February 2008 Craftsman Truck Series Archive - Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

February 2008 Truck Series News Archive

For winners of a race in Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series races: see the Misc Stats page for this and other statistical information.

Wilson joins BHR: Bobby Hamilton Racing has announced the addition of Charlie Wilson to its #4 and #18 Craftsman Truck Series teams roster . With over seven years experience in the NASCAR industry Wilson assumes the role of Director of Competition overseeing the team’s research and development program.(BHR VA PR)(2-28-2008)
Speed to run some truck races: UPDATE More info: During an interview on the Tradin’ Paint show for Sirius Radio, Scott Speed announced that he will be running the Atlanta & Martinsville Truck Series races as well as participate in the the Martinsville test in an effort to gain more track time. The truck will be out of the Morgan-Dollar shop.(2-27-2008)
UPDATE: Red Bull Racing Team announces Scott Speed, driver of the #2 Red Bull Toyota in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, to race a limited schedule in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the #46 Morgan-Dollar Motorsports entry. Speed´s #46 will carry a Red Bull paint scheme for his NCTS debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 7, followed by a second NCTS race at Martinsville Speedway on March 28. Speed will get additional seat time participating in the NCTS open test at Martinsville Speedway on March 12 -13.(Team Red Bull Racing PR)(2-28-2008)
Clanton out; Kvapil replacing at California: UPDATE Clanton hopes to return: Roush Fenway Racing announced today that 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil will replace Joey Clanton in the #09 Zaxby’s Ford F-150 for this weekend’s Craftsman Truck Series San Bernardino County 200. Kvapil, who has nine wins in 121 Truck Series starts, will take the wheel at a track where he has three top-10 finishes in five starts. “We are going to have Travis Kvapil run the Zaxby’s Ford F-150 at California this weekend,” Jack Roush said. “After that race we will re-evaluate our plans for the rest of the season. We wish Joey Clanton the best of luck in his future endeavors and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Zaxby’s throughout the season.”(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(2-20-2008)
UPDATE: Joey Clanton is holding out hope that he can return to Roush Fenway Racing and get a second chance in what was supposed to be his full-time seat in the #09 Ford. Clanton, 35, was replaced at California after an eventful season-opening race at Daytona in which he was involved in an accident that ended up collecting teammate Colin Braun and ending the day for both drivers. A Roush Fenway spokesperson said the team is also re-evaluating and setting the rest of its truck schedule for the season. Kvapil is said to be a likely candidate to drive the #09 when the trucks run in conjunction with Cup weekends (he drives the Yates Racing #28 Ford Fusion), but the spokesperson said there is “no guarantee” Clanton will be included at other truck races.(ESPN.com)(2-28-2008)
Gaughan garage springs to life: The South Point Racing Shop returned to life Tuesday after sitting eerily quiet for three months. The 28,000-square-foot Las Vegas speed factory owned by Michael Gaughan has seen little activity since he decided to put it on hiatus and not operate a team for his son, Brendan Gaughan, in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In preparation for NASCAR weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the nearby shop became a beehive of activity Tuesday. Several teams used it to make repairs resulting from last weekend’s rain-delayed Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. “(Without the Gaughan shop), we would’ve been working in a parking lot or maybe at the speedway,” said Kenny Francis, crew chief for the Gillett Evernham Motorsports #9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne in the Cup series. “This is a really nice option Francis and his team were among about a dozen using the Gaughan shop. Gaughan [currently driving #10 Ford], who won eight times in 2002 and 2003, holds out hope his family will return with a truck team within a couple of years. But even if the South Point shop is preparing for truck races then, it always will open its massive garage doors for teams needing a port in a storm.(Las Vegas Review-Journal)(2-27-2008)
Hermie Sadler returns at Martinsville: UPDATE driving for Hillenburg: Hearing that Hermie Sadler will once again return to the drivers seat again in the Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville. Acredale Vending co. (Va Beach) will be on board as an associate sponsor.[no word on team or #](2-24-2008)
UPDATE: Sadler’s truck will be out of Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Racing shop; additional sponsors TBA.(2-26-2008)
Cook scores career-best finish at Fontana: It only took two races for Terry Cook and the Wyler Racing team [#60-Toyota] to score their first top-five of the season, taking fourth in Saturday’s San Bernardino County 200 at California Speedway. The finish was a career-best for Cook at the track as well as a season-best for Wyler Racing. After the strong fourth place run, Cook holds down the 12th spot in the overall driver standings – a 17 points outside the top-10.(Wyler Racing PR)(2-25-2008)
Bodine enters Las Vegas Nationwide race: Todd Bodine is expected to compete in Saturday’s Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the #90 MSRP Motorsports Chevy, making his first start of the season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Bodine will attempt to make his sixth career NNS start at the 1.5-mile oval. Bodine has one victory in 2001 and three top-fives in his previous five starts.(LVMS.com)(2-25-2008)
Germain Racing adds Chrissy Wallace to NASCAR’s diversity program UPDATE may run Martinsville: Mike Wallace’s daughter Chrissy has been picked up by the team [Germain Racing] for NASCAR’s diversity program. She’ll start driving in ARCA and short-track races in June. “She’s a good, real cute girl who will mix it up with the guys,” [Bob] Germain said. “The first team that gets one female driver in the Cup will be helped from a marketing standpoint.” (The News-Press)(2-19-2008)
UPDATE: During a prerace interview on ESPN, Mike Wallace confirmed that Chrissy would be testing a truck in Martinsville for Germain Racing on March 12th, and if everything went well she would be entered in the March 29th Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway in a Germain Racing truck.(2-24-2009)
Allmendinger replaces Whitt; yields top-20: Late Thursday night AJ got the call that he was going to do some racing after all this weekend at the California Speedway-just in a Craftsman Series Truck race. AJ hopped behind the wheel of the #47 Chevy Silverado of Morgan Dollar Racing for San Bernardino County 200. Joining AJ was his Red Bull Racing Sprint Cup crew chief Rick Viers and his #84 pit crew. . The 84 race crew would go on to finish in 17th and on the lead lap.(AJ Allmendinger PR)(2-24-2008)
Braun top rookie at Auto Club Speedway: #6-Colin Braun scored a ninth-place finish in Saturday’s race, his best effort in three Craftsman Truck Series starts. He scored the first top-10 finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Auto Club Speedway since Todd Kluever placed fourth in 2004. Phillip McGilton (10th) also scored his best finish in two Craftsman Truck Series races. A Raybestos Rookie has scored two top-10 finishes in both Craftsman Truck Series races this season.(Raybestos PR)(2-24-2008)
Bodine earns WIX Filters Lap Leader honors again: #30-Todd Bodine led twice for 29 laps to earn WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race honors in today’s San Bernardino County 200. He claimed the award for the second consecutive race this season and has led 74 laps (172.50 miles) in both races this season. Bodine scored a second-place finish in Saturday’s race.(WIX PR)(2-24-2008)
Germain Racing names Mike Hillman Sr. as Interim Crew Chief following penalty: Germain Racing announced today that Mike Hillman Sr. General Manager, will serve as interim crew chief for Todd Bodine and the #30 Lumber Liquidators Tundra. Pursuant to penalties handed down by NASCAR this afternoon, Mike Hillman Jr., crew chief for Bodine, will begin serving a four race suspension this week while the race team considers filing an appeal. “Mike Hillman Jr. will begin serving the penalty assigned by NASCAR while Germain Racing looks at our options as far as possibly filing an appeal. In the interim, I will handle the crew chief duties for the #30 Tundra team,” said Mike Hillman Sr., who led the #30 Tundra team to two victories in 2004 before assigning crew chief duties to his son, Hillman Jr., in 2005. “I want to be clear that the mistake that NASCAR found was completely repaired before our race truck qualified. The Lumber Liquidators Tundra was presented to and accepted by NASCAR’s technical inspectors before and after the Daytona race – meaning the truck that won the race, met all of NASCAR’s criteria,” said Hillman Sr. “The Truck Series is home to excellent racing and we appreciate NASCAR’s commitment to a safe and level playing field. We hate that we had a problem with our truck, but we are glad it was fixed before the racing action began.”(Germain Racing PR)(2-21-2008)
#30 & #33 teams penalized for rule infractions at Daytona: NASCAR announced today penalties and fines to the #30 and #33 teams that compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, as a result of rule infractions at Daytona International Speedway.
The #30 truck was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (truck parts, components or equipment that doesn’t conform to NASCAR Rules); and 20B-12.9D (device designed to reduce the bed panel height at the points of inspection) of the 2008 NASCAR Rule Book. The infractions occurred during pre-qualifying inspection on Feb. 14. Driver Todd Bodine has been penalized with the loss of 25 championship driver points and truck owner Stephen Germain has been penalized 25 championship owner points due to the violations. Crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. has been fined $10,000 and suspended for the next four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events until April 30 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2008.
The #33 truck, driven by Ron Hornaday Jr. was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (truck parts, components or equipment that doesn’t conform to NASCAR Rules); and 20B-3.1.1 (spoiler braces exceeded the maximum one inch width). Crew chief Rick Ren has been fined $5,000 as a result of the infraction. This violation occurred during opening day inspection on Feb. 12.(NASCAR Media)(2-20-2008)
Triple duty for Kyle Busch; 1st time in truck: Kyle Busch is the only driver slated to run in all three of NASCAR’s premier series at the California Speedway this weekend. Busch will be making his first start in the Craftsman Truck Series at the 2-mile track in the #51-Toyota. Busch has 13 prior starts in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series. He posted one win and one pole at the intermediate size race track, both in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Billy Ballew Motorsports has six prior California Speedway starts with a best finish of 12th in 2002. [Busch will be driving the #32-Beringer Vineyards Toyota in Nationwide race and #18-Interstate Batteries Toyota in Sprint Cup].(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(2-20-2008)
NASCAR eliminates rookie practice for Truck & Nationwide Series: NASCAR has eliminated the rookie practice portion of its weekend schedule for Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series teams. For the last two years, the Nationwide and truck rookies would get an extra practice (typically a half-hour session). They would get a set of tires specifically for that test session. Now, practice sessions have been increased by about 30 minutes for the entire field. But rookies get an extra set of tires for the race weekend. That extra set can only be used in practice. Rookie practice was implemented in 2006 when NASCAR put its new testing policy into effect. That policy forbids testing at tracks where the series competes in except for the official NASCAR tests. Before then, teams were limited in the number of tests but could test at whatever track they wanted, so teams with rookies often would take them to test where there was a steep learning curve. Both the Nationwide and the truck teams had at least three hours of practice scheduled for California this weekend.(SceneDaily.com)(2-22-2008)
Skinner & Benson to drive #27 Cup car for BDR: Bill Davis Racing (BDR) has announced that it will tap into its pool of veteran Cup Series drivers to pilot the #27 Toyota Camry during the next several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Truck Series standouts Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson are both expected to step behind the wheel of BDR’s #27 entry. Bill Davis Racing will continue to support Jacques Villeneuve in his pursuit of a successful career in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “We know that Jacques has the talent and the desire to be in NASCAR, and are diligently working on a long term relationship with him,” commented team owner Bill Davis. 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series runner up Mike Skinner will drive the #27 Toyota Camry next weekend at California Speedway in Fontana, California.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(2-16-2008)
Wood Brothers Racing flying the U.S. Air Force paint scheme this weekend: The #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford will be proudly displaying the U.S. Air Force as a primary sponsor this weekend in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ San Bernardino County 200 at California Speedway. The U.S. Air Force is utilizing NASCAR at full speed in its recruitment efforts across the country. This week the U.S. Air Force displays their Core Value statement on the rear deck of the Wood Brothers Racing Ford. Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do.(Wood Bros. Racing PR)((2-22-2008)
North/South Motorsports adds crew chief, CTS program: Benny Gordon finished the Hooters Pro Cup season with 10 top-10 finishes and three wins, putting him second in the Northern Division standings and ninth in the Championship Series standings. Expanding his racing efforts is a key goal for Benny to achieve this year. The 2008 racing schedule will be a little different than the four previous seasons. In addition to running the full Northern Division and Championship Series races, Benny will be adding to his resume by competing in at least five Craftsman Truck races. “We have hired Dan Glauz as the full time crew chief this year. Dan has over 27 years as a car chief and crew chief in Craftsman Trucks, Busch and Cup programs,” said Benny [Gordon].(Catchfence.com)(2-22-2008)
Howard to make series debut at Calif: Shelby Howard enters Saturday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series San Bernardino County 200 at California Speedway on Saturday hoping to build on a 15th place finish in last week’s opener at Daytona Saturday’s race will be Howard’s first at California. “I’m not real familiar with the track, but I know there’s lots of room to race,” said the driver of the #13 ThorSport Racing Chevy.(ThorSport Racing PR)(2-21-2008)
Lagasse sponsor back at Calif: Scott Lagasse, Jr. will again pilot the #20 Nicholson Group Ford 150 in this weekend’s San Bernardino County 200 at the two-mile California Speedway. [The Nicholson Group is a Real Estate Development company in Kansas City. They sponsored Scott in four ARCA races last year including the win at Kansas Speedway last April. They sponsored the Daytona Truck race last week and will be the primary sponsor again this weekend at Fontana].(Scott Lagasse PR)(2-21-2008)
TRG Motorsports moves; will expand: TRG Motorsports has moved into Robert Yates Racing’s old shop in Mooresville, N.C., the Charlotte Business Journal reports. TRG, which runs Chevrolets in the Craftsman Truck Series for drivers Andy Lally and Donny Lia,moved into the Lakeside Business Park in December and plans an expansion to an adjacent 2-acre site, team general manager Marty Gaunt told the Journal. TRG, a long-time road racing team owned by Kevin Buckler, bought equipment from Darrell Waltrip Motorsports last year.(Scene Daily.com)(2-20-2008)
Melling Calif sponsor for Setzer: Dennis Setzer will sport the #18 Melling Dodge during the second race of the season. Melling is the number one supplier of oil pumps and high performance engines parts in the United States and Canada. Setzer’s tenth place finish last Friday night was his best finish at Daytona since 2004. Setzer, along with teammate Stacy Compton, both finished in the top 10 in the 2008 opening event.(BHR-Virginia PR)(2-20-2008)
Carl Burgers on board with Compton at Calif: Stacy Compton will be sporting the Carl Burger’s Dodge paint scheme this weekend at California . The Carl Burger’s Dodge dealership won the recent Dodge Dealers California promotion during January. Dodge challenged the top 20 Southern California dealers to sell the most Dodge vehicles during January. Carl Burger’s Dodge won by attaining the highest percentage of their Dodge sales objective for that month and won their name on the #4 Dodge Ram truck. Compton will be making his 17th NASCAR start this weekend at California.(BHR-Virginia PR)(2-20-2008)
Bliss teams with SS-Green Light Racing at Calif: UPDATE: One-race deal: A team representative for Green Light Racing has announced that Mike Bliss has been named the driver of the #07 Chevy for the San Bernardino County 200 at California Speedway this week with team owner named as Ken Smith of SS-Green Light Racing.(SS-Green Light Racing)(2-19-2008)
UPDATE: Former Craftsman Truck Series Champion, Mike Bliss will pilot the #07 SS-Green Light Racing Chevy truck at California Speedway. Bliss has been brought aboard for a one-race deal with the newly formed joint-venture SS-Green Light Racing. The team had an open seat for the California event and sought after a veteran named driver.(SS-Green Light Racing PR)(2-19-2008)
Hometown double duty for Skinner: Mike Skinner [#5 Toyota Tundra Toyota] won the San Bernardino 200 in front of his hometown crowd here last year before he went on to claim three wins in a row. Skinner will once again return to his hometown; he was born in Ontario , Calif. and raised in Susanville, CA which is right outside of Fontana . Double Duty… Not only will Skinner qualify and race his Toyota Tundra at California’s two-mile track, but the NASCAR veteran will also attempt to qualify the second Sprint Cup Camry for Bill Davis Racing as well this weekend. The #27 Toyota Camry will feature the decals of Bad Boy Mowers this weekend in Fontana.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(2-19-2008)
Raybestos Rookie News & Notes: #9-Justin Marks was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 15 Chevy Silverado 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Marks scored an eighth-place finish, his second top-10 in five career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts. Brian Scott also had a great night at Daytona, scoring a ninth-place finish. He scored his best Craftsman Truck Series finish in eight starts and first top-10. Marks holds a two-point lead (14-12) over Scott in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Feb. 23 San Bernardino County 200 at California Speedway. Rookie point standings following Daytona; Justin Marks 14, Brian Scott 12, Andy Lally 9, Phillip McGilton 8, Marc Mitchell 7, Colin Braun 6.(Raybestos PR)(2-19-2008)
Red Horse Racing remembers fallen teammate: Red Horse Racing and David Starr mourn the loss of fallen teammate Cornell Speas. Speas, who was the second hauler driver for the team during the 2007 season, suddenly passed away of an apparent heart attack at the age of 46 on February 7th. A lifelong dream was fulfilled by team owner Tom DeLoach and crew chief Jamie Jones when they hired him to support team hauler driver Willie Divel. Speas was laid to rest last Monday in his Red Horse Racing shirt, hat and credential pass for the last race he attended for the team last November in Texas. Starr and his Red Horse Racing team will honor Cornell during the 2008 season with their thoughts and prayers as well as a memorial sticker adorning the b-post of their #11 Toyota Tundra.(Red Horse Racing PR)(2-19-2008)
Musgrave’s stats impressive at Calif: Heading to California Speedway, Ted Musgrave has one of the best, if not the best history, of drivers entered to compete at the 2-mile track. In seven consecutive starts with the first one dating back to 2001, Musgrave has accumulated an impressive 2.6 average finish; including winning three in a row in his first three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts at the track. When he wasn’t finishing first, Musgrave was following close behind the leaders, posting top-five finishes in each of the last four events.(HT Motorsports PR)(2-19-2008)
Hornaday returns home to compete at California Speedway: Ron Hornaday [#33 Camping World/VFW Chevy], a Palmdale, California native, will make a return visit to his home state for this weekend’s running of the San Bernardino County 200 at California Speedway. He has six Truck Series starts at California Speedway, with last year’s second-place finish being his best at the track. Hornaday’s first NASCAR Truck Series start at California Speedway came back in 1997 when he drove the #16 NAPA Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt.(Kevin Harvick Inc PR)(2-19-2008)
First time on the oval for Braun: Colin Braun [#6 Con-way Freight Ford] has no previous starts on the oval at California, however he has two wins in three starts on the road course. He won two Formula Renault 2000 races in 2004 at the age of 15. He also ran the Rolex Grand Am race in 2005 where he finished 13th.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(2-19-2008)
Starr gets career best finish at Daytona: Patience and persistence are virtue’s admired by many. On Friday night in Daytona, David Starr and his Red Horse Racing team displayed both on their way to a fourth place finish in the season opening event at the 2.5-mile speed plant of the Daytona International Speedway in their #11 Toyota Tundra. The last ten laps of the race would produce some exciting clean racing with Starr right there in the middle contending for the win while riding as high as third. He would fall into the fourth position in a late race shuffle where he would remain until he took the checkered flag. Starr and the Red Horse Racing team will take the #11 Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra to California Speedway for the running of the San Bernardino 200.(Red Horse Racing PR)(2-18-2008)
Clanton makes first series start at California Speedway: Joey Clanton will make his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at California Speedway on Saturday. In 19 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts, Clanton has accumulated five top-10 finishes.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(2-18-2008)
Wix Filter lap leader notes: #30-Todd Bodine led three times for 49 laps to earn WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race honors in the Chevy Silverado 250 at Daytona. Bodine scored his first Daytona win in the event, crossing the finish line .077 seconds ahead of second-place Kyle Busch. Bodine scored his 13th victory in his 91st start in the series.(WIX PR)(2-16-2008)
Busch picks up sponsor for Daytona UPDATE more info: Kyle Busch announced during qualifying that he had picked up a sponsor for the race. NOS Energy Drink is sponsoring the #51-Toyota for Busch and Billy Ballew Motorsports at Daytona.(2-14-2008)
UPDATE: As a member of Team NOS, Kyle is a tremendous brand ambassador for NOS Energy Drink. We are thrilled to grow this relationship in the Craftsman Truck Series and provide human horsepower for Billy Ballew Motorsports and the #51 Toyota Tundra Truck,” said NOS Brand Director Mike Fine. The Chevy Silverado 250 will be Busch’s first start in a Craftsman Truck at the historic motorsports venue in Daytona Beach, Florida. Busch will be piloting the Toyota for Billy Ballew Motorsports in numerous races this season along with veteran NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series driver David Stremme. The #51 Billy Ballew Motorsports team is still seeking sponsorship for the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.(Billy BallewMotorsports.com)(2-15-2008)
Nicholson Group sponsoring Lagasse: Seeing the Nicholson Group has come on board to sponsor the #20 JTG Racing Ford driven by Scott Lagasse Jr. for the Chevy Silverado 250.(2-14-2008)
Raybestos Rookie News & Notes – Daytona: UPDATE Lia added to list: Six drivers are expected to compete for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors in the 2008 Craftsman Truck Series: Andy Lally, Justin Marks, Colin Braun, Marc Mitchell, Brian Scott and Phillip McGilton. Joey Clanton was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Chevy Silverado 250, grabbing a sixth-place finish. Blake Bjorklund was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the 2007 event, holding the top spot once for one lap. A Raybestos Rookie has scored top-10 finishes in back-to-back races at Daytona and in two of the last three events. Kerry Earnhardt is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole at Daytona in eight previous Craftsman Truck Series races. Earnhardt won the pole for the 2004 race.(Raybestos PR)(2-14-2008)
UPDATE: Raybestos has been notified by NASCAR that Donny Lia will also be participating in the Raybestos Rookie program in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Lia will start next week at California in the #71 truck.(Raybestos PR)(2-14-2008)
Arrington-BHR sponsors and crew chief assignments: UPDATE 2 More info: According to the entry list, Marcus Richmond moves to the #18 as crew chief with driver Dennis Setzer; sponsorship named as Dodge Journey/Melling. The #4 with Stacy Compton as driver, has Bryant Frazier named as crew chief with sponsorship provided by Potamkin Rivera Dodge.(2-13-2008)
UPDATE: Dennis Setzer’s #18 Dodge Ram will sport a Journey, Dodge’s newest crossover vehicle, paint scheme during the season opening event on Friday night. Check out dodge.com for information on the Journey.(Arrington-BHR PR)(2-14-2008)
UPDATE 2: Stacy Compton will be making his first start in a Dodge Ram Friday night since 2006. The Potamkin Rivera Dodge dealership was the winner of the recent Dodge Dealers Top 10 Daytona challenge promotion. Dealerships in the surrounding area took part in the promotion selling as many vehicles as they could during January. The dealership who sold more vehicles this past January than they did in 2007 won the naming rights of the #4 Dodge Ram truck.(Arrington-BHR PR)(2-14-2008)
Lynch to run full series schedule in ’08: It was reported during SPEED/tv’s final practice broadcast that the #29 Jasper Engines Dodge with driver Scott Lynch plans to run all 25 races in the Truck Series in 2008.(2-14-2008)
Roush Fenway Racing & Turner Sports announce partnership for website: Roush Fenway Racing and Turner Sports announced today that they have formed a strategic partnership that will culminate in the re-launch of RoushFenway.com on February 14, 2008. The website will have an updated design and layout and will include exclusive on and off track video clips, daily editorial content, real time standings, breaking news and enhanced sponsorship opportunities.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(2-14-2008)
BDR announces partnership with Miccosukee at Daytona: Bill Davis Racing has announced a one-race partnership with Miccosukee Resort and Casino. The resort will act as the primary sponsor on the #22 Toyota for this Friday night’s season opening event at Daytona International Speedway. Despite not having any previous NASCAR experience, Bill Davis Racing rookie Phillip McGilton finished sixth in the ARCA RE/MAX Series last year at the Daytona International Speedway and he is now ready to make his mark in NASCAR.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(2-13-2008)
Marks makes run at Rookie of the Year title: Justin Marks, who began his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career last fall on a limited schedule, is ready to make a run at the Raybestos Rookie of the Year title driving the#9 Construct Corps Toyota. Preparing for the 250-mile Truck Series race on Friday, Justin Marks ran in the ARCA 200 last Saturday afternoon [started on the pole; finished 26th]. . Marks is planning to run again in ARCA when the series races at Rockingham Speedway. More races could make it on the schedule if sponsorship needs are met.(Germain Racing PR)(2-13-2008)
Mitchell prepares for Rookie of the Year run: The Chevrolet Silverado 250 will mark Marc Mitchell’s second start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, but first start with Ergon sponsorship. Mitchell, 24, finished second in the 2007 ARCA 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway – only his second appearance at the speedway. The #15 Ergon Hyprene Chevy will compete in 21 races in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2008. Mitchell is competing for Rookie of The Year Honors.(Billy Ballew Motorsports/Breaking Limits PR)(2-12-2008)
Howard begins first fulltime season in series: Shelby Howard begins his first season as a fulltime driver[#13 ThorSport Chevy] in the Craftsman Truck Series in the Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Daytona on Friday. Howard isn’t unfamiliar with Daytona. At age sixteen, he ran an ARCA Series race at DIS. “I’m comfortable here,” he said. “I enjoy coming to Daytona. The lead-up to this race is unbelievable, with all that’s happening during Speedweeks, and the race itself is always exciting, especially racing at night.”(ThorSport Racing PR)(2-12-2008)
Houston joins KHI as spotter for Sprague: Andy Houston joins KHI and the #2 American Commercial Lines Chevy team as spotter for Sprague. His father Tommy was recently inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame. The younger Houston was once a prominent figure in all three of NASCAR’s elite series making 121 Truck Series, seven Nationwide, and 22 Sprint Cup Series starts. Last year at this time, Sprague claimed his first victory at Daytona Int’l Speedway winning from the pole position.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(2-12-2008)
Bill Davis Racing announces additional sponsor of #22; primary at Calif: Three Wide Life has announced it will sponsor Phillip McGilton in the #22 Bill Davis Racing Toyota. Three Wide Life is a nationally syndicated racing show providing a behind the scenes look at NASCAR’s top teams and personalities as well as many other aspects within the racing community. The show will utilize the sponsorship to increase its presence to die-hard racing fans as well as showcase the #22 driver and crew members for segments this year. Three Wide Life will begin their sponsorship of the #22 Toyota in Daytona as a co-primary sponsor, and then take over as the full primary sponsor at the second race of the season at California Speedway.(Leverage Sports/BDR PR)(2-12-2008)
Benson plans to keep racing as long as it’s fun: Johnny Benson Jr. explained that the biggest strike against him and any dreams of competing once again in the NASCAR Sprint Cup division is his age. Maybe Sprint Cup is a long shot, but don’t think the 44-year old Benson is giving retirement much thought these days. “If you asked me 10 years ago, I probably would have said I was going to be retired by the time I’m 45,” said the Grand Rapids native, who is returning to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season. “But I’m going to keep racing as long as it’s fun. When I’m sick of it, then I’ll quit. “I’ll tell you what, I’m going to accomplish that (a Craftsman Truck championship) before my career is over,” Benson said. “We are definitely looking forward to the new season.(The Grand Rapids Press)(2-12-2008)
Daytona & California sponsors announced for Crocker: The foneGEAR product line will make its NASCAR debut at the Craftsman Truck Series with female driver Erin Crocker in the season-opening Chevy Silverado 250. The storied Daytona International Speedway is the perfect setting for the foneGEAR name to make its grand entrance into NASCAR racing via the www.foneGEAR46.com promotion. foneGEAR is utilizing its relationship with Erin Crocker to promote its foneGIRL line of products. foneGEAR, Morgan Dollar Motorsports, and Erin Crocker have also teamed up with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Patients of St Jude and their families are never asked to pay for care, treatment, medicine, travel or lodging, so these young heroes depend on public donations to continue support for the preeminent cancer center in the world. The #46 truck will feature St Jude on the truck bed, and fans are encouraged to go to racingtosavelives.org to learn about and participate in the St Jude NASCAR campaign.(MDM PR)(2-12-2008)
Musgrave makes 501st career NASCAR start: Veteran driver Ted Musgrave is set to make his 25th career NASCAR start at Daytona Int’l Speedway this Friday night in the Chevy Silverado 250 with a new ride in the #59-Team ASE Toyota for HT Motorsports; his 501st overall NASCAR start. It’s a great milestone to hit, and proves that I have been a fixture in the sport for many seasons. I hope to continue learning and to keep competing for as long as I can. I’m looking forward to starting my 501st race with the Team ASE Toyota Tundra.”(HT Motorsports PR)(2-11-2008)
Reary Racing partners with Sculley Boatbuilders for Daytona: Reary Racing has announced a partnership with Sculley Boatbuilders and their Sculley 54 Tournament Series fishing boats to serve as the primary sponsor of the #54 Chevy for the season opening Craftsman Truck Series race this Friday night in Daytona. The Sculley 54 Tournament Series, known as the 54TS, will be piloted by veteran driver Brian Sockwell. The #54 Sculley TS54 paint scheme proudly displays Carolina Blue and flies the 54TS logo of a black pirate flag featuring a skull with crossed swords on the hood. Two more skulls adorn the truck on the rear quarter panels while the tagline, “FEAR NO FISH” is featured on the TV panel. The octopus logo of Sea Vision, an associate sponsor, will be on the deck lid and the lower rear quarter panel.(Reary Racing PR)(2-11-2008)
McCumbee resigns with MRD for 2008: UPDATE: Other series possible: Shortly after the checkered flag dropped on the 2007 Craftsman Truck Series finale in Homestead, Florida, Chad McCumbee and MRD Motorsports wasted little time in making preparations for the 2008 season. Finishing the 2007 season on several positive notes left everyone anticipating the arrival of the 2008 season. The team spent the majority of the off season putting together a fleet of Chevys for a strong 2008 campaign. These efforts were quickly rewarded earlier this year as the team was able to put their #8 Chevy at the top of the charts for the two sanctioned test sessions at Daytona and Atlanta.(MRD Motorsports PR)(2-10-2008)
UPDATE: It appears there could be several keys on Chad McCumbee’s keychain this year. McCumbee is planning to run his third full season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. There is the possibility of driving in a Nationwide Series car for Petty Enterprises. There are plans for as many as five Sprint Cup races in Kyle Petty’s #45 car. And there is also a chance the Supply, N.C., native could drive in additional Sprint Cup races in a third car for CNC/Haas Racing. It all starts this week at Daytona International Speedway. McCumbee will drive the #8 truck for MRD Motorsports in Friday night’s Chevy Silverado 250.(Myrtle Beach Sun News)(2-11-2008)
Bliss is bound for Daytona with TRG Motorsports: TRG Motorsports is happy to announce that the 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, Mike Bliss, will pilot the #71 TRG Motorsports Chevy on Friday, February 15th at Daytona International Speedway. The announcement comes only hours after TRG Motorsports named Donny Lia their full-time driver in 2008, starting with the 100-lap San Bernardino County 200 at California Speedway on February 23rd. Lia, who is the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion, has not obtained the final clearance by NASCAR to compete in the high-speed chess match at Daytona’s 2.5-mile tri-oval, leaving the seat open for Bliss to fill. Bliss has three NCTS starts as the high, wide, and fast tri-oval, posting his best qualifying effort of third in 2002. Bliss’ overall best performance at the historic track came in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) in 2004 when he sat on the pole for the Winn-Dixie 250, led 22 laps, and finished 5th overall. He has a total of seven NNS starts at Daytona and five in the Sprint Cup Series.(TRG Motorsports PR)(2-11-2008)
PJ Jones signs with MB Motorsports for Daytona: Veteran driver, PJ Jones, will pilot the #63 Ford F-150 Craftsman Truck, campaigned by the veteran MB Motorsports team, in the “Chevy Silverado 250” Truck race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday February 15, 2008. MB Motorsports is one of two teams left in the NCTS that fielded a truck since the inaugural 1995 NCTS season. Roush Racing is the other team. Diversified Partners, Scottsdale, Arizona, has partnered with MB Motorsports #63 NCTS Truck team & P.J. Jones for the Daytona “Chevy Silverado 250” race. Diversified Partners is a nationwide commercial real estate broker and developer.(MB Motorsports PR)(2-10-2008)
SPEED team makes predictions for 2008: With the beginning of another new racing season near, I [Ray Dunlap] have asked my broadcasting colleagues for their predictions for the 2008 NCTS Championship. I was a little surprised by what I received. No matter which driver you think will prevail, it will be hard to beat the finish of the 2007 season. While it was heartbreak for the #5 team at Homestead, both Mike Skinner and Ron Hornaday had unbelievable years. However, 2008 will see a very different line-up across the board in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Predictions from Krista Voda, Rick Allen, Adam Alexander, Michael Waltrip along with those of writer Ray Dunlap as well as other observations can be found at RayDunlap.net.(2-9-2007)
Sponsor named for Foyt at Daytona: Kinetico Inc.(Kinetico.com) has joined forces with Larry Foyt and the #31 Brevak Racing Dodge as primary sponsor in the season opener at Daytona. Kinetico Inc manufactures complete water systems that improve water quality for general use as well as those that provide High quality drinking water for consumption.(Larry Foyt PR)(2-9-2008)
SS-Green Light Racing sign Shane Sieg: UPDATE Sponsors announced: SS-Green Light Racing announced it has signed Shane Sieg to drive 9-races in the #07 Chevy for the 2008 season. Sieg tested with the team recently at the Truck Series Pre-Season Thunder test sessions at Daytona International Speedway. “We’re very pleased to have Shane on our team,” said Butch Miller, the 3 time ASA Series Champion and winning Craftsman Truck Driver, who will be working with the teams competition and coaching. “We want to work with young drivers, develop them and help them move on to the next level. Shane has proven he will have what it takes to move up the ranks and we look forward to developing him further.” Sieg will be testing again with the team next week at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(SS-Green Light Racing PR)(1-17-2008)
UPDATE: Shane Sieg is excited about kicking off the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) at Daytona Int’l Speedway for the Chevy Silverado 250. Sieg will pilot the #07 ASILIMITED; Akzo Nobel; Spectrum Metal Finishing Chevy for the newly formed joint-venture SS-Green Light Racing team. It will mark the debut race for SS-Green Light Racing since making their Joint-Venture announcement just a month ago.(SS-Green Light Racing PR)(2-8-2008)
Marks takes top starting spot for ARCA 200: Germain Racing’s Justin Marks put the #65 Voodoo Racing Toyota on the pole for Saturday’s 45th annual ARCA 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Marks earned his second career ARCA RE/MAX Series pole by turning a lap of 181.335 mph on the historic 2.5-mile tri-oval.(Germain Racing PR)(2-9-2008)
TRG signs Lia to second team: There has been a lot of speculation this off-season on where 2007 Whelen Modified Tour Champion Donny Lia would land for 2008, but the rumors can be put to rest now that Lia has signed to drive the #71 Chevy in the Craftsman Truck Series for Kevin Buckler’s TRG Motorsports team. Lia has signed on to drive a second TRG Motorsports entry, as a teammate to fellow New York-native and three-time Rolex Grand Am Champion Andy Lally. Both drivers will compete for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors. Jason Miller has been named as crew chief.(TRG PR)(2-8-2008)
Westerman Companies renew with Key Motorsports for six races: The Westerman Companies, which made its debut on the Craftsman Truck Series circuit last season with Key Motorsports, has announced a renewal of that partnership for the soon-to-begin 2008 campaign. The Bremen, Ohio-based manufacturer predominantly of storage and transportation containers in the oil, gas and nuclear industries will sponsor the #40 Key Motorsports Chevy for at least six races. The hunter green and white Westerman Companies Chevy will do battle in the NCTS events scheduled for Mansfield, Michigan, Kentucky, Gateway, Martinsville, and Homestead.(Key Motorsports PR)(2-8-2008)
McGilton makes first series start at Daytona: The 2008 season will be Phillip McGilton’s first full NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season in the #22 BDR Toyota. This weekend will also mark McGilton’s first Truck Series start at Daytona. McGilton raced at Daytona last year in an ARCA RE/MAX Series car and finished in the ninth position.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(2-7-2008)
Clanton gearing up for first full season: Joey Clanton is gearing up for his first full-season of NASCAR competition as driver of the #09-Zaxby’s Ford for Roush Fenway Racing. In addition to his two previous Craftsman Truck Series starts at Daytona, Clanton has also made one start in the NASCAR Nationwide series. He finished 11th in July of 2003.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(2-7-2008)
Allen signed for Nationwide season opener with new Sadler Hamilton Racing: UPDATE: Earl Sadler gave Bobby Hamilton Jr. his first opportunity to drive a Nationwide car in 1998. Ten years later Hamilton has joined Sadler’s racing team again – as a co-owner. Hamilton said he has purchased 50 percent of the team, which will now be Sadler Hamilton Racing. The team plans on running a limited schedule of Nationwide, ARCA and Camping World races. Willie Allen has been signed for the Feb. 16 Camping World 300 – the Nationwide Series season opener at Daytona. Hamilton said he hopes to help build the team into a full-fledged program by next year – either in ARCA, Nationwide or Craftsman Truck.(Tennessean.com)(2-6-2008)
UPDATE: Willie Allen has signed on to pilot the #95 Dodge Charger for newly formed Sadler Hamilton Racing at the NASCAR Nationwide Series opener in Daytona on February 16. Allen, the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year will open the season for Sadler Hamilton Racing with primary sponsorship provided by USALABS.com. USALABS.com provides nutritional food supplements for a wide range of individuals, catering to athletes, everyday couples with busy lifestyles, and children.(Willie Allen PR)(2-7-2008)
Benson to carry familiar paint schemes in 2008: The #23 Toyota, with driver Johnny Benson, will carry different paint schemes throughout the 2008 season, featuring the logos for Toyota Certified Used Vehicles (TCUV) and Exide. The truck will carry the red-and-black colors of TCUV this weekend at Daytona.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(2-7-2008)
KHI and the VFW? hearing that the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will be the sponsor in 2008 for four races on the Kevin Harvick Inc #2 Craftsman Truck Series Chevy and also for four races on the #77 KHI Nationwide Series Chevy and be an associate sponsor for 28 races, with Camping World as the primary. Supposedly the scheme is a blue and red scheme, with the VFW Cross of Malta design. Jack Sprague is scheduled to drive the #2 Truck, no word on the #33 driver. The first scheduled race for the sponsorship is at Daytona in July on the Nationwide car.(11-7-2007)
UPDATE: Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced a partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) for the 2008 season. VFW Racing will be a partner in every Craftsman Truck Series and Nationwide Series race this season, both on and off the track. Reigning Craftsman Truck Series Champ Ron Hornaday’s #33 truck will feature the new VFW Racing paint scheme and logo in several races this year. He, along with Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year contender Cale Gale, will also drive VFW’s #77 car in the Nationwide Series. The red, white and blue VFW car and truck will compete in eight of this season’s events.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(2-7-2008)
Xpress Motorsports announce new sponsors: Shark Energy Drink, the number two energy drink in the world, has joined forces with the two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck championship winning organization Xpress Motorsports. Shark Energy Drink is teaming with Albertsons Supermarkets in sponsoring NCTS rookie of the year candidate Brian Scott in the #16 Shark Energy Drink/Albertsons Supermarket Chevy for the entire 2008 NCTS campaign. The team will be called Shark Energy Racing by Xpress Motorsports. Scott, a 20 year-old Boise, ID native, joined the team in late 2007 competing in seven NCTS races. Already an eight-year racing veteran, Scott posted several impressive runs including Top-15 finishes at Martinsville and Homestead-Miami.(Xpress Motorsports PR)(2-7-2008)
LINE-X sponsoring Lally at Daytona: TRG Motorsports announced that LINE-X Spray-On Truck Bedliners will be the primary sponsor of TRG’s entry in the Chevy Silverado 250 at Daytona. LINE-X is an industry leader in truck bed protection, and they have returned to the Craftsman Truck Series as the primary sponsor of the #7 driven by three-time Rolex Grand Am Champion, Andy Lally.(TRG PR)(2-6-2008)
Marks running Daytona ARCA event: UPDATE: Sponsors announced: Justin Marks, running the full Craftsman Truck Series schedule in 2008 [#9 Germain Racing Toyota], has filed an entry for the ARCA 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway on Saturday, February 9 at 4:00pm. Marks will again carry the #65 at Daytona, but it will be in a Germain Motor Company-sponsored Toyota.(ARCARacing.com)(2-5-2008)
UPDATE: Germain Racing, 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champions, will enter the ranks of the ARCA RE/MAX Series this weekend when they field the number 65 Toyota Camry in the season opener at Daytona. Justin Marks, who finished 5th in ARCA RE/MAX Series points in 2007, will be behind the wheel of the #65 Camry carrying the bold logo of Voodoo Ride, a new automotive lifestyle and appearance products company co-founded by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Mike Abner will serve as crew chief after a successful run in 2007 which saw him orchestrate an impressive victory for Ted Musgrave in the NCTS race at Texas Motor Speedway. Associate sponsorship on the number 65 Camry will come from Real Deal Merchandise, Kartel Motorsports, Germain Motor Company, Construct Corps and Crocs.(Germain Racing PR)(2-6-2008)
RVs.com sponsoring Sprague in 10 races: Kevin Harvick Inc. announced a partnership expansion with Camping World and RVs.com. The expansion will showcase RVs.com as primary sponsor of Jack Sprague’s #2 Chevy, for 10 races in 2008. RVs.com will begin their primary sponsorship of the #2 Chevy with the second race of the season at California Speedway.(Kevin Harvick Inc PR)(2-6-2008)
Benson leads final Nationwide test session: Johnny Benson, driving the #20 Joe Gibbs RacingToyota, led the final NASCAR Nationwide Series test session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday. Benson topped the speed chart with a fast lap of 182.457 mph. Benson also led the morning session with a speed of 182.457.(Nationwide page)(2-1-2008)
ARCA season opener kicks of busy schedule for Scott: Speedweeks 2008 will begin a week earlier than anticipated for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Brian Scott as the Boise, Idaho native has been tapped to drive the #75 Bob Schacht Motorsports Chevy for the ARCA RE/MAX Series season opener at Daytona Int’l Speedway in Saturday’s ARCA 200 at Daytona. Scott isn’t a complete stranger to restrictor plate racing as the former USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup star made his Talladega Superspeedway debut in the ARCA RE/MAX 250 last October.(Brian Scott PR)(2-5-2008)
Jon Wood appears in Air Force driving safety video: The Sprint Cup Series driver of the Air Force-sponsored #21 Ford recently appeared in a public service announcement video on driving safety. In the 1.5 minute production, Jon Wood emphasizes the use of seat belts, observing speed limits, and not driving after drinking.(Air Force Link)(2-1-2008)

2007/2008

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Born On Date: February 1, 2008