kasey Kahne won the series' final appearance at Darlington in 2004. "It's awesome to return to one of NASCAR's oldest tracks," said NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Director Wayne Auton. "There will be a full day of racing since this is a one-day show. The fans definitely will get their money's worth." The single-day schedule features practice, qualifying and a 200-mile, 147-lap race beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. The 2010 season is the 16th for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and begins Feb. 19 with the NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway.(NASCAR PR)(1-20-2010)
Jackson joins SS Green Light Racing for seven races: SS Green Light Racing is pleased to announce that Missouri's Tony Jackson Jr. will pilot the team's #07 Chevy Silverado for seven races in the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season beginning at Martinsville Speedway on March 27th. Jason Miller will guide the talented rookie from atop the SS Green Light Racing pit-box. By running a seven-race schedule Jackson will retain his status for NCWTS rookie of the year in 2011. Following his debut at Martinsville, plans are for Jackson to race near his home at Kansas Speedway followed by Texas, Gateway, Chicago, Las Vegas and the high banks of Talladega pending approvals.(SS Green Light Racing)(1-20-2010)
Bass Pro Shops to sponsor Dillon UPDATE Image added: Richard Childress Racing and Bass Pro Shops have reached a partnership agreement for third-generation driver Austin Dillon to compete in the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Silverado for the majority of the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule. This RCR/Bass Pro Shops partnership is the latest chapter of a relationship which began in 1998 when the nation's No. 1 outdoor retailer signed on as an associate sponsor of RCR's #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo with legendary driver Dale Earnhardt. The relationship continued with Kevin Harvick and the No 29 Chevrolet and, in 2004, Kerry Earnhardt, Dale's eldest son, drove RCR's No. 33 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Monte Carlo in six Sprint Cup Series races. In 2009, Dillon competed in the NASCAR Camping World Series, ARCA Series, Nationwide Series and made two starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driving RCR's famous black No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado. In the fall of 2009, he enrolled in High Point University's Nido R. Quebin School of Communications as an incoming freshman student. "I'm very excited about welcoming Bass Pro Shops back to RCR," said Dillon. "Hunting and racing have always been two of my family's biggest passions and to be able to bring them together through Bass Pro Shops is truly special. This great partnership will create more awareness to hunting and wildlife conservation."(KY3.com) [For past news on RCR & Austin Dillon visit the January Archives Page.](1-18-2010)
UPDATE: Image of the Richard Childress Racing's #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevy being driven by Austin Dillon is posted on the 2010 Paint Scheme Page.(1-19-2010)
Recent Past News: For recent past NASCAR Camping World Truck Series News visit the January Archives Page.