Three Former Champs Battle For Points Lead At Kansas

Due to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule at Talladega Superspeedway, Kyle Busch will not be competing at Kansas this weekend, leaving the points lead up for the taking. While it's mathematically possible for drivers in second through eighth place to take the lead, it's a safe bet that either Todd Bodine (#30 Ventrilo Toyota), Ron Hornaday Jr. (#33 Camping World Toyota) or Mike Skinner (#5 Toyota) will walk away the new leader following the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 on Saturday.

Todd Bodine has shown right out of the gate this season that he is going to be a factor every race. With his win at Daytona, he became the series' first repeat winner in ten races at the track. He followed his win with a second-place finish at California and a solid third at Atlanta. The 2006 winner at Kansas, he thinks he can become its first repeat winner, too.

"We have a good truck and we're on a roll as a team," Bodine said.

He'll have to contend with the other two right behind him in the standings.

"We're going to go there to win the race and if we can't win the race, we'll go for the best finish we can get," Bodine added. "And if that's the case, hopefully it's better than Hornaday and Skinner."

Ron Hornaday Jr. trails Bodine by only 33 points. While he's yet to win this year, he's finished no lower than seventh and is coming off a second-place finish at Martinsville. He's also Kansas's defending race winner.

"I'm excited to go back to Kansas," Hornaday said. "I think it would be cool to become the first repeat winner. I always say my favorite tracks are the ones I win at, so Kansas would be right up there with one of my favorites."

He wouldn't mind the points lead, too, although he knows it's early in the season and the battle for the title could come down to the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"We would love to come out of Kansas with a win and the points lead, but our goal right now is to consistently have our truck running up front and contending for wins," Hornaday said. "If we have the right mind set, I think the points will take care of themselves."

Only five points separate Hornaday from Mike Skinner who sits fourth in the standings. The 1995 series champion hasn't won at Kansas, but has two poles and has finished fifth the last three trips to the track.

"My team has been working really hard on this effort for Kansas and I really think that we are going to run well," Skinner said. "You know it's a little too early for the points standings to show up on my radar screen. But at the same time, Eric Phillips (crew chief) and everyone at Randy Moss Motorsports has been putting me in awfully good stuff and we have been running good. We are just going to go do what we have been doing and just keep on digging. This is a really good race team and I am blessed to be able to drive for them."

Colin Braun On A Winning Mission

Colin Braun (#6 Con-Way Freight Ford) is still looking for that first career win. With no repeat winners in eight races, chances are high that win could come this weekend at Kansas Speedway.

"It's going to be great to get back in the truck after a few weeks away from the track," Braun said. "I'm really looking forward to racing at Kansas this weekend. It was where I got my best finish in the series last year, so I'm excited to do better this year."

A year ago, Braun turned a sixth-place starting position into a third-place finish. Hopefully, this time around he'll find the same luck that fellow Roush Fenway Racing drivers have found at the track.

Erik Darnell (2007) and Jon Wood (2003) both grabbed their first career NASCAR victories at Kansas. Carl Edwards also has a win at the 1.5-mile track.

"Historically, Kansas has been a great track for Roush Fenway truck drivers," Braun said. "I would really like to add my name to that list of first-time winners and make it nine races with no repeat winners."

Braun started this season by grabbing the pole and a top-10 finish at Daytona but has seemed to struggle since. While sitting 21st in the standings may pose a dismal outlook for the 20-year-old, he's only 97 points rom 10th and is keeping it all in perspective.

"We've had a few tough races in a row and need to get our momentum back, and gain some points," he said. "With a good run at Kansas, I know we can get right back up there."

A Look At Kansas With Mike Hillman Jr.

Todd Bodine and the #30 Ventrilo Toyota team started the 2009 season right where they left off last year, in Victory Lane. Their season-opening win at Daytona also gave them bragging rights as the first repeat winner at the famed track.

Led by crew chief Mike Hillman Jr., Bodine and team have been contenders every race and will be this weekend at Kansas Speedway as they compete to become the first repeat winner at the 1.5-mile track.

Hillman Jr. discusses his thoughts on Kansas and the #30 team.

Q: What is special for you about Kansas Speedway?
"It's always cool to go back to the first place you ever won a race as a crew chief. Kansas is where we started collecting really strong top-three finishes in 2005. We were the truck to beat most everywhere we went and we earned the first three-race win streak to close out the season. We followed it up in 2006 with the championship. Hopefully, we can go to Kansas, take the points lead, and do things the way we did in 2006, when we held the points lead for 21-straight races."

Q: What makes this team so successful?
"Chemistry. We are like a big family. All the guys that work on the truck, and the guys back at the shop and Todd and myself. We have a special relationship—a special bond. This #30 crew and the whole Germain Racing team is more like family than it is the people you work with."

Q: There has never been a repeat winner at Kansas. Do you think your team is a contender?
"Kansas is a typical mile-and-a-half track which means you've got to turn in the center of the corner. It's another momentum track. I think we can win any week we go to the race track, but especially the mile-and-a-half race tracks and superspeedways. So yes, I think we can put the #30 Ventril Toyota in Victory Lane to be the first repeat winner at Kansas."

Etc. ...

• Four races into the season and already the fight to be at the top is tough. While the point spread among the top 10 is close, those sitting outside the top 10 are just as close. Stacy Compton (#60 Safe Auto Insurance/Wyler.com Toyota) has only one point separating him from 10th-place Rick Crawford (#14 Circle Bar Truck Corral/International Truck Engine Ford). Brian Scott (#16 Albertson's Toytoa) is 12th, only seven points from Crawford. Red Horse Racing driver TJ Bell (#11 Toyota), who occupies the 13th spot, is 14 points shy of 10th position. Veteran driver David Starr (#24 Zachry Toyota) and rookie Tayler Malsam (#81 One Eighty Toyota) sit 14th and 15th, respectively, in the standings both under 26 points from being in the top 10.
• Brian Ickler will make his debut Saturday behind the wheel of the #51 Miccosukee Resort Toyota for Billy Ballew Motorsports. Ickler, a native of San Diego, Calif., steps in for Kyle Busch, who will be with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series in Talladega. The 23-year-old competed in the NASCAR Camping World West Series in 2007 where he collected three wins before finishing fourth in the standings. Following a move to the Charlotte, N.C.-area, he ran last season for his family-owned team, Brian Ickler Motorsports, in the NASCAR Camping World East Series, winning two Coors Light Pole awards and three races. Ickler garnered some attention after beating NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne in the May 18 NASCAR Camping World Series East/West combination event at Iowa Speedway.
• Johnny Benson (#1 Red Horse Racing Toyota) spent the last weekend in Long Beach, Calif., competing in the 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. Benson finished second overall after overcoming a 30-second head-start given to participating celebrities. Al Unser Jr. finished first and won the pro category and actor Keanu Reeves won the celebrity category.
• Eudora, Kan. native Chase Austin will attempt to make his third start in the series and his home-track debut this weekend in the #32 Chevrolet for Trail Motorsports.
• Fellow Kansas native Jennifer Joe Cobb will be behind the wheel of the #74 Price Chopper 400 Dodge for Derrike Cope this Saturday. Cobb has two previous starts in the series, both at Kansas.

Raybestos Rookie Standings

Four races into the season and the competition for top rookie honors is heating up. While Canadian J.R. Fitzpatrick (#7 Mammoet Chevrolet) maintained his slim point lead following Martinsville, the rest of the class is right behind him.

Washington native Tayler Malsam is only four points behind Fitzpatrick. Malsam heads to Kansas with a little experience, having competed in last year's ARCA race, where, despite an accident, he brought home a 14th-place finish.

"Definitely going to Kansas where I've raced before, I feel more comfortable than I did going to Martinsville," he said. "It is a really good track that I am excited about going back to."

Also it doesn't hurt to have a former series champion for a teammate.

"Having Mike (Skinner) helps because I can ask him a rookie question and he'll know the answer," Malsam said. "He has been a help on the track, helping know what to do at this point on the track and what to do at that part of the track, as well as off the track."

Tied with Malsam is James Buescher (#10 International MaxxForce Diesel Ford). The 19-year-old comes off a strong run at Martinsville where he finished 11th, his best finish so far this year.

"We've really improved each race so far this season and it shows because we've improved our finish in every race," Buescher said. "We've been closing the gap in the rookie point standings, and winning those honors was a goal we set at the beginning of the year."

Raybestos Rookie Standings after four races of the 2009 season:
1. J.R. Fitzpatrick    42
2. Tayler Malsam     38
3. James Buescher  38
4. Ricky Carmichael 37
5. Johnny Sauter     32
6. Chase Austin      16
7. Brent Raymer      12
8. Chris Jones           5 

Crawford Hanging By A Thread In Top 10

Rick Crawford (#14 Circle Bar Truck Corral/International Truck Engine Ford) finds himself in a precarious position.

He sits in the top 10, but barely. Only one point separates him and 11th-place driver Stacy Compton (#60 Safe Auto Insurance/Wyler.Com Toyota). In other words, one false move and Crawford could easily be bounced from the top 10.

But there's good news for Crawford. The next track on the schedule, Kansas, suits him well statistically. Also, Compton has struggled at the 1.5-mile track recently.

Since the inception of Loop Data in 2005, Crawford ranks fifth in Average Running Position (8.7), fifth in Driver Rating (102.1), sixth in Fastest Laps Run (eight) and fourth in Laps in the Top 15 percentage (84.4%).

Crawford has finished in the top 10 in his last five Kansas races, and in the top three in three of those races (including runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2007).

On the other hand, the chaser – Compton – hasn't enjoyed much success. Though he has two top-10 finishes there (in 2003 and 2004), his last two Kansas races have resulted in finishes outside the top 25.

In those two races, Compton has a Driver Rating of 61.4, an Average Running Position of 20.6, four Fastest Laps Run and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 27.5%.

Wayne's Words

"After a few weeks off, everyone is really looking forward to heading to Kansas and getting back on track this weekend. Kansas Speedway is the second visit this season for the series to an intermediate track.

"We've been competing at the track since 2001, but racing in the Kansas City-area dates back to the inaugural season. Just down the road, I-70 Speedway and the road course at Heartland Park Topeka hosted the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from 1995 to 1999.

"As we get ready to get back to it, a team the garage s watching is Greenlight Racing. The #07 Chevrolet has been strong over the first four races and it's not much of a surprise with Bobby Dotter leading the team and Chad McCumbee behind the wheel.

"In our eight trips to this track, Victory Lane has yet to see a repeat winner. We've had young drivers like Erik Darnell grab their first career wins and we've had series champions like Ron Hornaday Jr. end up with the checkered flag.

"One of my favorite first-win memories at Kansas was watching Ricky Hendrick grab his first win there in 2001. It was so cool to see his dad, Rick, and his mother with big smiles on their faces in Victory Lane.

"Ricky wouldn't leave until all the post-race inspections were done. And when they were, we got to continue a tradition the officials do for all first-time winners, which is a victory cheer for the driver. Every time we go to Kansas and I see Victory Lane, I remember that day and how special it was to see a young, talented kid win.

"So for the great fans that are always out when the trucks come to town, I'd say keep your eyes on everyone. It could be any driver's race to win, veterans and young guys alike."

- Wayne Auton,
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Director

Manufacturer Battle

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 2009 Manufacturers' Championship Standings following Race 4 of 25 at Martinsville Speedway:
Toyota, 33
Chevrolet, 27
Ford, 16
Dodge, 2

Up Next

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will race under the lights at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 on Friday, May 15.

A year ago, Matt Crafton (#88 Menards Chevrolet) made his first career trip to Victory Lane.

Crafton's win kicked off a three-race stretch where the series celebrated first career wins.

Other former winners expected to compete in the Friday-night showdown include Ron Hornaday Jr. and Kyle Busch.
(NASCAR PR)(4-20-2009)

Series Well-Represented In West Coast Hall Of Fame

Three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series notables will be among the 2009 inductees into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame. Founded in 2001, the Hall of Fame was established to honor those who have contributed to racing's development and history.

On July 3 at Irwindale Speedway, Rick Carelli, Doug George and Wayne Spears will become some of its newest members.

Carelli, who currently serves as general manager at Kevin Harvick Inc., is no stranger in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series garage. As a driver, he won the 1993 NASCAR Camping World Series West championship before moving to the series. In 134 NCWTS starts, he collected four wins, 22 top-five and 60 top-10 finishes with a best points finish of sixth in the inaugural 1995 season.

"I think it is a really great honor," he said. “I mean, look at all of the West Coast guys who are in the Series now making it happen. I am truly thankful for all of the people I met while I was still racing on the West Coast. With the addition of all us West Coasters to NASCAR, I like to think we helped it evolve into what it is today, not just a southern sport."

Like Carelli, Doug George made his mark as a driver before moving to a leadership position within the series. The Atwater, Calif., native won six times en route to winning the 1995 NASCAR Camping World Series West championship. These days George is found atop the pit box calling the shots for Kyle Busch (#51 Miccosukee Resorts Toyota) with Billy Ballew Motorsports. Together they have collected two wins so far this season. “Its truly an honor to be put in a class with these other inductees who I grew up watching, working with and racing against," said George. “They're the reason I've continued my career in racing."

Former team owner Wayne Spears was among some of the founding teams in the NCWTS. In 13 seasons, Spears Motorsports racked up 317 starts, four wins, 37 top-five and 108 top-10 finishes with drivers such as fellow California native Kevin Harvick, David Starr (#25 Zachry Toyota) and Dennis Setzer. Spears' #75 Chevrolet was among the top 10 in points four different times, the highest of fifth in 2002 with Starr.

Compton Riding Wave Of Momentum To Kansas

Veteran driver Stacy Compton looks ahead to the next stop on the schedule with much optimism. He and his #60 Wyler Racing Toyota team are riding a wave of momentum coming off a sixth-place finish at Martinsville Speedway. The finish was his best so far this season, and with new crew chief Marcus Richmond guiding the team, he believes there is more to come.

“Things are really turning," said Compton. “We unloaded good in Martinsville and were among the fastest in practice. Marcus is a great fit. I'm really excited and the guys are excited."

His solid finish also moved him closer to the top 10 in the 2009 standings. Compton sits 11th, a mere one point behind Rick Crawford (#14 Circle Bar Truck Corral/International Truck Engine Ford). At this point last season, he found himself back in 19th in the standings.

Another motivating factor for the Wyler Racing team – a new sponsor. Safe Auto Insurance, which was on board at Martinsville, liked what they saw and will remain with the team.

The Midwest is familiar territory for Compton. While he has only two starts at Kansas Speedway, he has raced at both I-70 Speedway and Heartland Park Topeka, which hosted the series from 1995 to 1999.

Heartland, a road-course track about 60 miles west of Kansas Speedway, marks the place where Compton grabbed his last win in the series in 1998.

“The Midwest is a good place for me," he said. “It's always fun to go out there."

In The Loop

On the surface, Colin Braun (#6 Con-Way Freight Ford) looks mired in the dreaded sophomore slump.

But statistically, he is not faring as badly as his 21st-place points position would suggest. 

Braun, the 2008 Raybestos Rookie of the Year, has suffered two consecutive DNFs – both due to accidents.

Still, Braun ranks well inside the top 10 in almost every key statistical category. He has a Driver Rating of 80.3 (11th-best), an Average Running Position of 13.8 (11th), a 14th-fastest Green Flag Speed and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 58.3.

All those numbers could be better, if not for his early-race accident at Martinsville. Braun ran only 32 of the 251 laps that race. It was the first time this season he had an Average Running Position outside the top 10 (32.5) and a Driver Rating below 82.9 (42.8).

Braun's in-race progression – or lack thereof – tells the story of his struggles. He has a strong average starting position of 5.3 – second-best of drivers who have started all four races this season. Then his numbers start falling. Braun has an average mid-race position of 14.8 and an average finish of 22.5.

But Braun can take solace in his 11th-best Driver Rating, which is 10 positions better than his points position – the largest differential between points position and Driver Rating rank on the series. His Driver Rating of 80.3 suggests that if Braun continues his current performances, his luck should swing.

Etc. ...

NCWTS sophomore Brian Scott (#16 Albertson's Toyota) made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut over the weekend at Nashville Superspeedway in the #10 Dollar General Toyota for Braun Racing. He finished his first outing in the 25th position. Veterans Dennis Setzer and Terry Cook (#24 Harris Trucking Toyota) also spent their off weekend in Nashville with the series.

Three-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr  (#33 Longhorn/VFW Chevrolet) and team co-owner and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick spent their off week visiting injured military members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, April 7.

David Starr and Chase Austin (#32 Trail Motorsports Chevrolet) head to Kansas City Tuesday, April 14 for a visit to Kaufman Stadium. The veteran and rookie will see if they have what it takes as they will hit batting practice with the Kansas City Royals. Both will also be on hand to throw out the first pitch as the Royals face off against the Cleveland Indians.

Help support earthquake victims in Italy, native home of driver Max Papis (#9 GEICO Toyota). Papis will be auctioning off a race-worn helmet as well as other various autographed  items on eBay.
 
Raybestos Rookie Standings after four races of the 2009 season:

1. J.R. Fitzpatrick, 42
2. Tayler Malsam, 38
3. James Buescher, 38
4. Ricky Carmichael, 37
5. Johnny Sauter, 32
6. Chase Austin, 16
7. Brent Raymer, 12
8. Chris Jones, 5 

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 2009 Manufacturers' Championship Standings
following Race 4 of 25 at Martinsville Speedway:

Toyota, 33
Chevrolet, 27
Ford, 16
Dodge, 12

Up Next

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will head to Kansas Speedway for the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 on Saturday, April 25.

In eight trips to the Midwest track, Victory Lane has yet to see a repeat winner. The winners have come from all experience levels, from rookie of the year contenders like Ricky Hendrick in 2001 and three-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. a year ago.(NASCAR PR)(4-13-2009)

Familiar Rivalry, Hornaday Vs. Skinner, Continues

Four races into the 2009 season, Ron Hornaday Jr. (#33 Longhorn/VFW Chevrolet) and Mike Skinner (#5 Bad Boy Mower Toyota) sit third and fourth in the standings with a mere five points separating the two.

This isn't anything new.

These two have been here before, battling for wins and titles in 155 races over the past 15 seasons in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. /p>

Hornaday easily appears to be an early contender for this year's title. His lowest finish in four races was seventh at Atlanta in March.

Although with a new team, Skinner is off to a strong start after what was an up and down 2008. So far, he has finished outside the top 10 only once — coming in 11th at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., On Feb. 21.

The pair hold four titles between the them. Skinner was the inaugural series champion in 1995 with Hornaday finishing third. The drivers swapped places the following season as Hornaday grabbed his first title. They went on to finish one-two in 2007, with Hornaday beating rival Skinner by 52 points in a down-to-the- wire title battle.

As the season unfolds, these are two to keep your eye on.

Head-to-Head: Hornaday Vs. Skinner

                 Hornaday   Skinner
Starts            155            155
Wins               25             25 
Top 5              77             78
Top 10           112           108
Poles              14             44
Avg. Finish      8.3           9.9

No Repeat Winners So Far At MidwestTrack

The series heads to Kansas Speedway April 25 where in eight visits the track has yet to produce a repeat winner. Midwest fans have seen winners from all experience levels, from Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender Ricky Hendrick in 2001 to three-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr. a year ago.  

Kansas fans have also witnessed drivers grab their first career victories, such as Erik Darnell in 2007. Fellow Roush Fenway Racing driver Colin Braun (#6 Con-Way Freight Ford) is still searching for his first career NASCAR win. He was third in last year's O'Reilly Auto Parts 250, his best career finish. Braun looks to follow Darnell's footsteps.

Someone else to watch could be Matt Crafton (#88 Menard's Chevrolet). Crafton has been a factor already this season, collecting three top-10 finishes. Last May, he grabbed his first career win at Lowe's, a track with a similar layout to Kansas.

Todd Bodine (#30 Germain Racing Toyota), second in the standings, found Victory Lane in 2005. Bodine, who is off to an incredible start, could possibly be the driver to break the no-repeat-winner streak.

Bodine's only finish outside the top three this year came at Martinsville after he was caught up on a last lap incident which relegated him to an 18th-place finish.

In The Loop

Johnny Benson had spent four-and-a-half seasons with Bill Davis Racing before joining Red Horse Racing this season as the defending NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion.

So you can forgive him if it took Benson a little time to adapt.

It didn't take much time.

Benson has improved his finish in each of the season's four races, and now sits seventh in points.

So, too, did his statistics improve with each passing race:

• At Daytona, Benson finished 26th with a Driver Rating of 79.7 and an Average Running Position of 17.5.
• At Auto Club Speedway, he finished 12th with a Driver Rating of 81.7 and an Average Running Position of 10.7.
• At Atlanta, Benson finished ninth with a Driver Rating of 96.0 and an Average Running Position of 8.8.
• At Martinsville, Benson posted his first top five, finishing fourth with a Driver Rating of 105.9 and an Average Running Position of 6.8.

Now, Benson finds himself in the top 10 of every key Loop Data stat category. He has a Driver Rating of 90.8 (sixth-best), an Average Running Position of 10.9 (sixth) and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 80.4 (sixth). Even more promising for Benson: In his 2008 championship winning season, Benson was ninth after four races – two spots lower than he is now.

Benson To Compete In Pro/Celebrity Race

Now it's Johnny Benson's (#1 Red Horse Racing Toyota) turn to represent the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race at the 33rd Long Beach Grand Prix in Southern California.

Benson, who'll make his debut in the annual charity event on April 18, is the third NCWTS champion to compete in the through-the-streets race that matches professional drivers against celebrity entrants. All will drive race-prepared Scion cars.

Mike Skinner (#5 Bad Boy Mowers Toyota) competed in the race the past two years. Todd Bodine (#30 Germain Toyota) participated in the 2006 event. Each won the professional division as did Max Papis (#9 GEICO Toyota) in 2004.

Last year's race saw celebrity entrant and ESPN pit reporter Jamie Little edge Skinner by .324 seconds – the closest margin of victory in the race's history.

Little returns to defend her title, this time in the professional category, along with two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. Also entered is Coy Gibbs, a former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor and owner of the JGRMX Supercross/Motocross Team. Celebrity entrants include Academy Award winning actor Adrien Brody, "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek, comic Carlos Mencia and pro skateboarder Danny Way.

"It's fun for us to hob knob with all the celebrities and superstars," said Benson. "I know one of the celebrities won it last year so even though they get a head start, it will be fun to try and catch them, pass them and then go for the win ourselves.

"It would be so cool to win it but just being a part of the race is special. We have the opportunity to raise money for some great charities and that's what it's all about."

The race has enabled Toyota to donate $1.7 million dollars to various children's hospitals since 1991.

Raybestos Rookie Standings after four races of the 2009 season:
1. J.R. Fitzpatrick     42
2. Tayler Malsam      38
3. James Buescher  38
4. Ricky Carmichael 37
5. Johnny Sauter      32
6. Chase Austin       16
7. Brent Raymer       12
8. Chris Jones            5

2009 Manufacturers' Championship Standings following Race 4 of 25 at Martinsville Speedway:

Toyota, 33
Chevrolet, 27
Ford, 16
Dodge, 12

Up Next

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns Saturday, April 25 at Kansas Speedway.

Defending race winner Ron Hornaday Jr. will have to keep former winners Todd Bodine (2005) and Terry Cook (#25 HT Motorsports Toyota) (2006) — among others — in his rear-view mirror, to return to Victory Lane.
(NASCAR PR)(4-7-2009)

Four Races Identify Contenders, Not Eventual Champion

Media prognosticators recently tabbed Ron Hornaday Jr. (#33 Longhorn Chevrolet) to win a record fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship in 2009.

History, however, says the veracity of that prediction won't be known until mid-November when the checkered flag has fallen at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The title race has gone down to the final race in 13 of 14 previous seasons.

Four races into the schedule with the running of Monday's Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway, however, there are solid clues as to who the title contenders will be, and which drivers must overcome mediocre starts to join the group. The record book says:

Kyle Busch (#51 Miccosukee Resort Toyota), the urrent points leader, is unlikely to win the championship. Busch has no plans to pursue a full schedule. And more significantly, the leader after race #4 has failed to capture the title in 12 of 14 seasons and not since Jack Sprague in 1997.

A ranking among the first four positions is the most likely springboard to a title. Eight of the past 11 champions have ranked fourth or better after running four races.

Johnny Benson (#1 Red Horse Racing Toyota), however, was ninth at this point a year ago and still won the championship. Good news for Benson. He ranks seventh after entering Martinsville outside the top 10.

A triple-digit deficit can be overcome. Five champions have come from 100 or more points off the lead four races into the season. Benson (2008) and Hornaday (2007) each left Martinsville Speedway 144 points in the hole. One hundred twenty-one points is the difference between first and fifth this year.

Leading Isn't Everything - Yet

The eventual champion wasn't the points leader after four races in any of the 11 most recent seasons.

Year  Champion          Rank   Points Behind
2008  J. Benson              9th           144
2007  R. Hornaday Jr.      4th           144
2006  T. Bodine              3rd             58
2005  T. Musgrave          3rd             28
2004  B. Hamilton           4th             70
2003  T. Kvapil                6th           101
2002  M. Bliss                4th             24
2001  J. Sprague             6th           100
2000  G. Biffle                 4th             96
1999  J. Sprague             4th           107
1998  R. Hornaday Jr.      2nd             8
         Average                 4.5            79.9 

Martinsville Race Ends; Lock-Ins' From 2008 Owner Points

The collective sigh of relief heard following Martinsville Speedway's Kroger 250 came from a number of teams new to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series which did not possess locked-in positions based on the 2008 series owners' championship standings.

Two of those teams; Randy Moss Motorsports and Red Horse Racing — have past champions in their trucks so they weren't exactly working without a net. The switch to 2009 points, however, gives both Benson and Mike Skinner (#5 Bad Boy Mowers Toyota) top-30 positions.

Skinner and Benson hardly have missed a beat driving for new owners. Skinner ranks fifth in points after finishing third in the Kroger 250 while Benson, winner of last fall's Martinsville race, jumped from 11th to seventh on the strength of his fourth-place finish — the defending NCWTS champion's first top five of 2009.

Also bumping into the guaranteed starter category are Terry Cook (#25 Harris Trucking Toyota) and Timothy Peters (#17 Hayes Iron and Metal Toyota). Cook is sixth, Peters ninth in current standings.

Andy Hillenburg's #48 Chevrolet also qualifies as a top-30 starter for next month's race at Kansas Speedway along with Dwayne Gaulding's #21 Gunbroker.com Dodge, David McClure's #47 Chevrolet and Norm Benning's #57 Chevrolet. All but Benning have employed multiple drivers during the season's first four races.

In The Loop

With Kyle Busch likely out of the #51 Toyota at Kansas Speedway for the first time this season, a three-way battle for the points lead emerges between three former series champions; Todd Bodine (#30 Toyota), Ron Hornaday Jr. and Mike Skinner.

All three have eclipsed the 600-point mark after four races and have racked up some of the best early season statistics.

All rank in the top five in most key Loop Data categories and usually follow Busch in the top four.

Hornaday, third in the points, has an Average Running Position of 5.1 (second-best), Driver Rating of 114.0 (second), 46 Fastest Laps Run (third) and a series-high 562 Laps in the Top 15 (96.7%).

Bodine, second in points, has an Average Running Position of 6.4 (third), a Driver Rating of 105.9 (fourth), 23 Fastest Laps Run (seventh) and 501 (86.2%) Laps in the Top 15 (fourth).

Skinner, fourth in points and having a stellar first season with Randy Moss Motorsports, has an Average Running Position of 7.3 (fourth), a Driver Rating of 106.3 (third), 40 Fastest Laps Run (fourth) and 544 (93.6%)  Laps in the Top 15 (second).

The leader in most of those categories, of course, is also the point leader; Busch.

Etc. ...

• Rick Crawford (#14 Circle Bar/International Truck Ford) went to Martinsville Speedway in danger of failing to post a top-10 finish in the season's first four races for only the third time in eight campaigns. Crawford, however, finished a solid fifth after claiming his sixth Keystone Light Pole. Crawford also slipped into the top 10 in points; a ranking he's held after four races in all but three seasons since joining the series in 1997. "This is really special for us because we've taken a bruising the first part of the year," he said. Crawford's rebound also gave Ford a spot in the top 10 for the first time since Daytona's opening race in February.
• Crawford wasn't the only member of the Circle Bar team enjoying a Martinsville finish. Teammate James Buescher (#10 International Maxx Force Diesel Ford), who celebrated his 19th birthday on March 26, was 11th and the highest-finishing Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender. "I think we should run better the next time we come back and see if we can get a top five or even a win," said Buescher, who ran as high as second. J.R. Fitzpatrick (#7 TRG Motorsports Chevrolet) finished two laps off the pace in 21st but maintains a four-point rookie lead over Buescher and Tayler Malsam (#81 One Eighty Toyota).
• Mike Bliss (#40 Westerman Companies/StopRepairBills.com Chevrolet) became the eighth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver to compete in 200 races when he took the green flag at Martinsville. Bliss, who competed in the track's first race in 1995, finished 15th.
• The Kroger 250 marked the third time a Martinsville truck race has been run on a Monday due to inclement weather. Joe Ruttman won the first in 1995. The late Bobby Hamilton was the winner in 2000.
• Chevrolet's Martinsville victory snapped a four-race Toyota win streak dating to last year's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Toyota remains the Manufacturers' Championship leader by six over Chevrolet. Ford is winless since Erik Darnell's Michigan victory in June 2008.; Dodge last went to Victory Lane one year ago in Martinsville. Chevrolet, Toyota and Ford occupied at least one spot in the Kroger 250's top five.
• In most seasons, Ken Schrader (#52 Federated Auto Parts Toyota) likely would be closing on double-digit racing starts. Monday's race was the veteran's first NASCAR appearance of 2009 and Schrader celebrated with a 10th-place finish.

Raybestos Rookie Standings after four races of the 2009 season:

1. J.R. Fitzpatrick, 42
2. Tayler Malsam, 38
3. James Buescher, 38
4. Ricky Carmichael, 37
5. Johnny Sauter, 32
6. Chase Austin, 16
7. Brent Raymer, 12
8. Chris Jones, 5

Manufacturer Battle

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 2009 Manufacturers' Championship Standings following race 4 of 25 at Martinsville Speedway:

Toyota, 33
Chevrolet, 27
Ford, 16
Dodge, 12

Up Next

Midwestern fans get their first close-up of the 2009 season when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series swings back into action on Saturday, April 25 at Kansas Speedway. The race annually draws a huge crowd to the 1.5-mile Kansas City, Kan., facility which has crowned eight consecutive different winners. Ron Hornaday Jr. is the defending winner of the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250.(NASCAR PR)(3-31-2009)