February 2007 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.

  • Record purse at AMS: Drivers competing in the March 18 Kobalt Tools 500, the March 17 Nicorette 300 and the March 16 American Commercial Lines 200 Craftsman Truck Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be battling for nearly $7 million in posted prize money. The Craftsman Truck Series purse will be $536,410 for the American Commercial Line 200.(AMS PR)(2-28-2007)
  • UCoat new associate sponsor for Germain: UCoat It, America’s leader in affordable, commercial grade concrete floor coating systems for homeowners, home builders, automotive enthusiasts, racing teams and commercial applications has expanded its motorsports marketing portfolio with a product and associate sponsorship agreement with the Germain Racing Team. [30-Todd Bodine and the #9-Ted Musgrave](Germain Racing PR)(2-28-2007)
  • Chaffin’s future as a driver takes back seat: Chad Chaffin competed in the Truck and Busch Series last year and ran a limited schedule in the Nextel Cup Series. Chaffin, 38, finds himself without a ride and wondering if the racing career he worked so hard for may be over. “I’m not giving up, but at the same time I’m not out knocking on doors, either,” Chaffin said this week. Chaffin is the owner of Southeastern Recycling in Nashville and the business is consuming more and more of his time. Chaffin thought he might run some Craftsman Truck Series races for Bobby Hamilton Racing as a backup for Ken Schrader, but so far that hasn’t developed. There is no word on who will be Schrader’s backup.(Tennessean)(2-28-2007)
  • California TV ratings show growth with younger audience: The Craftsman Truck Series race from Fontana saw a 96-percent ratings increase (.53 vs. .27) in Men 18-34 according to Nielsen Media Research, as SPEED continues to experience rapid growth with younger audiences. The overall Household Rating remained steady year-to-year (1.10 vs. 1.11).(SPEED/TV)(2-27-2007)
  • South Point to host Open House during Vegas weekend: South Point Racing will host its third annual open house meet and greet on Thursday, March 8. The event will take place from 3-7 pm. Fans are invited to come tour the South Point Racing shop and visit with driver Brendan Gaughan, who will be on hand to sign autographs. Visitors will also be treated to a barbecue during the open house. “We’re very proud of being a West coast team, and when all the NASCAR teams, sponsors and fans come out for the race in March, we like to show off our facilities,” said Gaughan, driver of the #77 South Point Hotel Chevrolet in the Craftsman Truck Series. South Point Racing is located at 6975 Speedway Blvd., Bldg. D-104, directly beside Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(South Point Racing PR)(2-27-2007)
  • News & Notes Part I:
    For Bill Lester, knowledge and science work together. What works the best setting up a truck for the race to the checkered flag – a computer or old-fashioned, seat-of-the-pants feel? Bill Lester (#15 Bowen Family Homes Chevy), one of NASCAR’s few national series drivers holding an engineering degree, believes it’s a combination of both. Crew chief Richie Wauters, a five-time series winner, thinks Lester’s engineering background will pay dividends as the season progresses. The Billy Ballew Motorsports team finished 11th at Daytona in an auspicious start to the 2007 season.

    Mike Skinner strikes gold in California for 20th Series victory. Mike Skinner (#5 Toyota Tundra Toyota) rewrote history on Friday when he became the first California native to win a Craftsman Truck Series race at California Speedway. In fact, Golden State drivers finished one-two in the track’s 11th series race as fellow champion Ron Hornaday Jr. (#33 AES HR Solutions Chevy) chased Skinner to the checkered flag. Skinner, 49 and the winner of the series’ first race in 1995, added his name to an elite list of drivers who have won 20 or more races. The victory was Skinner’s fourth driving for Bill Davis Racing. Hornaday, one of four former champions to finish among the top five in the San Bernardino County 200, continues to head the roster of all-time winners with 29 victories. Three-time champion Jack Sprague (#60 Con-way Freight Toyota), third at California Speedway, has one fewer win after his victory in the season- opener at Daytona International Speedway.

    NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Career Victory Leaders: Ron Hornaday Jr. – 29; Jack Sprague – 28; Mike Skinner – 20.

    News & Notes: Part II:
    Nine in a row after California. Skinner was the series’ ninth consecutive different winner at a two-mile track – Michigan and California speedways – a streak that began in 2003. Shepherd continues as Series’ oldest starter…Morgan Shepherd (#40 Key Motorsports Chevy) became the Truck Series’ oldest starter – 62 years, 24 days – at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2003. Shepherd’s four-lap California appearance upped the record to 65 years four months and two days. First And last West Coast visit until…California’s 25th series race was the last in the west until Sept. 22 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    Numbers, numbers, numbers … Sprague’s third-place finish was his 175th series top 10 – 41 more than the category’s #2 driver Dennis Setzer (#75 Spears Manufacturing Chevy). Ted Musgrave (#9 Team ASE Toyota) garnered his 100th top-10 finish to become the sixth different competitor to reach the century mark. Champions prevail – again … All seven of the series’ former champions have scored at least one top-10 finish this season. As in Daytona, there were six titleholders among the race’s top 10. No repeat for Mark Martin…A late-race tangle kept Mark Martin (#21 Bad Boy Mowers Ford) from defending his San Bernardino 200 victory of last season. The last to successfully repeat as a race winner was Kyle Busch at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May 2006.

    Etc:
    California Speedway’s race has seen 20 or more lead lap finishers in four consecutive runnings. Twenty-four completed all 100 laps on Feb. 23…Carl Edwards (#50 Roush Fenway Ford) captured his first Budweiser Pole since Darlington in 2004. Edwards was the seventh consecutive California pole winner failing to parlay the start into a victory.

    Raybestos Rookie of the Year Standings:Aaron Fike (#1 Red Horse Racing Toyota) finished 18th at California to take over the lead in the rookie standings after Race #2. Remaining rookie standings: Willie Allen – 16; Joey Clanton – 15; Kelly Bires – 15; Blake Bjorklund – 15; Tim Sauter – 15; Tyler Walker – 14; Casey Kingsland – 5; Josh White – 4.

    This Week’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Leaders: (through 2 races of the 25-race season)
    Points leader – Jack Sprague (355)
    Driver Rating – Mike Skinner (121.4)
    Winnings – Jack Sprague ($122,700)
    Laps led – Mike Skinner (52)
    Victories -Jack Sprague, Mike Skinner (1)
    Budweiser Poles – Jack Sprague, Carl Edwards (1)
    Top-five finishes -Jack Sprague, Mike Skinner (2)
    Top-10 finishes – Seven drivers tied with 1
    Raybestos Rookie Leader – Aaron Fike (5 over 2 drivers)
    Races led – Johnny Benson, Mike Skinner (2)
    Weeks in Top 10 – Seven drivers tied with 2

    Record-holders Crawford, Sprague to reach 250 start plateau in Atlanta. They’ve arrived at the same place – a record, 249 career starts – in two different ways but Rick Crawford (#14 Power Stroke Diesel by International Ford) and Jack Sprague will reach the 250 career start plateau when each competes in the March 16 American Commercial Lines 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Crawford has missed only a single race since joining the series in 1997, starting 210 consecutive events before an injury caused him to miss at Kentucky Speedway in 2005. His team, Circle Bar Racing, made its 250th consecutive start last week in California. Sprague, conversely, got his 249 starts in two shifts. The Spring Lake, Mich. driver suited up for the series’ inaugural race in 1995 and won three championships over a stretch of 122 consecutive races through 2001 driving for Hendrick Motorsports. After two years in Nextel Cup and Busch Series competition, Sprague returned to post a trio of top-10 championship efforts. The pair’s common bond is a Daytona victory – both races in dramatic, three-wide fashion.

    In the Loop:
    No surprise: 2007 winners top Loop Data standings. The Truck Series gets a much-needed breather this weekend. With finishes like these, drivers – and fans – really do need to catch their breath. A season that’s just two races old has already seen an at-the-line photo finish and a bumper-thumping win-at-all-costs finish. You can figure that it’s all a hint of things to come. So far, Mike Skinner and Jack Sprague have been the class of the field. Not coincidentally, they are neck-and-neck in the Driver Rating standings – well ahead of third place. Skinner – who won last Friday’s San Bernardino County 200 – has a Craftsman Truck-best 121.4 Driver Rating. Sprague, who leads the point standings, ranks second in the Driver Rating standings at 115.4. Next best is Johnny Benson at 105.3. The two also lead in another telling stat – the Average Running Position. Sprague has an Average Running Position of 4.765, while Skinner has a 5.035. That means so far this season, neither driver has spent much time out of the top five. Mark Martin, who was in contention for much of Friday night’s race at California Speedway, leads in the Fastest Laps Run category with 36, but not far behind sits Skinner. Skinner has a combined 27 fastest laps. The next-best driver on that list – Carl Edwards – has just six.

    Toyota two-for-two in Manufacturers’ Championship. Toyota has two legs up on a second Craftsman Truck Series Manufacturers’ Championship following Mike Skinner’s victory at California Speedway. Toyota has scored a perfect, 18 points. Chevy, which struggled at Daytona, put its Silverado truck in the runner-up position and matched Ford for the #2 spot with 10 points, followed by Dodge with 6 points.(NASCAR PR)(2-26-2007)

  • Exide returns to the #23 at Atlanta: Johnny Benson will drive the #23 Exide Toyota Tundra for the first time this season at the next event at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Benson currently sits 3rd in the point standings.(BDR PR)(2-26-2007)
  • NASCAR penalizes two crew chiefs, suspends crew member: NASCAR has announced that one Craftsman Truck Series crew member has been fined and suspended and two crew chiefs penalized due to rule violations leading up to and during the Feb. 16 event at Daytona International Speedway. Richard Riley, crew member of the #88 Chevy, has been fined $5,000 and suspended for the next six Craftsman Truck Series events through May 30. Riley also has been placed on probation until Dec. 31. Riley was penalized for violating Sections 12-4-A, actions detrimental to stock car racing, for verbal abuse to a NASCAR official; and Section 12-4-D, a crew member who threatens to do bodily harm to a NASCAR official, of the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rule Book. The violations occurred during the race itself. Matt Puccia, crew chief of the #50 Ford, was fined $500 for violating Section 12-4-A, actions detrimental to stock car racing; and Section 20B-16.1D, alteration of the fuel cell check valve assembly, of the 2007 Craftsman Truck Series Rule Book. The violation occurred during opening day inspection. Vance Haefele, crew chief of the #88 Chevy, was fined $500 for violating Section 12-4-A, actions detrimental to stock car racing; Section 12-4-Q, determination by NASCAR officials that the truck, truck parts, components and/or equipment used in the event do not conform to NASCAR Rules; and Section 20B-20B-2.3, added weight must be in an approved weight container (fuel cell top rack), of the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rule Book. The violation occurred during opening day inspection.(NASCAR PR)(2-23-2007)
  • K&N on board with Kvapil again: K&N Filters has once again agreed to sponsor the #6-Roush Racing Ford driven by Travis Kvapil for the San Bernadino County 200 at California Speedway. Originally a one-race deal for Daytona, K&N today came on board again to sponsor Kvapil in the second Truck Series outing.(SPEED/TV)(2-23-2007)
  • Shepherd scheduled to drive #44: Morgan Shepherd has been listed as the driver of the #44 Key Motorsports Chevy for the San Bernadino County 200 at California Speedway. Shane Huffman practiced the #44, however Morgan Shepherd reportedly will be the driver during the race.(2-22-2007)
  • Raybestos Rookie News & Notes – California: Joey Clanton was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 16 Chevy Silverado 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Clanton finished sixth and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors in the first race of the 2007 season. Clanton has a six-point over Aaron Fike in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Feb. 23 San Bernardino County 200 at California Speedway. Clanton is sixth in the Craftsman Truck Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 10 points behind fifth-place Todd Bodine and 40 behind leader Jack Sprague. Todd Kluever is the most recent Raybestos Rookie to post a top-five finish at California Speedway, grabbing a fourth-place finish in 2005. Erik Darnell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 San Bernardino County 200, posting an 11th-place finish. Rookie contender point standings: Joey Clanton, 16; Aaron Fike, 10; Blake Bjorlund, 9; Kelly Bires, 8; Tim Sauter, 7; Willie Allen, 6; Tyler Walker, 5; Jason White, 4.(Raybestos PR)(2-22-2007)
  • Taylor Hicks performs at Kentucky Speedway: Kentucky Speedway will become “Soul Patrol!” central July 14 when American Idol fifth-season champion and Arista recording artist Taylor Hicks entertains race fans with an exclusive concert before the green-flag start of the Craftsman Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers.” The soulful artist also will perform the National Anthem live on SPEED Channel.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(2-22-2007)
  • AAMCO to sponsor Huffman for three races: JR Motorsports has announced that AAMCO Transmissions has partnered with the organization for the 2007 season. As part of an extended deal, AAMCO will be the primary sponsor on the #40 Chevy operated by Key Motorsports. Huffman will drive the #40 AAMCO Chevy in the Truck Series events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, O’Reilly Raceway Park and New Hampshire International Speedway.(JR Motorsports PR)(2-22-2007)
  • Kingsland returns at California: Casey Kingsland will make his first appearance of the 2007 season this Friday night behind the wheel of the #7 Hooters Energy Drink Chevy. The San Bernardino County 200 Craftsman Truck Series event at California Speedway will also mark the Las Vegas native’s first appearance at the famed two-mile track.(Pennington Motorsports PR)(2-21-2007)
  • Toyota of San Bernardino signs on with Sprague: Toyota of San Bernardino will be onboard the #60 Con-way Freight Toyota at California Speedway for the second year in a row as an associate sponsor. The dealership, which is located at 765 Showcase Dr. North in San Bernardino, Calif., has an extensive selection of new and pre-owned vehicles.(Wyler Racing PR)(2-20-2007)
  • Edwards to pull triple duty again: Carl Edwards will return to the seat of the #50 Ford this weekend at California Speedway. Edwards will again pull triple duty at California, competing in the Nextel Cup Series, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series races.(Roush Racing/PR)(2-20-2007)
  • Villeneuve getting closer to sponsorship: Jacques Villeneuve says his real career remains in motor racing. And his agent Craig Pollock says Villeneuve’s challenge is to amass the most impressive collection of racing titles ever. The former Indy Car, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One champion is close to getting started in NASCAR and will also race the famous Le Mans 24-hour event June 16-17 in France. Pollock said he is “very close” to lining up a title sponsor for a NASCAR ride to get Villeneuve installed on a team with a serious chance to win. Villeneuve may do some driving in ARCA, the Craftsman Truck Series and the Busch Series, which has a race in Montreal on Aug. 4, before moving up to the Nextel Cup. “That’s still the main plan,” Villeneuve said. “We’re working hard with Craig on the NASCAR project for 2008.”(canada.com)(2-20-2007)
  • Harvick to race at California: Kevin Harvick will be behind the wheel of the #2 Camping World Chevy for his first race of the season in the Truck Series at San Bernardino County 200 at the California Speedway on February 23, 2007.(KHI PR)(2-19-2007)
  • LESCO to sponsor Stout: LESCO has announced its sponsorship of J.C. Stout and the Stellar-Quest Racing Team for the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. Stout has competed in the popular Craftsman Truck Series since 2003 and this year holds tremendous promise for him and his team. In return for its support, Stout’s #91 ’07 Chevy will feature the LESCO logo on its upper rear quarter panels for all of the races entered in 2007, which include plans to run at such big-name venues as the Lowe’s Motor Speedway, the Michigan International Speedway and the New Hampshire International Speedway. (Landscape Management)(2-19-2007)
  • BHR to hold press conference: UPDATE 2 : Bobby Jr. claims ownership: Bobby Hamilton Racing has scheduled a press conference on Thursday, February 15th at 10:00 am at Daytona International Speedway’s Infield Media Center to discuss the management team and operations.(BHR PR)(2-9-2007)
  • UPDATE: Despite saying he’d “washed and dried” his hands of BHR, the Craftsman Truck Series team founded by his father, Bobby Hamilton Jr. and his daughter, Haylie have an ownership stake in the team along with Hamilton’s widow, Lori. Lori Hamilton held a press conference on Thursday to introduce the management team leading BHR in the wake of Bobby Hamilton’s death last month due to cancer. Lois Vance, a longtime friend of Hamilton’s and the senior vice president of First Tennessee Bank, is the trustee of his will and is overseeing ownership operations of the team. While she wouldn’t disclose the ownership stake of the three principals, she said Hamilton Jr. can still have a role in the team if he so chooses. During preseason testing at Daytona last month, Hamilton Jr. said he wasn’t happy with BHR’s direction and that he had nothing to do with it. Vance said those comments were made out of emotion, coming just weeks after his father’s passing on Jan. 7. Hamilton Jr. was practicing his Busch Series car during the press conference and was not immediately available for comment. Lori Hamilton said she will remain in charge of sponsor relations, while Andy Dunlap will oversee the day-to-day operations of the team. Kip McCord will focus on the R&D and engineering aspects, while Jeff White, the crew chief for Ken Schrader’s team, will oversee the competition and on-track performance for both BHR teams. (Scene Daily)(2-15-2007)
    UPDATE 2: A day after BHR held a press conference where it was stated that the team founded by the late Bobby Hamilton Sr. is owned by his widow, Lori, his son Bobby Hamilton Jr. and granddaughter Haylie, Hamilton Jr. said that isn’t the case. Lois Vance, trustee of Hamilton Sr.’s will, said on Thursday that she wouldn’t discuss how the ownership was structured among the three parties. Hamilton Jr., though, offered his take on Friday, following qualifying for the Orbitz 300 Busch Series race. “We got all ownership in BHR, I don’t know what they’re talking about,” Hamilton Jr. said. “BHR is mine and [daughter] Haylie’s. Everything that Bobby Hamilton had is mine and Haylie’s. … I saw that and I was kind of confused, but I guess they’re trying to give some people some hope. But it’s all laughable and jokeable because their 15 minutes of fame is up.” Hamilton Jr. said the trust names just he and Haylie. “Lois really went in there and I guess is running BHR because I don’t want to have anything to do with it, I just want to concentrate on my deal [driving].” He also reiterated his comments made during January testing that he currently has nothing to do with the team, leaving Vance to oversee things. Hamilton Jr. has no problems with Vance running the team. “She’s supposed to be middle ground,” he said. “I don’t talk to nobody else but Lois. I couldn’t even tell you nobody else’s phone number [with the team]. I talk to the guys in the shop, they bust their [butts] and they deserve better. “The way it’s being done, I couldn’t be a part of it. I don’t lie to myself and I’m not going to lie to other people.” (Scene Daily)(2-17-2007)
  • K&N sponsoring Kvapil at Daytona: Roush Fenway Racing announced that K&N Engineering will be the primary sponsor for Travis Kvapil’s #6 Ford in Friday night’s Craftsman Truck Series season debut at Daytona International Speedway. K&N Engineering, Inc., with headquarters in Riverside, California, has been the world’s leader in performance filter technology since 1969.(Roush Racing PR)(2-16-2007)
  • The Bobby Hamilton Sr. Tribute Painting: Motorsports Fine Art announced it will present the original Bobby Hamilton Sr., Tribute Painting to Bobby Hamilton, Jr. at the Daytona International Speedway. The Bobby Hamilton Sr., Tribute Painting, commissioned by artist, Vincent Strader, is a depiction and celebration of Bobby Hamilton Sr.’s 2004 Craftsman Truck Championship Year. Motorsports Fine Art will offer only 44 exact replicas (40″ x 30″) of the original Tribute Painting, in which all net proceeds will be donated from the sale to The Victory Junction Gang Camp and The NASCAR Foundation in the name and memory of Bobby Hamilton Sr. The re-productions of the Tribute Painting are available for purchase at the online art gallery – motorsportsfineart.com. Additionally, Motorsports Fine Art will offer 404 smaller versions (16″ x 12″) of the limited edition re-production of the Tribute Painting. Hamilton Sr. passed away in January after fighting cancer for almost a year. Hamilton Jr, running the Busch Series in 2007, will run a special paint scheme honoring his father in this Saturday’s Busch race at Daytona [ESPN2 at 12noon/et]. See an image of the painting on my Driver Tribute page.(2-16-2007)
  • Raybestos Rookie of the Year to Receive More Money: Officials with Affinia Group announced an increase in the year-end payout to Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the Nextel Cup Series. The driver who wins Raybestos Rookie of the Year will take home a check for $65,000, a $15,000 increase from 2006. The company will also increase year-end cash prizes to $25,000 and $12,000 for the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series, respectively.(Raybestos PR)(2-15-2007)
  • Atlanta first 2007 start for Busch: SPEED/TV has reported that Kyle Busch will run a few races for Billy Ballew Motorsports in the #51 Chevy during the 2007 season. His first race will be at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(SPEED/TV)(2-15-2007)
  • Bires in #16 at California? During the practice broadcast, SPEED/TV reported that the #16 Xpress Motorsports Ford will be driven by rookie Kelly Bires at California.(SPEED/TV)(2-15-2007)
  • Ortho to sponsor Edwards’ #50 at Daytona: Roush Fenway Racing has announced that The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company’s Ortho brand will sponsor the #50 Ford driven by Carl Edwards in the Truck Series season opening race at Daytona Int’l Speedway this Friday night.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(2-15-2007)
  • Cope to enter Daytona race: UPDATE 2: Hooters Energy Drink to sponsor some Busch races too: Hearing that Derrike Cope will be the driver for the #7 Pennington Motorsports Chevy at the season opener at Daytona. This part-time team formed late in 2006 and attempted a few races with driver Casey Kingsland, who reportedly was not cleared to run the superspeedway.(1-31-2007)
    UPDATE: Kingsland to run remainder of schedule; ROTY: The #7 Chevy will be entered in all 25 Craftsman Truck Series events with Derrike Cope scheduled to run the first race at Daytona. Casey Kingsland will take over the driving responsibilities beginning at California Speedway, and will also be a candidate for Rookie of the Year. Primary sponsor is Hooters Energy Drink, with Hooters.com and Thule Trailers as associate sponsors.(Pennington Motorsports PR)(2-1-2007)
  • UPDATE 2: Hooters officials say the restaurant chain’s Hooters Energy Drink will sponsor the #7 Pennington Motorsports Chevy and drivers Casey Kingsland and Derrike Cope in the 2007 Craftsman Truck Series and in five Busch Series races.(SceneDaily.com)(2-15-2007)
  • Edwards going for the triple at Daytona: UPDATE: To run first 3 races: Carl Edwards is looking to kick off the 2007 season with a bang at Daytona International Speedway. Edwards, who drives the #99 Office Depot Ford in the Cup Series and the #60 Scotts Ford in the Busch Series, has signed up to race Roush Racing’s #50 Ford in the Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night. Edwards will run a handful of truck races throughout the 2007 season (the schedule is TBD) while Peter Shepherd drives the truck for the remaining races. The #50 truck that the two will share is still yet to be sponsored but Edwards is confident a new sponsor partner will come on board. Edwards and Shepherd will join truck teammates #99-Erik Darnell and #6-Travis Kvapil to round out the 2007 Roush Racing truck lineup.(Roush Racing PR)(1-29-2007)
    UPDATE: SPEED/TV reported during the Daytona practice session that Carl Edwards is scheduled to run the first three Truck Series races in the #50 Roush Racing Ford.(SPEED/TV)(2-15-2007)
  • Martin back part time in 2008: As it now stands, #00-Mark Martin said he would continue at Ginn Racing in 2008 with a limited schedule of Cup events similar to his schedule for this season. Martin has also agreed to head up Ginn’s driver development program and will run selected races in the Craftsman Truck and Busch Series.(Gaston Gazette)(2-14-2007)
  • Circle Bar Racing unveils new paint schemes: In a special ceremony in the Fan Zone, in the middle of Daytona International Speedway, Circle Bar Racing unveiled their new paint schemes for the 2007 season. Check out Rick Crawford’s #14 Circle Bar/Power Stroke Diesel Ford and David Starr’s new #10 MaxxForce International Diesel Power Ford. (Circle Bar PR)(2-14-2007)
  • Wyler Racing renews sponsorship with USPC: Wyler Racing is pleased to announce that The United States Playing Card Company (USPC) has renewed its sponsorship of Jack Sprague and the #60 Con-way Freight Toyota in the Craftsman Truck Series. To kick-off their sophomore year together, Wyler Racing and the USPC have established the theme of “Great Cards for Great Times” as Sprague competes for his fourth Championship in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the first for the Wyler Racing team. The “Great Cards for Great Times” campaign will offer the public an opportunity to win a spot on Jack Sprague’s pit box for the 2008 Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Details will be released at a later date.(Wyler Racing PR)(2-14-2007)
  • Kinser returns to MDM with a new crew chief: Ginn Resorts Morgan-Dollar Motorsports #47 Chevy and 22 year-old Kraig Kinser are teamed up again for another year in the Truck Series with a newly-appointed crew chief, Rodney McGehee atop the pit box.(Ginn Resorts MDM PR)(2-14-2007)
  • Lester has new sponsors for Daytona: Bill Lester enters the 2007 Truck Series season with a lot of changes from his 2006 season. Lester has joined Billy Ballew Motorsports and will be behind the wheel of the #15 Chevy for the first time in his career. In addition to his new team and manufacturer, Lester will also welcome new sponsors for this weekend’s Silverado HD 250. Manheim Central Florida Auto Auction in Orlando will serve as primary sponsor while Manheim Daytona Auto Dealers Exchange in Daytona Beach and Krud Kutter brand biodegradable stain removers, cleaning supplies, and washers will both be on board as major associate sponsors this weekend.(Billy Ballew Motorsports)(2-14-2007)
  • The #4 Dodge; new paint scheme, new sponsor: Dodge Development Driver Chase Miller will be making his first career Truck Series start at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, and the #4 Dodge is sporting a new paint scheme and new sponsor this weekend. Open Joist, a preferred choice for building designs that require longer joist spans or wider joist spacing and reduced framing costs, will adorn the #4 Dodge for the first half of the 2007 season.(truckseries.com)(2-14-2007)
  • Schrader makes first start at Daytona: Veteran Ken Schrader has 68 previous Truck Series starts, but will be making his first career Craftsman Truck Series start at Daytona International Speedway on Friday. The Chevy Silverado HD 250 will mark Schrader’s 69th NCTS career start. In his previous 68 races Schrader has an average starting position of 14th and a finishing position of 17th.(Schrader Racing)(2-14-2007)
  • US Air Force to sponsor Bires: The #21 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford driven by Kelly Bires will be sponsored this season by the United States Air Force in several events including the season opener at Daytona. [Other sponsors will be announced at a later date.] Bires will be making only his second start in the Craftsman Truck Series, and is a candidate for ROTY.(Wood Bros./JTG Racing PR)(2-13-2007)
  • Blue Ox to sponsor #8 at Daytona: MRD Motorsports #8 Chevy and driver Blake Bjorklund will have primary sponsorship from Blue Ox Products during the Feb. 16 Chevy Silverado HD 250 at Daytona International Speedway the team announced Tuesday. Blue Ox, of Pender, Neb., is a leading manufacturer of towing and hitching supplies and accessories.(MRD Motorsports PR)(2-13-2006)
  • Dotter to act as crew chief for Sauter: The season opening Chevy Silverado HD 250 at Daytona Int’l Speedway will kick off the fourth season that Tim Sauter and sponsor Lester Buildings will be racing together in one of NASCAR’s top three divisions. In 2007 the Wisconsin driver is teamed with Green Light Racing in the #07 Chevy, and Green Light Racing Co-owner, Bobby Dotter will be on top of the pit-box for Sauter’s debut with this team.(Greenlight Racing PR)(2-13-2007)
  • Crawford to make record start: UPDATE: Sprague too: Rick Crawford, driver of the #14 Circle Bar/Power Stroke Diesel Ford, will make his 248th start – a Series record – at Daytona International Speedway. Crawford’s impressive string of race starts began at the Walt Disney World Speedway on January 19th, 1997.(Circle Bar PR)(2-12-2007)
    UPDATE: Jack Sprague driving the #60 Con-way Freight Toyota will make his 248th career start in the Craftsman Truck Series at the drop of the green flag for the start of the Chevy Silverado HD 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 16th, 2007. Sprague and Crawford are tied for the Series Record.(2-13-2007)
  • Team Rensi to Honor Bobby Hamilton, Sr. at Daytona: Bobby Hamilton, Sr. will be remembered with a special paint scheme on the #35 McDonald’s Ford at Daytona. Behind the wheel of the McDonald’s Ford will be the son of Hamilton, Sr., Bobby Hamilton, Jr. The McDonald’s Ford has been redesigned to carry the identical paint scheme of the car Hamilton, Sr. drove to his final Cup victory in 2001 at Talladega Superspeedway. On that special day in April, Hamilton, Sr. drove the #55 Square D sponsored car for team owner Andy Petree to victory lane.(Rensi PR)(2-13-2007)
  • Checkers/Rally’s continuing Drive-Thru Challenge: 2007 marks the third straight season for the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge. This year’s Challenge kicked off at Daytona International Speedway, with the program extending to pit crew teams in all three of NASCAR’s top series: the Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series. Each week, Checkers/Rally’s will award the winning Nextel Cup team with an $11,000 prize for spending the least amount of time on pit road.(checkers.com)(2-13-2007)
  • Allmendinger to run some races for DW: UPDATE 3: Red Bull to sponsor: When asked about his Truck team on Sirius Radio this morning, Darrell Waltrip said that along with Josh Wise, AJ Allmendinger would be running a few races for Waltrip Racing in the Truck Series in 2007. The trucks and equipment has been moved to the new home of Michael Waltrip Racing in Cornelius, NC. Allmendinger is in Daytona this weekend testing the #00 Toyota (formerly 17).(Sirius Radio)(1-12-2007)
    UPDATE: Butler also to run a few races: Development driver, Ken Butler III will also run some truck races for the #00 Waltrip Racing Toyota.(NASCAR PR)(1-13-2007)
    UPDATE 2: Allmendinger to attempt 12 races: News from [Sirius Radio] reported that AJ Allmendinger “just loves” driving the truck and will attempt as many as 12 races in the #00 Waltrip Racing Toyota.(1-15-2007)
    UPDATE 3: Allmendinger likes the Tundra. He likes it so much, he begged Waltrip Racing to give him the controls for select Cup-Truck companion races this year. And he took sponsor Red Bull with him. Starting with this Friday’s Craftsman Truck Series race, AJ will pilot the #00 entry for the following races: Daytona, California, Atlanta, Martinsville, Charlotte, Dover, Michigan, Loudon, Talladega, Martinsville, Phoenix, and Homestead-Miami.(Team Red Bull PR)(2-12-2007)
  • Germain Racing to run some Busch races: “We were going to run a few races with the new Car of Tomorrow, but in retrospect we felt we maybe ought to back down on that a little bit and run some Busch races instead,” [Ted] Musgrave said. “I think that’s where we’re leaning, try to get the Toyota flag flying there, but one thing’s for sure, we’re going to try to go for the championship in the Truck Series again.” [Tddd] Bodine will drive the Busch car, according to Germain, who explained that it was Toyota who came to his team and asked if they would hold off on the Car of Tomorrow and run a partial Busch schedule.(Naples Daily News)(2-12-2007)
  • Melling to sponsor Compton at Daytona: Mark Melling announced today that Melling Engine Parts and Melling Select Performance Parts will serve as the primary sponsor for his long time friend Stacy Compton driving Dave Fuge’s Xpress Motorsports #16 Ford truck entered in the Craftsman Truck Series opener at Daytona International Speedway.(Xpress Motorsports PR)(2-10-2007)
  • Cup races for Kvapil? Travis Kvapil, the 2003 Craftsman Truck Series champion, is back in the Truck Series this year after a brief, frustrating stint in Nextel Cup. Kvapil is now driving for Roush Racing and is expected to contend for the NCTS title this year. He also could end up doing a few Busch and/or Cup races for Roush this season, too. “I said to him (Roush Racing President Geoff Smith), ‘What am I going to do with all my off-weekends?’ And he said, ‘Hopefully, we can find something to run you part-time, if we can find a sponsor, you can run some races here and there. If nothing else, you can come along and be a part of it.’ I told him anytime he’s ready for me, I’m ready, but there’s nothing set in stone and no promises made or anything like that. First things first, is go out and win races and win the (NCTS) championship.”(SpeedTV.com)(2-10-2007)
  • PEAK Antifreeze to sponsor Crafton at Daytona: In addition to seeing the iconic PEAK mountain logo on the hood of the #15 DEI Nextel Cup Chevy, Peak will also adorn the hood of Thorsport Racing’s #88 PEAK/Menards Chevy driven by Matt Crafton for Friday’s Craftsman Truck Series race.(PEAK PR)(2-10-2007)
  • Walker’s first start at Daytona: The 2007 season will be Tyler Walker’s first full Truck Series season in the #36 Bill Davis Racing Toyota and will also mark Walker’s first start at Daytona. BDR is pleased to announce that 360 OTC will serve as primary sponsor for Walker and the #36 Toyota for the entire 2007 season.(BDR PR)(2-9-2007)
  • Key Motorsports announces sponsorship partners: Key Motorsports is extremely proud to announce the development of new product sponsorship partnerships for the soon-to-begin, 2007 Craftsman Truck Series season with the Liquid Eyewear, Pro Tech Paints, Virginia’s Best Water, Mays Meats/Sugargrove Country Ham, Craftsman Tools and Mothers Polish organizations. Justice Brothers (Specialty Chemicals) heads the list of companies returning to Key Motorsports in 2007 for a second season of partnership as Official Product Suppliers. JB is joined by FRAM (Oil and Air Filters), Autolite (spark plugs), DJ Safety (harnesses and safety equipment), Mechanix Wear (gloves, bags and pit apparel), Dayco (belts), MOOG (chassis parts) and Russo’s Tinting (tear-offs).(Key Motorsports PR)(2-9-2007)
  • Benson to sport TCUV colors at Daytona: Three different paint schemes will adorn the #23 Bill Davis Racing Toyota throughout the 2007 season: Toyota Certified Used Vehicles (TCUV), Exide and 360 OTC. The truck will carry the TCUV colors at Daytona Int’l Speedway. (BDR PR)(2-9-2007)
  • Wayne Edwards to drive #28 at Daytona? UPDATE 4: Brandon Knupp to drive #28: Wayne Edwards tested the #28 FDNY Racing Chevy with owner, Jim Rosenblum, this past weekend at Daytona and plans are in place for this team to compete in the season opener at Daytona Int’l Speedway on February 16th. FDNY Racing is unique among NASCAR national series teams in that many of its crew members are current and retired members of New York City safety agencies. Rosenblum, who received the city’s 2004 Liberty Medal from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, donates proceeds from team souvenir sales to the firefighter union’s Widows and Orphans Fund. (FDNY Racing)(1-15-2007)
    UPDATE: hearing that Wayne Edwards will be entered in both the Daytona and California events with another team, [team name unknown]. Team owner, Jim Rosenblum, confirmed that Edwards will not be in the #28 FDNY Chevy at Daytona and that he will be announcing a new driver soon.(2-1-2007)
    UPDATE 3: Edwards to drive #95 Ford: Wayne Edwards is scheduled to run Daytona and California with the #95 Upshaw Racing Ford. Edwards last drove for this team at Daytona in 2004 where he finished 15th. If the proper sponsorship is secured, the team plans to compete the entire season. Edwards is not only the race driver, but acts as the hauler driver and shop manager. The team is located in Mooresville, NC. A crew chief has yet to be named.(2-1-2007)
    UPDATE 4: Knupp to drive #28 at Daytona: FDNY Racing has announced that Brandon Knupp will be the driver for the #28 Chevy at Daytona International Speedway. If the team is able to secure sponsorship, Knupp will be in the ride for the entire season.(FDNY Racing PR)(2-9-2007)
  • Crocker scaling back: UPDATE 2: Crocker wins pole for ARCA 200: on Sirius Satellite Radio’s SIRIUS Speedway w/ Dave Moody show Friday, it was reported that Evernham Motorsports will run Erin Crocker in 12 ARCA Series races and 4 Busch Series races and would consider letting her drive for another team to get her more seat time. Crocker ran the full Truck Series season and a few Busch Series and ARCA Series races in 2006.(2-2-2007)
    UPDATE: Erin Crocker is on the entry list for the ARCA 200 at Daytona on Saturday, February 10th beginning at 4:15 pm/et. Crocker is set to drive the #98 Evernham Motorsports Dodge.(arcaracing.com)(2-6-2007)
    UPDATE 2: Erin Crocker became the second female driver to capture a pole at historic Daytona Int’l Speedway on Friday winning the top starting position for Saturday’s ARCA RE/MAX Series season opener. Crocker, behind the wheel of the #98 Evernham Motorsports Dodge, qualified with a top speed of 182.219 mph to end Bobby Gerhart’s quest for a fifth consecutive ARCA 200 pole.(Daytona Int’l Speedway PR)(2-9-2007)
  • Sauter to run for Rookie of the Year: Green Light Racing’s Chad McCumbee finished second to Erik Darnell in the 2006 Craftsman Truck Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings running 17 races for the team. McCumbee’s new teammate, Busch Series veteran Tim Sauter, will vie for the award this season in the team’s #07 Lester Buildings Chevy. Since 2000, Sauter has 116 previous starts in NASCAR’s top-three series, but with only three of those starts in the Truck Series, Sauter is eligible for the award this season.(Green Light Racing PR)(2-8-2007)
  • Camping World to Sponsor KHI: Kevin Harvick Inc. has announced a partnership with Camping World for the 2007 season. Camping World will sponsor KHI’s second Truck Series entry, the #2 Chevy Truck for 12 races and the #33 Busch Series Chevy for 11 races. RVs.com will also come on board this season in conjunction with Camping World, as an associate sponsor. The #2 Chevy will make its debut at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with Cale Gale behind the wheel. Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick will share seat time with Gale throughout the season.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(2-7-2007)
  • Fox to broadcast two Truck Series races: UPDATE: 2nd race – Mansfield: Fox will broadcast two Truck Series races during the 2007 Season. One of those will be the Martinsville spring race, and the other is still to be determined. It also is still to be determined whether Speed’s Craftsman Truck Series broadcast crew will do the two truck events that will appear on Fox. (Scene Daily)(1-23-2007)
    UPDATE: Fox will televise the Craftsman Truck Series events at Martinsville, Va. in March and Mansfield, Ohio in May, according to Speed officials.(Scene Daily)(2-7-2007)
  • Bad Boy Mowers to sponsor Martin at California: The Wood Brothers/JTG #20 race team has announced that the Batesville, Arkansas-based Bad Boy Lawn Mower Company has signed a one-race deal to sponsor Mark Martin in the San Bernardino County 200 Craftsman Truck Series race at California Speedway on February 23rd, 2007.(Wood Brothers/JTG PR)(2-7-2007)
  • #15 Truck looking for a sponsor: Truck Series owner Billy Ballew feels there is a great opportunity for an individual or group of investors to get their feet wet by stepping first into a championship caliber Craftsman Truck Series team. With adequate funding, the plan is to run Bill Lester [#15 Chevy] in a couple of Cup races this season, a select number in 2008 with plans to run a full season in 2009.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(2-7-2007)
  • Bonifield Racing returns to series: Phil Bonifield Team Racing is planning to run the #86 Chevy in 10-15 races throughout the 2007 Truck Series season with equipment purchased from the now closed Robert Richardson Racing. The driver will be Dana White who has numerous starts in both the Truck and Busch series. Primary sponsor for the #86 Chevy will be 1-888-Karport, with associate sponsorship provided by Redline Synthetic Oil and Meguiars Car Care Products. The team’s first race is tentatively scheduled to be the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway on March 31.(Bonifield Racing)(2-6-2007)
  • Melling to sponsor #59 in 2007: Jim Harris, owner of HT Motorsports along with Mark Melling of Melling Engine Parts in Jackson, MI have announced that Melling Engine Parts and Melling Select Performance Parts will serve as the primary sponsor for driver Terry Cook in the team’s #59 Toyota Tundra entered in the season-opening Truck Series event at Daytona International Speedway. In addition to being the primary sponsor at Daytona, Melling Engine Parts will be a major associate sponsor on the #59 throughout the season. 2007 marks the third-straight year Harris and Melling have inked a deal. The 2007 season marks the 28th-straight year Melling has either owned or sponsored a team at Daytona starting with Benny Parsons in 1979.(HT Motorsports PR)(2-6-2007)
  • Torquespeed looking toward 2008: Torquespeed Racing [UK] has reported that they are in discussions with a couple of sponsors for 2008 with a view to do some races again sometime this year, but like all things this is still not confirmed. Torquespeed’s driver John Mickel tested [#63] at Daytona for the sole reason of being signed off for Daytona which he achieved but as yet has no drive with any team. A team spokesperson for Torquespeed noted the team has made a lot of changes to the UK organization so they can concentrate on the future in NASCAR, and are as committed as ever to this sport.(Torquespeed Racing)(2-5-2007)
  • Lynch teams up with sponsor Cooper Bussman for six races: Team owner, Mike Mittler has announced that 2003 Grand Nat’l West Series Champion, Scott Lynch has signed a six-race deal with MB Motorsports to drive the #63 Ford beginning with the June 1st race at Dover. Other events include; ORP [Indianapolis], Gateway, Las Vegas, Atlanta and the season closer at Homestead. Sponsor for all races is Cooper Bussman Hughes based out of St. Louis, Missouri. (MB Motorsports)(2-3-2007)
  • Smith to drive for MB at Mansfield: ASA Late Model driver, Jack Smith is set to drive the #63 MB Motorsports Ford at Mansfield Speedway on May 26th. Other races to be determined. Smith was a three-time winner in the ASA Late Model Division and holds the record for the most laps led. (MB Motorsports)(2-3-2007)
  • Mickel in the #63? UPDATE 4: Gunbroker.com to sponsor White at Daytona & Atlanta: Scott Lynch practiced the #63 MB Motorsports Ford on Saturday, however, during Sunday’s testing session, England’s John Mickel was in the driver’s seat. Speed/TV reported that Mickel brought sponsorship to the team and would be the driver.(Speed/TV)(1-14-2007)
    UPDATE 2: On the [Torquespeed Racing] website, so far there is one race listed (Daytona) for driver John Mickel. although it states that they planned on a full tour in 2007.(Torquespeed Racing)(1-19-2007)
    UPDATE 3: Hearing that Jason White will be the driver for the #63 Ford at Daytona.(2-2-2007)
    UPDATE 4: According to team owner, Mike Mittler, Jason White will be the driver of the #63 MB Motorsports Ford at Daytona and Atlanta. gunbroker.com will be the sponsor for White at both events.(MB Motorsports)(2-3-2007)
  • Foyt, Silestone and Key Motorsports partner for Daytona: Veteran driver Larry Foyt, Silestone USA and Key Motorsports have announced a partnership that will enter Foyt in the 2007 season-opening Craftsman Truck Series race at the Daytona Int’l Speedway. The Silestone by Cosentino sponsored Chevy will become the first truck to bear the new Key Motorsports #44 number, joining the #40 Key Motorsports entry that will be driven by former NCTS champion Mike Bliss. Silestone USA was originally established in 1998 as Cosentino USA to distribute and market Silestone natural quartz surfaces in North America. Silestone today is the world’s largest manufacturer of such products with 75% of all natural quartz surface sales in North America made by the company.(Key Motorsports PR)(2-2-2007)
  • Fastenal offering internship at BHR: Fastenal Company and Bobby Hamilton Racing are offering the internship opportunity of a lifetime in Sparta, KY, where two chosen automotive technical students will assist the BHR pit crew during driver Ken Schrader’s July 14 Craftsman Truck Series race. Winners will spend five days, July 9 through the 13, at BHR headquarters in Mount Joliet, TN, where they and the BHR pit crew will prepare #18 Dodge for competition. Applications will be accepted online at www.fastenal.com February 1 through April 30.(Fastenal Racing)(2-1-2007)

 

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