This week’s Truck Series leaders — through four races of the 25-race season:
Points leader – Mark Martin (720)
Money won – Mark Martin ($191,810)
Laps led – Mark Martin (343)
Miles led – Mark Martin (380.46)
Victories – Mark Martin (2)
Budweiser Poles – 4 drivers (1)
Top-five finishes – Mark Martin and Ted Musgrave (4)
Top-10 finishes – Mark Martin and Ted Musgrave (4)
Raybestos Rookie Leader – Erik Darnell (22 over Kyle Krisiloff)
Races led – Todd Bodine and Mark Martin (3)
Weeks in Top 10 – 7 drivers (4)
Etc:
Chad Chaffin’s #40 Russell E. Garwood Electrical Contractor Chevrolet will be powered by Fischer Engineering engines beginning with this week’s race at Gateway. The team added veteran crew chief Barry Dodson earlier this monthGaughan’s truck will carry the decal of the U.S. Air Force’s 422 Squadron (A-10 aircraft school) headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base near the team’s Las Vegas shopsAs many as 18 drivers – half the starting field – never have turned a lap in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck at Gateway. Fourteen of 16 Raybestos Rookie of the Year contenders are among a preliminary entry list of 39 competitors. Gateway’s highest-finishing official rookie candidate is Carl Edwards, who finished fourth in 2003. Sprague’s Wyler Racing Toyota will debut a new paint scheme and logo for sponsor Con-Way Freight this weekKevin Harvick’s weekend wins at Phoenix International Raceway made him the third competitor to win NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series races at the same track. Harvick won back-to-back NASCAR Craftsman Truck races at Phoenix in 2002-03. Martin accomplished the feat earlier this year at California Speedway. Bobby Labonte completed his triple in April 2005 at Martinsville SpeedwayTruck drivers will sign autographs for season ticket holders from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday in Gateway’s Turn 4 hospitality area.
On the right track:
Crawford, Setzer have Gateway combination Crawford and Dennis Setzer (#85 GM FlexFuel E85 Chevrolet) count six of eight Gateway starts among the top-10 finishers. Four of Crawford’s finishes have been top fives – the most by any competitor. Setzer, meanwhile, is the leading money winner at Gateway with $169,245 and has completed the most laps/miles – 1,290/1,612.5 of a possible 1,294/1,617.5.
In the loop:
With two distinctly different sets of corners linking Gateway International Raceway’s straightaways, a team must compromise on chassis setup. In 2005, winner Musgrave’s Dodge was perfect at both ends of the racetrack. Musgrave led 158 of 160 laps and here’s why: The winner was the fastest in turns 1 and 2 at 104.558 mph, in turn 3 at 131.066 and in turn 4 at 126.742. Musgrave didn’t record the fastest lap of the race, but he posted the next six quickest laps and seven of the top-10 best lap times.
From the archives:
Musgrave is the only driver to win at Gateway International Raceway in his championship season, although two other series champions have victories at the 1.25-mile facility. Greg Biffle’s victory was one of a record nine wins in 1999. Three-time champion Jack Sprague was the winner in 2000. With a third victory, Musgrave would become the first series driver to win three times at two different racetracks. The 2005 champion won back-to-back-to-back at California Speedway in 2001-03.(4-24-2006)
Fast Facts:
What: Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200 (Race 5 of 25)
Where: Gateway International Raceway
When: 8:15 p.m. ET Saturday, April 29
Track layout: 1.25-mile paved oval
Race length: 200 miles/160 laps
Posted awards: $596,350
TV: Speed Channel, 8:15 pm/et
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite
2005 winner: Ted Musgrave
2005 polesitter: Ted Musgrave
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Satrday – Practice 9:05 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. Rookie Practice 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Final Practice 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Qualifying 4 p.m. Trucks impounded after qualifying(4-24-2006)
