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

July 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.

Colin Braun and Con-way Freight keep on Trucking in 2009: Roush Fenway Racing has announced that Con-way Freight will again sponsor the #6 Ford F-150 with Colin Braun behind the wheel in the 2009 NASCAR Truck Series. The 19-year-old Texan teamed with Con-way Freight this year in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and is pursuing the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award. The 2009 season will be Braun’s second full year in the NASCAR Truck Series. To date he is leading the Raybestos Rookie points, and hasearned one top-five and four top-10 finishes. Con-way Freight is the industry’s leading less-than-truckload freight transportation company, providing guaranteed, day-definite regional and transcontinental service through a single, unified network of more than 400 service centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(7-31-2008)
Chaffin in the #34 for Pocono Cup race: Continental Fire & Safety will be an associate sponsor of the #34 Front Row Motorsports entry at Pocono Raceway for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500. The #34 will be driven by Chad Chaffin. For information Continental Fire & Safety please visit their website at continentalfireandsafety.com.(FRM PR), also Doorstopnation.com will be an associate sponsor for the #34 at Pocono.(7-31-2008)
Chrissy Wallace making ARCA debut at Pocono: Twenty year-old Germain Racing driver Chrissy Wallace will make her ARCA RE/MAX Series debut this weekend at Pocono Raceway driving in the Hattori Racing Enterprises #01 GERMAIN Toyota Camry. Wallace debuted in the Truck Series in March at Martinsville Speedway and has since raced at The Milwaukee Mile and Kentucky Speedway. Germain Racing General Manager Mike Hillman Sr. decided that Pocono Raceway would be a good track to build into Wallace’s schedule this year. Mike Abner will be calling the shots so I will have a familiar voice on the radio,” said Wallace. Abner has worked with the Hattori Racing Enterprises #01 Camry for four ARCA RE/MAX series races this year in addition to serving as crew chief for Chrissy Wallace in the #03 Germain Toyota Tundra.(Germain Racing PR)(7-31-2008)
Johnson to run Bristol truck race UPDATE: ESPN2’s NASCAR Now reported that Jimmie Johnson is scheduled to drive the #81 Chevy for Randy Moss Motorsports in the Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. It will be Johnson’s first Truck Series race. Johnson wants to get more seat time at Bristol since he has never won there.(7-29-2008)
UPDATE: Jimmie Johnson has announced he will make his Craftsman Truck Series debut in the #81 Kobalt Tools Silverado fielded by Randy Moss Motorsports at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 20. “Watkins Glen and Bristol are two tracks where I really want a win,” said Johnson. “I enjoy racing at Watkins Glen and for some reason always seem to be a little better there than Sonoma. We’ve had some top fives so hopefully this will put us in the win column.” He continued, “As for the trucks, I am really looking forward to that. I have never run a truck race so it should be fun. Heck, my brother Jarit has run more than me, but it’s going to be a good time. I’m excited to run Randy’s truck. Hopefully we can get them a good finish.”(Bristol Herald Courier)(7-30-2008)Comment here
Ratings on a roll: SPEED coverage of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race from Indianapolis scored a Nielsen Rating of .81 (590,000 households), a 72-percent increase over the numbers from the same event in 2007 (.47; 335,000). It marks the 10th consecutive NCTS event on SPEED that has seen significant ratings increases from a year ago. The Indianapolis event peaked at a full 1.00 rating (724,000 households), up 75 percent from last year’s peak of .57 (404,000 households). Again driven in large part by increases among younger viewers, the Men 18-49 Nielsen Rating was up 83 percent (.55 vs. .30) and the Men 18-34 number was up 208 percent (.40 vs. .13). Year-to-year, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on SPEED is up 23 percent, averaging a Nielsen Household Rating of .90 against last year’s average of .73.(Speed/TV PR)(7-30-2008)
McCumbee to sub for Petty at Pocono? UPDATE Confirmed: Kyle Petty is expected to skip his second straight race next week at Pocono since the end of his deal with TNT, team officials said. The most likely candidate to fill in is Chad McCumbee, who attempted to qualify the car at Texas earlier this year. Terry Labonte, who replaced Petty on Sunday to guarantee the car would get into the field, already has agreed to drive for Gillett Evernham Motorsports next week in place of Patrick Carpentier.(ESPN.com)7-28-2008)
UPDATE: Petty Enterprises has announced its driver lineup for the #45 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge through the August 17th NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Michigan International Speedway. Chad McCumbee, Kyle Petty and Terry Labonte will each compete in one event over the next three weeks. McCumbee, 23, will attempt to make his first Sprint Cup start of the season this weekend at the Pocono Raceway. Petty will return to the seat of the #45 Dodge for the August 10 event at Watkins Glen International. Labonte, who has competed in seven races in the No. 45 Dodge this season, will make his eighth start at the Michigan International Speedway on August 17th.(Petty Racing PR)(7-29-2008)
White to drive for BBM? During the Speed Report on SPEED/TV, Ray Dunlap reported that Jason White will be running some upcoming races for Billy Ballew Motorsports, the first of which is anticipated to be at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.(7-28-2008)
SS-Green Light Racing releases Crew Chief Doug Howe: SS-Green Light Racing announced today that Crew Chief Doug Howe has been released effective immediately. Howe spent the first half of the season as the crew chief for Jason White in the #08 GunBroker.com Dodge. The team made a change two weeks ago at the Kentucky race moving Howe from the #08 to the #07 team. SS-Green Light Racing has not yet named a new crew chief for the #07 team. The team is in their first year of the joint-venture formed back in January between SS Racing and Green Light Racing.(SS-Green Light Racing PR)(7-28-2008)
Racing Resources says…
* Johnny Benson won the Power Stroke Diesel 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Benson scored his 12th career series victory in his 114th career race. He scored his first ORP victory in his sixth race; his best previous finish of second came in 1995 and 2007. Benson scored his third win of the 2008 season; his last win came at Kentucky last week. He has won three of the past four series races. He has finished in the top three in five of the past six races. Benson led twice for 43 laps, including the final 39. Benson became the 11th different race winner in 14 ORP races.
* Benson gave Toyota its first ORP victory in the series and seventh of the 2008 season.
* Bill Davis Racing scored its fourth win of the 2008 season, the most of all teams.
* Ron Hornaday led 153 of the 200 laps but finished second. He became only the fourth driver to lead more than 100 laps at ORP and not win the race.
* Benson continues to lead the points standings but increased his lead to 15 points over second-place Hornaday.
* Matt Crafton finished fourth, posting his fourth consecutive top-four finish.
* Donny Lia, who finished ninth, was the highest finishing rookie of the year contender.
* The top 10 consisted of three Toyotas, five Chevrolets and two Fords. Jason White, who finished 18th, was the highest-finishing Dodge.(ESPN.com)(7-28-2008)
Dillon to Truck Series? UPDATE 2: May run Nashville for RMM? Austin Dillon, the 18 year old grandson of Cup Series team owner Richard Childress and son of former Busch Series driver Mike Dillon, might be headed for the Truck Series. I’m hearing that he may run as many as three races this season in the NCTS to further his development. The races will be run for a Chevy team, no word which one specifically. Dillon is currently in his first season in the Camping World East Series, piloting the #3 Garage Equipment Supply Chevy for family owned Team Dillon Racing. He has one win, three top five’s, and four top ten’s in five starts, and is the points leader heading into this weekend’s race at Thompson International Speedway.(nascarinsiders.com)(7-10-2008)
UPDATE: RaceTalkRadio.com has learned that Austin Dillon, Grandson of NASCAR owner Richard Childress, will be competing for rookie of the year in the Nationwide Series in 2009. Austin Dillon leads the points in the NASCAR Camping World Series Eastern division and drives the #3 car in that series. Dillon is expected to compete in several Nationwide Series races later this season.(RaceTalkRadio.com)(7-18-2008)
UPDATE: Krista Voda reported during the SPEED/TV prerace report that Austin Dillon may possibly be making his Truck Series debut in the #81 for Randy Moss Motorsports as soon Nashville. Right now he has not been approved for competition by NASCAR, but is scheduled to test a truck in Chicago.(7-26-2008)
Hornaday Wix Filters Lap Leader at ORP: Ron Hornaday Jr. earned WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race honors in Friday night’s Power Stroke Diesel 200. Hornaday Jr. led twice for 153 laps and was one of just three drivers to lead a lap in the event. He has led at least one lap in 12 of the 14 races for a total of 714 laps, the most by any other driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series. Ron Hornaday Jr. leads Todd Bodine by two races (5-3) in the overall WIX Filters Lap Leader standings.(Wix Filters PR)(7-26-2008)
Congrats to Erik Darnell & Amber Moody: During a post race interview with Erik Darnell, Ray Dunlap broke the news that Erik Darnell & Amber Moody had just become engaged to be married.(7-26-2008)
Crawford interested in buying Montgomery Speedway: UPDATE 4 Crawford withdraws bid: NASCAR trucks series driver Rick Crawford says he is interested in buying the dormant Montgomery Motor Speedway. Crawford, who is from Mobile, said he considered submitting a bid during an auction of the track property last month but decided against it. The half-mile asphalt track didn’t sell during the auction and Crawford said Tuesday that he is still interested. “I looked into it but I didn’t pursue it,” Crawford said of the auction, which failed to produce a bid that met the minimum price. “My ultimate goal when I retire is to own a race track,” he said, adding he would prefer to own Mobile Speedway. He said he made an offer on the Mobile track but the owner was not interested in selling at the time. “The wheels are turning but I’m not as interested in Montgomery Speedway as I would be if Mobile Speedway was available,” he said. (Everything Alabama.com)(6-12-2008)
UPDATE: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Rick Crawford has reached an agreement in principal to buy the half-mile track, according to Doug Carwyle, a local businessman who helped broker the deal. The only stipulation to the sale is that the city of Montgomery grant a license allowing the track to hold races. Kevin Radvany, who handles public relations for Crawford’s race team, said track representatives will make the request with the city licensing board July 17. “Outside of that one thing, it’s a done deal,” said Carwyle, who is expected to help manage the track once Crawford takes ownership. “Rick and (current owner) Bill Manfull have agreed on the price. Rick sent the retainer — $50,000 — to the auction company. All that’s left is getting that license. If that happens, we go back racing.” Carwyle said Crawford, a Mobile native who is currently fifth in the Craftsman Truck Series points standings, has been involved in the sale of MMS since the auction a month ago. Radvany said Crawford’s purchase of the track would have no effect on his participation in the Truck Series. “This is no different than Tony Stewart owning Eldora Speedway (a small dirt track in Ohio),” Radvany said. “This is something Rick has always said he wanted to do.”(Montgomery Advertiser)(6-24-2008)
UPDATE 2: The sale of Montgomery Motor Speedway might be in trouble. A group of approximately 25 to 30 homeowners, all of whom own property located near MMS, have hired an attorney and plan to argue against potential new owner Rick Crawford being issued a license that would allow him to hold racing events at the track. Should they be successful in blocking the issuance of the license, it would kill the sale of MMS. “In simple terms, my clients don’t want the racetrack operational again,” said Montgomery attorney Doyle Fuller, who is representing the group of homeowners. “There are a number of problems. There are literally hundreds of people negatively affected if this license is granted.” Crawford, a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver, said there are solutions to most of the problems and that he would be willing to work with the homeowners. Crawford said if the city failed to issue a license to him on Thursday, he was moving on. “This is my dream — to own a track like this and do something good for a community,” he said. “If this passes, Montgomery will be proud of this track. We’ll do it right and it will be something that could help revive a part of town that really needs it. “But I’m not going to fight. There’s some other place out there that wants what I’m offering. I’m a good neighbor. I do things right. I hope that’s good enough for Montgomery.”(Montgomery Advisor)(7-16-2008)
UPDATE 3: On Thursday evening [July 17th], Rick Crawford met with the Montgomery Licensing Board along with local constituency in attendance regarding the proposed reopening of MMS. The Licensing Board did not make a final determination on whether to issue the operating license to Crawford, instead opting to hold the matter over for further consideration to be addressed at their next meeting in approximately 30 days.(7-18-2008)
UPDATE 4: In the wake of the decision, or lack of a decision, from the Board of Adjustments for the City of Montgomery, Ala., Rick Crawford has decided not pursue the purchase of Montgomery Motor Speedway. “It is still my dream to own a race track but I want do it without confrontation, ” said Crawford. “I appreciate the support that the racing community in Montgomery gave to me and I hope that racing will return to Montgomery in the near future.” (Circle Bar Racing PR)(7-24-2008)
Congrats to Kelly & Jeff: Congratulations go out to Kelly “Girl” Sutton and Jeff Biese on their impending nuptials. They are getting married in a small ceremony on August 1, 2008. A reception will follow. Jeff is the hauler driver for the # 51-Billy Ballew Motorsports team. In other news; Sutton is still looking for sponsors to get back out there and NASCAR is working with her to obtain a sponsor. Sutton is also in the process of writing a book about her life which is scheduled to be released in February around the Daytona 500. Kelly also said she’s been in contact with the IRL and they want her to test an IRL light and an IRL car.(7-24-2008)
Cassill to start for RMM in Indianapolis UPDATE: During the qualifying broadcast on SPEED/TV, Ray Dunlap announced that Landon Cassill will be the driver of the #81-Randy Moss Motorsports Chevy for the Power Stroke Diesel 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis on July 25th.(7-19-2008)
UPDATE: The #81 Chevy of Randy Moss Motorsports will have primary sponsorship from GoDaddy.com this week at ORP. Look for the debut of the new www.RandyMossMotorsports.com coming soon – designed, hosted and maintained by GoDaddy.com. In addition to driving the #81 GoDaddy.com Chevy on Friday, Cassill will also compete at ORP in the NASCAR Nationwide Series on Saturday. He will pilot the #5 National Guard Chevy for JR Motorsports.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(7-24-2008)
Geoff Bodine at Talladega with Germain? Geoff Bodine said he is in negotiations with Germain Racing for a Craftsman Truck ride at Talladega in October. Bodine’s younger brother Todd is one of three drivers for Germain. [Bodine, who 24 years ago won the final Winston Cup race in Nashville, edged local favorite Sterling Marlin by two car lengths to win the Old School Racing 30-lap race at Music City Motorplex on July 19th.](Tennessean)(7-24-2008)
Camping World CEO named to lead Milwaukee Mile: Less than two weeks after a state audit raised concerns about the Milwaukee Mile, racetrack investors on Tuesday named a new leader with motorsports experience to replace chairman Craig Stoehr. The new man is Marcus Lemonis, chairman and CEO of Camping World/Freedom Roads. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., Camping World is the nation’s largest RV and outdoor retailer. Lemonis is a native of Miami, Fla., and is a graduate of Marquette University. He said he wanted to expand the speedway from a motorsports venue to an entertainment venue. He will retain his position at Camping World. Legislative Audit Bureau said State Fair Park will have to incur about $1.1 million annually in debt service payments beginning this year that were supposed to be covered by Milwaukee Mile Holdings LLC when it took over as promoter in December 2005. Those costs were shifted back to the park in contract revisions that cut the amount the promoter had to pay in licensing fees. Stoehr and his investors took over the track in 2005 in return for an option to develop a hotel, restaurant and retail complex on land adjacent to the speedway. That development never materialized.(Journal Sentinel)(7-23-2008)
Crew chief change for Compton? UPDATE Confirmed: Hearing that there has been a crew chief change for the #4 BHR-VA Dodge with driver Stacy Compton.(7-23-2008)
UPDATE: Bobby Hamilton Racing Virginia has announced that the team and Crew Chief Bryant Frazier, who worked with Stacy Compton, are amicably parting ways. Charlie Wilson will fill in as interim crew chief this weekend at O’Reilly Raceway Park for the #4 Dodge Dealers Dodge entry in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Through 13 races this season Compton has scored three top-10 finishes and four top-15 finishes.(BHR-VA PR)(7-23-2008)
Vemma on board #23 at ORP: The Vemma logos will again adorn the sides of the #23 Toyota Tundra this weekend. Vemma is a clinically-studied, liquid antioxidant supplement. Benson has five starts at O’Reilly Raceway Park and has only failed to finish five laps, completing 946 of 951 possible laps. Benson battled eventual winner Ron Hornaday down to the wire last year and brought his Toyota Tundra home in the second spot at ORP.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(7-23-2008)
Howard running both Trucks & NNS at ORP: This weekend at ORP will mark a homecoming of sorts for Shelby Howard, driver of the #13 FarmPaint.com Chevy. Howard is a native of Greenwood, Indiana, just a short-track lap from venerable ORP, site of Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Power Stroke Diesel 200. Howard will be pulling welcome double-duty at ORP, as he will also pilot the #13 Bobcat/FarmPaint.com Chevrolet in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Kroger 200.(ThorSport Racing PR)(7-23-2008)
Double-duty for Annett: Rookie Michael Annett will race against some of NASCAR’s best on Thursday night, when he participates in the Silver Crown race at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Annett will also be behind the wheel of the Bill Davis Racing #22 Pilot Travel Center Toyota for the Power Stroke Diesel 200 on Friday night.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(7-23-2008)
TV Ratings continue to climb: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on SPEED continued its significant upward ratings trend, scoring a Nielsen Household Rating of .82 (596,000 households) at Kentucky , peaking at a 1.14 (831,000 households). The average household rating is a 46 percent increase from last year’s .56 (398,000 households) and marks the ninth consecutive NCTS race on SPEED that has received a ratings increase this season. The increase continues to be driven, in part, by double-digit growth in the younger audiences. The Nielsen rating for Men 18-49 was up 31 percent (0.47 vs. 0.36) from last year’s number.(SPEED/TV PR)(7-23-2008)
Lucas Oil partners with PIR for NCTS event: Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber has announced Lucas Oil Products as title sponsor for PIR’s November 7 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race – the Lucas Oil 150. The race entitlement is the first with PIR in NASCAR for the California-based company, and will highlight the second day of racing action in PIR’s Semi-Final weekend.(Phoenix Int’l Raceway PR)(7-22-2008)
Braun to make double-duty first starts at ORP: Colin Braun will make a first time start in both the Nationwide and Truck Series at O’Reilly Raceway Park this weekend. Braun will be driving the #6-Con-way Freight Ford on Friday night, and on Saturday will attempt to qualify for the Nationwide race in the #16 CitiFinancial Ford for Roush Fenway Racing.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(7-22-2008)
Back-back racing for East: Bobby East will be running both Thursday Friday nights at O’Reilly Raceway Park. East is slated to run the #09-Zaxby’s Ford for Roush Fenway Racing in the Truck Series on Friday, night’s Power Stroke Diesel 200, and will also be racing Thursday night at ORP. He will compete in both the USAC Midget & Silver Crown races.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(7-22-2008)
Racing Resources says….
….Johnny Benson won the Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway. He scored his 11th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory in his 113th career start and his second victory of the 2008 season. His previous victory came at Milwaukee two races ago. Benson scored his first win at Kentucky in his fourth attempt. Benson became the ninth different race winner in nine races at Kentucky.
….Bill Davis Racing won for the third time in 2008 and 20th in series history.
….Toyota scored its sixth victory in 2008. Chevrolet has five, and Ford and Dodge have one apiece.
….Benson won the race from the fourth-place starting position, the eighth race won from the top 10 at Kentucky.
….Benson unofficially took the points lead by one point over Matt Crafton. Ron Hornaday Jr. is only five points behind Benson in third.
….Marc Mitchell (ninth) was the highest-finishing rookie of the year contender. It was his best career finish.
….Pole winner Mike Skinner finished seventh, his ninth consecutive top-10 finish.
….Michael Annett finished a career-best second in his third career start.
….Seven of the top nine finishers were Toyotas. The top 10 was rounded out with two Chevys and one Dodge.
….The #81 truck of Randy Moss Motorsports with driver Willie Allen finished 15th in the team’s debut.
….Hornaday, the points leader coming into the race, finished 10th. He pitted under green on Lap 80 for a loose wheel. He went a lap down and received the free pass on caution #7.(ESPN.com)(7-22-2008)
Bryan Silas to return to series: ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Bryan Silas will return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. Silas, the Stuart, Florida native will drive the #48 Chevrolet Silverado for Fast Track Racing. Silas is also scheduled to compete at Texas Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. Silas’s ARCA crew chief, former NASCAR driver Jeff McClure is expected to crew chief the Rockingham Speedway-sponsored truck.(CatchFence.com)(7-21-2008)
TRG announces crew chief change for the #71: TRG Motorsports has announced that Jason Miller has resigned as Crew Chief of the #71 NationRides.com Chevy driven by Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender, Donny Lia. Effective immediately, Jon Wolfe will take over as Crew Chief of the #71 NationRides.com Chevrolet. Wolfe joined TRG Motorsports in May and has served as the team’s General Manager. Wolfe came to TRG Motorsports after leading the Research and Development program at Robert Yates Racing, and has been working in the NASCAR ranks for over 20 years.(TRG Motorsports PR)(7-21-2008)
New crew chief for Scott: Dave McCarty will be the crew chief for Brian Scott and the #16-Albertsons Chevy at O’Reilly Raceway Park replacing Dave Fuge who is no longer associated with the team.(Xpress Motorsports PR)(7-21-2008)
Craftsman career development week for Urban Youth Racing School: NASCAR Series sponsor, Craftsman, kicks off their fifth annual Craftsman Career Development Apprenticeship Week in Mooresville, NC today, bringing six students from the Urban Youth Racing Schools (UYRS) in Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC to the Mooresville area to work with four different teams in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The students, who range in age from 16-18, report for duty at their respective race shops today and will work side-by-side with the teams through Wednesday as they prepare their race trucks for the Power Stroke Diesel 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indiana. On Thursday, the students will fly to Indianapolis, IN where they will continue their learning experience as they work in the pits with their teams racing toward victory on Friday night. All students will round out the evening joining the race winner in the Craftsman Victory Lane celebration. Philadelphia students include Kyle Baker who will intern with Red Horse Racing and driver David Starr; Brigette Depalma and Chris Lawrence who will be teamed up with TRG Motorsports and drivers T.J. Bell and Donny Lia, respectively; and Jeremy Ortiz who will work with Circle Bar Motorsports and driver Brendan Gaughan. Washington, DC-based students include Jarel Harris who will team up with Xpress Motorsports and driver Bryan Scott and Serfrederick Hill, II who will work with Circle Bar Racing and driver Rick Crawford.(Craftsman PR)(7-21-2008)
Setzer to Randy Moss Motorsports in ’09? UPDATE BHR-VA response: During the final practice session broadcast, Ray Dunlap reported that Randy Moss Motorsports will most likely be a two truck team in 2009 with one veteran driver and one rookie. Dennis Setzer is rumored to be heading the list of veteran candidates for the ride. Setzer is currently on a one-year contract with BHR-VA.(7-18-2008)
UPDATE: In response to some recent rumors around the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series garage area, BHR-VA and driver Dennis Setzer are releasing a statement about their future together. At this time, the team and driver are working collectively with each other and individually on options for the 2009 season. Both parties will release statements at future times on their respective plans. Until this time, the team is focused on its performance in 2008 and will continue its contract together which is through the end of this season.(BHR-VA PR)(7-21-2008)
Murphy returns to the #07 at O’Reilly: Sean Murphy will take a break from the ASA Late Model Series and make a return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the #07-ASI Limited Chevy on Friday July 25th at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. Sean Murphy piloted the #32-ASI Limited Chevy for SS Green Light racing to his 4th win of the season in the ASA Series at Salem Speedway in Salem Indiana on Saturday night.(SS Green Light Racing PR)(7-21-2008)
VFW back on board #33: For the second time in 2008, the KHI #33 Chevrolet Silverado will carry the red, white and blue colors of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States’ paint scheme. The #33 VFW Chevy debuted on March 29 at Martinsville Speedway and is scheduled to run in four more races, including the Veterans Day weekend event at Phoenix International Raceway. In eight career starts at ORP, Hornaday has recorded two wins (2007 and 1997), five top-five and five top-10 finishes. In last year’s win at ORP, he started second and led 90 laps en route to the team’s third win of the season.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-21-2008)
Raybestos Rookie News & Notes – ORP: Marc Mitchell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 19 Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Mitchell grabbed a ninth-place finish, his best in 12 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races and first top-10. He claimed top rookie honors for the third time this season and for the second time in the last three events. Colin Braun leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 16 points (133-117) over Donny Lia entering the July 25 Power Stroke Diesel 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park (Indianapolis, Ind.). Tim Sauter was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Power Stroke Diesel 200, scoring an 18th-place finish. Carl Edwards is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in 13 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)(7-21-2008)
Caisse to replace Bodine in trucks? During Friday night’s ARCA Series race broadcast on SPEED/TV, Todd Bodine said that Germain Racing has been working with young driver, Sean Caisse and that when he moves up [to Nationwide], Caisse would be replacing him in the Truck Series. [Caisse finished second in the ARCA RE/MAX 150 at Kentucky driving for Hattori Racing Enterprises. Toyota engineer Shu Terasaka of Ibaraki, Japan traveled to Kentucky with HRE. Terasaka has worked this week on the AISIN Camry and worked with Germain Racing mechanics as they prepared the team’s three Tundras for racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Kentucky Speedway.](7-19-2008)
Scott earns first ARCA Series pole at Kentucky: UPDATE 5th place finish: Brian Scott, in the #25 Albertson’s Chevy earned his career first ARCA RE/MAX Series SIM Factory Pole Award Friday afternoon at Kentucky Speedway, circling the 1.5-mile track in 30.645 seconds for a speed of 176.211 mph. Scott, who joins Justin Allgaier and John Wes Townley as drivers competing in both the ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events at Kentucky Speedway this weekend, participated in a NCTS practice session immediately after earning the ARCA pole.(ARCA Racing PR)(7-18-2008)
UPDATE: Brian Scott finished fifth in the Albertsons Chevrolet.(7-18-2008)
FarmPaint.com to sponsor Howard: ThorSport Racing has announced that FarmPaint.com has become a proud sponsor of the #13 Chevy in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. FarmPaint.com will make its first appearance on the #13 race truck with driver Shelby Howard, in the Ford Built Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday. FarmPaint.com is the leading source for agricultural paint and coating needs.(ThorSport Racing PR)(7-18-2008)
Image added: Image of the #13 FarmPaint.com Chevy can be seen on the 2008 Paint Scheme Gallery.(7-18-2008)
Record Race for Roush: Roush Fenway Racing will set a record for series starts Saturday at Kentucky, making its 316th appearance, which eclipses Spears Motorsports’ run. Roush won a title with Greg Biffle in 2000 and has fielded Fords for five rookies of the year, most recently Erik Darnell in 2006. The team’s first race was in 1995, with Todd Bodine finishing fourth at Topeka, Kan. Its 49 wins are a series record. Twenty-eight drivers have competed in Roush trucks, with 10 of them winning at least once.(ESPN.com)(7-18-2008)
Season in Review – Driver Points: Driver point standings statistics: [Ron Hornaday Jr. current leader]
…Five drivers have led the point standings in 2008: Todd Bodine, Kyle Busch, Ron Hornaday Jr.,Rick Crawford and Johnny Benson.
…Kyle Busch led the points for three races – his first time ever to lead the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings.
…Rick Crawford took the points lead following Dover – his first time to lead the points since he headed the series for one week following his win in the season-opening Daytona race in 2003.
…Johnny Benson assumed the points lead at Michigan – his first time to lead the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings. Benson had been second in the point standings 13 times in his career.
…Ron Hornaday Jr., retook the points lead following Race No. 12 (Memphis). It is his third stint as the point leader this season.
…Three drivers have ranked in the top 10 in points all season: Johnny Benson, Todd Bodine and Rick Crawford.(NASCAR PR)(7-17-2008)
Marks to drive for Braun Racing at Montreal: Braun Racing officials have announced plans for Craftsman Truck Series competitor Justin Marks to drive the team’s #10 Nationwide Series entry in the Montreal race next month. Sponsorship for the #10 entry will come from Future Electronics in the Aug. 10 race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Marks has more than five years of road-racing experience, competing in events run by the Sports Car Club of America, Grand Am and the America Le Mans Series.(Braun Racing PR)(7-17-2008)
Double-header for Townley: Jon Wes Townley will be driving the #09 Zaxby’s Ford for Roush Fenway Racing this weekend at Kentucky Speedway; his third start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Townley is running the full ARCA schedule [Friday night] and is currently fifth in the championship point standings.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(7-17-2008)
Peters to raise awareness for Leukemia Society: Premier Racing, with driver Timothy Peters, will be putting its brand new #17 team on the track at the Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 19th in an effort to raise awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Premier Racing will display the LLS logo on its truck. “We decided weeks ago that we would like to use our truck at Kentucky to help promote a worthy cause, and LLS is one that is helping to save lives everyday,” commented Premier team owner Philip Hudgins. Hudgins went on to say, “Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. Being a father and grandparent, I could not think of a more worthwhile cause to support.” The team will be competing in its second race of the season and is very confident they can put on a good show for the fans.(Premier Racing PR)(7-16-2008)
Busch making first truck start at Kentucky: UPDATE Chasing History: Kyle Busch will be back behind the wheel of the #51 Miccosukee Resort Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota Tundra for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at the Kentucky Speedway Saturday, July 19, 2008. Busch will be making his first start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at the 1.5-mile intermediate track for the 150 Lap /225 Mile race. Busch won’t be commuting to one of the other premier NASCAR touring series races this weekend but instead he will commute to get behind the wheel of a different kind of race car. This week Busch will also race in the #51 NOS Energy Drink Super Late Model at Slinger Speedway in Wisconsin, Tuesday July 15, then July 19th at the Kentucky Speedway in the Miccosukee Resort Toyota Tundra. Busch and Richie Wauters and some of the #51 NCTS team will fly off to the Iowa Speedway for another Super Late Model race Sunday, July 20, 2008 [Details posted on the Appearance Page.] (Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(7-16-2008)
UPDATE: Kyle Busch stands a victory away from making NASCAR history as the first driver to win a race in all three of the NASCAR’s national series in successive starts. Busch already is a member of a select group of drivers who have won in all three national series in the same season, posting a victory each year from 2005-08. Terry Labonte (1995) and Kevin Harvick (2003) also pulled off that triple.(NASCAR PR)(7-16-2008)
Brad Daugherty starting truck team in ’09? UPDATE 4 Cup, NNS no truck? After discussion surrounding the recent announcement of Randy Moss’ possible entry in the Truck Series during ESPN’s NASCAR Now television broadcast on Wednesday night, analyst Brad Daugherty announced he too is going racing in 2009 with his own Craftsman Truck Series team. [No details given.](The Daly Planet)(5-1-2008)
UPDATE: As part of an article about Kelly Bires, ESPN’s Mark Ashenfelter reports…It’s been a hectic year for JTG, which ended its relationship with Wood Brothers Racing on the competition side prior to the season. Since the year started, teammate Marcos Ambrose has swapped crew chiefs and the team has, at least temporarily, closed its Craftsman Truck Series team. And Brad Daugherty, a former team owner turned broadcaster, has bought into the team. [JTG Racing fields the #47 and 59 Nationwide teams and had fielded the #20-truck which has since ceased operations. [No word on if/when truck team will return to the series]. For complete article visit: ESPN.com.(6-24-2008)
UPDATE 2: Hearing JTG Racing could move up to Sprint Cup in 2009 with Marcos Ambrose driving and the team could switch from Ford to Chevy, no idea if Daugherty would be part of this deal. Other rumors have Ambrose going to the #21 of the Wood Brothers in 2009, that team would remain a Ford. Ambrose is schedule to run eight races this season in the #21 and four in the #47 Ford fielded by JTG Racing.(6-25-2008)
UPDATE 3: Brad Daugherty, a former NBA and North Carolina player, will partner with Tad and Jodi Geschickter to run a truck team full time next season. It’s a return to the series for Daugherty, who also works as an ESPN broadcaster for NASCAR events. Daugherty owned Liberty Racing from the mid-1990s to about 2000. His team won three truck races, including two with the late Kenny Irwin.(Roanoke.com )(7-5-2008)
UPDATE 4: Nationwide Series racer Marcos Ambrose will become a full-time Sprint Cup driver next season, thanks to a new partnership former NBA player Brad Daugherty has with JTG Racing. The team will be renamed JTG Daugherty Racing. It will continue to field two Nationwide Series entries, but add a full-time Sprint Cup entry next year with Ambrose at the wheel. Little Debbie snack cakes will sponsor the car, which will use #47. [No mention of truck team](ESPN.com)(7-15-2008)
Rascal Flatts sponsoring Allen & Randy Moss Motorsports debut: Randy Moss Motorsports and the #81 Chevy will make its much anticipated debut this weekend at the Kentucky Speedway with the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year Willie Allen behind the wheel. Grammy Award winning country music group Rascal Flatts will sponsor the #81 Chevy for the debut of Randy Moss Motorsports this weekend at Kentucky Speedway. The three man band has recorded eight number one songs in their bright career and is currently touring the country on their “Bob That Head” 2008 concert tour. Jining Rascal Flatts as sponsors in Kentucky will be The Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau and Lowery Plumbing as they will ride along on the #81 Chevy with Willie Allen for the 150-lap event as Associate Sponsors.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(7-15-2008)
Kobalt Tools to be new Series sponsor? UPDATE Kobalt leading candidate: Ray Dunlap reported on the SPEED Report that Kobalt Tools sounds like they are the leading contender to be the series sponsor of what is now known as the Craftsman Truck Series. Craftsman announced last season that they would leave as Series sponsor after the 2008 season.(6-30-2008)
UPDATE: NASCAR is believed to be selling the series’ title rights in the mid to high seven-figure range annually, with an advertising commitment on SPEED, the broadcast home of the series, at close to seven figures. Stanley Tools and NAPA also have been involved in discussions with NASCAR. In addition to the title sponsorship, the deal likely would include status for Kobalt as the official tool of NASCAR, replacing Craftsman. Lowe’s, represented by GMR Marketing, also could be moving into the official home improvement store category that currently is occupied by The Home Depot, whose deal with NASCAR runs out this year.(Sporting News)(7-15-2008)
Allgaier on board with MB Motorsports at Kentucky: Justin Allgaier will pilot not only the #6 AG Tech-Hoosier Midwest ARCA RE/MAX Series car in the Kentucky ARCA 150 at Kentucky Speedway race Friday, July 18, but he will also be competing in the Built Ford Tough 225, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Saturday, July 19. Allgaier will be piloting the #63 Mittler Brothers Machine and Tools Ford. Allgaier has seven prior Craftsman Truck Series starts for the MB Motorsports team with one start at the Kentucky Speedway in 2006.(Justin Allgaier PR)(7-15-2008)
Stout returns to NCTS action in Kentucky: JC Stout will step back into the #91 Stellar-Quest Racing Chevy for the Built Ford Tough 225 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Kentucky Speedway Saturday July 19, 2008. Don Roberts, a long-time member of the Stellar-Quest Racing Team, will perform the roles of both Crew Chief and front tire carrier this weekend.(Stellar-Quest Racing PR)(7-15-2008)
Annexus to sponsor Cobb at Kentucky: Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing and Derrike Cope Inc. are pleased to announce Scottsdale-based The Annexus Group will be returning as the primary sponsor for the #74 Dodge Ram at the July 19 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Kentucky Speedway. The race will serve as Cobb’s second in the series.(Cobb Racing/Diamond III Mgmt PR)(7-15-2008)
Compton makes first truck series start at Kentucky: Stacy Compton will be making his sixth NASCAR start at Kentucky Speedway this weekend. Compton has five Nationwide starts to his credit, scoring one pole (2003), one top-five and two top-10’s. This will be his first start in a truck at Kentucky. The #4 Dodge will be showcasing the Tim Short Dodge of Hazard, KY paint scheme Saturday night.(BHR-VA)(7-14-2008)
Chrissy Wallace makes first intermediate attempt at Kentucky: Twenty year-old Chrissy Wallace is geared up for her third NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race with Germain Racing in the #03 GEICO/Germain Toyota Tundra. Saturday night she will take on 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway in the Built Ford Tough 225. This will be Wallace’s first race on an intermediate track. Wallace made her Truck Series debut with Germain Racing at Martinsville. She is scheduled to run more races with Germain this season. Germain would like to have her race for rookie of the year in 2009.(Germain Racing PR)(7-14-2008)
Scott pulling double-duty at Kentucky: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Brian Scott [#16-Albertsons Chevy] gets set for another dual performance this weekend at Kentucky Speedway when he competes in both the Automobile Racing Club of America’s Kentucky ARCA 150 on Friday July 18th and the Built Ford Tough 225 NCTS event on Saturday July 19th. The 20 year-old Boise, ID native has made one previous ARCA start at Kentucky, finishing 13th in his ARCA debut last July. Saturday’s event will be Scott’s first NCTS foray at Kentucky.(Xpress Motorsports PR)(7-14-2008)
Raybestos News & Notes – Kentucky: Brian Scott was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 28 O’Reilly 200 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Scott claimed a 13th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the first time this season. Colin Braun leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 15 points (123-108) over Donny Lia and Justin Marks entering the July 19 Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Joey Clanton was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2007 Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky, scoring a seventh-place finish. A Raybestos Rookie has scored a top-10 finish in five of the eight races at Kentucky including the last two consecutive. Carl Edwards is the only Raybestos Rookie to score a win in eight Craftsman Truck Series races at Kentucky Speedway. Edwards won the 2003 event by 3.568 seconds over Ted Musgrave. He led the race only once, covering the final 40 laps.(Raybestos PR)(7-14-2008)
Braun to make first Cup start at The Glen: UPDATE: denied On this week’s Speed Report, Bob Dillner reported that Colin Braun [#6-Con-way Freight Roush Fenway Ford] is scheduled to make his first start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Watkins Glen. Braun will be driving a car from the Yates Racing stable and not Roush Fenway.(7-14-2008)
UPDATE: Roush Fenway Racing folks denied that Colin Braun running the Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen and say Braun will be racing in the Truck Series race at Nashville Superspeedway.(Roush Fenway Racing)(7-14-2008)
ORP offering commemorative souvenir program: O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is excited to announce that for the first time ever, a commemorative souvenir program set will be made available for fans during Kroger SpeedFest. Each day during SpeedFest, programs will be sold that showcase a different, edgy cover highlighting the race of the evening; and include driver biographies, feature stories, track information, and more. Programs can be purchased for $7 each, or three for $15. The commemorative 3-pack comes with a carrying bag provided by the Hendricks County Convention and Visitors Bureau.(ORP PR)(7-12-2008)
Close the Milwaukee Mile? A co-chair of the state’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee said it may be time for the state to abandon auto racing at State Fair Park and re-develop the Milwaukee Mile property after a report issued today found it continues to jeopardize the fair park’s financial position. Rep. Suzanne Jeskewitz issued the statement in response to the Legislative Audit report, which says State Fair Park will pick up nearly $1.2 million in costs related to the Milwaukee Mile this year, most of that because of contract amendments that reduced how much racing promoter Craig Stoehr and Milwaukee Mile Holdings LLC have to pay the park in licensing fees. “We cannot continue to amend this agreement to the detriment of the taxpayer, and the state has proven it cannot operate this racetrack itself,” said Jeskewitz. “Perhaps it’s time to determine if we need to cut our losses and redevelop the property.” State Fair Park Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer Craig Barkelar said there will be no more revisions to the contract, but that it would be premature to shut down the nation’s oldest continuously operated racetrack.”It’s premature to say it’s not going to make it, at least for the foreseeable future,” said Barkelar. “We have a contract, and we intend to honor that as long as they continue to pay their licensing fee.” (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)(7-12-2008)
Ren interim crew chief for Harvick at Chicagoland: UPDATE: Ren one more NNS race: During the Nationwide Series qualifying session on ESPN, it was noted that Rick Ren is acting as interim crew chief for the #33-KHI Chevy with driver, Kevin Harvick for the Dollar General 300 at Chicagoland Speedway [Ren is currently crew chief for #33-Ron Hornaday]. No word on the status of Wally Rogers but it was mentioned that there would be a personnel change this week at Kevin Harvick Inc.(7-11-2008)
UPDATE: During prerace activities on ESPN, Kevin Harvick said that Wally Rogers has been let go as crew chief for the #33 Nationwide team; felt the needed consistency was not there for the team. Rick Ren will handle one more race in NNS. After that, other team members will take over for a couple of weeks while the situation is evaluated and a decision is made.(7-11-2008)
Hensley joins BHR-VA stable: Bobby Hamilton Racing-VA has announced t the addition of veteran Crew Chief Jeff Hensley to the #4 Dodge Dealers Dodge driven by Stacy Compton and #18 Tahoe Dodge driven by Dennis Setzer stable. With more than 25 years experience in NASCAR industry Hensley will assume the role of Director of Competition for both teams. Former Director of Competition Charlie Wilson will move into a more hands on role with Dodge Engineering and the #18 Tahoe Dodge. Hensley is no stranger to the Dodge Research and Engineering team. Before making the jump to Bill Davis Racing in 2004 he spent two years as an engineer at Arrington Manufacturing helping with the development of the Dodge NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series engine. In just four short seasons at BDR he served as Crew Chief of the #5 entry and led his team to eight NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victories, 28 pole awards and 37 top-five finishes.(Bobby Hamilton Racing-VA)(7-10-2008)
ACL hosting second annual FAN FEST: American Commercial Lines (ACL), co-primary sponsor of Jack Sprague’s Kevin Harvick Inc. #2 Chevy, is proud to announce the second annual ACL FAN FEST on Thursday, July 17 at the ACL JEFFBOAT facility along the Ohio River at 1030 East Market Street in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The list of attendees includes three-time NASCAR Truck Series championship drivers Jack Sprague and Ron Hornaday, the #2 and #33 Truck Series pit crews, 2007 ARCA Champion Frank Kimmel, ARCA rookie Gabby DiCarlo and others. [Event details are posted on the Appearance Page.](KHI PR)(7-10-2008)
Busch to race trucks at Kentucky: The field for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway received an added dose of star power this week when it was announced Sprint Cup Series points leader Kyle Busch is planning to contest the 150-lap race on July 19. Busch, who notched his sixth Cup Series win of the season at Daytona last Saturday, will be racing in the trucks race at Kentucky for the first time. Busch ran in the Meijer 300 Nationwide Race at Kentucky Speedway in June and was racing second to eventual race-winner Joey Logano before crashing on Lap 165 and ending up in 30th.(Herald-Ledger)(7-10-2008)
Vote for Most Popular Driver: Through the years, NASCAR fans have found numerous ways to show support for their favorite driver at every level of the sport — from their neighborhood short track to the monster superspeedways. Not the least of which is going to the track and cheering them on race day. Now, there’s another opportunity: an online ballot box. Beginning July 4, fans can visit nascar.com and vote for their favorite driver for Most Popular Driver of the Year Award for the Nationwide Series and Craftsman Truck Series. Results of the balloting will be announced at each of the respective series banquets at the end of the season.(nascar.com)(7-8-2008)
Wood Bros Racing testing at Darlington: Wood Brothers Racing and Jon Wood will be testing the #21 Ford at Darlington Raceway for two consecutive days starting Wednesday July, 9th. The #21 team will be bringing the same truck that was raced in Michigan and Texas where it ran in the top 5 and finished 10th. Even though the truck has had good race results, the team’s goal for this test is to improve their intermediate track program. The test data will also be useful in preparation for Kentucky, an intermediate, one and one half mile track, which is the next race on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule. Jon Wood will pilot The Barnhill Group Ford F-150 in the Built Ford Tough 225 on Saturday, July 19th.(Wood Bros. Racing PR)(7-8-2008)
Randy Moss starting truck team: UPDATE 6 Official Announcement Allen at Kentucky: During the prerace report on Speed/TV at Kansas Speedway, Rick Allen reported that New England Patriot wide-receiver Randy Moss is starting a new truck team with plans to race toward the end of the year. A formal announcement is expected some time next week.(4-26-2008)
UPDATE: Fresh off a record breaking NFL season, New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss announced today the formation of Moss Motorsports, LLC with its intended participation to begin in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Moss anticipates that the team will debut at some point in the second half of the 2008 season and run selected races through the conclusion of the year. The partial schedule is a prelude to a full-time campaign in 2009. Sponsors and manufacturer alignments will be announced at a later date. Moss is a ten year veteran in the National Football League and was a first-round draft pick in the 1998 draft out of Marshall University. He has been a NASCAR fan for several years including sponsorship of a local dirt track program and recently made the decision to get involved with the ownership of a NASCAR team. He is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the Urban Youth Racing School and furthers his youth advocacy while holding the same honor with American Youth Football. A major component of the Moss Motorsports program will be the continued involvement and support of youth programs. “There are a lot of NASCAR fans in the locker room,” Moss said. “We’ve seen a lot of football players get involved – guys like Dan Marino and Troy Aikman to name a couple. I think it’s a good fit and gives some of the companies I am already working with an additional outlet. It’s a smart move on the marketing side of things but on the personal side of things I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.” Randy has kick started his efforts by contracting with Integrity Sports Marketing, LLC – a leading motorsports marketing company in NASCAR. “We know it takes time to build a team from the ground up, and we have some good people working with us to get that process started,” Moss said. “We are talking to the manufacturers, and we’re already evaluating some drivers. Eventually I’d like to be able to have our team work with some of the young guys that are working hard to make it up the ladder, but right now it might make more sense to find a driver with a lot of experience to get us started. But we really don’t have anyone in mind. We’ll look at who is available and find someone that can help us compete and win as quickly as we can.” Moss believes Moss Motorsports will give his current marketing partners another avenue to gain exposure and will open doors for new companies that want to work with him. “The companies I already work with now have a chance to get some exposure to another group of dedicated sports fans,” Moss said. “And we’ll have an opportunity to build some relationships with an entirely new group of companies as well. We’ll have a chance to do some pretty cool things between the football side and the racing side. That’s a part of the equation that most of the other teams don’t have, so we already have a competitive advantage over them. Once we get everything in place we look forward to competing on the race track too.”(Integrity Sports Marketing/Moss Motorsports PR)(4-29-2008)
UPDATE 2: Hearing that NFL Player Randy Moss has bought into Morgan-Dollar Motorsports and the team will be renamed Randy Moss Motorsports. No idea when this will be announced.(6-12-2008)
UPDATE 3: Moss Motorsports has scheduled a press conference at Daytona Int’l Speedway on Thursday, July 3rd at 2:00pm/et – anticipating a formal announcement of future plans.(6-27-2008)
UPDATE 4: A source at New Hampshire Motor Speedway told the Herald yesterday that Moss’ NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team, Randy Moss Motorsports, will make its debut on July 19 at Kentucky Speedway. Moss’ truck will be #81, the jersey number he wears for the Patriots. Moss has also purchased a major portion of Morgan Dollar Motorsports, a team currently racing in the truck series. Moss will make the announcement on Thursday at Daytona International Speedway and is expected to have a prominent Sprint Cup driver race his truck in Sparta, KY.(Boston Herald)(6-30-2008)
UPDATE 5: Randy Moss, NFL All Pro wide receiver with the New England Patriots, will make his debut as a NASCAR team owner on July 19 in the Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway. Moss has purchased a 50-percent stake in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team owned by long-time series participant David Dollar. Dollar’s team, known as Morgan-Dollar Motorsports, will be renamed Randy Moss Motorsports effective immediately. Sponsorship for the new organization is pending. The new team will utilize Moss’s familiar #81, and will retain Morgan-Dollar’s relationship with Chevrolet. Eric Phillips, long time crew chief for Morgan-Dollar Motorsports will continue to fill that role with Randy Moss Motorsports. [Announcement on drivers will be made in the coming days.](Randy Moss Motorsports/Integrity PR)(7-3-2008)
UPDATE 6: Quote from interview with David Dollar; Dollar: “Yes it’s going to be Willie Allen. We are going to run Willie Allen at Kentucky.” [Future races for Allen with Randy Moss Motorsports have not been secured.](Team Chevy PR)(7-4-2008)
Hornaday & Benson busy racing this week UPDATE more for Benson: During this NCTS off-week Johnny Benson and Ron Hornaday Jr. will be off racing in other series. Johnny Benson is scheduled to race in the ISMA Super Modified event at Stafford Motor Speedway on Tuesday, July 8th, while Ron Hornaday Jr. is scheduled to run both the Super Late Model & Super Clean Modified events at Orange Show Speedway on Saturday, July 12th. For details and how you can purchase tickets visit the Appearance Page.(7-7-2008)
UPDATE: Johnny Benson is also scheduled to race in the Late Model Division at Berlin Raceway on Saturday, July, 12th.(BerlinRaceway.com)(7-8-2008)
Another Pressley in the Series? UPDATE to JTG in ’09? Another Pressley, Robert’s 19-year-old son Coleman, is working his way up NASCAR’s career ladder. In just his second full season behind the wheel of a Late Model car, he’s battling for the Whelen All-American Series national championship. The youngest Pressley has been racing at many of the same tracks where his father and grandfather once enjoyed much success. His primary track is Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina, and he also competes at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina.. He plans to make several Craftsman Truck Series starts this season, advancing from half-mile tracks to 1.5-mile ovals, gaining enough experience to be cleared to run the full season beginning at Daytona next year. He’s already in the driver-development program at JTG Motorsports. Although he’s already thinking about some truck series starts later this season, he’s being careful to not lose his concentration on the immediate task at hand. “Right now the focus is on winning that national championship,” he said. “I’ve got the Pressley family name behind me, and I want to bring it back to NASCAR.”(Owen Sound Sun Times)(7-3-2008)
UPDATE: JTG Racing owner Tad Geschickter said Friday he hopes to move Marcos Ambrose to the Sprint Cup Series next season, in addition to having Nationwide and truck series teams in 2009. JTG currently fields two cars in the Nationwide Series, for Ambrose and Kelly Bires. Geschickter said Bires would stay in the Nationwide Series in 2009, with Coleman Pressley to drive for the team in the truck series. The team currently fields Fords but Geschickter said the manufacturer the team will be affiliated with next year is open.(SceneDaily.com)(7-5-2008)
Expanded coverage during Warriors Weekend, July 18-19: As summer racing heats up across the United States, SPEED is designating July 18-19 as “Warriors Weekend,” expanding its coverage of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA RE/MAX Series and premiering a series of specials highlighted by a nod to American grassroots motor sports with For the Love of Racing on Friday at 7:30pm/et. Expanded coverage of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Kentucky will include live coverage of practice (July 18, 6:30pm/et), qualifying (July 19, 3:30pm/et), a special mid-season review (July 19, 3:00pm/et), an expanded version of the popular pre-race show NCTS Setup with Krista Voda (July 19, 6:00pm/et) and live, exclusive coverage of the Truck Series race, beginning at 7:00pm from Kentucky Speedway.(SPEED/TV)(7-1-2008)
Racing Resources says…
… Ron Hornaday Jr. won the O’Reilly 200 at Memphis Motorsports Park. It was Hornaday’s second win at Memphis. He won the inaugural Memphis race in 1998. He now has recorded five top-six finishes in six Memphis races.
… It was Hornaday’s third win in 2008. He also won at Kansas and Texas. Hornaday scored his series-record 36th victory in his 212th start. It also was his series-leading 18th short-track victory.
… Hornaday led a Memphis-record 139 laps, including the last 129. He started third. All 11 Memphis races have been won from a top-10 starting position.
… Pole winner and pre-race points leader Johnny Benson led the first 43 laps before being passed by Hornaday. Benson’s transmission got stuck between gears on the Lap 83 restart, leading to engine failure, which resulted in his first DNF of the season.
… Hornaday climbed from fourth to first in the points standings. He has a 27-point lead over Matt Crafton, who finished third.
… Benson’s 33rd-place finish dropped him to fourth in the point standings, 56 markers behind Hornaday. Todd Bodine (14th) lost a spot to third place, 54 behind first. Rick Crawford remains in fifth place.
… It was the fifth win in 2008 for Chevrolet. Toyota also has five, while Ford and Dodge have one each.
… Brian Scott (13th) had the best finish of the five Raybestos Rookie candidates in the field. He also had the best starting position, sixth, among the rookies.(ESPN)(7-1-2008)

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Born On Date: July 1, 2008