Crawfords win sets one record, closes on another Rick Crawford (#14 Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford) became the 10th different winner in succession at New Hampshire International Speedway on Sept. 17 to set a record for a series track. Crawford, with victories in three consecutive years, was the 13th winner of 2005. Thats one short of the season mark of 14 established in 1998. There also were 13 different winners a year ago.
Ford back in victory lane finally Crawford ended nearly 13 months and 39 races of frustration for the manufacturer, which last tasted victory on Aug. 25, 2004 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The two wins had one significant, common denominator. Kevin Cowboy Starland was crew chief for both Crawford and Bristol winner Carl Edwards. Chevrolet, with nine wins, continues to lead series manufacturer standings by a 128 to 103 count over Dodge. Toyota is third and Ford fourth.
Setzer rights ship, adds to point lead at NHIS After losing nearly 80 percent of a 227-point championship lead in three races, Dennis Setzer (#46 Chevrolet Z71 Silverado Chevrolet) got things turned around in New Hampshire. But Setzer had to prevail in an end-of-race duel with his closest rival to build his lead to 59 points with six races remaining. Setzer finished second in the Sylvania 200 by Lowes with Ted Musgrave (#1 Mopar Dodge) third after the pair spent most of the races final 25 laps side-by-side and bumper-to-tailgate.
ETC. Several competitors new to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will debut at LVMS. They include Joey Miller (#12 Toyota Tundra Toyota), winner of the most recent ARCA/REMAX event at Salem, Ind.; David Gilliland (#15 Billy Ballew Motorsports Chevrolet), currently fourth in NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series points standings; and Burney Lamar, a two-time NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series winner in 2005, making his first start in Kevin Harvick Inc.s #92 HPS/Groeniger Chevrolet. Gillilands father, Butch, competed in the 1996 Las Vegas 350. They would become the 14th father and son to start a NASCAR Craftsman Truck race. Setzer has become the second driver in series history to win $4 million. His career total is $4,010,574, second only to the $5,572,545 won by Jack Sprague (#16 Chevy Trucks Chevrolet).
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Nobody more dominant in Vegas than Sprague Pick a Las Vegas Motor Speedway record any record and its odds on that youll find the name Sprague. Here are a few: Most wins (two), most money won ($317,165), most top five and top-10 finishes (six), most laps/miles led (298/447) and most laps/miles completed (919/1,378.5). Four former Las Vegas 350 winners in field Sprague and Gaughan are joined in this weeks entry by Musgrave (2001) and David Starr (#75 Spears Manufacturing Chevrolet, 2002). Three of eight races and two of the last three have been won from the Bud Pole. This weeks Craftsman Win from the Pole Bonus is $12,000. Brandon Whitt (#38 Red Horse Racing Toyota) was the awards last winner on July 23 at Memphis Motorsports Park.
10 YEARS TOUGH
Greg Biffle holds the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series record for wins in a season nine. He broke Mike Skinners eight-win record at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 24, 1999.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
While the Las Vegas 350 has determined the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion on three occasions 1996 through 1998 the race winner never has worn that seasons crown. Second place would seem to be the key the success. Jack Sprague was the runnerup finisher in 1997, 99 and 2001 all championship years. Ron Hornaday Jr. finished second in 1998, the season in which he won his second title. Mike Bliss was the second-place finisher when he captured the title in 2002.
Fast Facts
Next Event: Las Vegas 350. (Race #20 of 25).
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas, Nev.).
When: 9:15 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 24.
Track layout: 1.5-mile paved oval.
Race length: 350 kilometers/219 miles/146 laps.
Posted awards: $489,222.
TV: SPEED Channel, 9 p.m. ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2004 winner: Shane Hmiel.
2004 polesitter: Mike Skinner.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Saturday Practice 9 – 10 a.m. and 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Qualifying 3 p.m. Trucks impounded after qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(9-21-2005)
