NASCAR Camping World Truck Series News & Rumors Archives
July 2010

 

  • RCR – two teams in 2011; leaving NNS: Richard Childress Racing is getting out of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, a series it dominated as recently as four years ago. Team owner Richard Childress said this week at Iowa Speedway that RCR would run two teams in the Camping World Truck Series for Childress’ grandsons, Austin and Ty Dillon. “I want to give the grandsons an opportunity to run,” Childress said. “We’ve got Ty and Austin, and they’re not going to be ready for Nationwide. We could’ve kept chasing Nationwide; we had sponsorship we could’ve kept going with. We didn’t have enough sponsorship to run two teams, and running one, it didn’t really make sense.” Childress said the new Nationwide Series cars the team built will be used by Kevin Harvick Inc. in a deal between the two teams. (NNS Racing)(7-31-2010)

  • Mattioli to make series debut at Pocono UPDATE 2 sponsor on board: Turn One Racing is pleased to announce that Long Pond, Pennsylvania native and NYC college student, Chase Mattioli, will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in the inaugural Pocono Mountains 125 this Saturday at Pocono Raceway, as a teammate to Stacy Compton and the #60 SafeAuto Insurance Chevrolet. The same day, 20-year old Chase will double down, competing in the Weis Markets / ARCA 125 as well. Mattioli will drive the #64 Chevrolet Silverado in the 50-lap event at the 2.5-mile triangular track. “We are really excited to work with this outstanding up-and-coming young talent this weekend at Pocono Raceway,” said Stacy Compton, owner of Turn One Racing. “We have had a lot of success this year with Narain Karthikeyan driving for us, and it will be great to see this remarkable young man be successful in our trucks. We have always had the intention of expanding our team to a two-truck operation and there is no better time than now to make that happen. Pocono Raceway is Chase’s home track and we are really excited about the chance to put him in top-quality equipment in front of his hometown crowd.”(Chase Mattioli PR)(7-27-2010)
    UPDATE: Initial rendering of the #64 Turn One Racing Chevrolet being driven by Chase Mattioli at Pocono is posted on the #64 NCWTS Paint Schemes Page.(7-27-2010)
    UPDATE 2: Chase Mattioli will race at his hometown track at Pocono Raceway this Saturday with a new sponsor, Pepsi MAX. The newly branded zero calorie beverage from Pepsi will grace the hood of his #64 Chevy truck for Chase’s NASCAR Camping World Truck series debut. This also marks the first time that the Camping World Series has run an event at this track. The 20-year-old Fordham University junior has been racing for nearly 13 years and PepsiCo was there from the start. Pepsi’s Mountain Dew brand served as his first official sponsor while competing in the ¼ midgets at the age of 7.”(Chase Mattioli PR)(7-30-2010)

  • NASCAR plans new qualifying procedure for Pocono UPDATE Slight change in procedure: NASCAR announced today that it will revise the qualifying procedure for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ inaugural Pocono Mountains 125 at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, July 31, with a multi-truck session on the 2.5-mile track. The order in which trucks will qualify for the 36 available positions will be based on their practice speeds from final practice on Friday, July 30. Times will be inverted, allowing the slowest truck in practice to be the first out in qualifying on Saturday morning, with the fastest truck going out last. Trucks will be released from pit road in approximately 25-second increments. Two laps of qualifying will be allowed with the fastest lap counting. Once a truck comes onto pit road its respective qualifying lap is complete. No drafting will be permitted. “The distance and uniqueness of Pocono afforded us the opportunity to implement this style of qualifying for this event,” said NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Director Wayne Auton. “SPEED is excited about the format and we believe the fans, drivers and viewing audience will embrace it, too.” “Our anticipation for the first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race ever at Pocono has been building for quite some time, but adding multi-truck qualifying to the mix really turns it up a notch,” said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. “All of us at SPEED are looking forward to watching this unique qualifying format unfold live and delivering it to the fans.” “It will definitely be different than what we are used to,” said Todd Bodine, a former series champion who currently leads the series standings by 101 points over Aric Almirola. “It will be quite a show I’m sure. It should be good for the fans and good for television.” “We are thrilled to have the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series coming to Pocono Raceway for the inaugural Pocono Mountains 125,” said Brandon Igdalsky, president of Pocono Raceway. “Recently, Pocono Raceway has been the host to many firsts, and with the new qualifying format being introduced and the always exciting double-file restarts, the truck series’ first trip to Pocono is sure to be a memorable one.” A drawing for qualifying order will be held in case inclement weather cancels the session. The field would then be set according to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rule book. Qualifying will be televised on SPEED at 10 a.m. on July 31 from Pocono.(NASCAR PR)(7-21-2010)
    UPDATE: Trucks will qualify tomorrow in reverse order, with the slowest trucks in practice going out first to qualify. Up to three trucks will be allowed on the track at one time for their qualifying laps. NASCAR made one slight change in the procedure; qualifying order will be based on the overall fastest speeds from both practice sessions, rather that the final session, as originally stated.(7-30-2010)

  • Dover asks for two Truck/NNS doubleheaders for Nashville: Dover Motorsports saw its admissions revenue drop 17.3 percent in 2010 primarily from its tripleheader weekend at Dover International Speedway and its two Nashville race weekends, the company reported Thursday. The company announced Wednesday that it would not ask for NASCAR events at Gateway International Raceway for 2011. The track, which had two Nationwide events and one Truck event on its 2010 schedule, was devalued Wednesday from $10 million to $2.036 million, which is primarily the value of the land. Dover has asked for its Nationwide race at Nashville in June and its Truck race at Nashville in August to be combined into a doubleheader during the Cup off-weekend in July, where Gateway had a doubleheader scheduled in 2009. That would give Nashville two Truck-Nationwide doubleheaders – one on Easter weekend and one in July – on Cup off-weekends. NASCAR has not yet announced whether it would approve the schedule request.(SceneDaily.com)(7-30-2010)

    <liImages added: Added a few images from the O’Reilly Raceway Park event including; #23-Jason White, ASILimited/Akzo-Nobel/GunBroker.com Dodge; #15-Johanna Long, Panhandle/Race For Riley Toyota; #47-Brett Butler, Fuel Doctor Chevy; #6-Ryan Rust Lilly Trucking Dodge; a few others added; #39-Ryan Sieg, S&W Towing Chevy; #93-Mike Garvey, S& W Towing Chevy, #82-Paddy Rodenbeck, Integrity Global Security Chevy. Check them out via the 2010 NCWTS Paint Schemes Page.(7-29-2010)</li

     

  • Goodyear Tire Notes — Pocono: Teams in both NASCAR series in action at Pocono this weekend will run the same tire codes, though the Sprint Cup tires will be branded “Goodyear Eagle,” while those for the Camping World Trucks will be branded “Goodyear Wrangler” . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that Sprint Cup teams ran at Pocono in June . . . Cup teams also ran this combination at both races at Pocono last season . . . for the Camping World Truck Series, this combination has been run the last two seasons at Iowa Speedway . . . it was confirmed for Pocono at a Goodyear tire test at the track on May 17 . . . Truck Series drivers participating in that test were Todd Bodine, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Mike Skinner and Jason White . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Pocono . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire. [Complete tire specs are posted on the Pocono Race Page](Goodyear PR)(7-29-2010)

  • Jerrick Johnson to run #00 at Pocono: Jerrick Johnson will drive the #00 KOMA UNWIND Chillaxation Drink Chevy for Daisy Ramirez Motorsports in this week’s Pocono Mountains 125. Johnson will also driver his own ARCA entry [#76 American Legion/David Law First Chevy] in the Weis Markets 125.(Daisy Ramirez Motorsports PR)(7-29-2010)

  • Wiss on the #17 at Pocono: Wiss will adorn the hood of the #17 Red Horse Racing Toyota with driver, Timothy Peters for the Pocono Mountains 125. Wiss cutting products have been earning a reputation for craftsmanship and long life since 1848. Go to any race garage or pit toolbox and chances are you’ll find several pairs of Wiss Metalmaster compound action snips; they’ve been the preferred brand with sheet metal pros for over 50 years. The wide Wiss product line now includes snips, scissors, industrial shears, utility knives, and HVAC tools, all with famous Wiss quality built in. GearWrench will be displayed on the rear quarter panels. Peters is currently tied for the fourth position in the Camping World Truck Series driver point standings with reigning champion Ron Hornaday. Only 110 points separate the second spot from the eighth position so a lot can be gained and lost each and every race. Peters is 35 points out of the second spot and 212 points from the lead.(Red Horse Racing PR)(7-29-2010)

  • No race at Gateway in 2011: Dover Motorsports, Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Gateway International Raceway has notified NASCAR that it will not seek 2011 sanctions for its two Nationwide Series and one Camping World Truck Series races. Vice President and General Manager of Gateway, Terry Harmeson stated, “This was a difficult decision in light of the many years of earnest and continued efforts on everyone’s part to develop a viable market for these events in one of our nation’s greatest cities. We remain committed to fulfill the balance of our 2010 schedule including our October 23rd NASCAR Nationwide race which will provide our fans the opportunity to see Danica Patrick compete here for the first time. We also plan to explore various ways to change the economics at Gateway both from the revenue and expense side.” Denis McGlynn, President & CEO of Dover Motorsports, stated, “We have a group of extremely dedicated and talented employees who make Gateway a great destination and we deeply appreciate all the support we have had from the racing community over the years . from racing fans and drivers to sponsors, team owners and sanctioning bodies. However, economics dictate that we evaluate all of our options for this facility, including its possible sale.”(Dover Motorsports PR)(7-28-2010)

  • ThorSport Racing marks two milestones at Pocono: ThorSport Racing will mark two impressive milestones the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ first-ever visit to the 2.5-mile triangular Pocono Raceway. When the green flag flies, the team will move into second-place in all-time races with 328, ahead of Circle Bar Racing – which suspended operations after three races in the 2010 season – and behind only Roush Fenway Racing. Roush Fenway Racing, which is no longer participating in the NCWTS, participated in 353 races between its debut in the middle of the 1995 season through the end of the 2009. Additionally, when Johnny Sauter and Matt Crafton take the green flag it will be the 499th and 500th cumulative starts for the team that made its debut at the Milwaukee Mile in July, 1996. Debuting in 1996, ThorSport has competed in every series event since the 1998 season opener at Walt Disney World Speedway.(ThorSport Racing PR)(7-28-2010)

  • White partners with cable network for two: Pocono is the first of two races that White will run in a special partnership between GunBroker.com and popular cable network Pursuit Channel whose logos will be prominent on the #23 GunBroker.com Dodge RAM this weekend. “We’re real excited to have Pursuit Channel on board and I’m hoping to give them a good run,” White said. “Everyone at GunBroker.com and SS Green Light Racing are proud to represent them.” Pursuit Channel is the most widely distributed, pure hunting and fishing network featuring many of the industry’s top names. It is the only outdoor network delivered in satellite provider DIRECTV’s basic package. Jason currently sits tenth in the NCWTS standings after twelve races heading into this weeks inaugural race at Pocono.(SS GReen Light Racing PR)(7-28-2010)

  • Lia doubles up at Pocono: Donny Lia will race both the Camping World Truck Series and ARCA events this weekend at Pocono Raceway. Lia will pilot the #21-SS Green Light Racing Chevy in the Pocono Mountains 125, and then the Venturini Motorsports #55 ARCA car in the Weis 125 at Pocono with support from East End Helicopter and SprayMaxLiners.(DonnyLia.com)(7-28-2010)

  • KHI with Schrader pick up sponsor for two: Kevin Harvick Inc. has announced today that Moore’s Marinade will sponsor the #2 KHI Truck Series entry for two races in 2010. Moore’s will make its sponsorship debut at Nashville Superspeedway on August 7th, followed by the October 30th race at Talladega Superspeedway. NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader is slated to drive for both events. Schrader has made three starts for KHI in 2010, all of which have resulted in top-10 finishes. Moore’s Marinade, which was introduced at an Alabama steakhouse 40 years ago, now has expanded to include two marinades, (Original and Teriyaki) and three wing sauces (Buffalo, Honey BBQ and Asian Teriyaki). The two Truck Series races will be the Birmingham, Alabama-based company’s first foray into NASCAR.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-27-2010)

  • Benson hired to coach Bayne in Nationwide series: Starting last week, Diamond-Waltrip Racing hired Johnny Benson as Trevor Bayne’s driving coach. Benson will attend a large majority of races with the #99 team. Benson owns a championship in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series.(Michael Waltrip Racing PR)(7-27-2010)

  • Hamilton Jr. to RWR for select races: Rick Ware Racing’s #6 truck in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will see a familiar face behind the wheel at Pocono for fans of the series. Bobby Hamilton Jr. will pilot the #6 truck for the Inaugural Pocono Mountains 125 at Pocono Raceway on July 31st. Hamilton Jr. will behind the wheel at Pocono, a track where he has experience and success. Several other races are being discussed.(Rick Ware Racing PR)(7-26-2010)

  • Raybestos Rookie News & Notes – Pocono:
    *Austin Dillon was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 23 AAA Insurance 200 at O’ReillyRaceway Park.
    *Dillon scored a sixth-place finish, his seventh top-10 in 12 races this season.
    *Dillonclaimed top Raybestos Rookie honors for the fifth consecutive race and for the ninth time in 2010.
    *Dillon is the only Raybestos Rookie in the truck series history to winthree consecutive pole positions, capturing the top starting position for the 2010 WinStar World Casino 400 at Texas Motor Speedway, VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway, and Lucas Oil 200.
    *The most poles by a Raybestos Rookie in series history are FOUR by Greg Biffle (1998) and Kurt Busch in (2000).
    *Dillon leads Justin Lofton by 43 points (164-121) in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Pocono Mountains 125 at Pocono Raceway.(Raybestos PR)(7-26-2010)

  • New sponsor for Hornaday: Not only will Ron Hornaday be making his Truck Series debut at Pocono Raceway, Pennsylvania based Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will join Kevin Harvick Inc.’s Truck Series program this weekend. The yellow and red Ollie’s colors will race across the side of the #33 truck for the first time in 2010. Kevin Harvick ran the Ollie’s colors earlier this season at Dover International Raceway as he piloted the #33 Nationwide Series car to a sixth-place finish. Even though Hornaday has not made laps around the ‘tricky triangle’ in a truck, he has competed at the 2.5-mile facility in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car. In 2001, Hornaday competed for legendary Indy Car driver AJ Foyt full-time in the Sprint Cup Series.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-26-2010)

  • Sadler returns to the #2 at Pocono: After a four-week hiatus, Elliott Sadler will get back behind the wheel of the #2 Grand Touring Vodka Chevrolet Silverado this weekend at Pocono Raceway. Sadler made his last Kevin Harvick Inc. start at Michigan International Speedway in June, recovering from a cut tire to finish ninth after a fifth-place qualifying effort. The Truck Series will make its debut at Pocono Raceway this weekend when the series heads to Long Pond, Pa for the inaugural running of the Pocono Mountains. Although Sadler is a relative newcomer to the Truck Series, he will have an advantage going into the inaugural event at Pocono Raceway. Sadler has made 23 Cup Series starts at the 2.5-mile triangle and has made 4,464 laps at the track, 99.4 percent of all scheduled laps in races he has competed in.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-26-2010)

  • Racing Resources — Monday Rundown:
    *Ron Hornaday won the AAA Insurance 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. It was Hornaday’s 46th Truck series victory in his 262nd start and his first win in 2010. His last win came at Nashville 22 races earlier.
    *Ernie Cope was the winning crew chief. Cope was Kevin Harvick’s crew chief in his win last week at Gateway.
    *Hornaday led two times for 129 laps, including the final 48. He has led 439 of 801 laps at ORP in the past four races, winning three of four.
    *Kevin Harvick Inc. posted its 30th series win and fourth victory in 2010.
    *Chevrolet scored its sixth win in 2010 and ninth victory at ORP.
    *Kyle Busch (second) had his best finish at ORP.
    *Matt Crafton (third) posted his third straight top-5 finish.
    *Johnny Sauter (fourth) recorded his fourth top-5 finish in the past five races.
    *James Buescher (fifth) had his fifth top-6 finish in the past seven races.
    *Austin Dillon (sixth) posted his fifth straight top-10 finish, the longest current streak.(ESPN.com)(7-26-2010)

  • Bodine Hosting “Onion Slice” Open: This year, the NASCAR driver known to most as “The Onion” is making it possible for many drivers, fans and friends to all be “first” together. Todd Bodine is hosting the “1st Annual Onion Slice Open” on July 29, 2010, at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Course in Mountaintop, PA, just before the Pocono Raceway weekend activities kick into high gear. “This is an event I’ve thought about hosting for a while. Everything just came together with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series adding Pocono Raceway to the season’s schedule, that I could put together my first golf tournament this year. I’m very excited about the charity that will benefit from this event. The Onion Slice Open will benefit pediatric patients suffering from brain trauma and brain disease at John Heinz Medical Center. I’m looking forward to helping these great kids,’ said Bodine, of Chemung, NY, whose wife, Janet, hails from Wilkes-Barre, PA.There are many opportunities for fans, racers, community members to be a part of the Onion Slice Open. [For complete details, visit the Jayski Charities Page.](Germain Racing PR)(7-26-2010)

  • Almirola now on standby for Gordon: Jeff Gordon, whose wife is expected to give birth to the couple’s second child in the next couple of weeks, will have Aric Almirola on standby next week at Pocono Raceway and then road-racing ace Scott Pruett on standby the following week at Watkins Glen. Almirola was the standby driver for Gordon’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson earlier this year but never had to get in the car during a race. Pruett, who drives for Chip Ganassi in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, was already going to be at The Glen for the Grand-Am event and Almirola will be in Nashville for a Truck Series race that weekend.(SceneDaily.com)(7-25-2010)

  • Hornaday WIX Filters Lap Leader at ORP:
    *Ron Hornaday Jr. led twice for 129 laps to earn WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race honors in tonight’s AAA Insurance 200. Hornaday Jr. captured the honor for the second time this season. He has now led 54 times in 98 short track races for a total of 4,782 laps.
    *Hornaday Jr. won tonight’s race, edging Kyle Busch by 2.095 seconds. The victory was his 21st in 98 short track races and his 46th in 262 career starts. He won for the first time in 12 races this season. Hornaday Jr. claimed his 51st career top-five finish on a short track.
    *Hornaday Jr. has now racked up six top-fives and seven top-10 finishes this season.
    *Unofficially, Hornaday is fourth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship standings, 212 points behind leader Todd Bodine. He trails third-place Johnny Sauter by 30 points.
    *Kevin Harvick leads the WIX Filters Lap Leader standings by one race over Hornaday Jr., Raybestos Rookie Austin Dillon and Elliott Sadler.(WIX Filters PR)(7-24-2010

  • Dillon top Rookie at ORP: Austin Dillon in the #3 Bass Pro Shops/Remington/Tracker Boats Chevrolet was the top Raybesto Rookie at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Dillon scored a sixth-place finish, his seventh top-10 in 12 races this season. Dillon claimed top Raybestos Rookie honors for the FIFTH consecutive race and for the NINTH consecutive race.(Raybestos Rookie PR)(7-24-2010)

  • Jeffrey Earnhart; next up Kentucky: During the qualifying broadcast on SPEEDtv, Jeffrey Earnhardt said his next scheduled race would be at Kentucky Speedway. He also said that he also planned to run at Las Vegas, and, if approved by NASCAR, would be running at Talladega.(7-23-2010)

  • Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Champions serve as Grand Marshals at ORP: Jonathan Anderson, 18, and McKenzie Nordland, 17, of North Dakota earned the honor of serving as Grand Marshals at the AAA Insurance 200, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis after they teamed up in June to capture the 61st Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Championship. The nationwide automotive technology competition for high school juniors and seniors began in February with 10,500 auto tech students vying for a share of more than $11.5 million in scholarships. The best two-student from each state advance to National Finals where they raced to diagnose and properly repair “bugs” – purposefully placed mechanical and electrical problems within the vehicle – for scholarships, prizes and a shot at the national title. For the Sheyenne Valley Area Career & Technology Center pair, their Grand Marshal duties are just one of many rewards for capturing the national crown. Anderson and Nordland’s experience will begin on July 20 when they spend two days job shadowing with Roush Fenway Racing’s #16 Con-way Freight team at its North Carolina race shop. The national champs also will join the team in Indianapolis in the garage and pits and serve as honorary pit crew members for the Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children race on July 24. Their instructor, James McFagden, will join the students for the weeklong race experience. In addition, the students will receive at-track tutoring throughout the race weekend by Larry McReynolds, one of the sport’s most recognized crew chiefs and this year’s national spokesperson for the Ford/AAA Auto Skills competition.(Catalyst)(7-23-2010)

  • International back onboard with Skinner: Mike Skinner and the #5 team welcome International Trucks and Monaco RVs back to the hood of their Toyota Tundra this weekend. Fast Facts…Mike Skinner leads the field for the number of laps led around O’Reilly Raceway Park. The driver of the #5 International Truck/Monaco RVs Toyota Tundra has led a total of 432 laps, accounting for nearly 25% of his attempted laps at the short-track. Throughout his 10 starts at O’Reilly Raceway Park, Skinner has started from the pole three times. In 1995 and 1996, he won the event after starting from the pole. He holds the record for the most pole positions at the 0.686-mile track, and is the only multi-time pole-sitter to start Friday’s race..(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(-7-22-2010)

  • Goodyear Tire Notes — ORP:Teams in both NASCAR series in action at O’Reilly Raceway Park this weekend will run the same tire codes, though the Nationwide Series tires will be branded “Goodyear Eagle,” while the Camping World Truck Series tires will be branded “Goodyear Wrangler” . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires these teams ran at ORP last season . . . Nationwide teams have also run this exact combination over the last two seasons at New Hampshire . . . these teams have also run this left-side tire code (D-4238) with a different right-side code at Gateway (both series), Phoenix (both series), Richmond (Nationwide only) and New Hampshire (Camping World Truck only) over the 2009 and 2010 seasons . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at ORP.[Complete tire specs are posted on the ORP Race Page.](Goodyear PR)(7-22-2010)

  • PC*Miler returns as sponsor for Starr: Transplant GPS, an innovator in hand held navigation products, returns to Randy Moss Motorsports and the #81 Toyota Tundra to promote their highly popular PC*MILER Navigation product line. PC*MILER Navigator all-in-one GPS for professional drivers, will have their logo featured prominently on the hood of three Randy Moss Motorsports-prepared Toyota Tundras throughout the 2010 season. This weekend marks the final appearance of PC*MILER Navigator on the hood of the #81 Toyota Tundra with David Starr behind the wheel. Starr is one of the most experienced drivers at O’Reilly Raceway Park. His 10 career starts at the Indianapolis short-track tie him for third on the career start list with teammate Mike Skinner and veteran Ron Hornaday Jr. Starr has completed more than 1300 miles around the 0.686-mile circuit and is expected to turn his 2,000th lap at O’Reilly Raceway Park on Friday evening.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(7-22-2010)

  • Randolph joins Turner #4 team: Turner Motorsports announced today that veteran crew chief Doug Randolph will be joining the organization as the Race Weekend Consultant for Ricky Carmichael and the #4 Monster Energy Chevrolet team effective this weekend at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. Randolph, who most recently worked with 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Bobby Labonte, will be working with Carmichael and current crew chief Mike Fritts on race weekend set-up while Fritts remains in charge of duties at the shop.(Turner Motorsports PR)(7-21-2010)

  • Karthikeyan returns to the #60 at ORP: Narain Karthikeyan returns to the #60 SafeAuto Chevrolet truck for this week’s AAA Insurance 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Narain Karthikeyan continues to be impressive in NASCAR as he had his highest finish of the season in the WinStar World Casino 400 at Texas Motor Speedway where he placed eleventh/ The AAA Insurance 200 will be Karthikeyan’s fifth race of the season.(Starbeast Motorsports PR)(7-21-2010)

  • Lafferty picks up ORP sponsor: Lafferty Motorsports is pleased to announce that “The Handy Helper” an Indianapolis based construction company has come on board to serve as primary sponsor of the #89-Chevrolet for this Friday’s NASCAR Truck series event at ORP. “The Handy Helper” specializes in the renovation of investment properties and can take on property management duties whether an investor plan on selling or renting the property. Bue-Ox will also have a presence on the Lafferty truck.(Lafferty Motorsports PR)(7-21-2010)

  • Hoffman to make series debut: Wave Energy Drink driver, Nick Hoffman, is set to make the debut of his life in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, as he enters this weekend’s AAA Auto Insurance 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Hoffman will be making his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut behind the wheel of a familiar team. He’ll pilot the #63 Mittler Brothers Ford-the same team which gave a young Carl Edwards his start several years ago. His association with the team comes down to a nifty family connection. Nick Hoffman’s father, Darrell, turned wrenches on the truck back when Carl was behind the wheel.(Taste of the Wave PR)(-7-21-2010)

  • SealMaster back on the #13: UPDATE Double-duty for Sauter at ORP: SealMaster will once again adorn Johnny Sauter’s #13 SealMaster/Curb Records Chevrolet at O’Reilly Raceway Park. SealMaster is the worldwide leader in pavement maintenance products and equipment. Sauter will race the same truck he raced earlier this season at Martinsville. He has run three NCWTS races at O’Reilly Raceway Park. He finished second in his first Truck race at ORP in 2004, and finished 14th last season. He has completed all 400 possible competition laps, leading 139 of them during the 2004 race.(ThorSport Racing PR)(-7-21-2010)
    UPDATE: Johnny Sauter will make his 200th career NASCAR Nationwide Series start in the Kroger 200 benefitting Riley Hospital for Children at O’Reilly Raceway Park Saturday night. Sauter will be behind the wheel of the #27 Curb Records/The National FFA Organization Ford Fusion. It will be his 38th career start for Baker Curb Racing and his second behind in the #27 in 2010.(Baker Curb Racing PR)(7-21-2010)

  • White to sport new look at ORP: Jason White’s Dodge RAM truck will have a new look this week at ORP; the black #23 will be wrapped in the bright green and yellow colors of ASI Limited, an Indianapolis based leader in the building enclosure industry, with associate sponsorship from Akzo-Nobel. White and the #23 ASI Limited Dodge RAM will make an appearance on Thursday at ASI Limited’s headquarters in Whitestown, just north of the track. Jason will be signing autographs for employees and guests who will also have the opportunity to tour the SS Green Light Racing hauler.(SS Green Light Racing PR)(7-21-2010)

  • ThorSport’s series longevity; Crafton tops consecutive starts: With the AAA Insurance 200 at ORP, ThorSport Racing will have competed in 327 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, tying team owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson for second all-time with Tom Mitchell and Circle Bar Racing. ThorSport should move into second-place all time, behind only Roush Fenway Racing’s 353 races, in the next series race at Pocono. ThorSport Racing is the active team leader in series starts and driver Matt Crafton is the current leader in consecutive series starts at 233. Matt Crafton has nine previous NCWTS starts at ORP, with two top-five finishes (fourth, 2005; fourth, 2008) and six top-ten finishes. He has completed all 1,801 possible competition laps and has led 22 laps. His average start is 12.7 and his average finish is 10.2.(ThorSport Racing PR)(7-21-2010)

  • Angela Cope returns at ORP: Angela Cope will be taking the driver’s seat of the #74 truck in the Camping World truck series race Friday night. Derrike said, “Angela has not had any seat time since the Daytona test and she will need to qualify on speed, so it is a lot to ask of her. Odyssey Extreme Batteries will be sponsoring the truck so she is pleased and excited for the opportunity.”(DerrikeCope.com)(7-21-2010)

  • Busch returns to #18 at ORP: Kyle Busch returns to the driver’s seat of the #18 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Busch made his first NASCAR start at ORP in 2001. ORP is a place Busch where has been successful, having won two Nationwide events (2004 and 2008) and never finishing lower than 11th in four career Truck Series starts.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(7-20-2010)

  • Rust makes series debut at ORP: On Friday, July 23rd, Ryan Rust will take the green flag in his first NASCAR truck race at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Rust will be driving the red and white Firestop, Adopt a Hero #6 Chevy Silverado from Rick Ware Racing of Thomasville, NC. Ryan is part of the driver development team of young drivers in RWR stable, and his goal is to finish the race and qualify for the next level of his development and NASCAR License.(RyanRust.com)(7-20-2010)

  • Theriault to Fast Track Racing for six: Michelle Theriault joins Fast Track Racing for six NCWTS races beginning at O’Reilly Raceway Park. She will drive the #48 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with sponsorship from ProGold Lubricants. ProGold Lubricants, a longtime motorsports sponsor, announced in June it had signed Theriault as a brand ambassador. This weekend will mark the pair’s first on-track effort together. ProGold Lubricants is the maker of state-of-the-art “metal friction reducing” technology for bicycle and motorcycle chains, automotive applications, gear boxes, cables, sporting equipment, woodworking, heavy machinery, and more. Future races for Theriault in the #48 ProGold Lubricants Chevrolet are yet to be determined.(Michelle Theriault PR)(7-20-2010)

  • Johanna Long to make debut at ORP: UPDATE 2 plans at least three starts; image added: Billy Ballew Motorsports announced today that Pensacola, Fla.’s Johanna Long will make her NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at O’Reilly Raceway Park on July 23. Long will drive the #15 Toyota Tundra in the AAA Insurance 200. It will be Long’s first event in one of NASCAR’s top-three series. Long has already collected an impressive list of racing accomplishments. At only 18 years old, she touts Late Model championships in the Blizzard Series and Gulf Coast Series from the 2009 season. Although her schedule is not confirmed, Long anticipates racing more NCWTS events with BBM following the AAA Insurance 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park as part of a multi-race developmental program.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(6-29-2010)
    UPDATE: Long said she expects to make at least three truck starts with Ballew, although her schedule isn’t set yet. She won’t go on to the series’ next stop after ORP, at gigantic Pocono Raceway, but hopes to make the next race at Nashville Superspeedway on Aug. 7 — if she gets approved by NASCAR to run on the 1 mile track.(Press Register/al.com) [Schematic of the #15 Panhandle/JohannaLong.com Toyota is posted on the #15 NCWTS Paint Schemes Page.](7-17-2010)
    UPDATE 2: Long will carry the colors of John Andretti’s Race 4 Riley event on the hood of her Toyota Tundra. The three-day Race 4 Riley event runs July 19 – 21, 2010, with donations going to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana. [See Jayski Charities Page for details.](7-20-2010)

  • Aramendia to DRM remainder of season: Daisy Ramirez Motorsports is excited to announce that San Antonio Native Joe Aramendia will take over the driving duties for the remainder of the year in the KOMA Unwind relaxation Drink Chevy #01. Aramendia who is the NASCAR Fiesta Late model series defending track champion and current point leader at the Houston Motorsports Park will attempt to wrap up the points championship in Houston as well as compete in all the remaining Camping World Truck Series events this year for DRM. Aramendia, who drove for DRM at Texas earlier this year, will make his return in this week’s AAA Insurance 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Carl Long, a true asset who has piloted the #01 in five events this year will continue in select events behind the wheel of the DRM #00.(Daisy Ramirez Motorsports PR)(7-19-2010)

  • Raybestos Rookie News & Notes – ORP:
    *Austin Dillon was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 17 CampingWorld.com 200 at Gateway International Raceway. Dillon claimed a seventh-place finish, his sixth top-10 in 11 starts this season. He racked up top rookie honors for the FOURTH consecutive race and for the eighth time in 2010.
    *Dillon is the only Raybestos Rookie in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history to win three consecutive pole positions, capturing the top starting position for the 2010 WinStar World Casino 400 at Texas Motor Speedway, VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway and Lucas Oil 200. The most poles by a Raybestos Rookie in series history are four by Greg Biffle (1998) and Kurt Busch in (2000).
    *Dillon leads Justin Lofton by 35 points (148-113) in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings entering the AAA Insurance 200 at O’Reilly (Indianapolis, Ind.) Raceway Park.
    *James Buescher was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 AAA Insurance 200, scoring a sixth-place finish.
    *Carl Edwards is the only Raybestos Rookie to win in 15 previous Camping World Truck Series races at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Edwards won the AAA Insurance 200 by .617 seconds over Travis Kvapil.
    *At least one Raybestos Rookie has logged a top-10 finish in 11 of the 15 previous races at O’Reilly Raceway Park, including eight of the last 10.(Raybestos PR)(7-19-2010)

  • Howard makes first start with KHI: Shelby Howard will be behind the wheel of the #2 Foretravel Motorcoach Chevrolet Silverado for this weekend’s AAA Insurance 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park, It will be the first of a three-race partnership between Howard and Kevin Harvick Inc. In addition to ORP, the 25-year-old Greenwood, Indiana native will take over the #2 truck driving duties at Chicagoland Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. Although Shelby Howard has three wins in the ARCA Racing Series (all in 2003), he has yet to find his way to Victory Lane in NASCAR’s top-three series. Howard hopes to take the checkered flag for the first time this weekend at his home track. In his 38 Nationwide Series starts and 33 Truck Series starts, Howard’s best NASCAR finish of fifth came at ORP in 2008(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-19-2010)

  • Hornaday doubles up at ORP: UPDATE Georgia Boot on board for three Ron Hornaday Jr. will be pulling double duty for Kevin Harvick Inc. for the first time this season when he competes in both the NASCAR Truck and Nationwide Series races at ORP. Hornaday will pilot the #33 Georgia Boot Chevrolet Silverado on Friday night for the AAA Insurance 200 and will follow up on Saturday behind the wheel of the #33 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet for the Kroger 200. Hornaday pulled this off last season, winning the Truck Series race on Friday night to make history as the only Truck Series driver to win four consecutive races and finishing sixth on Saturday in the Nationwide Series. Ernie Cope will be Hornaday’s crew chief throughout the weekend at ORP.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)
    UPDATE: Georgia Boot is on board as sponsor for the #33-KHI Chevy for the first of three races in 2010. Since 1937,Georgia Boot has been a manufacturer and marketer of quality work and outdoor footwear(7-19-2010)

  • RMM looking to merge or sell? UPDATE 2 denied by team owner: Hearing that Randy Moss Motorsports may be either merging with another team or possibly being sold, and that two prominent existing teams are currently looking at potential involvement in this deal.(7-16-2010)
    UPDATE: Randy Moss Motorsports Vice President Chip Wile denied that the team is on the auction block today, saying that no specific negotiations are ongoing, but admitting that “every team is probably for sale, at the right price.” Sources tell Sirius NASCAR Radio’s Sirius Speedway with Dave Moody that talks have taken place between RMM and Turner Motorsports owner Steve Turner about a merger or outright sale of the team, after Moss recently declined to assume a larger role in the financial operation of the team. Co-owner David Dollar has reportedly been left to handle the day-to-day funding and operation of the team by himself, with Moss serving as little more than a figurehead. While declining to comment specifically on those reports, Wile said Randy Moss Motorsports is in better financial shape than many on the circuit. “We have been very fortunate,” he said. “With support from Toyota, International Trucks, Zachry, Monaco RV, PC MILER Navigator, Exide Batteries and others, we’ve been able to weather these tough economic times better than most. “Conversations happen in this garage all the time,” he said. “People are always talking about how to streamline their operations or make things more efficient. Mergers are one way to accomplish that, and we are always interested in talking to anyone who might be able to make our team better. But saying that we are actively shopping this team for merger or sale would not be accurate.”(Sirius-Speedway.com)(7-16-2010)
    UPDATE 2: While waiting for the race broadcast, SPEED anaylst, Ray Dunlap interviewed Randy Moss Motorsports co-owner David Dollar who reiterated that at this time the team has no plans to either merge or sell to another team, and also stressed that their sponsorship program is strong.(7-16-2010)

  • Doug George out at KHI UPDATE 2 confirmed Cope in at ORP: Hearing that following the Iowa race, Doug George has left his role as crew chief for the #33 truck of Ron Hornaday and is no longer working for Kevin Harvick Inc.(7-14-2010)
    UPDATE: KHI crew chief changes for Gateway; Butch Hylton will be crew chief for the #33 Charter Chevrolet with driver, Ron Hornaday Jr.; Ernie Cope will be the crew chief for Kevin Harvick driving the #2-Bar-B-Q Chevrolet.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-16-2010)
    UPDATE 2: During a prerace interview on SPEEDtv, Ron Hornaday said that Ernie Cope would be his crew chief for the AAA Insurance 200 at O’Reilly Auto Park next week.(7-16-2010)

  • Wallace picks up two Gateway sponsors: UPDATE image added: Steve Wallace will be carrying two new sponsors aboard the #15 Billy Ballew Motorsports-fielded Toyota Tundra in Friday Night’s Camping World 200 at Gateway International Raceway. Wallace will be sporting the colors of Merit Pro on his hood and quarter panels, along with Avery Graphics on the truck’s bedliner. Merit Pro is a complete line of painting tools and accessories that was created to the highest standards, offering high quality products for the lowest price. Adorning Steve Wallace’s bedliner this week is Avery Graphics, an associate sponsor of Rusty Wallace Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. (Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(7-15-2010)
    UPDATE: Schematic for the #15 Merit Pro/Avery Graphics Toyota being driven by Steve Wallace at Gateway is posted on the #15 NCWTS Paint Schemes Page.(7-16-2010)

  • Hamlin in the #15 at Pocono: UPDATE 2: Digital Qpons to sponsor; image added: Billy Ballew Motorsports announced today that Denny Hamlin will drive the #15 Toyota Tundra in the Pocono Mountains 125 at Pocono Raceway on July 31. Hamlin has competed in 11 NCWTS races, scoring four top-10s and one top-five finish. Four of the eleven starts were with BBM. His best finish came at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2008, which he finished in third-place driving the #15 truck. Hamlin also led 64 laps at Martinsville Speedway in 2008 while driving for BBM. The Pocono Mountains 125 will be the debut event at Pocono Raceway for the NCWTS. Hamlin’s track record has Billy Ballew optimistic about the #15 team’s performance in the inaugural race.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(7-3-2010)
    UPDATE: Billy Ballew Motorsports has announced that Digital Qpons will sponsor the #15 Digital Qpons Toyota during the Pocono Mountains 125 at Pocono Raceway on July 31. The Pocono Mountains 125 will mark Digital Qpons’ first NASCAR endeavor. Digital Qpons provides a performance-based platform for businesses to deliver targeted and interactive forms of Mobile Marketing. Digital Qpons has developed a system for businesses to freely manage their promotional offers, review campaign analytics, and make changes in real-time to maximize results.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(7-15-2010)
    UPDATE 2: Schematic for the #15 Digital Qpons Toyota being driven by Denny Hamlin at Pocono is posted on the #15 NCWTS Paint Schemes Page.(7-16-2010)

  • Keselowski doubles-up at GIR; Miller Lite to sponsor: Brad Keselowski returns in the #29 Brad Keselowski Racing Dodge to make his third NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start of 2010 this weekend at Gateway International Raceway. BKR plans to make at least one more start in 2010 with Keselowski behind the wheel. That race will be at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 18. … Miller Lite will adorn the #29 entry this weekend. Keselowski will drive the famous #2 Miller Lite Dodge next year in the Cup Series.(Brad Keselowski Racing PR)(7-15-2010)

  • DGM picks up associate sponsor for Gateway; looking for more: DGM Racing and Mario Gosselin are heading to Gateway International Raceway after a strong 12th place finish at Iowa Speedway. Holiday Inn Select Downtown will be accompanying TireMonkey.com aboard the #12 Chevrolet driven by Gosselin. Gosselin is still seeking associate sponsors for the remainder of the 2010 season.(DGM Racing PR)(7-15-2010)

  • Kahne in #18 for KBM at Pocono: UPDATE confirmed: In response to a fan who asked Kasey Kahne if he was running the truck race at Pocono, Kahne replied via Twitter “yes i am. Driving for kyle in the 18. Looking forward to it.(7-11-2010)
    UPDATE: Kasey Kahne, who is undefeated in two career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts, will pilot the #18 Toyota of Scranton Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the inaugural Pocono Mountains 125 Truck Series event July 31 at Pocono Raceway. Kahne, who drives the #9 Budweiser Ford full-time for Richard Petty Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, won Truck Series races in November 2004 at Darlington Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. Busch is hoping to win as an owner and a driver all in the same day, for while Kahne will drive the #18 Toyota of Scranton Toyota Tundra for KBM at Pocono, Busch will pilot the #18 Z-Line Designs Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway in Newton.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(7-15-2010)

  • Sweet returns at Gateway: Brad Sweet takes to the track at Gateway International Raceway Friday, July 16th for the CampingWorld.com 200. Sweet will pilot the #90 Stringer Motorsports, Great Clips Racing Toyota Tundra, for the 160 lap event. Sweet’s run at Gateway will mark his fourth start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for the 2010 racing season. (Stringer Racing PR)(7-15-2010)

  • Jackson set for 4th series start at GIR: This weekend, TonyJackson will make his fourth start in the NCWTS driving the #07-SS Green Light Chevrolet, and this week it will be very close to his Lebanon, Missouri home at the Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Jackson has kept busy over the last month racing both on the dirt and pavement both near his home and near the home of SS Green Light Racing in North Carolina. Gateway is the fourth of seven scheduled races for Jackson with the SS Green Light No. 07 team this season. By running a seven-race schedule, Jackson will retain his status for NCWTS rookie of the year in 2011.(SS Green Light Racing PR)(7-15-2010)

  • Almirola in the #88 at ORP Nationwide race; maybe 2011: Kelley Earnhardt, co-owner and general manager of JR Motorsports, said that Aric Almirola will drive the #88 Chevy for the organization in the Kroger 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis on July 24. Almirola replaces veteran Cup Series driver Elliott Sadler, who had been slated to run the race for JR Motorsports. “I think Aric Almirola is going to drive the car for Indy,” said Earnhardt, citing logistical problems with getting Sadler, who drives the #19 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports in the Cup Series, settled in the car for the Nationwide Series event at O’Reilly. Earnhardt also mentioned that Almirola, who recently was in the news for serving as a standby relief driver for four-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, is one of several drivers being considered for a possible full-time job driving the #88 in the Nationwide Series in 2011. She added that Steve Arpin and Josh Wise, two drivers currently splitting time in the #7 Chevy with Danica Patrick for JR Motorsports, also are under consideration for that job.(NASCAR.com)(7-15-2010)

  • Ickler picks up sponsor for Gateway UPDATE image added: Brian Ickler comes to Gateway with just one start ever. Last year, Ickler started 22nd and finished a solid 15th in just his 10th career Truck Series event. He’ll look to score his first Truck Series victory at Gateway and do so with a local company supporting him. St. Louis-based Viasystems Group, Inc., a technology leader and a worldwide provider of complex multi-layer, printed circuit boards and electro-mechanical solutions, will be the primary sponsor on Ickler #18 Toyota for Friday night’s race.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(7-14-2010)
    UPDATE: Image of the #18-Toyota Tundra/Viasystems Toyota is posted on the #18-NCWTS Paint Schemes Page.(7-15-2010)

  • NASCAR suspends #5 crew member: UPDATE: statement from Randy Moss Motorsports Phillip Gibson, a crew member for the No. 5 team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. On July 11, Gibson was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2010 NASCAR Rule Book.(NASCAR PR)(7-14-2010)
    UPDATE: Officials from Randy Moss Motorsports made the following statement regarding the penalty handed out by NASCAR earlier today: “Randy Moss Motorsports is a firm supporter of NASCAR’s substance abuse policy and we recognize and support their effort,” said Chip Wile, Vice President of Randy Moss Motorsports. “Our team has a zero-tolerance policy for substance abuse. As an organization we support and agree with NASCAR’s decision. We appreciate NASCAR’s diligence in keeping the garage area a safe environment where we can compete at the highest level week in and week out.”(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(7-14-2010)

  • Iowa Images added: Added a few images from the Iowa Speedway race: #3-Austin Dillon, Bass Pro Shops/Remington/Tracker Boat Chevy; #33-Ron Hornaday Jr., Karl Chevrolet Chevy; #2-Ken Schrader, Premier Chevrolet Chevy; #5-Mike Skinner, PC*Miler Toyota; #13-Johnny Sauter, Curb Records/In Country/Karl Chevrolet Chevy; #15-Steve Wallace, Toyota of Des Moines Toyota. Check them out via the 2010 NCWTS Paint Schemes Page.(7-14-2010)

  • Goodyear Tire Notes: Teams in both NASCAR series in action at Gateway this weekend will run the same tire codes, though the Nationwide Series tires will be branded “Goodyear Eagle,” while the Camping World Truck Series tires will be branded “Goodyear Wrangler” . . . teams in these two series ran this right-side code (D-4240) with a different left-side code at Gateway last season . . . these teams are familiar with these this set-up, having run this exact combination of left- and right-side tires at Phoenix (both series), Richmond (Nationwide only) and New Hampshire (Camping World Truck only) over the 2009 and 2010 seasons . . . in addition, Nationwide and Truck teams have both run this left-side code (D-4238) with a different right-side at O’Reilly Raceway Park over the past two seasons . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Gateway . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.[Complete tire specs are posted on the Gateway Race Page.](Goodyear PR)(7-14-2010)

  • Another first time track for Butler: Brett Butler will be making his first trip to Gateway International Speedway for this weekend’s CampingWorld.com 200. The Georgia native is coming off a 18th place finish at Iowa Speedway this past weekend and is starting to put a string of solid runs together as he works toward the top 15 in drivers championship standings. Butler will be piloting his traditional Fuel Doctor USA #47 paint scheme at Gateway International Raceway on Friday July 16th. (Rick Ware Racing PR)(7-14-2010)

  • Exide onboard with Skinner at GIR: Exide Batteries will return to the hood of the #5 Randy Moss Motorsports Toyota Tundra this weekend at Gateway International Raceway. This is the Georgia-based company’s second consecutive year partnering with the #5 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. Mike Skinner and the #5 Exide Batteries team won the race at Gateway International Raceway just one year ago. Skinner had what he described as a fourth-place truck, but a series of late-race incidents helped Skinner inherit the race lead and capture his third win of the 2009 season.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(7-13-2010)

  • Dillon making first Gateway start: At Gateway, Austin Dillon will pilot #3-Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet utilizing the same chassis that he drove to Victory Lane on Sunday at Iowa Speedway, leading 187 of 200 laps, earning a perfect driver rating of 150. Although Austin Dillon has not previously raced at Gateway International Raceway, RCR has made two appearances at the track, both with Jay Sauter in 1998 and 1999, accruing finishes of third and 18th. In addition, the 41-year-old racing organization has two wins, six top-fives, 11 top-10s and one pole award among 20 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at the track.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(7-13-2010)

  • Carmichael heads to NH to try rally car: Ricky Carmichael will travel to New Hampshire this week to get some seat time in a rally car. Carmichael was invited to the event by Ken Block, head of longtime sponsor, DC Shoes. This will mark the first time that the 15-time AMA Champion will be behind the wheel in this category of driving. The #4-Monster Energy Chevrolet team will return to the Midwest on Friday, July 16th at Gateway International Raceway for the CampingWorld.com 200. The race can be seen on SPEED TV, or heard on MRN Radio beginning at 8:30 pm Eastern time.(Turner Motorsports PR)(7-13-2010)

  • Cobb picks up two sponsors for Gateway race: Jennifer Jo Cobb has yet to compete in an official NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Gateway International Raceway but she has turned several laps at the 1.25-mile race track. As an instructor at the Richard Petty Driving Experience, Cobb has driven numerous circuits at GIR, which she hopes will give her a head start on Friday night’s Camping World 200. Cobb’s #10 Driven Ford F-150 will have two sponsors for this week’s event. The Parkway Hotel will host the JJC Racing team and Cobb will sign autographs in the hotel lobby [see Jayski Appearance page for details]. Mark One Electric will return on the #10 Ford.(Cobb Racing PR)(7-13-2010)

  • WinStar World Casino returns as sponsor at TMS: WinStar World Casino continues to be synonymous with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Texas Motor Speedway. WinStar World Casino returns as title sponsor for the WinStar World Casino 350k truck series race on Friday, Nov. 5. The WinStar World Casino 350k is the 23rd race of the 25-event NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule and is part of the NASCAR triple-header weekend at Texas Motor Speedway that also features the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge Nationwide Series events. WinStar World Casino is just north of the Red River, and is the fifth largest casino in the World. And features eight world-themed gaming plazas extending a half mile in length, presents 24/7 gaming action, world-class entertainers and a wide range of restaurants.(Texas Motor Speedway PR)(7-13-2010)

  • Park returns to series at Darlington: During last night’s “The Speed Report” on SPEEDtv, Ray Dunlap reported that “Steve Park will be with a brand new team at our [Camping World Truck Series] race at Darlington.”(7-12-2010)

  • Double-duty for Harvick at Gateway; new sponsor on board: On a rare off weekend from the Sprint Cup Series, Harvick will still pull double duty as he often does when the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series run companion events on the same weekend. This weekend Harvick will start on Friday night piloting the #2 truck for Kevin Harvick Inc. and complete the weekend on Saturday night behind the wheel of the #33 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet. This weekend, KHI will welcome new sponsor STUBB’S Bar-B-Q Sauce to the No. 2 truck. The “legendary” Bar-B-Q sauce has come on board for two races in 2010, including this weekend at Gateway with Harvick, and the August race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway with Schrader. STUBB’S, founded by C.B. “Stubb” Stubblefield, is committed to their founder’s two missions: “Feed the World” and add a dash of “Love and Happiness” for every fan that purchases a bottle.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-12-2010)

  • Jeffrey Earnhardt to make series debut at Gateway: UPDATE more info: An announcement was made during the Race Hub broadcast on SPEED/tv that Jeffrey Earnhardt will be making his Camping World Truck Series debut at Gateway driving the #6 Fuel Doctor Chevy for Rick Ware Racing.(7-12-2010)
    UPDATE: Rick Ware Racing is proud to announce Jeffrey Earnhardt has joined RWR for the 2010 season. Earnhardt [#6 Chevy] will be teamed up with Crew Chief Gary Cogswell , a winning crew chief in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series Earnhardt will race a progressive schedule, racing at Gateway and other events to gain approval to race at Talladega, providing the components to be approved for Daytona in 2011 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Fuel Doctor USA is the primary sponsor for Jeffrey at Gateway.(Rick Ware Racing PR)(7-13-2010)

  • Raybestos Rookie News & Notes — Gateway:
    *Raybestos Rookie Austin Dillon won the July 11 Lucas Oil 200 at Iowa Speedway, crossing the finish line .635 seconds ahead of second-place Johnny Sauter. The victory was the first for Dillon in 12 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. He racked up his third top-five and fifth top-10 finish in 10 races this season.
    *Dillon claimed Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the third consecutive race and for the sixth time this season.
    *Dillon won the pole at Iowa, his third in 12 career starts. He set a series record by becoming the first Raybestos Rookie in Camping World Truck Series history to win three consecutive pole positions: WinStar World Casino 400 at Texas Motor Speedway (race No. 8), VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway (race No. 9) and Lucas Oil 200 (race No. 10). Dillon is tied with Kyle Busch for most poles in the series this season.
    *Dillon leads Justin Lofton by 28 points (133-105) in the overall Raybestos Rookie standings entering the CampingWorld.com 200 at Gateway International Raceway.
    *Johnny Sauter was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 CampingWorld.com 200 at Gateway. Sauter scored a second-place finish, .285 seconds behind race winner Mike Skinner and claimed the best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Gateway (12 races).
    *Greg Biffle (1998) is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in 12 previous races at Gateway.
    (Raybestos PR)[Complete rookie standings are posted on the Iowa Race Page/News & Notes.](7-12-2010)

  • Racing Resouces – Monday Rundown:
    *Austin Dillon won the Lucas Oil 200 Sunday at Iowa Speedway. It was his first series victory in his 12th start. He became the second first-time winner in 2010. (Aric Almirola won at Dover.)
    *Dillon is the second-youngest race winner in series history (20 years, 2 months,14 days).
    *Dillon led three times for 187 laps, including the final 52.
    *Richard Childress Racing posted its 21st Truck series victory.
    *Chevrolet posted its fourth win of 2010. (Toyota has six wins.)(ESPN.com)(7-12-2010)

  • Hackett Racing doubles up at Gateway: UPDATE team withdraws from NNS race; After a two month break, Ray Hackett Racing and driver Ryan Hackett [#76-Ford] will be back on track at Gateway International Raceway. The team has managed to put together funds as well as improve and repair equipment and plans on attempting both the CampingWorld.com 200 Camping World Truck Series race on July 16th, and also will bring a brand new Nationwide Series car to the track to compete in the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 race on July 17th. Driver, Ryan Hackett will be behind the wheel for both races. The team plans to continue to race in select Nationwide and Truck Series races. They have also just recently put the finishing touches on a new Ford Mustang and plan to be at the remaining COT races on the 2010 schedule. Longtime sponsor J&R Supply Corp. will be the primary sponsor for both races at Gateway. (Hackett Racing PR)(7-9-2010)
    UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Hackett Racing had to withdrawn from this weekend’s Nationwide race at Gateway International Speedway, however they will still be participating in the Truck Series event.(Hackett Racing PR)(7-12-2010)

  • Smith’s stores returns as LVMS sponsor: Las Vegas Motor Speedway is welcoming back an old friend as sponsor of the Sept. 25 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event. Smith’s Food & Drug Stores, which cosponsored the event in 2006 and 2007, has returned as title sponsor for this year’s event. The event will be called the Smith’s 350. “Smith’s was a terrific partner in 2006 and 2007, and we’re pleased to have one of the area’s most popular grocery and drug-store chains returning to sponsor our event,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “Smith’s is a household name in the Las Vegas community, and we’re excited to have it back in the fold.” “September 25th will be an exciting day to many of our customers and associates in Nevada who will attend the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, and we are delighted to be a part of this great event for a third time,” said Kenny Kimball, Smith’s Group Vice President of Sales and Merchandising.(Las Vegas Motor Speedway PR)(7-9-2010)

  • Bainey to run #48 at Gateway: Tim Bainey Jr. has added another event to his 2010 schedule for Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Racing Team as he will pilot the #48 Friday July 16th at Gateway Speedway; the event will be televised live on SPEED at 9pm. Bainey will also compete in the first ever NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Pocono Speedway Saturday, July 31st, in the #48 DelGrosso Chevrolet.(Tim Bainey Jr. PR)(7-9-2010)

  • Pheasants Forever on board with White at Iowa: Jason White is set to return to the Iowa Speedway as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series makes its second appearance at the 7/8-mile facility in the heart of America at Sunday’s Lucas Oil 200 at the Iowa Speedway. White’s #23 Dodge will have a passenger on board as a brightly colored ring neck pheasant will adorn the tonneau cover of the GunBroker.com/Pheasants Forever Dodge as part of a special partnership between GunBroker.com and the habitat organization; Pheasants Forever. Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. The SS Green Light team will have four special guests at the VFW 200; winners of the Pheasants Forever VIP Experience sweepstakes who will be honorary crew members this weekend.(SS Green Light Racing PR)(7-8-2010)

  • Goodyear Tire Notes – Iowa: This is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams ran at Iowa last year . . . in addition to Iowa, Truck Series teams will run this tire set-up at Pocono later this month . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at Iowa.(Goodyear PR) [Complete tire specs are posted on the Iowa Race Page.](7-8-2010)
  • Lia making first trip to Iowa: Donny Lia will make his seventh start of the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Sunday at the Iowa Speedway. This week Donny will be behind the wheel of the SS Green Light Racing #07 Chevy. This will be Donny’s first start at the Iowa Speedway as the NCWTS made its debut at the track in 2009 while Donny had returned home to race modifieds in the northeast.(SS Green Light Racing PR)(7-8-2010)

  • Eggleston 3rd SS Green Light entry at Iowa: Chris Eggleston was in Indianapolis helping a young quarter-midget driver at the QMA Eastern Grand Nationals when he got a phone call from his father that SS Green Light Racing General Manager Bobby Dotter had inquired to see if Chris would like to get behind the wheel of the #21 ASI Limited Dodge for the July 11th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 200 at the Iowa Speedway. It didn’t take Chris long to say “YES” and the 2009 ASA Late Model North Division Champion will make his fifth career start in the NCWTS on Sunday in the Lucas Oil 200 at the 7/8-mile Iowa Speedway. On top of the pit-box for the twenty-one year old from Colorado will be veteran Butch Miller.(SS Green Light Racing PR)(7-7-2010)

  • Ickler returns to the #18: Brian Ickler, driver of the #18 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports, will look to continue the championship “campaign,” at Iowa and the following week at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill. The 24-year-old San Diego native has twice driven for Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2010, finishing third in March at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and backing that up with a fourth-place finish in May at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City. Those two results, coupled with the efforts of KBM teammate Johnny Benson and the team’s driver-owner, Kyle Busch, have put the No. 18 Toyota firmly in second-place in the Truck Series owner standings, just 22 markers behind the #30 truck of Germain Racing.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(7-7-2010)

  • E-Z-GO teams with KHI to sponsor #33: E-Z-GO, a Textron Company, announces that it will sponsor the # 33 Chevrolet Silverado driven by veteran NASCAR driver Ron Hornaday and owned by Kevin Harvick Inc., in seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races through the remainder of the 2010 season. The Silverado will promote E-Z-GO’s first street-legal vehicle, the E-Z-GO 2Five, now available at select dealerships across the country. The 2Five has a top speed of up to 25 mph and can be titled and operated by licensed drivers on most public roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-6-2010)

  • Starr makes 250th start at Iowa: The LUCAS OIL 200 at Iowa Speedway will mark David Starr’s 250th career start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driving the #81 Randy Moss Motorsports Toyota. Starr is just the sixth driver in the history of the series to achieve that career milestone, and the only other active, full-time NCWTS competitor with more starts is Ron Hornaday. Throughout his career, Starr has won four races and was named the NCWTS Most Popular Driver in 2002.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(7-6-2010)

  • New associate sponsor for Peters: Wiss, a sister company to Crescent Tools, will take over associate sponsorship of the #17 Toyota Tundra at Iowa Speedway. Wiss cutting products have been earning a reputation for craftsmanship and long life since 1848. The wide Wiss product line now includes snips, scissors, industrial shears, utility knives, and HVAC tools … all with famous Wiss quality built in. The Lucas Oil 200 will mark Timothy Peters’ second start at Iowa Speedway as the Camping World Truck Series races at the Newton, Iowa short track for the second time. In this event last season, Peters started 12th and finished eighth.(Red Horse Racing PR)(7-6-2010)

  • PC*Miler sponsoring Skinner at Iowa: Transplant GPS, an innovator in hand held navigation products, returns to Randy Moss Motorsports and the #5 Toyota Tundra to promote their highly popular PC*MILER Navigation product line. PC*MILER Navigator all-in-one GPS for professional drivers, will have their logo featured prominently on the hood of three Randy Moss Motorsports-prepared Toyota Tundras throughout the 2010 season. This weekend marks the sole appearance of PC*MILER Navigator on the hood of the 5 Toyota Tundra with Mike Skinner behind the wheel. Skinner sat on the pole for the inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Iowa Speedway in September 2009, leading over 90% of the laps on his way to winning the race. It was Skinner’s second of three wins during the 2009 season and his second victory for Randy Moss Motorsports.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(7-6-2010)

  • Familiar face as new spotter for Lofton : UPDATE double-duty weekend for Lofton: Former NCWTS racer Terry Cook joins the RHR team this weekend at Iowa in a new role. Rather than wheeling a truck around the racy Iowa short track, the veteran racer will take to the spotter stand, helping 24-year-old Lofton maneuver his way around the speedway. Cook, who started the season racing in the Sprint Cup Series, debuted in trucks in 1996 and over the next 13 seasons, collected 112 top-10s and six race wins. Lofton has raced on the 7/8-mile Iowa track three times before within the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and the ARCA Racing Series. Of the combined three races, he has two top-10s with a best finish of fourth in 2007. His most recent run in 2009 while behind the wheel in ARCA competition produced a fourth place starting position, and a tenth place finish.(Justin Lofton PR)(7-6-2010)
    UPDATE: Lofton, who won the ARCA Racing Series event last season at Chicagoland Speedway en route to the 2009 championship, will run his second Nationwide Series race of the season under the Baker Curb Racing banner, behind the wheel of the #27 Ford. (Justin Lofton PR)(7-6-2010)

  • Midweek races for NCWTS in 2012? While the Sprint Cup schedule is likely not to be shortened any time soon, the Nationwide schedule is under review. And by 2012, some Truck and NNS dates could move to weeknight shows.(Fox Sports)(7-6-2010)

  • Jim Smith inducted into West Coast HoF: James “Jim” Smith, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ 2005 championship owner and one of four off-road figures whose racing dreams culminated in the creation of the truck series, was formally inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in July 2 ceremonies in Azusa, Calif. Smith’s Ultra Motorsports competed in 273 consecutive races between 1995 and 2006 and won 36 times – most victories by a non-NASCAR Sprint Cup-affiliated team in the series. Ted Musgrave won the 2005 title driving Smith’s Dodge truck. Musgrave is one of eight different drivers who won races with Ultra Motorsports. Smith and his three fellow owners, unhappy they couldn’t get a television package for their off-road racing activities, approached Bill France Jr. in 1994 with the idea of racing pickup trucks under the NASCAR banner on asphalt tracks. The series became NASCAR’s third national circuit the following year.(NASCAR PR) [For more NASCAR News & Notes, visit the Iowa Race Page.](7-6-2010)

  • Raybestos Rookie News & Notes — Iowa:
    *Austin Dillon was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 12 VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Dillon scored a fifth-place finish, his second top-five and fourth top-10 finish in nine races this season. He took top rookie honors for the fifth time in 2010 and for the second consecutive race.
    *Dillon leads Justin Lofton by 16 points (112-96) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the July 11 Lucas Oil 200 at Iowa Speedway.
    *Dillon won the pole at Michigan, his second in 11 career starts. He also nabbed the top starting spot for the June 4 WinStar World Casino 400K at Texas Motor Speedway and became the first Raybestos Rookie to win consecutive pole positions since Kurt Busch in 2000.
    *Johnny Sauter was the top Raybestos Rookie in the 2009 Lucas Oil 200 at Iowa Speedway, scoring a fifth-place finish. Tayler Malsam posted a 10th-place finish, giving the 2009 rookie class two top-10 finishers in the first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race at the .875-mile speedway. *The best qualifying effort by a Raybestos Rookie at Iowa is fifth-place by Malsam.(Raybestos PR)(7-5-2010)

  • Schrader returns to #2 for Iowa: UPDATE new sponsor on board: The Truck Series hits the track again on Sunday, July 11, for the Lucas Oil 200 at Iowa Speedway, where Ken Schrader will be behind the wheel of the #2-Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevy.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(6-13-2010)
    UPDATE: This weekend, Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) will welcome new sponsors on both Truck Series entries at Iowa Speedway. Ken Schrader returns to the driver’s seat of the #2 with Premier Chevy Dealers on board. Premier Chevy Dealers is a collaborative of central Iowa Chevrolet dealers which includes Karl Chevrolet. (Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(7-5-2010)

  • DRM promoting Koma Unwind; looking at driver options: Daisy Ramirez Motorsports is excited to announce that in the upcoming events at Iowa Speedway in the Lucas Oil 200 and Gateway International Speedway in the Camping World.com 200 that the #01 truck will be touting “Free Samples” on the trucks hood. BeBevCo the owner of KOMA UNWIND relaxation drink has just started a national awareness campaign to introduce consumers to not only a new brand of beverage but a whole new category of beverages relaxation drinks. Free samples are available via the Komadrinks.com website [plus cost of shipping and handling]. Daisy Ramirez Motorsports is still looking at permanent driver options for the remainder of the season.(Daisy Ramirez Motorsports PR)(7-3-2010)

  • Crafton to race ARCA at Iowa UPDATE more info: Matt Crafton will return to the ARCA Racing Series for the Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway in July. Crafton finished fifth in his debut with the Kimmel Racing team this past weekend at Toledo.(Frontstretch.com)(5-26-2010)
    UPDATE: Matt Crafton will make his second career ARCA Racing Series Presented by RE/MAX and Menards start on Saturday, July 10, driving the Kimmel Racing #88 Messina Wildlife Management/Menards Ford Fusion in the Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway. Crafton’s entry means that the veteran will pull double duty at the track. Combined with his participation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event on Sunday, July 11, Crafton will complete 400 laps on the 0.875-mile track over two days. Crafton will run Menards-backed cars for both races. The #88 Messina Wildlife Management/Menards Ford Fusion will carry the special orange and yellow scheme that he ran at Toledo Speedway earlier this year, while the No. 88 Menards Silverado will carry the customary bright yellow paint scheme in the Camping World Truck Series race. Crafton made his ARCA Racing Series Presented by RE/MAX and Menards debut last month in the Menards 200 Presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway. Crafton raced hard and tried to stay out of trouble on the half-mile paved oval, earning a top-five finish in his ARCA Racing Series debut.(Matt Crafton PR)(7-1-2010)

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