NASCAR vice president for corporate communications Jim Hunter heard the rumors and read the stories about the uncertain future of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. This weekend Hunter paraphrased a famous statement by a former Missourian as a response. “As Mark Twain once said, the reports of the demise of the Craftsman truck series are greatly exaggerated,” Hunter said. He said the series will be around for the foreseeable future, and it is scheduled to receive increased attention from NASCAR in the near future. Hunter said that Gary Nelson, NASCAR’s managing director of competition, was scheduled to be at Gateway International Raceway this weekend to observe the series. “The reason,” Hunter said of Nelson’s visit, “is to have a look and get a better handle on what NASCAR needs to do for the Craftsman truck series.” What NASCAR won’t do, Hunter said, is shut down the trucks. “There is no doubt that the Craftsman truck series is here to stay,” he said. “The reason we started the series was because so many Americans drive some type of truck. They still do. So we’re excited. We think it is gaining momentum.” The series’ future came into question recently when a racing trade paper ran a story that alleged the demise of the trucks was not exaggerated. The story indicated the series was beset with problems and the garages were filled with disgruntled people. Hunter also points to improved television ratings, higher race attendance and bigger truck counts as proof that the series is thriving. The series’ title sponsor, Craftsman tools, also seems content with the trucks series. Craftsman, which has been with the series since its inception, last year signed on for five more years as title sponsor. “Sears and Craftsman are extremely proud of the series,” John Lebbad, Sears director of event marketing and sales promotion, said. “We feel the sport continues to grow. We are very happy with our sponsorship.” Hunter reiterated that the truck series “is not going down the tubes.” “We see a great future for the trucks series and we are going to support it,” he said. “We think it is the coming series for NASCAR.”(Kansas City Star)(5-5-2002)
