Kevin Harvick Incorporated (KHI) announced that Matt Crafton will complete the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck season behind the wheel of the #6 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet but will not return in 2005. “Matt has done a great job for us this year and I wish him the best in the future,” said Kevin Harvick, owner of Kevin Harvick Inc. “We have been a steady and consistent top-10 team this season but we need to be a consistent top-five team and winning races. We felt it was in the best interest of both parties to make the announcement now because it will give each of us the opportunity to secure a direction for next season.” In 20 Truck Series starts this season Crafton has four top-five and 13 top-10 finishes and is currently fifth in the championship standings. “Matt Crafton brought a lot of enthusiasm to our GM Goodwrench truck program. He has been such a delight to work with,” said Sue Seaglund, Event Marketing Manager for General Motors Service and Parts Operations. “We wish him the best of luck in his racing future.” The 2005 driver for the #6 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet will be named at a later date.(KHI/Falgren PR)(10-13-2004)
UPDATE: Kevin Harvick, Inc. will make an anouncement regarding the # 6 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Silverado for the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Friday, October 15, 2004. The TBA driver is scheduled to attend.
AND rumors are swirling that Ron Hornaday could be the driver.(10-14-2004)
UPDATE 2: Kevin Harvick, Inc., (KHI) announced today at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., that former two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) champion Ron Hornaday will be behind the wheel of the #6 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Silverado for the 2005 NCTS season. “We are very excited to have a proven Truck Series champion like Ron driving for us next year,” said Kevin Harvick, owner of Kevin Harvick, Inc. “Ron made a dominate mark in the Truck Series over a five-year-span and brought a lot of attention and enthusiasm to the sport. We can’t wait to add that unique combination to our program at KHI.” Hornaday’s Truck Series record is impeccable. He compiled two championships, 26 wins, 65 top-five finishes, 93 top-10 finishes, and 13 poles in 125 starts. The Palmdale, Calif., native still holds NCTS records for wins, a 20% start/victory ratio, and a 70% winning percentage in green-white-checkered finishes. “It is really cool to be driving for Kevin Harvick, Inc.,” said Hornaday. “I raced against the GM Goodwrench truck for years and for me to be its driver is an honor. Dale Earnhardt gave me my first opportunity to showcase my talent and to be part of the Goodwrench family is incredible.”
It seems almost ironic for Hornaday to be driving for Harvick, when it was the veteran who helped the young driver from Bakersfield, Calf., get his start. “I helped Kevin with a place to stay and made a few calls, but Kevin made his own career,” added Hornaday. “He has proven to be one of the superstars of NASCAR and what he has built in such a short time at KHI is awesome. I think this is the best ride in the Truck Series and I’m honored to drive it.”
GM Goodwrench is no stranger to the NASCAR Truck Series. During their five years of participation (1995-1999), they scored repeated success with star drivers Mike Skinner and Jay Sauter. Their impressive numbers included 17 poles and 20 wins in 123 combined starts. In addition, Skinner gave GM Goodwrench their only NCTS championship during the circuit’s inaugural season in 1995.
“Ron Hornaday is the Truck Series plain and simple,” said Sue Seaglund, Event Marketing Manager for GMSPO. “Nobody has come close to capturing the NASCAR Truck Series fans the way Hornaday has. The chance to have him as the driver of the GM Goodwrench Silverado was impossible to pass up. We expect big things from Ron both on and off the track.”(KHI/Falgren PR)(10-15-2004)
