Casey Kingsland, a 20-year-old Las Vegas native, will take his third shot at making his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut Saturday night at Martinsville Speedway. Each of the past two seasons, Kingsland attempted the Truck Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. In 2003, he just missed making the field despite receiving only limited practice time. Last year, Kingsland was unable to make a qualifying run because of mechanical problems. This time, Kingsland virtually is guaranteed to make the starting field for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway because the truck he will be driving is 30th in owner points and is guaranteed a spot in the 36-truck field [actually stil using 2005 owners points, the truck is listed with Alex Meshkin as the owner, even thou he is out of the sport]. “We’ve been in that situation a couple of times but this time they say (we’re guaranteed to start the race),” Kingsland said Monday. “We haven’t done too much preparation — we haven’t practiced any.”
Kingsland will drive the #24 Speed Zone Energy Drink Dodge Ram, which is being fielded by TommyRaz Motorsports in partnership with Mighty Motorsports. Wayne Edwards piloted the truck in the first three races of the season and finished ninth in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. “I went to the Atlanta race and I watched them race and I watched how they worked together, so I’ve kind of got a head start there,” Kingsland said. “I won’t be meeting them for the first time when I get to Martinsville. I’ve been real worried about having no practice … but they told me if I pass one guy, they’ll be happy so I can’t ask too much more than that. They just told me to go out there and get some exposure and some seat time.” Tom Ramirez, who formed TommyRaz Motorsports with Kingsland’s father, Roger, said he would give Kingsland time in the truck to develop as a driver. Roger Kingsland said the plan is for Casey to compete in the truck races at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis on April 30 and Mansfield Motorsports Speedway in Ohio on May 15 following this weekend’s race. Kingsland also will attempt to make his NASCAR Busch Series debut April 22 at Phoenix International Raceway [no team mentioned](Las Vegas Sun)(4-6-2005)
