Chevrolet can wrap up its sixth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series manufacturers championship this week. A victory will win the title outright. Chevrolet also can clinch with a second place among manufacturers if Toyota finishes fourth and Dodge third. Manufacturer points are awarded to the highest-finishing truck by manufacturer on a nine-six-four-three basis. Chevrolets last championship came in 2002. Chevrolet won four consecutive titles from 1995 through 1998. The manufacturer championship has been clinched with a victory in eight of the series 10 seasons. Kasey Kahnes Darlington Raceway win handed the trophy to Dodge in 2004.
NEWS & NOTES, PART II
ETC. The Kroger 200 is the seventh and final short track race of the 2005 season. Skinner is the only multiple winner with victories at Bristol Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway. Jack Sprague (#60 Jeff Wyler Toyota) has made 217 NASCAR Craftsman Truck starts all in Chevrolets. The Kroger 200 will be his first in another make of truck. Skinner will make his 100th series start at Martinsville and become the 18th different competitor to reach the century mark. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers expected to compete in the Kroger 200 include Bobby Labonte, Kyle Busch (#15 ditech.com Chevrolet) and Ken Schrader (#52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet). The last (and only) Martinsville winner to start from the Bud Pole was Rich Bickle in 1997. This weeks Craftsman-sponsored Win from the Pole bonus is worth $14,000. A victory in the Kroger 200 would make Todd Bodine (#30 Germain Motor Company Toyota) the third Bodine brother to win a race at Martinsville Speedway, a track record. Automotive Service Excellence ASE has announced extension of its sponsorship of the #2 Ultra Motorsports Dodge currently driven by Jimmy Spencer. The 2006 season will be the 12th in which ASE has sponsored a team continuing the longest running association on the series.
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Setzer is Mr. Consistency at Martinsville Until the streak was broken in April, Setzer had finished among the top five in five consecutive races at Martinsville Speedway. The current championship leader also counts the most top-10 finishes seven and has won more than $202,000 in 11 Martinsville appearances.
10 YEARS TOUGH
October 1995 marked the final three races on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series inaugural schedule two of which were won by champion Mike Skinner, who took the checkered flags at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif. and two weeks later at Phoenix International Raceway. Ron Hornaday Jr. won at Infineon Raceway Raceway to open the month. Skinners eight victories included all three events at one-mile tracks. He won twice at Phoenix and also scored a victory at The Milwaukee Mile.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Martinsville Speedway has favored veteran drivers with all but one NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series winner having celebrated at least his 30th birthday. Jon Wood is the notable exception. Woods Oct. 18, 2003 victory came a few days shy of the Stuart, Va. competitor turning 22.
FAST FACTS
Next Event: Kroger 200. (Race #21 of 25).
Where: Martinsville Speedway (Martinsville, Va.).
When: 1 p.m. ET Saturday, Oct. 22.
Track layout: .526-mile paved oval.
Race length: 200 laps/105.2 miles.
Posted awards: $414,767.
TV: SPEED Channel, 1 p.m. ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2004 winner: Jamie McMurray.
2004 polesitter: Bobby Hamilton.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Friday Practice 9 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Qualifying 4:45 p.m. Trucks impounded after qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(10-19-2005)
