NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams will receive record season ending awards of more than $1.9 million following the 2004 season, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced today. The figure includes a $1.6 million-plus NASCAR/Craftsman points fund, paid to the top-20 drivers and owners in final series standings, as well as $262,500 in series manufacturer awards – well in excess of the $180,000 paid at the conclusion of the 2003 season. Craftsman Tools has been the sole sponsor of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series through all 220 races and nine-plus seasons since the series’ debut in 1995. The series, in its 10th season, is off to its best-ever start with a record number of viewers – over 1.3 million – tuned into SPEED Channel for February’s season opening race at Daytona International Speedway. SPEED Channel’s household viewership has increased by 58%, according to Nielsen Media Research which compared this year’s three events with the first four of 2003. Competition continues to be a hallmark of the series with three different winners in as many races, an average margin of victory of .278 seconds and fewer than 100 points covering the top-10 drivers in the championship standings. The schedule continues with the sold-out May 16 inaugural UAW/GM Ohio 250 at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway.
Several new sponsors have joined the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for 2004. They include Gillette and its Mach 3 Turbo Award; Sunoco Racing Fuel, NASCAR’s Official Fuel; MSD Ignitions, Toyota Racing Development, and International Truck.(NASCAR PR)(5-7-2004)
