January 2002 CTS Archive

  • Fedawa helps out Roush UPDATE: BGN veteran Tim Fedewa spent his second day of testing in the #99 Ford truck for Roush Racing. He had the seventh fastest speed (182.360 mph) in the morning session.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(1-20-2002)
    UPDATE: Tim Fedewa has accepted an invitation to drive the #99 Roush Racing Ford at Daytona. Fedewa drove the #99 Ford at the CTS three-day test session recently in Daytona. Fedewa has only signed a one-race deal with Roush Racing but remains a prospect for the 2002 driver of the #99 when the team is able to secure sponsorship for that program. “Both of our teams are looking for sponsorships,” explains Jones. “If we can find a sponsor for the #99, then Tim will be our guy. Right now, we are worrying about two things: performing well in Daytona and finding a sponsor. Everything else will just have to wait and see what happens.”(Roush Racing PR)(1-31-2002)
  • New Fans Team: Race fans will have the opportunity to have their name featured on the hood of the #68 J&R Racing CTS Team of Ridgeway, VA. during the 2002 racing season. Rookie driver, Rodney Sawyers will campaign the Team RFI (Race Fans Inc.) sponsored truck team(Race Fans Inc PR)(1-31-2002)
  • #46 Owner to run the Rolex 24 at Daytona: #46 Morgan-Dollar Motorsports CTS team owner, Rob Morgan, will drive in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the AGT class.. Rob, who was formerly the driver of the #46 CTS team from 1998-2000 will compete in his third Rolex. Morgan won in his class in 1996 at the Rolex and finished 2nd in 1997. Morgan came from a road-racing background and gave it a try in the NCTS.. He stepped out of the driver’s seat and into an ownership role prior to last season.. Dennis Setzer took over and got the team’s first win in 2001 at Memphis.. The team also won two poles, finished a team-high 9th in points and had 15 top-10 and 8 top-5 finishes. Morgan-Dollar Motorsports will be fielding a full-time Grand.American team in 2002 that kicks off with the Rolex. Brothers, Steve and Andy Richards, will the the primary drivers for the remainder of the season. Charles Morgan, who is Rob’s father and also has one CTS start (Watkins Glen 2000), will be the fourth driver for the Grand Am team in Daytona.(Morgan-Dollar Motorsports PR)(1-25-2002)
  • Testing over at Daytona: The third and final day of CTS testing at Daytona had drivers turning laps in the pack and posting fast speeds in the 187mph range. Turning the top five fastest laps in today’s drafting session were Matt Crafton, Chevrolet, 187.566, Rick Crawford, Ford, 187.512; Bryan Reffner, Chevrolet, 187.492; Joe Ruttman, Dodge, 187.262; and David Starr, Chevrolet, 187.227 mph.
    Before drafting sessions began Sunday, drivers who posted the fastest unassisted times in the test this weekend were Jon Wood, #50 Ford, 184.790 mph; Ron Hornaday, #24 Chevrolet, 184.676 mph; Travis Kvapil, #60 Chevrolet, 184.532 mph; Joe Ruttman, #79 Dodge, 185.253 mph; and Matt Crafton, #88 Chevrolet,184.249 mph. The Speeds Sunday:
    #88-Matt Crafton, Chevrolet, 187.566mph
    #14-Rick Crawford, Ford, 187.512
    #7-Bryan Reffner, Chevrolet, 187.492
    #79-Joe Ruttman, Dodge, 187.262
    #75-David Starr, Chevrolet, 187.227
    #46-Dennis Setzer, Chevrolet, 187.145
    #99-Tim Fedewa, Ford, 187.052
    #50-Jon Wood, Ford, 186.831
    #18-Robert Pressley, Dodge, 186.753
    #20-Coy Gibbs, Chevrolet, 186.730
    #39-Steve Portenga, Chevrolet, 186.189
    #15-Trent Owens, Ford, 186.073
    #24-Ron Hornaday, Chevrolet, 186.035
    #78-Donnie Morelock, Dodge, 185.950
    #16-Mike Bliss, Chevrolet, 185.774
    #60-Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 185.839
    #62-Brendan Gaughan, Dodge, 185.831
    #43-Carlos Contreras, Dodge, 185.517
    #54-Brian Sockwell, Ford, 184.718
    #07-Jason Small, Chevrolet, 184.566
    #08-Bobby Dotter, Chevrolet, 184.562
    #61-Butch Miller, Chevrolet, 183.561
    #29-Terry Cook, Ford, 183.986
    #72-Randy Briggs, Chevrolet, 182.234
    #8-Bill Lester, Dodge, 182.035
    #41-Jerry Hill, Dodge, 181.704
    #51-Michael Dokken, Dodge,181.488
    #31-Jake Hobgood, Ford, 180.701
    Ricky Bryant, Dodge, 180.466
    #19-Ricky Sanders, Ford,178.628
    #81-Donnie Neuenberger, Chevrolet, 177.869
    #28-Kenny Allen, Chevrolet, 176.696
    NOTE: no word on why #2-Jason Leffler did not test at DIS.(Speedway PR)(1-21-2002)
  • CTS Testing at Daytona UPDATE: on Jan. 18-20, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will test for the Feb. 15 Florida Dodge Dealers 250. Oldfield Grandstand access is free and open to the public during testing with access through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.(DIS PR)(1-2-2002)
    Friday Results: # 88-Matt Crafton was the fastest at 184.249 (yep faster then the Cup cars) with #24-Ron Hornaday 3nd fastest at 183.921, followed by #60-Travis Kvapil at 183.839, all are in Chevy’s. See NASCAR.com for the Daytona Truck Test Speeds(1-18-2002)
    Saturday Results: #50-Jon Wood was the fastest during the second day of testing at Daytona with a speed of 184.790mph, 2nd fastest was #24-Ron Hornaday at 184.676 with #60-Travis Kvapil (184.532), #79-Joe Ruttman (184.253) and #08-Bobby Dotter (183.948) rounding out the top five. See NASCAR.com for Daytona Truck Test Speeds – Saturday and for Cumulative Daytona Test Speeds or the Daytona Beach News Journal for Saturday Truck Series test speeds(1-20-2002)
  • New Truck Team:A new team in the CTS teams up with ESPN the Magazine for Innovative fundraising / sponsorship program for 2002 season. MLM Inc., is participating in a unique fundraising / sponsorship program, selling Magazine subscriptions to ESPN The Magazine at NASCAR events to help cover the cost of much-needed funds for its race team. Headed by Mike Leffingwell, also the Rookie driver for the team, They are Giving away free ESPN the Magazine T-shirts for the purchase of there Magazine with 75% percentage of the money Going back to the team. ESPN The Magazine has currently saturated the college and NFL football market with this program. Bringing in as much as 2.8 million per year to colleges across the country, MLM Inc. has stepped up by signing with the magazine for a 23 race deal in the NASCAR craftsman truck series, and the team has also signed a two year deal with squeeze breeze/circul air company that sells the water misting fans at all the Walmart’s and stores across the country. ESPN The Magazine is a provocative and innovative sports publication. full of insight,analysis,impact and wit, the oversized biweekly looks ahead to give fans a unique perspective on the world of sports.(MLM Inc.), the team plans to have another driver at Daytona and plans to run some BGN races too(1-19-2002)
  • Roush Test Drive: Burt Myers, the grandson of former NASCAR driver Billy Myers, was slated to test a truck Jan. 16 for Roush Racing at Lakeland, Fla. Myers won the Modified track championships at Bowman-Gray in 1999 and 2001.(Winston Cup Scene – need sub to read)(1-17-2002)
  • Hornday and Hendrick? UPDATE: hearing rumors that Ron Hornaday and NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick could team up to run in the 2002 CTS, could be the #5 Chevy, no word on a sponsor(1-15-2002)
    UPDATE: Look Ron Hornaday to drive the #24 Chevy from the Hendrick Motorsports stable — if sponsorship can be obtained — beginning with the Florida Dodge Dealers 250 on Feb. 15 at Daytona. Hornaday is one of more than 35 drivers is scheduled to open a three-day truck test at Daytona on Friday.(NASCAR.com Buzz)(1-17-2002)
  • Neuenberger has a sponsor: Donnie Neuenberger was another happy driver after announcing his new deal with the International House of Pancakes, one that should allow him to run the full season after making just six starts last season. Neuenberger earned a season-best 19th-place finish in Texas while running sporadically in one of the two Rick Ware Racing Chevrolets, but expects to have better luck this year. “This is a big deal for me,” grinned Neuenberger. “The people at IHOP told me that they had 50 proposals on their desk from every level of racing and the fact that we were able to go in there with a good, professional presentation and seal the deal says a lot.”(SpeedVision), doesn’t mention what team Neuenberger will be with in 2002(1-15-2002)
    UPDATE: been told that Neuenberger will drive the #81 truck for Rick Ware(1-17-2002)
  • Allec to test for MacDonald UPDATE NO: Champion Speedway track champion Jerry Allec Jr. will be testing a CTS Truck at Daytona next weekend. Allec has been diligently marketing himself, and his efforts finally paid off.. He’ll be testing with the two-car MacDonald team, the #93 and #72 trucks out of Tennessee. Allec saw an article mentioning that the team had been through seven drivers in the past two seasons, and couldn’t seem to finish in the top 20. Allec contacted them via email, and was rewarded with an offer to test. NASCAR requires a lot of paperwork before it will allow a driver to take part in its testing program. Allec had to submit a racing resume and a portfolio, and fill out a mountain of paperwork for NASCAR. Key to his approval was the fact that he has previously run with a NASCAR series (Southwest Tour) and has driven at a 1.5 mile or longer track (Las Vegas). The tests will run January 18, 19, and 20. He is taking along Clark Boucher, who has done setup on most, if not all, of Allec’s race cars. If Allec is selected to drive for the team, his first outing will be at Martinsville on April 13.(Nevada Appeal), also the #72 CTS team is seeking driver and sponsorship. Full or partial season. A top 20 team with 5 race ready chevy’s. Contact [email protected] for info.(1-14-2002)
    UPDATE – correction: be told by the #72 team that while Allec has been in contact with the #93 team, he is not cleared to test at Daytona and that no specific plans are in place for him. All driver inquiries are being considered. Sponsorship is vital.(1-15-2002)
  • Cook’s sponsor re-ups: International Truck and Engine Corporation, manufacturer of the popular Power Stroke® Diesel engine for Ford Motor Company, officially announced today that it will again sponsor Terry Cook and the #29 K-Automotive Ford in 2002. As with the initial 2001 program, International hopes to leverage the overlap of truck owners and NASCAR fans to increase sale of the popular Power Stroke Diesel engine powered Ford Trucks, Vans and Sport Utility Vehicles through the sponsorship program of Cook and the team. After garnering nearly $2 million in television exposure alone in just 14 Truck Series events last year, the Power Stroke Diesel race truck will again be seen by fans and potential diesel engine vehicle buyers throughout the entire 23-event 2002 NCTS campaign at the tracks and on national television. The Power Stroke Diesel race team sponsorship will also serve as and extension of International and Ford Racing’s support of a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in Indianapolis. Since 1999, they have teamed up to honor loyal customers and fans with the Power Stroke Diesel 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The event, which this season is set for Friday, August 2, is a natural for International as Indianapolis is home to the Power Stroke Diesel Engine Plant where more than 260,000 engines are produced annually. See their site at www.InternationalDelivers.com.(Closefinishes PR)(1-14-2002)
  • #41 for sale? hearing that the #41 TKO CTS team is up for sale, see their site: tkomotorsports.com for contact info(1-14-2002)
  • Hobgood to test for Brevak: Brevak Racing will be making their way to Daytona for the NCTS open test session in two weeks. Goody’s Dash Series star Jake Hobgood will pilot the #31 Ford for the event and the Brevaks are very enthused about Hobgood stepping behind the wheel for the test. Hobgood ran 17 GDS events in 2001 compiling 13 top ten finishes, 9 top five runs, 2 wins, and 4 pole qualifying efforts. The Brevak Racing team is actively seeking sponsorship for Daytona on February 15th and beyond. Look for comments from the Brevaks and Jake Hobgood at Brevakracing.com following the test.(see more at Brevakracing.com)(1-11-2002)
  • Leffler wants try the Indy 500 again: In addition to his Truck [#2 Ultra Wheels Dodge] commitments, Jason Leffler is also eyeing a return to the IRL in 2002 for one race. “We have an open date in the Truck series — the weekend of the Indy 500 — and I am trying to find a ride and a sponsor for that race,” he said. Leffler has made three career IRL starts — one in 1999 and two in 2000 — all for Treadway Racing. His best career IRL finish was 15th at the Vegas Indy 300 on April 22, 2000, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. That same year, Leffler started 17th and came in 17th at the 84th running of the Indianapolis 500. “The Indy 500 is the biggest race in the world and I love getting a chance to keep and do well there,” said Leffler, whose hometown is Indianapolis.(NASCAR.com)(1-11-2002)
  • Ruttman and Yates? UPDATE: Joe Ruttman says Winston Cup owner Robert Yates has agreed to help Ruttman field a team if a sponsor can be found(Winston Cup Scene – need a sub to read)(12-13-2001)
    UPDATE: If the duo can find a sponsor, Joe Ruttman and legendary Winston Cup car owner Robert Yates will field a Nascar Craftsman Truck next season. Robert will be co-owner of the truck and Ruttman will be the driver. The team will also have Yates engines. Because the new team does not yet have a sponsor, Ruttman is still looking at other options for next year. “I would really like to be a part of Robert Yates Racing, but at this point I have to keep all my options open. If a solid ride comes along, we will have to put the new team on hold.”(www.joeruttman.com)(1-5-2002)
  • Testing at Talladega: For the second straight day, snow stalled a testing session at Talladega Superspeedway as temperatures continued to hover in the mid-30s in northeast Alabama. Early Thursday morning, a small storm front brought a light coating of snow and ice across central Alabama, leaving a light blanket of the white stuff on the ground most of the day. A General Motors test session for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series scheduled for Thursday and Friday was stalled for the most of the first day. Even though the NCTS doesn’t compete at Alabama’s famed 2.66-mile tri-oval, teams use the wide track to test for the circuit’s season-opening race in Daytona in February. Eight teams were scheduled to take part in the two-day test, but only half were on the track by 1:30pm on Thursday after the snow and ice melted and the track had time to dry. Some of the drivers scheduled to take part in the test session didn’t arrive until late Thursday afternoon due to the wintery conditions in Charlotte, N.C. Normally a five-and-a-half hour drive from Charlotte, it took some of the teams’ haulers 12 hours to drive to Talladega due to icy roads and wrecks along the interstates. The weather for Friday is predicted to be drier in Talladega, but still with temperatures in the 30s and low 40s. The first test of 2002 on Wednesday was cut short due to a light snow that fell on the track in the early afternoon. Team’s present are #46-Dennis Setzer; #28-Ken Allen; #20-Coy Gibbs; #16-Mike Bliss; #75-David Starr; #52-Mike Wallace; #08-Bobby Dotter and #?-Jason Small with Green Light Racing.(Talladega Superspeedway PR)(1-4-2002)

    Talladega Superspeedway’s main entrance with light snow falling and on the ground

Born On Date: March 7, 2001

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