A handful of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams got an early start on the 2005 season with a test session at California Speedway on January 24 and 25. The test, which included both single-day and two-day participants, saw approximately half a dozen Toyota and Chevrolet trucks. Among those testing at the 2-mile, D-shaped oval was racing veteran #46-Dennis Setzer, #67-Todd Bodine, #75-David Starr, #30-Chad Chaffin, #88-Matt Crafton and #38-Brandon Whitt. Monday’s testing included evening activity under the lights, which simulated the night racing, as the drivers will compete in the American Racing Wheels 200 on Friday, February 25 with a green flag time of 6:15 p.m. Both engine manufacturers had comparable lap times, with Chevrolet circling the superspeedway in 40.70 seconds (176.90 mph) and Toyota in 41.00 seconds (175.61 mph). “This has been a very well test,” Toyota Racing Team Manager Laerte Zatta said, “even though we have been struggling with the new gear rule that NASCAR will be enforcing.” The new gear will limit the maximum RPMs that all engines will be able to produce in competition and will make its first appearance at California Speedway. “The gear slows down the truck,” Zatta said. “We have a lot of work to do. We need to have better engines for our drivers. This test has also allowed new drivers to get used to the new equipment.”(California Speedway PR)(1-26-2005)
