February 2006 Truck Series News Archive

 

  • Winners of a race in Cup, Busch and Truck Series races: see my Misc Stats page for this and many others.

  • Garwood Electrical to sponsor Chaffin in Atlanta: Following Chad Chaffin’s solid performance in the Racetickets.com 200 Truck Series race last weekend in California, the Russell E. Garwood Electrical Contractors Company of Marco Island, Florida has elected to again sponsor Chaffin and the #40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado in the Atlanta 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia on March 17. “Chad and the team showed what they are capable of doing in California, even while again facing the top 30 rule. I wanted to be on board the race truck earlier than I had planned to help them out in the Atlanta race”, Garwood said. His company had already announced sponsorship of the #40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet truck for races this season at Daytona, Gateway International near St. Louis, Bristol, TN and Homestead, FL.(Key Motorsports PR(2-28-2006)
  • Driver Standings after California [race 2 of 25]
    1) #6-Mark Martin, 380
    2) #30-Todd Bodine, 350, -30
    3) #9-Ted Musgrave, 335, -45
    4) #60-Jack Sprague, 320, -60
    5) #17-David Reutimann, 303, -77
    see full standings at:
    Truckseries.com
    motorsportsone.com
    NASCAR.com – official(2-28-2006)
  • Truck Series News and Notes: Joey Miller (#12 Curb Records Toyota) has a couple of goals in mind for the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. One will follow the other. Miller hopes to join Darrell Waltrip Motorsports teammate David Reutimann (#17 Team Tundra Toyota) as the Raybestos Rookie of the Year, an award Reutimann won in 2004. That will fulfill goal No. 2 when Miller, 21, would become the series’ youngest competitor to be named the top rookie. That honor currently belongs to 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Kurt Busch, the series’ 2000 Raybestos Rookie of the Year at age 22 years three months; Miller won’t celebrate his 22nd birthday until next January. Interestingly, Miller isn’t even the youngest of this year’s rookie contenders. Kyle Krisiloff (#15 ditech.com/National Land Liquidators/Krud Kutter Chevrolet) turns 20 this Friday. This year’s Raybestos rookie class is the youngest in the 11-year history of the competition with a current average age of 23. Reutimann didn’t exactly waltz to his rookie of the year title. Miller, after two races in which last week’s 13th-place finish at California Speedway follows a run of 33rd at Daytona, believes the competition may be the greatest challenge ever. Miller, who hails from Lakeville, MN, a few miles south of Minneapolis on Interstate 35, is just the second Minnesotan to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Tommy Archer of Duluth started the series’ first event on Feb. 5, 1995 and finished 18th. He previously drove in the ARCA RE/MAX Series scoring five wins and 12 top-10 finishes along with six poles. Miller won his first ARCA start at Nashville Superspeedway in 2004.
    NEWS AND NOTES, PART II
    Martin opens season on record note …No NASCAR Craftsman Truck driver had opened the year with back-to-back victories until last Friday when Mark Martin (# 6 Scotts Ford) followed up his Daytona triumph by winning the Racetickets.com 200 at California Speedway. Martin also became the second to win NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR Busch and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races at the same track to join Bobby Labonte, who completed the triple last April at Martinsville Speedway. Martin kicked off a Roush Racing sweep of a weekend that saw Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth in Victory Lane as well. Roush recorded the last NASCAR national touring series triple-win weekend in 2001 at Phoenix International Raceway during which Biffle won NASCAR Craftsman Truck and NASCAR Busch Series races and Jeff Burton took the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series victory.
    Point picture begins to clear…Ted Musgrave’s (#9 Team ASE/Germain Motor Company Toyota) pair of third-place finishes increased the defending series champion’s stay among the top 10 in points to 45 consecutive races. Musgrave, third in current standings behind Martin and teammate Todd Bodine (#30 Germain Motor Company Toyota), has held a top-10 spot since June 19, 2004 following a third-place performance at Memphis Motorsports Park. Three former champions; Musgrave, Jack Sprague (#60 Con-Way Toyota) and Mike Skinner (#5 Toyota Tundra Toyota) occupy top-10 spots with one Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender Erik Darnell (#99 Woolrich Ford) also ranked.
    ETC.…Martin is the 16th different series driver to win two or more green-white-checker finishes. Bodine’s shootout record is two wins and four losses…2006 marks the first time that the first two races have gone past their scheduled distances…Thirteen different freshman drivers have scored Raybestos Rookie of the Year points. Darnell is the standings leader by a 27 to 15 point count over Krisiloff…The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series takes a two weekend break before heading to Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 17 for the first of two scheduled stops at the 1.54-mile speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr.’s (#33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet) .008-second victory over Labonte remains the closest superspeedway finish in series history.
    IN THE LOOP
    Martin is best on restarts…NASCAR scoring Loop Data confirmed what Bodine and Musgrave likely suspected this past weekend: Martin had an edge when it came to restarts. The California Speedway winner turned in the top lap after a restart at 169.882 mph and was fastest on three of the top five lap speeds recorded after caution. Martin’s truck was the class of the field throughout the event posting the fastest lap speeds in turns two, three and four.(NASCAR PR)(2-28-2006)
  • Martin Wins RaceTickets.com (Top Five)
    1) #-6-Mark Martin, Scott’s Ford
    2 )#30-Todd Bodine, Germain Motors Toyota
    3) #9-Ted Musgrave ASE/Germain Motors Toyota
    4) #17-David Reutimann, Team Tundra Racing Toyota
    5) #60-Jack Sprague, Con-Way Toyota

    1st Chevy – #85-Dennis Setzer, Flex Fuel E85 Chevy(10th)
    1st Dodge – #18 Bobby Hamilton, Fastenal Dodge (22nd)
    1st Rookie – #99 Erik Darnell, Woolrich Ford

    For complete results see:
    Truckseries.com
    motorsportsone.com
    NASCAR.com(2-28-2006)

  • California Race Info – practice, etc at: californiaspeedway.com
    ESPN.com
    NASCAR.com
    Catchfence.com – Trucks
    truckseries.com (who usually has real time qualifying on the internet for free).
  • Qualifying for the RaceTickets.com 200 is over: Top five were:
    #17-David Reutimann 178.980
    #5-Mike Skinner 178.253
    #9-Ted Musgrave 177.932
    #20-Jon Wood 177.730
    #30-Todd Bodine 177.681
    1st Chevy, (6th) #16-Mike Bliss 177.410
    1st Dodge, (15th) #77-Brendan Gaughan 176.035
    Going home: #24- Wayne Edwards; #47-Kraig Kinser after barely losing the final qualifying position to Chad McCumbee
    For complete results visit:
    nascar.com
    truckseries.com

    (2-24-2006)

  • Reutimann breaks track record: David Reutimann qualified first, turning a lap of 40.228(178.980) in his #17 Toyota for the event at California. Last season, Reutimann finished 13th after starting third, however, crew chief Jason Overstreet is confident his team can post their first top-five finish of the season this week.(DW Motorsports PR)(2-24-2006)
  • Chaffin to Run Primary Truck After Practice Crash: Chad Chaffin will pilot his primary #40 Key Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado Truck Series for qualifying at California Speedway as his Lance Hooper-directed team elected not to bring out the back-up piece following Thursday afternoon’s practice crash. In just four practice laps preceding the turn-two accident in which Chaffin cut down a right front tire, Chaffin had posted what turned out to be the 29th fastest time during the second practice session. “Deciding to fix the primary truck was really our only option,” Crew Chief Hooper said. “We didn’t have a motor in the back-up, and quite honestly, the primary truck would be better for us in the long run a little beaten up then the back-up.(Key Motorsports PR)(2-24-2006)
  • Final Thursday Practice: for the RaceTickets.com 200; Top five were:
    #22-Bill Lester 177.331
    #20-Jon Wood 177.091
    #60-Jack Sprague 176.965
    #6-Mark Martin 176.298
    #47-Kraig Kinser (1st Rookie)
    #1st Dodge, #18 Bobby Hamilton(19th)
    Slowest; #07-Eric Norris 168.784
    Chad Chaffin brushed the wall in final practice to bring out the red flag
    For complete results visit:
    nascar.com(2-23-2006)
    truckseries.com(2-23-2006)
  • 1st Thursday Practice: for the RaceTickets.com 200 is over. Top five were:
    #6-Mark Martin 175.820
    #20-Jon Wood 175.481
    #5-Mike Skinner 175.251
    #60-Jack Sprague 175.050
    #30-Todd Bodine 174.978
    1st Chevy, #33-Ron Hornaday Jr.(7th), 1st Dodge,#18-Bobby Hamilton(18th), 1st Rookie, #12-Joey Miller(12th)
    For complete results visit: truckseries.com(2-23-2006)
  • Circle Bar wins Pit Crew Challenge: The good news for the #14 Circle Bar team keeps coming, with NASCAR awarding the Circle Bar Pit Crew the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive Through Challenge Award for the GM Flex Fuel 250 at Daytona. Each week Checkers/Rally’s recognizes the pit crew that spent the least amount of time on pit road during the race. The Circle Bar over the wall crew, led by crew chief, Kevin “Cowboy” Starland, kept their Ford F-150 in the top 10 all night and even took the lead on pit road with a lightning fast two tire stop. The Circle Bar #14 Ford, with driver, Rick Crawford finished 8th.(Circle Bar PR)(2-23-2006)
  • Woolrich to sponsor #99: Roush Racing has announced that Woolrich, The Original Outdoor Clothing Company has signed on to sponsor the #99 of Erik Darnell in the Truck Series race on February 17 at Daytona. Darnell, the winner of Roush Racing Driver X, will make his first start for the team on Friday night. “It’s a powerful alliance.” said Tim Joseph, Woolrich’s Director of Marketing and Media. “The abilities of Erik Darnell as he joins the well-known Roush Racing team, coupled with the 175 year heritage and history of Woolrich should make for a winning combination.”(Roush Racing PR)(2-16-2006)
  • UPDATE: Woolrich, has announced that they have extended their primary sponsorship of the #99 Roush Racing Ford F-150 and driver Erik Darnell for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on February 24 at California Speedway. The decision to continue their relationship with Roush Racing and Erik Darnell was made following a strong sixth-place finish at the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway. The Woolrich team was able to overcome a 15th-place qualifying effort and overheating problems at Daytona to bring home the first top-10 finish for driver Darnell in just his second Truck Series start.(Roush Racing PR)(2-23-2006)
  • #30, #60 and #06 Penalties Announced: NASCAR announced today that three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series crew chiefs have been penalized due to rule violations this past weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Mike Hillman Jr., crew chief for the #30 Toyota driven by Todd Bodine, was fined $1,000 for violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) 12-4-Q (truck, truck parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20B-16.4.2B (unapproved fuel cell vent hose that exceeded the maximum length of 66 inches) of the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rule Book. The infraction was discovered during qualifying inspection on Feb. 16. Hillman was fined an additional $500 for violating Sections 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20B-3.2.3C (unapproved left side front window net). The infraction was discovered during opening day inspection on Feb. 14. Tony Furr, crew chief of the #60 Toyota driven by Jack Sprague, was fined $500 for violating Sections 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20B-3.2.3C (unapproved left side front window net). The infraction was also discovered during opening day inspection. Bryan Berry, crew chief of the #06 Chevrolet driven by Chad McCumbee, was fined $500 for violating Sections 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20B-5.12.2B (unapproved cowl). The infraction was discovered during opening day inspection.(NASCAR PR)(2-22-2006)
  • Toyota responds to BDR, Dodge lawsuit: A Toyota executive denied the company was looking for confidential Dodge information and also said the company would not pay for Bill Davis Racing’s defense in recent litigation with Dodge. DaimlerChrysler won a $6.5 million jury award in a breach of contract lawsuit Feb. 9 in U.S. District Court in Michigan. The jury decided that BDR had given confidential Dodge information to Toyota during the time BDR was developing a truck for Toyota. “If we were going to copy people’s stuff, it wouldn’t be people running at the back, let me put it that way,” Toyota Racing Development Senior Vice President/General Manager Lee White said in a jab at Dodge. Dodge terminated its Cup contract with BDR in May 2003 after discovering BDR was building Toyota trucks and promptly filed suit. BDR filed a counterclaim and asked for more than $9 million in the case, which went to trial in mid-January. The bill could climb toward $9 million if attorney’s fees and other penalties are awarded to DaimlerChrysler, according to Robert Thackston, who represented Dodge in the suit. White and Davis continue plans to debut two Toyota Nextel Cup teams in 2007. “There is no moving back from the deal that we have. I’m sure he is going to appeal it or whatever he can do,” White said. “That’s his program and it’s really nothing to do with us. He’s never asked [for us to pay it].”( NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(2-22-2006)
  • Darnell takes top rookie honors at Daytona: Driver X Winner, Erik Darnell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the GM FlexFuel 250 at Daytona. Darnell finished 6th in his series debut, and the only Rookie to finish inside the top 10. Darnell holds a six-point lead (16-10) over Robert Richardson in the standings. Todd Kluever was the Raybestos Rookie in the 2005 race in California grabbing a fourth-place finish. David Reutimann is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap at California 2004 race once for seven laps. Kurt Busch is the only Raybestos Rookie to win from the pole at California (2000), and is one of only two drivers to win from the pole in a Truck Series race at California. The most Raybestos Rookies to finish in the top-10 in a race at California is in the 2001 Auto Club 200: Jon Wood (3rd), Travis Kvapil (7th), Matt Crafton (9th), and Ricky Hendrick (10th). Where the Raybestos Rookies finished at Daytona: #99-Darnell finished 6th, #35 Richardson 17th, #13 Earnhardt 18th, #07 Murphy 20th, #98 Crocker 27th, #23 Krisiloff 28th, #47 Kinser 30th, #75 Almirola 32nd, #12 Miller 33rd, #25 Reid 36th, #06 McCumbee DNQ, #62 Patton DNQ. Raybestos Rookie Standings: Darnell 16; Richardson 10; Earnhardt 9; Murphy 8; Crocker 7; Krisiloff 6; Kinser 5; Almirola 4; Miller 3; Reid 2; McCumbee 1; Patton 1.(Raybestos PR)(2-22-2006)
  • Shell Rotella T to sponsor Setzer: Dennis Setzer, one of the leading drivers in the Truck Series, will drive the bright blue and white #85 Shell Rotella T Chevrolet Silverado when it makes its racing debut at the third Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 17. Shell Rotella T will be the primary sponsor of the Morgan-Dollar Motorsports truck for seven races and an associate sponsor for the other 18 events. Shell Rotella T is the leading premium diesel motor oil in America relied upon by owners of light and heavy-duty diesel trucks. The additional races where Shell Rotella T will be the primary sponsor include Lowe’s Motor Speedway, May 19; Texas Motor Speedway, June 9; Kansas Speedway, July 1; New Hampshire International Speedway, September 15; Talladega Superspeedway, October 7 and Phoenix International Raceway, November 10. This is the second year Shell Rotella T is participating in the NASCAR Truck Series.(MD Motorsports PR)(2-21-2006)
  • Hamilton Jr. joins forces with Corky’s BBQ for 10 races: Bobby Hamilton Jr. will pilot the #08 Corky’s Ribs and BBQ Dodge at selected races this season, starting in California, with the second in Atlanta. Other remaining races will follow during the season. The #08 Corky’s Ribs and BBQ Dodge will be fielded from the Green Light Racing stable. Corky’s Ribs and BBQ is a Nashville, TN based chain of barbeque restaurants with 25 locations in 9 states.(Bobby Hamilton Jr. PR)(2-21-2006)
  • Norris to pilot the #07 at California: Green Light Racing officials have announced that former Winston West Series Champion Eric Norris will pilot the #07 Chevy Silverado at next weekend’s Truck Series event at California Speedway. Green Light also announced that Ringers Gloves will be the primary sponsor on the truck for the Fontana Event and will be an associate sponsor for the rest of the 2006 season. Ringers Gloves are one of the leading manufacturers of safety apparel in the motorsports industry.(Green Light Racing PR)(2-17-2006)
  • Lester gets a sponsor for 3 races: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants announced that it will sponsor Bill Davis Racing’s Driver Bill Lester for a second year at select races including the GM Flex Fuel 250 Truck Series race at Daytona on Friday. Lester’s #22 Toyota will feature a Checkers Loaded Fries primary paint scheme this weekend. Daytona is the first of three Truck Series races where Checkers/Rally’s will sponsor the #22 Toyota. The other two races are the Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers at Kentucky Speedway on July 8, 2006, and the EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 28, 2006. More info about Checkers Drive-In Restaurants at checkers.com.(PR Newswire)(2-15-2006)
  • Air Force and Wood Ready to Fly at Daytona: Jon Wood, fulltime driver of the #47 Busch Series Clorox Fusion is also entered in the field for this week’s Truck Series event. The Air Force has announced that it will be advertising on Jon’s Ford F-150 for Friday night’s race. Wood, plans to compete in the first three races this year, until Marcos Ambrose takes over the #20 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing F-150 at Martinsville. “We’re really excited to have the Air Force on Jon’s truck for this race,” said Jon’s father Eddie Wood who is also part-owner of this truck team. “It’s his (Jon’s) first truck race in several years, and the biggest truck race all year. He’s proud to fly the colors of the Air Force just like we were to have them on our car for the Bud Shootout.”(Truck Series)(2-15-2006)
  • Ron Hornaday; New Number, New Paint Scheme, New Crew Chief: After a successful 2005 campaign (finished 4th in points), Ron Hornaday will return to the track in the #33 Chevrolet Silverado for the 2006 season. The #33 team will be led by crew chief, Chris Rice. Last year’s crew chief Wally Rogers, has moved over to the KHI #33 Busch car to serve as crew chief. KHI gave the #6 to veteran driver Mark Martin. Along with the new number, Hornaday will debut a new paint scheme at Daytona.(Kevin Harvick Inc.PR)(2-14-2006)
  • iRacing.com joins forces with Germain Racing in Daytona: Germain Racing and iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations have announced their partnership for the upcoming 2006 Truck Series season opener, the GM Flex-Fuel 250, at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 17th. iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations, a leader in PC-based auto racing simulations, will be the primary sponsor on the #30 Germain Racing Toyota Tundra driven by Todd Bodine.(Germain Racing PR)(2-14-2006)
  • Darrell Waltrip Motorsports Forms Partnership with Curb Records: Darrell Waltrip Motorsports has announced a marketing partnership between Curb Records and the #12 Toyota Truck Series team with ROTY contender Joey Miller. Miller, who made five starts last season, was recently signed to run the entire 25-race schedule for Darrell Waltrip Motorsports. The 21-year-old will unveil his new paint scheme when the #12 Curb Records Toyota is unloaded for the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. In addition to professional achievements in the music industry, Curb Records also has a rich racing history. Mike Curb and his company have supported NASCAR legends like Bobby Allison, Dale Jarrett and Dale Earnhardt. He also owned the #43 car number when Petty claimed his 200th victory.(Waltrip Racing PR)(2-13-2006)
  • Daytona 100th start for Hamilton: Bobby Hamilton, driver of the #18 Fastenal Dodge, is slated to make history with his 100th career Truck Series start in the GM FlexFuel 250 on Friday night. Hamilton is juggling his role as the driver of the #18 Fastenal Dodge and the owner of Timothy Peters #4 Dodge Motorsports Dodge and Scott Lagasse’s #04 Dodge Motorsports Dodge. There are also plans in place for Bobby Hamilton Jr. to run a number of events in a BHR2 # 8 Dodge, after running one race in the #08 TECH-NET Dodge at Daytona.(BHR PR)(2-13-2006)
  • K Automotive will not be competing at Daytona: K Automotive Motorsports(#29), one of the longest-running teams in the Truck Series will not be making their 263rd start next weekend at the Daytona International Speedway due to lack of sponsorship funding. The K Automotive team has a fully prepared Ford race truck ready for competition if any type of sponsorship funding was to come together prior to the event. “It is a really sad thing for our team to be forced to miss the Daytona event,” said Kay Keselowski, Team Owner and General Manager. “Our team has worked really hard throughout the off-season to get this race truck ready and we were looking forward to backing up the top-ten finish that we had in Daytona last year. But with no sponsorship funding coming through, it looks as though we are going to be forced to miss the event. We are hopeful that something may come together later in the season, but for right now it does not look as though we will make Daytona or California.” (K Automotive PR)(2-9-2006)
    UPDATE: Following the unfortunate news of this past week that K Automotive Motorsports would be forced to miss the upcoming Truck Series season opener, a compassionate gift was presented to the team that will enable them to compete in Friday’s GM Flex Fuel 250. A former Nextel Cup team owner heard about the story and made the decision to help a fellow Michigan family continue their family tradition for another race. The #29 M Select by Melling Performance Engine Parts Ford driven by Brad Keselowski will compete this weekend in Daytona.(K Automotive Motorsports PR)(2-13-2006)
  • Martin to start at Daytona: Mark Martin will kick off his Truck Series schedule in the season opener at Daytona 250 on Friday, Feb. 17. Martin, will compete in four races over Speedweeks, including the Budweiser Shootout, IROC, Truck Series, and ending with the Daytona 500. Martin is currently scheduled to make seven starts in the #6 Ford including the first three races at Daytona, California and Atlanta before handing over the reigns to David Ragan at Martinsville. (Roush Racing PR)(1-31-2006)
    UPDATE: Martin, driving the #6 Scotts sponsored Ford, will be making his first career start in the series at the superspeedway. Martin plans to move to the series full-time in 2007. The team will use the same chassis that Todd Kluever used last year at Daytona and Texas.(Roush Racing PR)(2-8-2006)
    UPDATE 2: Roush Racing has officially announced that The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company will be the primary sponsor for the #6 Ford F-150 driven by Mark Martin and David Ragan in the 2006 Truck Series. “I think it’s great that two high performance teams, Scotts Miracle-Gro and Roush have teamed up in the grassroots of NASCAR to sponsor the #6 truck in the Truck Series. We are proud to be affiliated with veteran star driver, Mark Martin, and new-comer, David Ragan,” said Eugene Sung, Senior Vice President and General Manager,NA for the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.(Roush Racing PR)(2-13-2006)
  • Reutimann sporting new look; still needs sponsorship: David Reutimann and his #17 Toyota will sport a new look when he takes the green flag during the Truck Series season opener at Daytona. Reutimann, who scored his first career win at Nashville Superspeedway last season, will pilot the #17 Team Tundra Racing Toyota. “Our truck has a different look this year and we are running the Team Tundra Racing banner at Daytona,” said Reutimann. “We are still actively looking for sponsorship, but we are eager to get the Truck Series season underway. Last year was a big difference from our first year together as a team. We turned a corner and got really strong midseason. We were able to capitalize and get our first win. Since it was a big difference from our first year to our second, I can’t wait to see how this season unfolds.”(Darrell Waltrip Motorsports PR)(2-11-2006)
  • Bobby Hamilton Jr. to Run Sponsor TECH-NET at Daytona: Bobby Hamilton Jr. has joined forces with TECH-NET Professional Automotive Service and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics . Hamilton will drive a uniquely designed TECH-NET Professional Auto Service/Law Enforcement Torch Run #08 Dodge created to help raise awareness and funding for the Special Olympics at the 2006 Truck Series season opener at Daytona. “This is a great cause and we are happy to be a part of it,” Hamilton Jr. said. “The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the movement’s largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. I have a lot of friends in the Law Enforcement community and I am glad that I can be a part of this public awareness program. Thanks to the support from TECH-NET Professional members, I can be involved with this great cause.”(Truck Series)(2-10-2006)
  • JC Stout announces his support of Alyssa’s Army: JC Stout, driver of the #91 in the Truck Series joins Alyssa’s Army. Alyssa’s Army is a group of caring individuals, businesses and organizations dedicated to raising much needed funds for the family of 5 year old Alyssa Bruno who is battling an inoperable malignant brain tumor. “This is a grassroots small town effort to help one of their own cope with what no family should have to endure”, Stout said today. Plans are in place to represent Alyssa and her valiant fight by placing the group’s graphics on the #91 truck for the entire 2006 racing season. Cards or donations may be sent to: Alyssa’s Army, 137 S. Main St., Warsaw, NY 14569. For further information about Alyssa and her cause, send e-mails to [email protected]. (Stellar-Quest PR)(2-10-2006)
  • Billy Ballew Motorsports 2006 Lineup of Sponsors: Billy Ballew, owner of Billy Ballew Motorsports, announced the return of several key partners to support the #15 Chevrolet team during the 2006 Truck Series season. ditech.com, National Land Liquidations and Krud Kutter, who were all involved with BBM in 2005, will be on board to support Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Kyle Krisiloff. “We’re extremely excited to have the support of ditech.com, National Land Liquidations and Krud Kutter,” said Ballew. “Each one of these businesses supported Billy Ballew Motorsports in 2005, and we’re very appreciative they’ve decided to continue with us again in 2006. As we bring rookie driver Kyle Krisiloff on board with us this year, it’s nice to know we have the confidence from our sponsors in our efforts.”(Ballew Motorsports PR)(2-10-2006)
  • Starr To Carry #11 On Toyota Tundra: Red Horse Racing has announced that the team will field the #11 Toyota Tundra for veteran David Starr in the Truck Series beginning with the season opening race in Daytona. The team previously ran under the banner of the #38 but made the move to a new number for a new look in 2006. “We have changed a lot of components to our team during the off-season and it only made sense for us to have a number change to round it all out,” stated Red Horse Racing’s co-owner and general manager Tom DeLoach. “We have designed a new number that puts the #11 into a box format which is meant to signify all parties of this team working together for a common goal, which is winning races and the 2006 championship.(Red Horse Racing PR)(2-9-2006)
  • Reid, Crocker, Richardson “locked in” truck field: Boston Reid will now have one of the top-30, locked-in spots for the first five Truck Series races of the 2006 season, including the GM FlexFuel 250 season-opener at Daytona. The new Woodard & Sharp Racing team, with Reid, has formed a partnership with Orleans Racing owner Michael Gaughan and will get the points from the disbanded #62 team paired with drivers Steve Park and Scott Lynch last season. Two other new teams have also formed partnerships to earn locked-in positions: Erin Crocker will have points from the #2 Ultra Motorsports team while Robert Richardson will have points from the #1 Ultra Motorsports team, both of which closed down in the off season.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(2-9-2006)
  • New # for Dennis Setzer? UPDATE 2: Hearing that Dennis Setzer, driver of the Morgan-Dollar Motorsports Chevy(#46), may have a new truck # for the 2006 Season — #85. Looks like it may be tied to a potential sponsor E85 (Flex Fuel)? (1-18-2006)
    UPDATE: hearing the number will change to #85 and the sponsor will be Rotella T, not sure how E85 will or will not play into this sponsorship.(1-19-2006)
    UPDATE 2: Shell ROTELLA T will be the primary sponsor of the Morgan-Dollar Motorsports Chevy, driven by Dennis Setzer, during seven Craftsman Truck Series races in 2006. Shell will be an associate sponsor for the other 18 events. Shell ROTELLA T will make its debut as a primary sponsor at Atlanta in March. The other races are: Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May; Texas in June; Kansas in July; New Hampshire in September; Talladega in October; and Phoenix in November.(Truckseries.com), no mention of the # change.(1-26-2006)
    UPDATE 3: Setzer and the Morgan-Dollar Motorsports team make their racing debut with the E85 truck (formerly #46) at the GM FlexFuel 250, which kicks off the 25-race season. The truck, with a brand-new paint scheme, was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show as part of a new GM E85 ethanol marketing and advertising campaign: Live Green Go Yellow.(GM Racing PR)(2-9-2006)
  • Darnell Wins Roush Racing Driver X: From countless laps around Martinsville to a head-to-head match race in Darlington, viewers of Discovery Channel’s Roush Racing: Driver X saw the 2005 driver search unfold in their living rooms. When the dust settled, it was Erik Darnell who was named Driver X, and winner of a full-time ride in the Truck Series. Roush Racing: Driver X debuted October 24, the first of 13 episodes that began with 1,776 hopeful applicants being cut down to just 25 that would take to the track and compete to become the newest driver for Roush Racing’s Truck Series team. Based on Roush Racing’s “Gong Show” driver search, Driver X allowed behind-the-scenes access to the driver selection process and on-track activity. “It was an unbelievable opportunity to be chosen to compete in Driver X,” said Darnell. “Just to be chosen out of that many people was like winning the deal in itself. To go on and win, I can’t even explain how cool this is. I’m really looking forward to Daytona, and getting this season underway. I’m blessed to be afforded this opportunity, and I intend to make the most of it.” Darnell will head to Daytona early next week with his #99 Roush Racing Ford and make his first start for the team on Friday, February 19 in the GM FlexFuel 250. (Roush Racing PR)(2-8-2006)
  • Kelly “Girl” Sutton enters 2006 Season with new Crew Chief: Kelly “Girl” Sutton, driver of the #02 Copaxone Chevy, enters the season-opening Daytona 250 with a new crew chief following the off-season hiring of Gary Showalter, a fixture of the series since its inception. Showalter joined Sutton Motorsports last month after managing Todd Bodine’s team to a fifth-place point standings in the first four Craftsman Truck races in 2005.(Sutton Motorsports PR)(2-8-2006)

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  • Daytona Race Results:(Top Ten)
    1) #6-Mark Martin, Scott’s Ford
    2) #30-Todd Bodine, iracing.com Toyota
    3) #9-Ted Musgrave, ASE/Germain Motors Toyota
    4) #5-Mike Skinner, Toyota Tundra Toyota
    5) #60-Jack Sprague, Con-Way Toyota
    6) #99-Erik Darnell, Woolrich Ford (1st Rookie)
    7) #08-Bobby Hamilton Jr., TECH-NET Dodge
    8) #14-Rick Crawford, Circle Bar Racing Ford
    9) #17-David Reutimann, Darrell Waltrip Motorsports Toyota
    10) #10-Terry Cook, Ford Power Stroke Diesel by Int’l Ford
    13) #85-Dennis Setzer, Flex Fuel Silverado Chevrolet (1st Chevy)
    For results visit:
    truckseries.com
    motorsportsone
    nascar.com(2-17-2006)
  • GM Flex Fuel 250 Qualifying is over: Top five were:
    #6-Mark Martin 178.628 (16th driver to win a pole in all three series)
    #22-Bill Lester 178.017
    #21-Stacy Compton 177.715
    #20-Jon Wood 177.480
    #5-Mike Skinner 177.473
    Starting 11th: #47-Kraig Kinser (first Chevrolet) 176.291
    Starting 16th: #59-Mike Wallace (first Dodge) 175.685
    Going Home: #06-Chad McCumbee, #40-Chad Chaffin, #63-J.R. Patton, #39-Carl Long, #24-Wayne Edwards, #42-Norm Benning
    For complete starting lineup visit: truckseries.com(2-16-2006)
  • Thursday-Final Practice: for the GM Flex Fuel 250 is over. Top five in speed were:
    #29-Brad Keselowski 184.676
    #33-Ron Hornaday 184.147
    #30-Todd Bodine 184.090
    #23-Johnny Benson 184.045
    #25-Boston Reid 183.861
    slowest: #89- Norm Benning 166.362
    Although Todd Bodine turned the 3rd fastest lap, not happy with truck and basically “tearing it down” and rebuilding before qualifying this evening.
    Many teams opted for minimal track time; saving tires, trucks running well, ready to qualify.
    For entire practice results visit: truckseries.com(2-16-2006)
  • 1st Wed Practice: for the GM Flex Fuel 250 is over. Top five in speed were:
    #13-Kerry Earnhardt 188.719
    #88-Matt Crafton 188.474
    #14-Rick Crawford 188.127
    #6-Mark Martin 188.115
    #75-Aric Almirola 187.825, although late in practice, Almirola spun out. He managed to keep it off the wall; tore up the tires, otherwise minimal damage.
    slowest: #24 Wayne Edwards173.517
    for entire practice results visit: nascar.com or truckseries.com(2-15-2006)
  • News & Notes – Daytona: Ted Musgrave (#9 ASE/Germain Toyota) has figured out how to top his first NASCAR championship. Win another one. Musgrave now rides with Germain Racing, a five-time winner a year ago with Todd Bodine (#30 Germain Motors Toyota). Bodine, last year’s third-place finisher behind Musgrave and Dennis Setzer(#85 FlexFuel E85 Silverado Chevrolet), is gunning for an unprecedented fourth consecutive series victory this week. Bodine’s last “loss” was a second-place finish in October in Atlanta. He wrapped up the season with victories at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead. Both drivers claim solid Daytona performances. Bodine was third in 2005 with the now-defunct Fiddle Back Racing team. Musgrave sat on the pole and finished fifth in 2002.
    NEWS & NOTES, PART II:
    Six of eight series champions headed for Daytona … Musgrave heads a solid list of veteran competitors who count nine titles won over the series’ first 11 seasons. That’s the greatest number of NASCAR Craftsman Truck champions to enter a season-opening event. Also in the field are Mike Bliss (#16 Xpress Motorsports Chevrolet), 2002; Bobby Hamilton (#18 Fastenal Dodge), 2004; Ron Hornaday Jr. (#33 KHI Chevrolet), 1996, 1998; Mike Skinner (#5 Toyota Tundra Toyota), 1995 and Jack Sprague (#60 Con-Way Toyota), 1997, 1998 and 2001. The six have won a combined 108 races, only one of which – by defending winner Hamilton, making his 100th start this week – came at Daytona.
    Huge Raybestos Rookie class anticipates season kick-off … Thirteen competitors have applied for Raybestos Rookie of the Year status, making the 2006 freshman class one of the largest in the 11 seasons the award has been contested. The accent definitely is on youth:11 of the candidates are ages 19 through 25; only two drivers have celebrated their 30th birthdays. Last year’s Daytona pole winner Kerry Earnhardt (#13 ThorSport Chevrolet) is the senior member of the class at age 34.
    Homecoming for Compton and Wood … A pair of former series stars, Stacy Compton (#21 State Fair Corndogs/Edy’s Ice Cream Ford) and Jon Wood (#20 U.S. Air Force Ford), return at Daytona after absences of three and one seasons, respectively. The NASCAR Busch Series veterans are part of the Wood Brothers/JTG Motorsports team jointly owned by Eddie Wood and Tad Geschickter. Compton is doing stand-in duty for Bobby East, Wood for Marcos Ambrose – the team’s pair of first-year drivers who’ll take over later this spring.
    Mark Martin is busiest of Roush drivers at Daytona …Mark Martin (#6 Scotts Ford) will make the GM FlexFuel 250 one of five Daytona races in which he competes. On Friday, Martin competes in IROC before joining Roush teammate Erik Darnell (#99 Roush Racing Ford) in the 250-mile truck event. Darnell won Roush’s Driver X competition that recently completed its television run on the Discovery Channel.
    ETC. … Four competitors – Setzer, Terry Cook (#10 Ford Power Stroke Diesel by International), Rick Crawford (#14 Circle Bar Racing Ford), and David Starr (#11 Red Horse Racing Toyota) have competed in all six Daytona events. … Former Daytona winners expected to compete are Mike Wallace (#59 Melling Engine Parts Dodge), 2000; Crawford, 2003 and Hamilton, 2005. … This year’s total posted awards of $835,651 makes the GM FlexFuel 250 the richest race in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history. This year’s winning purse could surpass 2004 Daytona winner Carl Edwards’ series record payoff of $85,760. … Five competitors have entered both GM FlexFuel 250 and Daytona 500. They are Martin, Skinner, Wallace, Chad Chaffin (# 40 Russell E. Garwood Electrical Contractors Chevrolet) and Carl Long (#28 Adult Oncology Hematology Chevrolet) … Skinner was one of five NASCAR competitors to tape a segment of The Golf Channel’s Big Break All-Star Challenge. The show was taped Monday at Spruce Creek Fly-In Community Golf & Country Club in Port Orange, just south of Daytona Beach. … SPEED begins its fourth season as the exclusive television home of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. All of the week’s practice and qualifying events will be broadcast live. Last year’s race drew a 2.1 average rating – the highest for a racing event on SPEED. Last year’s overall ratings grew 14 percent over those of 2004.
    ON THE RIGHT TRACK
    2004 Bud Pole winner Cook top Daytona finisher … In six races, Terry Cook has compiled an average finish of 8.3. Cook, whose best Daytona finish is fourth in 2000, has taken the checkered flag 6.5 positions higher than his average start of 14.8. He’s also the only driver to have led a lap in each Daytona race. Bobby Hamilton Racing team to beat … BHR has a .500 batting average at Daytona, winning with Joe Ruttman in 2001, Robert Pressley in 2002 and owner Hamilton a year ago. Ruttman also won back-to-back Budweiser Poles and holds the series’ all-time qualifying record at 187.563 mph set in 2000.
    FROM THE ARCHIVES
    Amazingly, the widest finish in six NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races at Daytona is .318 second. The total margin of victory is .836 second. Winning has required a last-lap pass on three occasions: Wallace over Andy Houston in 2000, Crawford over Travis Kvapil in 2003 and Hamilton over Jimmy Spencer a year ago. Hamilton edged the nose of his Dodge past Spencer’s front bumper a split second before the caution light flashed. That was the only time Hamilton led after starting 36th and last in the field on a past champion’s provisional.
    FAST FACTS
    What: GM FlexFuel 250 (Race 1 of 25)
    Where: Daytona International Speedway
    When: 8:15 p.m. ET, Friday, Feb. 17
    Track layout: 2.5-mile high-banked paved
    Race length: 250 miles/100 laps
    Posted awards: $835,651
    TV: SPEED Channel, 8:15 p.m. ET
    Radio: MRN, XM Satellite
    2005 winner: Bobby Hamilton
    2005 polesitter: Kerry Earnhardt
    Pre-race schedule (all times local): Wednesday – Practice 4:05 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday – Rookie practice 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Final practice 9:30 a.m. to 10:55 a.m.) Qualifying 6:30 p.m. Trucks impounded after qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(2-13-2006)
  • Speeds: for all the speeds from Daytona testing, see the Daytona Truck Testing page.(1-15-2006)
  • GM Gives Green Flag to E85 Ethanol Campaign:GM will take its street-capable E85 ethanol campaign to the race track for the 2006 Truck Series, beginning with the season-opening GM FlexFuel 250, Feb. 17 at Daytona. FlexFuel-branded Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks will serve as pace vehicles at Daytona and 10 other races on the 25-race Truck Series circuit. “There’s no better way to raise awareness of the energy and environmental benefits of E85 than through the excitement of NASCAR racing,” said Beth Lowery, GM vice president of environment and energy. “Diversifying our energy supply is of national importance.” E85 is a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. In the U.S. today, most ethanol is made from corn. E85 FlexFuel vehicles can run on any combination of gasoline and/or E85.(GM Racing)(2-7-2006)
  • Skinner to attempt to qualify for the 500: Mike Skinner, driver of the #5 Bill Davis Racing Toyota will race in both the Truck Series event Friday night, and also compete in the Gatorade Duel Thursday afternoon in an attempt to qualify the #23 Bad Boy Mowers Dodge for Sunday’s Daytona 500.(BDR PR)(2-7-2007)
  • Sponsorship announcement soon for Lester: Bill Davis Racing will make an announcement regarding the sponsorship of the #22 Toyota Tundra on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 2:30 p.m. in the Daytona International Speedway Media Center.(BDR PR)(2-7-2007)
  • Chaffin to run first 4 races in #40: Key Motorsports announced that the team has signed veteran driver Chad Chaffin to drive the #40 Key Motorsports Chevy in the first four races on the 2006 Truck Series schedule, starting at Daytona in Feb. Key is committed to run all 25 races on the 2006 Truck Series schedule. “I had some of the best drivers in NASCAR drive my Busch Series cars from 1993 to 1999, and Chad (Chaffin) ranks right up there as far as his experience and ability to get on top of the wheel”, Team Owner Curtis Key explained. “Although Chad can’t commit at this time to more than the first four races with us because of his Nextel Cup commitment, we will continue to talk. Having the chance to drive for Key Motorsports will give him a great opportunity to see exactly what we have, and if he finds our Chevrolets and team to be competitive, I believe we can agree to more races as the season progresses”, Key added. Former Truck Series driver and now Key Motorsports Team Manager Lance Hooper will double as Crew Chief during the season for Chaffin. “I am excited with the opportunity that Curtis (Key) has given me to drive his trucks in at least the first four races of the 2006 season”, Chaffin said. “Curtis’ teams have always been known to have good equipment, and I know that I will find his trucks competitive. I plan on giving Key Motorsports the same effort behind the wheel that I have given to the other teams I have driven for, and it should also help me in my Nextel Cup opportunity as well”, added Chaffin, who is also gearing up for a full season in the Nextel Cup Series with Front Row Motorsports and owners Bill Jenkins and Jimmy Means. Due to a lack of sponsorship, the team has only run a limited schedule over the last two seasons, but Key has raised the funding to go full boar in 2006 as he continues to find full-time corporate funding for his organization. Key will use Hutter Engines to power his trucks this season. Brandon Whitt tested the Key Motorsports truck in Daytona a couple of weeks ago and recorded the 18th fastest speed despite not participating in any drafting sessions and with a short track motor.(Key Motorsports PR)(1-31-2006)
  • UPDATE:The Russell E. Garwood Electrical Contractor Company, from Marco Island, Florida, will sponsor the #40 Key Motorsports Chevy in up to six races in 2006 beginning at Daytona.(Key Motorsports PR)(2-6-2006)
  • Bodine and Germain testing at Vegas? in Cup car? UPDATE 2: hearing that Todd Bodine is testing the #03 Chevy at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this week for Germain Racing, his Truck Series team.(1-30-2006)
    UPDATE: Bodine tested a #03 Chevy at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Tuesday, not much more info on it.(2-1-2006)
    UPDATE 2: Truck Series regular Todd Bodine will run five to eight Cup races, with the first one as early as the February 26 event at California Speedway. Bodine tested a Germain Racing Chevrolet at Las Vegas that previously was run through Michael Waltrip Racing. Germain runs Toyotas in the Craftsman Truck Series, and you can bet Bodine is getting a jump on a Toyota Cup team for 2007.(Sporting News)(2-5-2006)
  • May named Director of Competition at ThorSport Racing: ThorSport Racing has announced that Steve May has joined their team as Director of Competition. May brings with him over three decades’ worth of experience. May previously worked with Cale Yarborough, Bill Elliott and Geoff Bodine, among others. ThorSport’s multi-truck operation includes Matt Crafton, in the #88 Menards Chevy, and Kerry Earnhardt, driver of the #13 Chevy. “My goal is to make both teams jell, to develop a consistency which allows us to regularly shoot for wins and top-5 finishes,” said May. “It’s always a challenge to develop harmony in a multi-team sport. I welcome the challenge.”(ThorSport PR)(2-3-2006)
  • Renshaw, no racing in 2006? Truck Series driver, Deborah Renshaw, may not race in 2006. “Unfortunately, it looks that way,” Renshaw said yesterday from her home in Bowling Green, Ky. “I haven’t given up entirely. I’m still making phone calls, but I’m not very optimistic. The season is less than three weeks away and I don’t have a ride.” Renshaw, 30, has been racing since her teens. For the past two years she competed in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series. She is the only female driver to lead a race in the 10-year history of the series. Last season she finished 24th in the points standings and won $221,975. At the end of the year she lost her sponsor, and with it her ride at #8-Bobby Hamilton Racing. Said Bobby Hamilton, the 2004 truck series champion who assisted Renshaw’s racing efforts the past two years: “I’m a huge Deborah Renshaw fan and I’m sorry she’s having trouble. She is a hard worker who listens to advice and tries to learn. I’ve always admired her determination and her toughness.” Renshaw is pondering her career options. She holds a degree in business and an associate degree in marketing. Her father owns several Kentucky car dealerships and she said she may enter the automotive field. “It’s sad to give up on something you’ve wanted so badly and worked so hard for, but I frequently receive letters or e-mails from little girls or young women who say I’ve inspired them to race,” she said. “That makes it all worthwhile for me. I know that one of them will make it eventually.”(See full story at the Tennessean)(2-2-2006)
  • Mike Wallace to #59 HT Motorsports Dodge for Daytona and Calif.: Mike Wallace confirmed that he will drive the #59 HT Motorsports Dodge owned by Jim Harris in the Truck Series season opener at Daytona on February 17th as well as the second season race at California. “Yesterday we signed on to drive Jim Harris’ #59 Truck for the first two races of the season” said Team ML driver Mike Wallace. “We tested the truck in Daytona, and look forward to a great run there and at California.” This puts Wallace in two of the three NASCAR top series season opening races at Daytona. He will also drive the #09 Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts Dodge in the Nextel Cup Series race. Will Wallace drive more races in the #59 truck this season? “Right now all I can tell you is that I will drive Daytona and California, and we are focused on those two races” said Wallace. “Beyond that will be discussed in the future.”(MotorsportsLounge.com), no word on what happened with former driver Robert Pressley, Michael Ritch tested the truck at Daytona last weekend.(1-23-2006)
    UPDATE: The #59 HT Motorsports Dodge, driven by Mike Wallace will team up with sponsor M Select performance engine parts by Melling for the Truck Series Daytona 250 on February 17th, 2006. The title sponsor represents Melling’s performance line of automotive and truck parts. The agreement also marks the 28th consecutive year that Melling has had a presence as an owner, associate sponsor or sponsor dating back to 1979. (Truck Series)(2-1-2006)

 

2006

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Born On Date: February 1, 2006

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