July 2007 Craftsman Truck Series Archive - Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

July 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.
Wood fine after car accident: Wood Brothers/JTG driver Jon Wood [#21] was treated and released from a local hospital this morning following a single vehicle accident on his way to work. Wood’s pickup truck has a modified suspension system with pneumatic air bags on the chassis. Eyewitnesses reported that shortly after 8:00 a.m. this morning they witnessed a failure of his right front air bag, causing the truck to veer off the roadway into the woods. He was treated for a cut on his head and a bruising on his arm, but was released shortly thereafter.(Wood Bros/JTG Racing PR)(7-31-2007)
Hornaday to Montreal for Busch race: For the first time in the series’ history, the Busch Series (NBS) will visit Montreal. The 2.71-mile street-course sits on a man-made island in the St. Lawrence River. Ron Hornaday is set to be the driver of the #77 Dollar General Chevy. Hornaday has competed at 23 road-course events in his 15-years of racing in one of NASCAR’s three premier series. This past weekend at ORP, Ron Hornaday drove the #77-Dollar General Chevy to a fifth-place finish in the Kroger 200 after winning the truck race on Friday.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-30-2007)
New part-owner for the #47? Ray Dunlap reported on SPEED/TV’s Speed Report that there is a rumor regarding the #47 and that another person may become part owner in the future. Regan Smith was the driver of the #47-Ginn Racing Chevy at ORP winding up with an 8th place finish. Smith’s role following the DEI/Ginn Racing merger remains unclear.(7-30-2007)
Raybestos Rookie Post-race Notes: Tim Sauter was the highest finishing rookie in the July 27th Craftsman Truck Series Power Stroke Diesel 200 at the O’Reilly Raceway Park. The #07 Lester Buildings/ASI Limited Chevy driver started the race 24th in the lineup and finished 18th in event. Sauter is currently 18th in the 2007 NCTS point standings after the 14th race of the season.(Raybestos PR)(7-28-2007)
Canadian Bourque to drive Hillenburg entry at ORP? UPDATE: Announcement: Hearing that Canadian Pierre Bourque will be driving an entry in the Truck Series race at O´Reilly Raceway Park for Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Racing team. The team most recently fielded a truck at Kentucky for Brian Silas. Bourque is a competitor in the NASCAR Busch East Series and Canadian Tire Series. Bourque has driven for Fast Track in the Busch East Series and ARCA Series in the past.(7-23-2007)
UPDATE: Pierre Bourque will take another step in his racing career this weekend when he enters his first career Craftsman Truck Series race. Bourque will drive the Andy Hillenburg-owned Fast Track Racing entry on Friday night at O´Reilly Raceway Park. Sponsors include Driving.CA, Canada.com, Working.com and Dose.CA. Associate sponsors are Immunotec, Sonomax, and Full Metal Minerals.(Speed51.com)(7-27-2007)
ArmorWorks to sponsor Matthews at ORP: ArmorWorks has agreed to serve as the primary sponsor of Ryan Mathews and his #22 Bill Davis Racing team in Friday night’s Craftsman Truck Series event at O’Reilly Raceway Park near Indianapolis. ArmorWorks’ partnership with Mathews comes on the heels of the young driver’s first career Bud Pole and career best finish (fourth) in the Truck Series.(Bill Davis Racing)(7-26-2007)
Josh Turner to perform following Nashville race: Nashville Superspeedway officials have announced that multi platinum artist Josh Turner will perform in a post race concert immediately following the Toyota Tundra 200 Craftsman Truck Series Race. Turner will also serve as the Grand Marshal for the race.(Nashville Superspeedway PR)(7-26-2007)
Miller replaces Huffman in #40: Team owner Curtis W. Key, Sr. has announced that he has tapped Brandon Miller to replace Huffman as driver of the #40 Westerman Companies Chevrolet Silverado in Friday night’s Power Stroke Diesel 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. With Shane Huffman involved in contract discussions with JR Motorsports following his dismissal from that team’s Busch Series program, Key Motorsports has again been forced to change drivers for this weekend’s race. The Indianapolis race is the second of four for Key Motorsports under sponsorship from the Westerman Companies, the Bremen, Ohio-based manufacturer of products for the oil, gas and nuclear industries.(Key Motorsports PR)(7-26-2007)
Starr & Crawford enlisted for International’s Military Salute: As part of International Truck and Engine’s salute to our troops, David Starr’s International MaxxForce Diesel F-150 and Rick Crawford’s Power Stroke Diesel by International F-150 will carry US Army logo’s on the quarter panels of their Ford pickups at O’Reilly Raceway Park in the Ford Power Stroke Diesel 200 presented by Ford and International. “I admire our troops for what they do for us every day. Putting it on the line so we can enjoy the freedoms we have in the United States. Running the Army logo is just a small thank you,” said David Starr. Teammate Rick Crawford offered the following; “From the USS George Washington to Baghdad I’ve been honored to visit with our troops overseas. Everyone knows what a special place our men and women in uniform hold in my heart. Having the Army on board this weekend is a privilege.”(Circle Bar Racing PR)(7-25-2007)
Schendel to drive #31 Brevak Racing Dodge: Sparta, Wisconsin native Tim Schendel will be heading to O´Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Indiana this Friday for the Craftsman Truck Series race. The Power Stroke Diesel 200 presented by Ford and International will be Schendel´s first truck series start for the ´07 season. Schendel had a break out year in 2006 winning the 2006 Toyota All Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway in California and capturing the Championship crown in the AutoZone Elite Division Midwest Series. The #31 Dodge will be sponsored by Matthews Archery & Texpar Energy at ORP.(Brevak Racing PR)(7-25-2007)
Smith to run truck this week at ORP: As a result of the announced merger between DEI and Ginn Racing, Regan Smith will be driving in the Truck Series this weekend. Smith, who was originally slated to drive the Ginn Clubs and Resorts Chevrolet in the Brickyard 400, will instead compete in the Craftsman Truck Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park Friday night in the Ginn Resorts Chevy. [No word on truck number or if it will be the #47 truck].(DEI PR)(7-25-2007)
Sauter partnered with ASILimited: Tim Sauter and the Green Light Racing team will have a slightly different look as they start the second half of the Craftsman Truck Series season this week at the O’Reilly Raceway Park. ASILimited, the Indianapolis-based building enclosure company – one of the largest glazing contractors in the United States will supplant Lester Buildings on the hood of the #07 for Friday night’s Power Stroke Diesel 200. Ken Smith, President of both SS Racing and ASILimited formed an agreement with Lester Buildings and Green Light Racing to partner with the #07 in seven races this year. This Friday the companies will partner on and off the track, as ASILimited will be hosting dozens of people that work together though ASILimited projects. Friday night the group will root on the #07 Chevy Silverado driven by Tim Sauter at the O’Reilly Raceway Park.(Greenlight Racing PR)(7-25-2007)
Justin Labonte in the #00 truck at ORP: UPDATE: Hearing that Justin Labonte will drive the #00 Toyota at O’Reilly Raceway Park.(7-18-2007)
UPDATE: Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership and Darrell Waltrip Motorsports are pleased to announce that Justin Labonte will be behind the wheel of the #00 Aaron’s Lucky Dog Toyota Tundra for the Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) event at O’Reilly Raceway Park (ORP) in Indianapolis this Friday night. This may be Labonte’s first time in the Craftsman Truck Series entry at O’Reilly Raceway Park, but the North Carolina native has competed in two Busch Series events at the .686-mile oval.(MWR PR)(7-24-2007)
Kvapil & Darnell to practice teammates Busch cars: Kvapil will practice teammate Carl Edwards’ #60 Dish Network Ford and Erik Darnell will practice David Ragan’s #6 Discount Tire Ford Busch Series cars on Saturday at ORP while Edwards and Ragan practices their Nextel Cup cars at the Brickyard.(Roush Racing PR)(7-24-2007)
Bodine says new Bristol surface “Unbelievable”: UPDATE: More notes: Todd Bodine was itching to get his Craftsman Truck on the track at Bristol Motor Speedway so as soon as Monday’s’ test session began, he made certain he was the first on the new concrete surface. At exactly 11 a.m., the time the test officially began, Bodine turned six laps before returning to pit road. His reaction to the new surface was enthusiastic, to say the least. “It’s unbelievable,” he said. “This is the way a track should be built. I will not be surprised at all to see three-wide racing here.” Bodine, a former winner in the Busch Series at Bristol Motor Speedway, says there’s absolutely no comparison to the old surface. Bodine also proclaimed the surface the best he’d seen among tracks that had been resurfaced. “This is by far the best revamping of a track ever,” he said. “No doubt about it. The people here knew what they wanted to make this place with the re-do and they went out and did it. This is the way it should be done.(Bristol Motor Speedway)(7-23-2007)
UPDATE: Comments from drivers Rick Crawford & David Starr as well as NASCAR’s notes are posted on the Bristol Test Page.(7-24-2007)
Shepherd makes first start at ORP: Peter Shepherd will make his first Craftsman Truck Series start in the #50-Ford at ORP in Friday night’s Power Stroke Diesel 200 Presented by Ford and International. The #50 will once again carry the colors of Northern Tool + Equipment this weekend, in a reverse scheme of teammate Erik Darnell’s #99 Ford.(Roush Racing PR)(7-24-2007
Allstate on board with Lester this week: Bill Lester in the #15 Allstate Insurance Chevy , heads to ORP with the momentum of a great qualifying run and race finish at Kentucky Speedway. They are the title sponsor for Sunday’s Nextel Cup race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in addition to being a part of the #15 Silverado team Friday night. Two lucky fans will also be a part of the team for the race after the drawing Allstate is having Friday at ORP.(GM Racing PR)(7-24-2007)
Gaughan, Crawford, Hornaday among drivers competing at dirt track: Several drivers will once again participate in Kenny Schrader’s annual charity dirt race in Pevely, Mo., on Wednesday, July 25th. Gaughan along with Nextel Cup regulars Dave Blaney, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, David Gilliland, Kevin Harvick, David Reutimann, and Kenny Wallace; Busch Series drivers Stephen Leicht, Jason Leffler and Mike Wallace; Craftsman Truck Series veterans Rick Crawford and Ron Hornaday, Jr. and SPEED announcer Phil Parsons will compete in Dirt Modifieds for bragging rights. For more information visit the I-55 Raceway website.(7-24-2007)
Compton returns to the #09: Stacy Compton returns to the #09-Zaxby’s Ford at the O’Reilly Raceway Park for Friday night’s Power Stroke Diesel 200 presented by Ford and International. It’s one of his favorite racetracks, and his record proves it. Compton’s last race there in a Craftsman Truck Series race ended with a second-place finish.(Wood Bros/JTG Racing PR)(7-24-2007)
Busy week for Hornaday culminates with double-duty at ORP: Ron Hornaday [#33- Camping World Chevy] will stay busy in some form of a race car from Monday to Saturday this week. Hornaday’s week consists of testing at Bristol Motor Speedway on Monday for the Truck Series test session. After that, he’ll be flying to Pevely, Mo., on Wednesday to race on the 3/8-mile high-banked clay dirt track for the M&M NASCAR Night of Stars Late Model charity event. Leaving Pevely, Mo., with Ken Schrader to fly to Indianapolis, Hornaday will prepare for two full days of on-track activities with Truck Series action on Friday followed by the Busch Series line-up of practice, qualifying and the 200-lap event on Saturday. Ron Hornaday will make his eighth Busch Series start at O’Reilly Raceway Park in the #77-Dollar General Chevy.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-23-2007)
Raybestos Rookie News & Notes: Joey Clanton was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 14 Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Clanton scored a seventh-place finish, his third top-10 in eight starts this season. He took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the third time in 2007. Tim Sauter leads Willie Allen by five points (108-103) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 27 Power Stroke Diesel 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Erik Darnell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Power Stroke Diesel 200, collecting a 10th-place finish. Carl Edwards is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in 12 previous Craftsman Truck Series races at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Edwards won the 2003 Power Stroke Diesel 200 by .617 seconds over Travis Kvapil.(Raybestos PR)(7-23-2007)
Gale back in the driver’s seat at ORP: UPDATE: Running both events: Cale Gale will pilot the #2 Camping World Chevy, for the third time this season, in Friday’s Power Stroke Diesel 200 at the O’Reilly Raceway Park. Gale is scheduled to drive the #2 truck for Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), in two more races this season ( Bristol and Talladega ). This will be Gale’s first race at the .686-mile track in Indianapolis . However, for Gale it’s like going home because he grew up short- track racing in Alabama . He earned championships in both the super-stock and late model racing series at Mobile Int’l Speedway.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-23-2007)
UPDATE: Cale Gale will drive the #33 Camping World Chevy in the Kroger 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Live coverage of the event begins Saturday, July 28 at 7:30pm/et on ESPN2. The #33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevy maintains the fifth position in the 2007 Busch Series Owner’s Point Championship.(KHI PR)(7-23-2007)
Germain Racing plans second Busch Series run: Todd Bodine, the defending Craftsman Truck Series champion for German Racing, drove the Toyota Camry to a 10th-place finish at the Gateway 250 in Madison, Ill. In practice, Bodine had the third-fastest car. Although he qualified 24th, he had the car in 10th place after 17 laps. He took the lead on the 123rd lap and held it for 15 laps. Germain said plans call for the team to compete in another Busch race either Aug. 18 at Michigan or Aug. 24 at Bristol.(The News-Press)(7-23-2007)
Trucks & Busch set to test at Bristol: Monday and Tuesday, July 23-24 is when the Craftsman Truck and Busch Series drivers get their initial look at the Speedway’s first new surface since the original concrete was placed in 1992. Test sessions will take place Monday for Trucks and Tuesday for the Busch Series as teams prepare for the O’Reilly 200 at BMS on Aug. 22 and the Food City 250 on Aug. 24. BMS president and general manager Jeff Byrd is very happy with the new surface. “We are really pleased with the end results of the track resurfacing project at Bristol and are looking forward to hearing what the drivers think when they get here next week,” he said. “I believe our development group did a terrific job of redesigning NASCAR’s most popular track. Both test sessions will be open to the public. Fans may view the session from the backstretch grandstands and may enter through Gate 7. Grandstands will open at 11 a.m., the same time testing begins. Goodyear will host a private tire test on Wednesday, July 25 that is closed to the public.(Bristol Motor Speedway PR)(7-19-2007)
Schrader back to the #49 in Cup: UPDATE 2: Schrader at Indy BAM Racing has announced that former crew chief David Hyder will return to the fold this week, reuniting with former driver Kenny Schrader. Schrader has been on the Nextel Cup sidelines since being replaced in the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford by Bill Elliott a few weeks ago. He will reunite with Hyder at BAM, beginning at the Brickyard 400 in two weeks.(Motorsports Soapbox)(7-18-2007)
UPDATE: been told by BAM Racing that Ken Schrader is not confirmed to drive any races for the #49 at this point and the team is currently talking to several different drivers and plans to make an announcement for Indy and beyond next week.(7-19-2007)
UPDATE 2: Mike Bliss will return to the BAM Racing organization on a full-time basis beginning at Pocono Raceway. Ken Schrader, currently a driver for Wood Brothers Racing, will drive the #49 Dodge in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis.(BAM Racing PR)(7-19-2007)
Alice Cooperstown associate sponsor for #40 at Phoenix: The popular Alice Cooperstown Bar & Grill in Phoenix, Arizona has agreed to a sponsorship arrangement with Key Motorsports and the #40 Chevy for the Craftsman Truck Series event at the Phoenix International Raceway in November. Named and owned by the popular rock star and huge sports fan Alice Cooper, the Phoenix eatery will serve as an associate sponsor of the Key Motorsports entry in the Casino Arizona 150 that will be run on Friday night, November 9, during the speedway’s race weekend.(Key Motorsports PR)(7-19-2007)
Beam, Kvapil & Roush penalized by NASCAR: NASCAR announced today that Mike Beam, crew chief for the #6 Ford in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, has been fined $10,000 for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4Q (track parts, components or equipment that doesn’t conform to NASCAR Rules) and 20B-12.8.1A (minimum roof height). Driver Travis Kvapil has been penalized with the loss of 25 championship driver points and truck owner Jack Roush has been penalized 25 championship owner points due to their crew chief’s infraction. The infraction occurred during post-race inspection at Kentucky Speedway on July 14.(NASCAR PR)(7-17-2007)
Hornaday to pilot #77 at Gateway: Ron Hornaday will make his sixth NASCAR Busch Series start at Gateway Int’l Raceway, where he has an average starting position of eighth and an average finishing position of 11th. Ron Hornaday started his 10th season in the Busch Series this year when he made his first start in the #77 Dollar General stores Chevy at The Milwaukee Mile.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-16-2007)
Bodine to run Gateway Busch race: Next up for Germain Racing: Busch Series racing at Gateway International Raceway, Saturday, July 21. Bodine will drive the #03 Germain Toyota Camry.(GermainRacing.com)(7-16-2007)
KHI welcomes new partner: Jolt Energy Gum is a new partner with Kevin Harvick Inc. and was the primary sponsor on last weekend’s Kentucky ARCA car driven by Cale Gale. They are also an associate partner for KHI the rest of this season and will be appearing on the #2 KHI Truck with drivers Cale Gale and Clint Bowyer at Bristol, New Hampshire, Talladega and Martinsville.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-16-2007)
New record for Skinner: Until this week’s event at Kentucky, Mike Skinner and Jason Leffler shared the record [12] for most consecutive races led from a season’s first event. But Skinner broke that record when he took the lead for the first time on lap one in the Built Ford 225 at Kentucky. Skinner has led at least one lap in 16 consecutive starts beginning Oct. 28, 2006 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. That is a continuing series record.(NASCAR PR)(7-14-2007)
Idaho driver to make debut at ORP: Brett Thompson, a regular at Idaho’s Magic Valley Speedway will make his debut in the Craftsman Truck Series, on July 27 in Indianapolis. He’s also planning to run the truck in Las Vegas’ race in September. Although he races Chevy cars, Thompson will drive a Dodge in the truck races. Thompson also has been competing in the Grand National West Series.(Salt Lake Tribune)(7-12-2007)
Sad News: UPDATE: Service Info: Craftsman Truck Series Flagman Dennis James passed away on Wednesday, July 11, 2007. Services are pending.(TruckSeries.com)(7-12-2007)
More info: Dennis, a Fletcher N.C. resident, had been involved in racing since the mid 1970s when he was a competitor at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C. In the 1980s he moved on to become the starter at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, N.C. and later became the Chief Steward at Tri-County Speedway. Later in his career he returned to Hickory Motor Speedway to serve as Chief Steward. Prior to being hired by NASCAR in January of 2003 Dennis worked closely with the day-to-day operations of the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Series. Dennis is survived by his wife Cathy, father Earl James, two daughters Kristen and Kim, grandson Cody and two sisters Cathy and Eva. Funeral arrangements are pending.(NASCAR PR)(7-12-2007)
UPDATE: Services will be held at 6:00pm Monday [July 16th] at Mackie-High Funeral Home in Granite Falls, N.C. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Victory Junction Gang Camp.(7-16-2007)
Gaughan to use new head & neck restraint starting at Kentucky: Brendan Gaughan will be the first NASCAR driver to wear the R3 Hybrid Head & Neck Restraint by Safety Solutions at Kentucky Speedway this weekend. Gaughan, who drives the #77 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Silverado, made the switch to the newly approved device after practicing with it at the 1.5-mile track earlier today. “I originally wasn’t going to switch this weekend because I wasn’t sure if it was legal and I wanted to make sure that everything had been cleared with NASCAR before I made the change,” Gaughan said. “The guys from Safety Solutions sent me a new device to the race track here at Kentucky. This one was thinner than the one I tested at Charlotte and it didn’t require as much extra work to make it fit in the seat. I tried it in practice, and it feels great. It’s just like it used to be with the seat belts close to my body again.”(South Point Racing PR)(7-13-2007)
Red Horse Racing announces mid-season driver switch: Red Horse Racing has announced that 1994 Busch Series Champion David Green will finish out the year driving the #1 RFMS/Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra in the Craftsman Truck Series. Green’s first race with Red Horse Racing will be this Saturday during the Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers at the 1.5-mile tri-oval of Kentucky Speedway. “David Green will be driving the #1 RFMS/Red Horse Racing Toyota for the rest of the year,” said General Manager and Team Owner, Tom DeLoach. “David coached Aaron (Fike, former driver) earlier this year so the team knows him pretty well and it will be an easy transition.” Red Horse Racing’s decision to transition to a new driver comes following the arrest of Fike on Saturday. In addition to his impressive career in the Busch Series, Green has accumulated 78 Nextel Cup Series starts and has raced in the Craftsman Truck Series four times.(Red Horse Racing PR)(7-12-2007)
#7-Pennington Motorsports switching manufacturer? UPDATE 2: It’s official: During the pre-race show on SPEED/TV, analyst Ray Dunlap reported that the #7-Hooters Energy Drink truck owned by J. L. Pennington may be changing manufacturers from Chevy in the near future. Possibly to Dodge?(6-16-2007)
UPDATE: An official close to Pennington Motorsports has stated the team will make the official announcement next week regarding the team’s manufacturer switch from Chevrolet to Dodge. Pennington Motorsports also confirms that Jason White will remain the team’s driver for the rest of the 2007 season.(7-5-2007)
UPDATE 2: Officials from Pennington Motorsports have announced that beginning with this weekend’s festivities leading up to Saturday night’s Kentucky Built Ford Tough 225, the #7 Hooters Energy Drink team has switched from Chevy to Dodge for the remainder of the 2007 Craftsman Truck Series season. Pennington Motorsports joins Bobby Hamilton Racing (#4 and #18) as the only other full time team hoisting the Dodge banner.(TruckSeries.com)(7-12-2007)
Congrats to Jack Sprague & new wife, Amy: Jack Sprague and Amy Schellenbach were married on Tuesday, July 3rd at Hilton Head, SC. “Amy is Jeff and Linda Wyler’s niece, and I met her in June of last year at a Cincinnati Reds game,” explained Sprague. “I threw out the first pitch and Jeff and Linda brought her along. We didn’t communicate much until much later on and she came to the banquet, but after we did things escalated pretty fast. She is a wonderful woman and is the love of my life. I knew as soon as I met her that she was the one.”(Wyler Racing PR)(7-11-2007)
Lester out? UPDATE 2: Still Truckin’ On the SPEED Report, Ray Dunlap reported that a rumor in the garage has Bill Lester, driver of the #15 Billy Ballew Chevy, will not be able to finish out the Truck Series season, nothing more said.(7-1-2007)
UPDATE: According to a representative from Billy Ballew Motorsports, the rumor that Bill Lester will not be finishing out the season, is untrue.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(7-2-2007)
UPDATE 2: For Lester, it’s not just a matter of building a foundation, but building the finances to keep the team rolling. In his first year driving the #15 for Ballew, his Chevy has carried several different sponsors, from a home builder to a shelving company to a pair of auto auction houses and, most recently, a company called Christian Debt Consolidation. The latter won’t be on Lester’s ride at Kentucky, leading to some rumors that he wouldn’t be running at all this week or even the rest of the season. Not so, he said. But the continued struggles to find money are real. “We’re always looking for support, it’s not a secret,” Lester said. “We’re trying to put together enough that we are solid throughout the season. Our plan is to run the whole year — we’re trying to indicate [to sponsors] that there’s an excellent opportunity to get in with us.”(ESPN.com)(7-11-2007)
Truck Series Driver Aaron Fike Placed on Indefinite Suspension By NASCAR: Aaron Fike, driver of the #1 Toyota in the Craftsman Truck Series, has been suspended indefinitely from NASCAR for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2007 NASCAR Rule Book. The violation occurred July 7. Cassandra Davidson, a crew member for the #1 team, has also been suspended indefinitely from NASCAR as a result of this same violation.(NASCAR PR)(7-11-2007)
Associate sponsor for the #60 races in their own backyard: This weekend, Jack Sprague and the Wyler Racing team will be racing at Kentucky Speedway which is less than two and a half hours from the corporate headquarters of the “Official Bank of Wyler Racing” – Huntington National Bank. Huntington National Bank returned as an associate sponsor of the #60 Con-way Freight Toyota Tundra driven by three-time Truck Series Champion, Jack Sprague, for the 2007 season. Their sponsorship marks the third year that they have been involved with the Wyler Racing team.(Wyler Racing PR)(7-11-2007)
Gale entered in ARCA event for KHI: Cale Gale will drive the #33 Chevy for Kevin Harvick Inc. in four ARCA races this season to give him a total of 16 events, including this weekend’s race, the WLWT Channel 5-150 at the Kentucky Speedway. Gale will be back in the #2 Camping World Chevy truck for the Power Stroke Diesel 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park.(KHI PR)(7-11-2007)
France Kennedy’s husband killed in plane crash: The husband of NASCAR Vice President Lesa France Kennedy was killed in a plane crash today in Sanford, Fl. Dr. Bruce Kennedy was piloting the Cessna 310, which was owned by the France family’s air fleet company, and was practicing for his pilot’s license, the newspaper reported. Sanford is about 35 miles from Daytona Beach. A co-pilot also was killed in the crash. The twin engine plane owned by a company linked to NASCAR crashed into a Sanford neighborhood this morning, starting two house fires and injuring at least three people, one of them a boy who was severely burned, authorities said. [Five fatalities have ben reported; 3 adults, 2 children].(Daytona Beach News Journal)(7-10-2007)
Wood anxious to get to Kentucky truck race: Jon Wood has never felt better. He’s rested, he’s strong and he’s eager to drive the #21 Ford F-150 for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing this Saturday night at the Kentucky Speedway. Wood took some time off after suffering an adverse reaction to prescribed medication. He couldn’t think of a better way to come back than to drive one of the most-competitive racers in the Craftsman Truck Series. Wood returns to a series where he’s enjoyed his greatest successes. He has 91 career starts in the trucks with two victories and 43 Top-10 finishes.(Wood Bros/JTG Racing PR)(7-10-2007)
Shepherd pulling double duty at Kentucky: Peter Shepherd returns to the seat of the #50 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. Shepherd will make his first Craftsman Truck Series start at Kentucky Speedway in Saturday night’s Built Ford Tough 225. The #50 will once again carry the colors of Northern Tool + Equipment this weekend, in a reverse scheme of teammate Erik Darnell’s No. 99 Ford. Shepherd will pull double duty this weekend, competing in both the ARCA RE/MAX Series and Craftsman Truck Series races and will drive the #99-Roush Fenway Racing Ford in the ARCA race.(Roush Fenway PR)(7-10-2007)
Matthews reverting to truck #22: The truck driven by Craftsman Truck Series driver Ryan Mathews will sport a new look-or rather a familiar look-this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. Mathews will drive a black #22 truck [replacing #36} for this weekend’s race and the remainder of the season. The #22 carries a huge significance for both Mathews and truck owner Bill Davis, in that Davis won the 2002 Daytona 500 with the #22. This number is dear to Davis’s heart, as it is the number he has owned the longest. “Ryan is really showing his potential,” Davis said. “He has exceeded our expectations at this point in our program, and I am thrilled to have him drive the #22 Tundra.” The #22’s importance for Mathews dates back to his ARCA RE/MAX days. He drove a black #22 car in that series last season. Mathews has a remarkable background with the black #22, and he is hoping to continue the tradition starting this weekend.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(7-10-2007)
Truck Series Driver Arrested – Drugs Involved UPDATE 2: Fike released from jail: Mason [Ohio] Police said NASCAR driver, Aaron Fike, was arrested at Kings Island this weekend. It happened in the parking lot Saturday afternoon. According to police , Fike struck a Kings Island security officer with the side mirror of his car as he drove away. When Mason police arrived on the scene, they found heroin inside his SUV as well as syringes and spoons with residue. Fike was not alone. He had a woman with him, by the name of Cassandra Davidson. Both were arrested on drug possession charges and taken to the Warren County Jail. Fike, 24, is a driver of the #1 Toyota Tundra Craftsman Truck Series. He’s currently ranked eighth in the series.(WCPO.com)
AND Fike, who drives the #1 Red Horse Racing Toyota and is eighth in the series standings, could be suspended from competition, pending a NASCAR investigation. “Once we know all the facts, we will make a decision on his participation in NASCAR going forward,” NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said July 8. Fike and Davidson were being held with no bond and had an initial court appearance scheduled for July 10. The police sent the substances found inside the vehicle to a lab for testing. “We were made aware of this incident this afternoon,” said Red Horse Racing’s general manager and owner, Tom DeLoach, in a statement July 8. “We are working with NASCAR to obtain further information on the incident and will release more information as the facts become available to us.”(SceneDaily.com)(7-8-2007)
UPDATE: Green to drive at Memphis: Red Horse Racing announced that David Green will be behind the wheel of the #1 RFMS/Red Horse Racing Toyota for the Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers on Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway. Red Horse Racing’s decision to have Green pilot the #1 RFMS/Red Horse Racing Toyota this weekend comes following the arrest of Aaron Fike. “We are still investigating to get first hand information on what happened with Aaron,” said General Manager and Team Owner, Tom DeLoach. “We don’t expect to have any definitive answers on the events leading up to Aaron’s arrest until later this week.” Green has ran in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series four times [1995-1997 with a best finish of 8th at Nazareth in 1997].(Red Horse Racing PR)(7-9-2007)
UPDATE 2: A judge released both of them [Fike & finace, Cassandra Davidson] on their own recognizance. Fike will return to court on July 19 for a preliminary hearing.(WCPO-ABC TV)(7-10-2007)
Bliss returns to the #4 at Kentucky: Mike Bliss will climb back behind the wheel of the #4 Open Joist Dodge this weekend at Kentucky. It will be Bliss’ third start in the Bobby Hamilton Racing Dodge. Bliss looking for third top-10 finish: The Open Joist Racing Team is hoping for the same success this weekend they have had the last two times Bliss has driven the truck. Bliss recorded a fifth place finish at Dover and a seventh place finish at Milwaukee last month. (Bobby Hamilton Racing PR)(7-10-2007)
Owner Michael Gaughan to be inducted into Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame: This weekend in the Bluegrass State, Brendan Gaughan will pay tribute to his favorite cowboy – his father, Michael Gaughan. On Saturday, while Brendan works to wheel his #77 South Point Chevy, his father will be inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, CO. Brendan will carry the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame’s logo on his truck’s deck lid and B-posts in honor of his father’s induction. Underneath the logo is a message to team owner Michael Gaughan, which reads “For our real cowboy, congratulations, Michael!” Michael Gaughan, 64, is being inducted in the “notables” category into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Michael Gaughan is one of eight people who will be inducted on Saturday. Over the years, Michael Gaughan has played an integral role in developing the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and moving it to Las Vegas in 1985. Michael Gaughan serves on the NFR Committee and is also a stock contractor.(South Point Racing PR)(7-9-2007)
Knupp headed to Kentucky with FDNY Racing: Sidney, Ohio’s Brandon Knupp is headed to the Kentucky Speedway this weekend to compete in the Built Ford Tough 225 Craftsman Truck Series event, presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers. Knupp, for the second time in the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season will join forces with the #28-FDNY Racing team, led by crew chief Bob Rahilly and owner Jim Rosenblum as they did in the season opener at the Daytona International Speedway.(Brandon Knupp PR)(7-9-2007)
Congrats to the Skinner family: Another Skinner will be welcomed into the world this week as Mike Skinner will become a grandfather once again as the Skinner family welcomes a new grandson named Bristol Skinner this week.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(7-9-2007)
Bires to drive remaining Busch races in the #47: Kelly Bires, a part-time development driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, filled in for Wood, who has been ill due to medication he has been taking for attention deficit disorder. Wood has since lost 20 pounds, been told he doesn’t have ADD, is no longer ill and is planning to return to the Truck Series next week, while Bires’ learning curve has been escalated. At Daytona International Speedway, Bires and Wood Brothers/JTG Racing co-owner Tad Geschickter confirmed Bires will drive the remaining 17 Busch races of the season in Wood’s #47 Ford.(AHN.com)(7-7-2007)
Keselowski in JR Motorsports Busch Series ride? UPDATE 2: Hearing Brad Keselowski could be the new driver of the #88 Chevy fielded by JR Motorsports. [Shane Huffman is out as driver of the #88-Navy Chevy; Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be the driver at Daytona.] (7-5-2007)
UPDATE: Officials with JR Motorsports aren’t saying whether Shane Huffman will return to drive the team’s #88 this season. Huffman has been replaced by team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. for this weekend’s Winn-Dixie 250 at Daytona. When Steve Crisp, director of motorsports, was asked if Huffman would return, he said he didn’t know. “We’re working on that now,” Crisp said Thursday at Daytona. “There’s a couple different things that as a company, JR Motorsports is looking at.”(SceneDaily.com)(7-5-2007)
UPDATE 2: Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Friday that he probably will put Brad Keselowski in his #88-Chevy Busch car for three races, starting next weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Keselowski would race at Chicago, Gateway and O’Reilly Raceway Park. Earnhardt said he is looking to put a road-racing specialist in the JR Motorsports entry for the inaugural road course event at Montreal.(ESPN.com)(7-6-2007)
Two new tracks being added to schedule in 2008? Hearing that two new tracks are being added to the 2008 schedule; Iowa Speedway and a return to Richmond Int’l Raceway.(7-5-2007)
Nine teams test at Iowa: Nine teams from the Craftsman Truck Series were at the Iowa Speedway for testing on Thursday. Craftsman Truck points leader Mike Skinner was at the Iowa Speedway. Former Nextel Cup Series regular and Craftsman Truck Series driver Johnny Benson was also in Newton as well as Todd Bodine. Scheduling decisions coincidentally are made in Daytona Beach, Fla., NewsChannel 8 reported. Track officials are in Florida announcing another event. They told NewsChannel 8 on the phone that they are meeting with NASCAR on Thursday and Friday to discuss possible future events. Drivers said that the Iowa Speedway reminds them of the Richmond International Raceway. “You know, one of my favorite places ever was Richmond, and they took that race away from us. So we need to replace it with Iowa,” Skinner said.(KCCI.com)(7-5-2007)
Hornaday to race Super Late Model race: UPDATE: Ron Hornaday is scheduled to race a Super Late Model in the ASA Midwest Tour Summer Shootout Kwik Trip 100 at Fairgrounds Speedway in LaCrosse, WI on Tuesday, July 3rd. Ron Hornaday will pilot the #96-Heat N Glo/Settle Inn sponsored car owned by Maynard Motorsports as a teammate to Kwik Trip Touring Star Dave Feiler. Expected to join Hornaday are Johnny Sauter, Steve Grissom and Rich Bickle. For ticket information visit the LaCrosse Speedway website. Qualifying starts at 4:00pm local time; race is set to begin at 7:00pm local.(LaCrosse Tribune)(7-3-2007)
UPDATE: Ron Hornaday Jr. finished 11th in the rain delayed event at Fairgrounds Speedway.(ASA Midwest Tour)(7-5-2007)
Kvapil’s engine taken to NASCAR R&D Center after inspection: UPDATE: During post-race inspection following the O’Reilly 200 at Memphis, NASCAR officials found an issue with the engine of race winner Travis Kvapil’s #6 K&N Filters Ford. The engine will be taken back to the NASCAR R&D Center for further evaluation next week. The issue with the engine was not disclosed. “That is the standard procedure with an issue with the engine,” said NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series communications manager Owen Kearns. “It will be taken back to Concord (NC) where we can evaluate it more closely in a controlled environment. That is not to say there is anything wrong with it, but there are some things that they want to look at further. They may find there are some infractions, and when that has happened in the past the driver and team kept the win but faced both points and financial penalties. But they may find there is nothing wrong with it at all.”(TruckSeries.com)(7-1-2007)
UPDATE: Kvapil’s Memphis Engine Checks Out OK – NASCAR officials said Monday that Travis Kvapil’s engine passed inspection at their R&D Center.(TruckSeries.com)(7-2-2007)
Toyota testing spec engine: On the SPEED Report, Ray Dunlap reported that Toyota will test Tuesday [July 3rd] at Talladega, checking out the possible, new spec engine that could be coming to the Truck Series.(7-1-2007)

2007

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Born On Date: July 1, 2007