June 2006 Truck Series News Archive

 

  • Winners of a race in Cup, Busch and Truck Series races: see my Misc Stats page for this and many others.

  • Park to Bill Davis Racing: UPDATE HT Motorsports has announced that Steve Park will be leaving the team and is headed to Bill Davis Racing. HT Motorsports also said they would like to thank Steve Park for his dedication to their team and wished him well on his last race in the #59 Ford. His professionalism and leadership will be missed. Steve will climb into at Toyota Tundra for Bill Davis Racing.(HT Motorsports PR)(6-23-2006)
    UPDATE: Steve Park will drive the HT Motorsports #59 Harris Trucking Ford in July 1st Kansas race. This encore race will be run for the Sparkies. After the Kansas race, HT Motorsports will announce a replacement driver.(HT Motorsports)(6-27-2006)
  • Kentucky Speedway to install safer barrier: Kentucky Speedway will install 56 feet of the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) Barrier System across a section of its interior backstretch retaining wall prior to its third 2006 race weekend that will feature the ARCA RE/MAX Series “Kentucky 150” and Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers” races July 7-8. Two sections of system will close an opening in the interior wall previously used as infield access point for speedway Fire and Safety Team (F.A.S.T.) vehicles. The installation is being made on the recommendation of Dr. Dean Sicking of the University of Nebraska Roadside Safety Facility following a June 17 incident in which the #34 Busch Series car driven by Jeff Fuller suffered heavy damage after sliding into a rounded inside portion of concrete retaining wall on the left side of the opening. Fuller was attempting to avoid a spinning racecar coming off of Turn 2. The 48-year-old transported to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with a broken wrist and finger before being released June 18.(KentuckySpeedway)(6-27-2006)
  • Interesting read from Marcos Ambrose: Every couple of weeks, Australian, Marcos Ambrose, driver of the #30 Wood Bros/JTG Racing Ford writes some notes about his experience coming to the States and driving in the Truck Series. It makes for interesting reading and a different perspective. An excerpt…”Well, it has been a crazy month or so here with a lot going on! I intended to have an update ready every couple of weeks, but with racing every weekend, a 7-month old baby and the odd game of golf, I have managed to run out of time. Here is a quick summary of what’s been happening…” For more visit: (marcosambrose.com)(6-26-2006)
  • Smith’s Food & Drug Stores to co-sponsor Vegas race: A new racing surface and a new race sponsor will greet fans and drivers at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Truck Series race this fall. Smith’s Food and Drug Stores has signed on as a cosponsor of the Sept. 23 Truck Series event. Smith’s has joined longtime Truck race sponsor Las Vegas Events to form the Smith’s Las Vegas 350. This will mark the first race on the speedway since the track’s banking was raised from 12 to 20 degrees and the pit road was moved approximately 250 feet closer to the grandstands. Smith’s, a division of the Cincinnati-based Kroger Corporation, has 25 stores located in the Las Vegas area. (Las Vegas Motor Speedway)(6-19-2006)
  • Unleaded fuel to be used in Busch, Trucks: The Busch Series will begin using unleaded fuel July 29 at Gateway International Raceway and continue for the next three races, and the Truck Series will use unleaded at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Aug. 4 and Nashville Superspeedway on Aug. 12, NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter said Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. After stopping for a short evaluation period, both series will return to the unleaded fuel toward the end of the year. The move is a prelude to a possible switch to unleaded in the Nextel Cup Series for 2007. After a four-week evaluation period, Hunter said, the unleaded program will resume Sept. 23 at Dover for the Busch Series and at Las Vegas for the trucks and continue through the season-finale. Also, NASCAR has consulted with ARCA, and the Talladega ARCA race Oct. 6 will be run with unleaded fuel, giving engine builders a chance to test unleaded on a restrictor-plate track. (scenedaily.com)(6-18-2006)
  • Truck Series #10 Crew Member Saves Life in Pennsylvania: Marty Brice typically assists setting up the pit stall for ppc Racing’s #10 Ford Power Stroke Diesel by International race team at select Truck Series races. However, early Thursday morning, Brice, a sergeant with the City of Coatesville (Pa.) Police Department, saved a man’s life during the ravaging flood waters that hit the Northeast this week. More on Brice’s rescue can be read at The Philadelphia Inquirer’s web site at philly.com.(ppc Racing PR)(6-30-2006)
  • Kansas race to tie Cook for most consecutive starts: Terry Cook is poised to tie Rick Crawford’s Truck Series 209-race consecutive start record this weekend at Kansas Speedway. Cook, who drives the ppc Racing Ford, started competing part time in the series in 1996 and then went full time in 1998. “I have never missed a race to this date since then,” he said. “You look at things like what Cal Ripken did – he broke the all-time consecutive games played record in the major leagues – and you sit back and think that’s a pretty big honor and a pretty big deal. And now to be in that position in the Truck Series, having a series that’s now in its 12th season, that in itself is a pretty big deal and a pretty big honor as well.” (scenedaily.com)(6-29-2006)
  • McCumbee heads to Kansas & Secures ride for entire season: Following a streak of three consecutive top-20 finishes in their #07 and #08 trucks, Truck Series rookie contender Chad McCumbee has signed on to run the remainder of the 2006 season with Green Light Racing.(greenlightracing.com)(6-29-2006)
  • Gaughan will carry Harrah’s Logo at Kansas: Orleans Racing will carry the logos of Harrah’s North Kansas City Hotel and Casino on the familiar blue and white background of the #77 Orleans Racing Dodge in this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250. (OrleansRacing.com)(6-29-2006)
  • Musgrave to start on IROC pole Thursday on SPEED: Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig handled the chore of assigning race cars to the Crown Royal International Race of Champions’ drivers for the series’ road race at DIS this Thursday, June 29. The traditional blind draw, which takes place previous to every Crown Royal IROC race, took place on Friday after a three-day and night stint of equalizing and testing on the 3.56-mile road course. The Crown Royal IROC drivers will practice from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28 at DIS in preparation for the 20-lap, 71.2-mile shoot out on the road course. Race three, of the four-race, All-Star series will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel at 10:00 pm/et on Thursday, June 29th.(irocracing.com)(6-27-2006)
  • Allgaier back in #63 at Kansas: Justin Allgaier is scheduled to be back behind the wheel of the #63 Dave Porter Truck Sales Ford at this weekend’s Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway.(MB Motorsports)(6-27-2006)
  • Raybestos Rookies News & Notes: Aric Almirola was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 23 Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200 at The Milwaukee Mile. Almirola finished 13th and took top rookie honors for the fourth time this season. He qualified fifth, his best effort in 15 career Craftsman Truck Series starts. Marcos Ambrose posted a respectable 18th-place finish at The Milwaukee Mile, his best in eight career starts. Erik Darnell leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 15 points (98-83) over Almirola entering the July 1 O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway. Darnell is 13th in the Truck Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. Raybestos Rookie contender point standings: Erik Darnell-98; Aric Almirola-83; Chad McCumbee-81; Joey Miller-66; Boston Reid-63; Kyle Krisiloff-62; Erin Crocker-59, Bobby East-57; Kerry Earnhardt-47; Kraig Kinser-40; Marcos Ambrose-38; Robert Richardson-35; Scott Lagasse Jr-28; Sean Murphy-12; Michel Jourdain Jr-11; Ryan Moore-11; J.R. Patton-4; Tam Topham-1.(Raybestos PR)(6-27-2006)
  • Skinner wins the pole for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250(Top ten)
    1) #5-Mike Skinner, 171.772
    2) #14-Rick Crawford, 170.412
    3) #6-David Ragan, 169.790
    4) #20-Marcos Ambrose, 169.444
    5) #10-Terry Cook, 169.337
    6) #9-Ted Musgrave, 169.221
    7) #60-Jack Sprague, 169.173
    8) #99-Erik Darnell, 168.908
    9) #-Timothy Peters, 168.882
    10)#-Ryan Moore, 168.850
    1st Rookie (4th)#20-Marcos Ambrose, 169.444
    #30-Todd Bodine-did not make qualifying attempt after failing pre-qualifying tech; will start the race 35th

    For complete starting lineup:
    nascar.com
    truckseries.com(6-30-2006)

  • Final Practice Results for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas: (Top ten)
    1) #5-Mike Skinner, 168.766
    2) #14-Rick Crawford, 167.918
    3) #6-David Ragan, 166.888
    4) #23-Johnny Benson, 166.415
    5) #98-Erin Crocker, 166.374
    6) #88-Matt Crafton, 166.328
    7) #10-Terry Cook, 166.292
    8) #99-Erik Darnell, 166.174
    9) #22-Bill Lester, 165.827
    10)#60-Jack Sprague, 165.720
    1st Rookie; (5th) #98-Erin Crocker, 166.374

    For complete final practice results:
    nascar.com
    truckseries.com(6-30-2006)

  • 1st Practice Results at Kansas Speedway: (Top ten)
    1) #5-Mike Skinner, 167.697
    2) #10-Terry Cook, 167.694
    3) #60-Jack Sprague, 167.639
    4) #14-Rick Crawford, 167.028
    5) #88-Matt Crafton, 166.690
    6) #63-Justin Allgaier, 166.955
    7) #99-Erik Darnell, 166.579
    8) #20-Marcos Ambrose, 166.574
    9) #16-Mike Bliss, 166.507
    10)#11-David Starr, 166.379
    1st Dodge; (16th) #77-Brendan Gaughan, 165.822
    1st Rookie; (7th) #99-Erik Darnell, 166.579

    For complete practice results:
    nascar.com
    truckseries.com(6-30-2006)

  • Race Info: Kansas Speedway-practice, etc at:
    kansasspeedway.com
    ESPN.com
    NASCAR.com
    Catchfence.com-Trucks
    truckseries.com(Live qualifying-free)
  • Truck Series News & Notes – Kansas:
    Kansas Speedway is a welcoming track for Truck Series drivers regardless of age, experience or competitive status. When the late Ricky Hendrick won the inaugural running of Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250, the 21-year-old became the then youngest to win a series race. Two more competitors in their 20s – Jon Wood and Carl Edwards – also won at the 1.5-mile paved speedway in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Truck Series champion Mike Bliss (#16 IWX Motor Freight Chevy) used his 2002 victory as springboard to the title. And for last year’s winner Todd Bodine (#30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota), the victory was the beginning of a second-half rampage in which his Germain Motorsports team won eight times and racked up 10 top-five finishes. Kansas victories have come in all circumstances. To say Hendick’s win was surprising would be an understatement. Edwards recovered from a first-lap accident to climb from 36th place to Victory Lane. Bliss triumphed when leader Rick Crawford (#14 Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford) suffered mechanical failure four laps short of the checkered flag – after Crawford had led 127 of 167 laps. Bliss, 41, thinks weather has something to do with the track’s unpredictable nature. Bliss, whose last win came 20 starts and nearly four years ago at South Boston Speedway in fall 2002, has been the season’s surprise. The lightly-backed Xpress Motorsports team was a question mark among title contenders, but the consistent Bliss climbed to sixth place standings at The Milwaukee Mile with his eighth top-10 finish of the year.

    Erik Darnell (#99 Woolrich Ford), the current Raybestos Rookie of the Year leader, who has thumbed through the media guide, likes what the Kansas Speedway pages suggest. Jon Wood and Carl Edwards ran well here years ago as relatively new drivers,” said Darnell, who opened the season with a top-10 finish at Daytona International Speedway. “Roush Racing ran really well here last year with Todd Kluever, so I think we’ll be able to draw off that and that will obviously help our effort.”

    News & Notes Part II:
    Johnny Benson’s (#23Toyota Certified Used Vehicle Toyota) assault on Victory Lane began when he won June 17 at Michigan International Speedway. Victory #2 came just one start and six days later, giving him two consecutive victories after 60 winless career starts. Benson, who celebrates his 43rd birthday on June 27, took the lead from Budweiser Pole starter Ron Hornaday Jr. (#33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevy) with 21 laps remaining in Friday’s Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200 and went on to become the 11th different winner at The Milwaukee Mile.

    Benson’s performance marks the fifth time a competitor his won his first two NASCAR Craftsman Truck races in back-to-back starts. The first was Rich Bickle, who won short track events at Portland (Ore.) Speedway and Monroe (Wash.) Speedway in May 1997. Kyle Busch (# 51 Billy Ballew Motorsports Chevy) was the most recent double winner in 2005 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway. No driver has won his first three races in back-to-back outings – something Benson can accomplish at Kansas Speedway. Benson also would become the fifth series competitor to win in three consecutive starts. The last was Todd Bodine (#30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota) in the final three races of 2005 at Texas Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

    Truck Series First Two Wins Back-to-Back:
    1) Rich Bickle, Portland, Monroe,1997
    2) Kurt Busch, Milwaukee, New Hampshire, 2000
    3. Kasey Kahne, Darlington, Homestead, 2004
    4. Kyle Busch, Lowe’s, Dover, 2005
    5, Johnny Benson, Michigan, Milwaukee, 2006

    Terry Cook (#10 Ford Power Stroke Diesel by International Ford) looks forward to starting his 209th consecutive Truck Series race on Saturday. In doing so, Cook will match the series record held by Rick Crawford (#14 Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford) that runs from Jan. 19, 1997 through last year’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250. Ironically, Crawford’s streak ended a week later at Kentucky Speedway after a pre-race accident kept him out of the lineup. Cook, 38, has started every race since Jan. 19, 1998 at Walt Disney World Speedway driving for three different owners: Duke Thorson, Bob and Kay Keselowski and Greg Pollex. During the eight-plus seasons, Cook has won five times among 24 top-five and 83 top-10 finishes. He’s one of seven series drivers to win more than $3 million.

    This Week’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Leaders: (Through 11 races of the 25-race season)
    Points leader – Todd Bodine (1,758)
    Money won – Todd Bodine ($398,545)
    Laps led – Mark Martin (321)
    Miles led – Mark Martin (532.46)
    Victories – Todd Bodine, Mark Martin (3)
    Budweiser Poles -Mike Skinner (3)
    Top-five finishes – Todd Bodine (8)
    Top-10 finishes – David Reutimann (9)
    Raybestos Rookie Leader – Erik Darnell (15 over Aric Almirola)
    Races led – Todd Bodine (7)
    Weeks in Top 10 – 4 drivers (11)

    Etc:
    Bodine’s 20th-place finish at The Milwaukee Mile was his worst since last Sept. 22 at New Hampshire International Speedway. It ended a 20-race run of lead lap finishes and cut Bodine’s standings lead to 126 points over David Reutimann (#17 Team Tundra Toyota), who logged a series-leading ninth top-10 performance. Reutimann, meanwhile, was 10th in Saturday’s AT&T 250 to post his third consecutive Busch Series top-10 finish…Benson moved up a spot in the standings to third place, four points behind Reutimann. That’s the highest he’s ever ranked…Jack Sprague’s (#60 Con-way Freight Toyota) fourth-place Milwaukee finish was his 120th top-five finish, which extends the series record…Although Ted Musgrave (#9 Team ASE Toyota) failed to finish among the top five for the first time in six Milwaukee appearances, the 24th-place effort was enough to push his career winnings to $4,006,059. He becomes the third driver to win $4 million or more behind Sprague and Dennis Setzer (#85 FlexFuel E85 Chevrolet)…Last year’s finish in which Bodine edged Kluever by .387 second was the closest series margin at Kansas Speedway…The 2002 O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 saw the fewest lead changes – 10. The most changes are 14, most recently in 2004…This year’s race will produce the series’ 100th different starter at Kansas Speedway. Ninety-three drivers have competed for more than $2.3 million.

    On the right track:
    Cook, Crawford head Kansas statistical table…Five competitors – Cook, Crawford, Musgrave, Setzer and Matt Crafton (#88 Menards/Energizer Chevrolet) – have competed in all five series races at Kansas Speedway. The quintet has accounted for 13 top-10 finishes. Cook has completed the most laps/miles with 821/1,231.5 of a possible 838/1,257. Crawford is the track’s lap leader with 128/192. Setzer is the leading money winner with $100,545.

    In the loop:
    Johnny Benson’s climb to third in the standings is mirrored in season-to-date Loop Data. That’s where Benson ranks with a Driver Rating of 104.8 (of 150.0) behind Todd Bodine (113.3) and Reutimann (107.3). Benson is #1 in Time Trailing at the Finish. His deficit of 30.012 seconds is more than nine seconds less than Reutimann’s 49.331.

    Terry Cook’s dash from 20th at the start to a final finish of seventh can be seen in the number of Quality Passes the veteran competitor posted in last year’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250. Cook had 38 passes of a top-15 truck during green flag conditions – two more than the 36 of Brandon Whitt.

    No surprise: winner Bodine had the best Driver Rating of 145.6. Bill Davis Racing teammates Mike Skinner (fourth) and Bill Lester (fifth) were third in the category with identical ratings of 115.0.

    From the archives:
    This week’s race marks the one-year anniversary of the beginning of a phenomenal, eight-victory run by Todd Bodine and his Germain Motorsports team headed by general manager Mike Hillman and crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. Bodine left the team at the conclusion of the 2004 season, in which he won twice. His Kansas win came in the reunified team’s second race. Bodine won four more times in 2005 and counts three victories this season.

    Fast Facts:
    What: O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 (Race 12 of 25)
    Where: Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS
    When: 3:15 pm/et
    Track layout: 1.5-mile paved speedway
    Race length: 250.5 miles/167 laps
    Posted awards: $602,231
    TV: SPEED Channel, 3 pm/et
    Radio: MRN, XM Satellite
    2005 winner: Todd Bodine
    2005 polesitter: Bill Lester

    Top 10 drivers: 1.Todd Bodine 1,758. 2. David Reutimann 1,632. 3. Johnny Benson 1,628. 4. Ted Musgrave 1,560. 5. Jack Sprague 1,502. 6. Mike Bliss 1,483. 7. Dennis Setzer 1,463. 8. Rick Crawford 1,461. 9. David Starr 1,458. 10. Ron Hornaday Jr. 1,433.

    Pre-race schedule (all times local): Friday-Practice 9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. Rookie Practice 12 noon – 12:30 p.m. Final Practice 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Qualifying 5:00 p.m. Trucks impounded after qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(6-26-2006)

  • Driver point standings following Milwaukee:(Top ten)
    1) #30-Todd Bodine, 1758
    2) #17-David Reutimann, 1632
    3) #23-Johnny Benson, 1628
    4) #9-Ted Musgrave, 1560
    5) #60-Jack Sprague, 1502
    6) #16-Mike Bliss, 1483
    7) #85-Dennis Setzer, 1463
    8) #14-Rick Crawford, 1461
    9) #11-David Starr, 1458
    10)#33-Ron Hornaday, 1433

    For complete driver standings:
    truckseries.com
    motorsportsone.com
    nascar.comofficial)(6-26-2006)

  • JB two for two as he wins the Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200: Momentum was the name of the game for this team as Johnny Benson in the Bill Davis Racing #23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota picked up his second win in the Truck Series at the Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200. The win boosts Benson into even closer contention for the championship as he moves into third place in the standings. Todd Bodine, after fighting an ill-handling truck all night, finished a disappointing 20th allowing David Reutimann to close the gap even further between first and second in the points. Finishing second was Mike Bliss in the #16. The man who let the most laps, Ron Hornaday finished third, with Jack Sprague 4th, and David Reutimann rounding out the top five. A couple of rookies had a good run with Aric Almirola and Chad McCumbee finishing 13th and 14th respectively. Another rookie, the #20 of Marcos Ambrose, in his quest to gain some seat time, is looking more comfortable on the “ovals” and managed to bring it home in 18th position. It was a tough night for Bobby Hamilton Jr. who was not allowed to qualify after failing a pre-race inspection and had to start deep in the field. Plagued by battery problems and also a spin out left him in 31st position at the end of the race. Last year’s champion, Ted Musgrave, also with handling problems finished well back in the pack in 24th place.(6-23-2006)
  • Johnny Benson wins at The Milwaukee Mile:(Top ten)
    1) #23-Johnny Benson, Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota
    2) #16-Mike Bliss, IWX Motor Freight Chevy
    3) #33-Ron Hornaday Jr., KHI Chevy
    4) #60-Jack Sprague, Con-Way Freight Toyota
    5) #17-David Reutimann, Team Tundra Toyota
    6) #4-Timothy Peters, Dodge Motorsports Dodge
    7) #85-Dennis Setzer, FlexFuel E85 Chevy
    9) #14-Rick Crawford, Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford
    10)#10-Terry Cook, Power Stroke Diesel by Int’l Ford
    1st Rookie:(13th) #75-Aric Almirola

    Race Awards:
    Bud Pole Award: Ron Hornaday Jr. (122.021 mph)
    Raybestos Rookie of the Race: Aric Almirola
    Featherlite Most Improved Driver: Award Aric Almirola
    Mobil 1 Oil Command Performance Driver of the Race: Mike Bliss
    WIX Filters Lap Leader Award: Ron Hornaday Jr.
    Sunoco Diamond Performance Award: Johnny Benson
    Checkers/Ralley’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge: Ron Hornaday Jr

    For complete results:
    espn.go.com
    motorsportsone.com
    truckseries.com
    nascar.com(official)(6-26-2006)

  • Hornaday on the pole — sets a new record in Milwaukee(Top ten)
    1) #33-Ron Hornaday Jr., 122.021
    2) #60-Jack Sprague, 121.955
    3) #23-Johnny Benson, 121.314
    4) #51-Johnny Sauter, 121.494
    5) #75-Aric Almirola, 121.224
    6) #5-Mike Skinner, 121.126
    7) #30-Todd Bodine, 121.061
    8) #6-David Ragan, 120.785
    9) #20-Marcos Ambrose, 120.769
    10) #10-Terry Cook, 120.643
    1st Dodge (16th) #77-Brendan Gaughan, 119.864
    Going home: #31-Mike Wallace, #50-Michel Jourdain Jr.

    For complete starting lineup:
    truckseries.com(6-23-2006)

  • Final practice speeds for the Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200(Top five)
    1) #60-Jack Sprague, 120.152
    2) #51-Johnny Sauter, 119.996
    3) #18-Bobby Hamilton Jr., 119.820
    4) #6-David Ragan, 119.721
    5) #9-Ted Musgrave, 119.623
    1st Rookie (9th) Erik Darnell, 119.542

    For complete practice results:
    nascar.com
    truckseries.com(6-23-2006)

  • 1st practice results for the Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200:(Top five)
    1) #60-Jack Sprague, 120.265
    2) #18-Bobby Hamilton Jr., 119.542
    3) #23-Johnny Benson, 119.395
    4) #14-Rick Crawford, 119.284
    5) #33-Ron Hornaday Jr., 119.186
    1st Rookie (9th) #75-Aric Almirola, 118.996

    For complete practice results:
    nascar.com
    truckseries.com(6-23-2006)

  • Big weekend planned for Musgrave in Milwaukee: It is a special weekend for the entire Musgrave family as they will be heading to Illiana Speedway on June 24th for the 5th Annual Elmer Musgrave Memorial. The race is a tribute to the accomplishments that his father, Elmer Musgrave made in his career as well as his contribution to the racing community in the Wisconsin and Illinois areas. “We also have my Dad’s Memorial race coming up on June 24th at Illiana Motor Speedway,” said Musgrave. “It is the 5th Annual Elmer Musgrave Memorial which is a big part of my Milwaukee weekend. It’s nice to be able to celebrate my Dad and what he did in his career. My mom, along with my brother and sisters will be at the event. It’s a big deal for me and my family. There has been a lot of good racing at the events in the past. We have been able to have a good crowd every year. The Memorial race always seems to bring in some big names too. I enjoy being apart of the race. It’s also nice to see some of the upcoming drivers as well. This could be the last year of the Elmer Musgrave Memorial with the possible closing of the Speedway. If this is going to be the last Elmer Musgrave Memorial Race – I want it to best event we ever had.”(germainracing.com)(6-22-06)
  • On air with JB: Johnny Benson will have a busy weekend in Milwaukee. Benson will race his Toyota Tundra on Friday, then join Rick Allen Saturday as a television color commentator the Busch Series race.(JohnnyBenson.com)(6-22-2006)
  • Lester throws out first pitch for Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Following his second career Cup Series start at the Michigan International Speedway last weekend, Bill Lester headed to Tampa Bay, Florida to throw out the first pitch in Wednesday night’s Devil Rays game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lester was thrilled at the opportunity to participate in the opening ceremonies for the game.(BillLester.com)(6-22-2006)
  • Setzer to Practice for Busch at Milwaukee: With Busch obligated to participate in Cup Series festivities in Sonoma, Calif., veteran Dennis Setzer will drive for the Busch Series practice in the #5 Lowe’s/Sta-Green Chevy at The Milwaukee Mile on Saturday.(Hendrick PR)(6-21-2006)
  • Kenny in the booth Friday night: Kenny Wallace will help call the Truck Series race at Milwaukee this Friday evening beginning at 9:00 p,/et on SPEED.(ppcracing.com)(6-21-2006)
  • Ford contest–be honorary starter at Kentucky Truck Race: Kentucky Speedway officials say that Ford Racing has a contest to pick a fan to be the honorary starter for the July 8 Built Ford Tough 225 Truck Series race. The prize package includes the chance to deliver the start command along with round-trip air transportation for two, hotel accommodations July 7-9, two suite tickets to the race, a private VIP tour with a Ford representative and two Ford apparel gift packages. For complete details, visit jayski’s contest page.(kentuckyspeedway.com)(6-21-2006)
  • Justin Allgaier in the #63 this weekend: Justin Allgaier is listed as the driver of the Mittler Bros. #63 Dave Porter Truck Sales Ford for this weekend’s race in Milwaukee.(mbracing.net)(6-20-2006)
  • Sauter scheduled to start for Billy Ballew Motorsports: Johnny Sauter is named on the entry list as the driver of the #51 Billy Ballew Motorsports Chevy for this weekend’s event at The Milwaukee Mile. No sponsor has been announced. (billyballewmotorsports.com)(6-20-2006)
  • Mike Wallace to drive #31 in Milwaukee: Brevak Racing will make their way home as the Truck Series sets its sights on the Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200 this Friday night, under the lights, at the legendary Milwaukee Mile. Behind the wheel of the #31 Dodge will be NASCAR veteran front-runner Mike Wallace. Wallace, who piloted an entry for Bob and Shelly Brevak in two events in 2003, will get back to racing in the Truck Series looking to continue his past success at Milwaukee. Team owners Bob and Shelly Brevak would like to see their #31 Dodge in the top ten at the drop of the checkered, but know that making the show is the first priority for the weekend.(brevakracing.com)(6-20-2006)
  • Six drivers racing both trucks, Busch at Milwaukee: Six drivers are scheduled to compete in both the Busch Series and Truck Series races this weekend at the Milwaukee Mile. Johnny Sauter will drive the #51 Billy Ballew Motorsports truck in the Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200 on Friday and then his regular ride with Haas CNC Racing in the AT&T Busch race Saturday. Ron Hornaday will run in both races for Kevin Harvick Inc., his normal truck ride and his part-time gig in the #33 KHI car. Mike Bliss will drive for Xpress Motorsports in trucks and then step into the #34 Frank Cicci Racing car for the Busch race. Mike Wallace is entered in the #31 Brevak Racing truck as well as his current Phoenix Racing #1 Busch car. Erin Crocker is driving in both races for Evernham Motorsports, and David Reutimann will compete in both events for Darrell and Michael Waltrip. (scenedaily.com)(6-20-2006)
  • Raybestos Rookie Contenders News & Notes: Erik Darnell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 17 Con-way Freight 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Darnell finished 12th and took top rookie honors for the fifth time this season. Marcos Ambrose grabbed the second-place starting position at Michigan, his best qualifying effort in seven career Truck Series starts. His previous best was a third-place effort at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this past May. Bobby East qualified third at Michigan, his best effort in nine career Truck Series starts. East grabbed his second top-five start of the 2006 season. He started fifth at Atlanta Motor Speedway this past March. Darnell leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 23 points (95-72) over Aric Almirola entering the June 23 Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200 at The Milwaukee Mile. Darnell is 14th in the Truck Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He trails 10th-place Mike Bliss by 155 points and leads 15th-place Bobby Hamilton Jr. by nine. Todd Kluever was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2005 Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200. Kluever claimed a ninth-place finish and was the only first-year driver to finish inside the top-10. Point standings are as follows; Erik Darnell 95, Aric Almirola 72, Chad McCumbee 71, Kyle Krisiloff 60, Joey Miller 60, Boston Reid 59, Erin Crocker 54, Bobby East 50, Kerry Earnhardt 45, Kraig Kinser 38, Robert Richardson 33, Marcos Ambrose 30, Scott Lagasse Jr. 28, Sean Murphy 12, Michel Jordain Jr. 10, J.R. Patton 4, Ryan Moore 4, Tam Topham 1.(Raybestos PR)(6-19-2006)
  • Truck Series News & Notes:
    Chad McCumbee (# 08 U.S. Restoration Chevy) is a believer in serendipity. Just when life was handing the 21-year-old North Carolina resident lemons, McCumbee squeezed out lemonade – and how. McCumbee, on foot after his original team cut back its Truck Series schedule earlier this month, got the seat in Green Light Racing’s Chevy when the original driver backed out of his commitment to drive the truck at Texas Motor Speedway. Enter McCumbee, who’d been knocking on Green Light general manager Bobby Dotter’s door for several days. McCumbee, a go-kart, Allison Legacy and ARCA RE/MAX Series graduate who earned 15 minutes of fame when he portrayed Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the ESPN bio pic “3,” took the bit in his teeth and charged to a career-best, ninth-place finish in the Sam’s Town 400. His performance was a personal best and Green Light’s top finish on a superspeedway. Owner Gene Christensen and Dotter were particularly impressed with McCumbee’s efforts during a late-race restart on which the driver was 10th – but on older tires than his pursuers. McCumbee quickly was promoted from substitute to fulltime driver beginning with last week’s event at Michigan International Speedway where he finished 18th and solidified his #3 position in Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings. He’ll make his next appearance in Friday’s Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200.

    News & Notes Part II:
    Driver/Budweiser Poles/Series Starts
    1) Jack Sprague, 27, 232
    2) Mike Skinner, 27, 114
    3) Mike Bliss, 18, 159
    4) Joe Ruttman, 17, 168
    5) Three competitors with 12

    Mike Skinner (#5 Toyota Tundra Toyota) continues his assault on Truck Series qualifying records. Skinner knocked down his third Budweiser Pole of the 2006 season at Michigan International Speedway on June 17 and moved his career-qualifying needle to 27 poles. The number “27” is significant in that it matches the all-time record held by Jack Sprague (#60 Con-way Freight Toyota). Sprague had held the mark alone since the 2001 season during which he surpassed Skinner’s qualifying record of 15 poles. Skinner has matched Sprague’s record in fewer than half as many starts – 114 vs. 232. That works out to roughly one pole every four races. Skinner’s bid to break the record could be blunted this week as Sprague is the defending Budweiser Pole winner at The Milwaukee Mile with four poles overall at the flat, one-mile speedway. Skinner was the #1 qualifier for Milwaukee’s inaugural event in 1995 and the first of five pole winners to win the Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200.

    Career season adds up to huge point lead for Bodine: Todd Bodine (#30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota) had to hustle for his eighth top-five finish of the year in Michigan’s recent event. Bodine qualified 25th in the 36-truck field but stood fourth at the conclusion of the race. The finish pushed his championship lead to a record 178 points after 10 races as David Reutimann (#17 Team Tundra Toyota), despite finishing 15th, overtook Ted Musgrave (# 9 Team ASE/Germain Toyota) for the runner-up spot. The next-largest lead at this point in the season is 92 points – Sprague heading Greg Biffle in 2000. Biffle, however, rebounded to win the championship. This week marks the one-year anniversary of Bodine rejoining Germain Racing. He’s won eight races and recorded 18 top-five finishes in those 25 races.

    But the second half of the top 10 is incredibly close: Rick Crawford (#14 Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford) took over the sixth position at Michigan – for now, anyway. Just 10 points covers positions six through 10th with Crawford scoring 1,318 points to #10’s Mike Bliss (#16 IWX Motor Freight Chevy) 1,308.

    Benson bags #1 in 60th appearance: Johnny Benson (#23 Exide Batteries Toyota) welcomed a new sponsor in style with his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory that came, appropriately, before an estimated 60,000 mostly partisan fans at Michigan International Speedway. Benson had finished second on four occasions, the most recent coming in June 2005 at Texas Motor Speedway. The former NASCAR Busch Series champion became the 17th different competitor to score victories in all three of NASCAR’s national touring series. The win was the third for team owner Bill Davis and seventh for crew chief Rick Ren, who has guided four different drivers to Victory Lane.

    Etc:
    Thirty of 34 finishers in Saturday’s Con-way Freight 200 completed all 102 laps to eclipse by three the record for most lead lap finishers. The previous mark was recorded three times – including last year’s Michigan race and most recently last October at Martinsville Speedway…This week’s race marks a homecoming for several members of Billy Ballew Motorsports including crew chief Richie Wauters (Green Bay), mechanics Darin Bravery (Edgerton) and Jay Czarapata (Krakow) and hauler driver Chris Wood (Sun Prairie). In addition, Nacedah native Johnny Sauter has been tapped to drive the team’s #51 Bowen Family Homes Chevrolet. Crewmember J.R. Norris won last August’s NASCAR AutoZone Elite Series, Midwest Division race at The Milwaukee Mile…Ryan Moore (#40 AutoMotion Chevy) has become the 18th member of this year’s Raybestos Rookie of the Year class. Erik Darnell (#99 Woolrich Ford) continues as the standings leader…The Milwaukee Mile has produced just one rookie winner in 11 previous races. Kurt Busch’s 2000 victory was the first of four in his record-setting freshman seasonReutimann has fashioned back-to-back top-10 finishes in NASCAR Busch Series competition at Nashville and Kentucky and will do double-duty this weekend as well. The Milwaukee Mile hosts NASCAR Busch Series racing on Saturday marking the first of two weekends on which the two series appear together in 2006. They’ll next share the pavement Aug. 4-5 at the newly named O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. Others slated to drive in both Milwaukee events are Sauter, Bliss and Erin Crocker (#98 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge).

    On the right track:
    Champions prevail at The Milwaukee Mile; seven of 11 races have been won by five Truck Series champions. Although only one – Skinner – has been able to win Milwaukee and a title in the same season (1995). All will compete in this year’s race: Skinner, Sprague, Bliss, Musgrave and Ron Hornaday Jr. (#33 Chevy). Musgrave is the track’s only multiple series winner with victories in 2001 and 2004. Add these three and the field boasts eight former winners… Also competing are defending winner Dennis Setzer (#85 FlexFuel Chevy), Terry Cook (#10 Ford Power Stroke Diesel by International Ford), the 2002 winner and Brendan Gaughan (#77 Orleans Racing Dodge), who visited Victory Lane the following year.

    In the loop:
    Last year’s winner, Dennis Setzer, came within a fraction of a percentage point of recording a perfect Driver Rating of 150.000. Setzer scored a 149.800 rating as five finishers had Driver Ratings in triple digits. Unsurprisingly, Todd Bodine is the season leader with a Driver Rating of 115.2. David Reutimann is next at 107.3 with Johnny Benson third at 101.7. Bodine has run 99.75 percent of this year’s 1,607 laps (1,603). Rick Crawford is second in the category at 99.38 percent (1,597/1,607) while Matt Crafton is third with 98.20 (1,578/1,607). Here’s a snapshot of Loop Data from last year’s event at The Milwaukee Mile.

    From the archives:
    The more things change, the more they stay the same. Two competitors – Mike Skinner and Dennis Setzer – who battled for victory in the final laps of the 1995 inaugural race at The Milwaukee Mile are among favorites to win this year’s Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200. They finished one-two in an event contested at a 125-mile distance. The race was expanded to 200 laps in 1996. Other top-10 finishers from 1995 expected to compete for this year’s victory include Ron Hornaday Jr. (third), Johnny Benson (seventh) and Jack Sprague (ninth).

    Fast facts:
    What: Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200 (Race 11 of 25)
    Where: The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, Wis
    When: 9:15 p.m. ET, June 23
    Track layout: 1-mile paved oval
    Race length: 100 miles/100 laps
    Posted awards: $519,687
    TV: SPEED Channel, 9 pm/et
    Radio: MRN, XM Satellite
    2005 winner: Dennis Setzer
    2005 polesitter: Jack Sprague
    Pre-race schedule (all times local): Friday-Practice 11:00 a.m. -12 noon. Rookie Practice 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Final Practice 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Qualifying 5:30 p.m. Trucks impounded after qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(6-19-2006)

  • Driver point standings following MIS:(Top ten)
    1) #-30 Todd Bodine, 1650
    2) #17-David Reutimann, 1472
    3) #9-Ted Musgrave, 1469
    4) #23-Johnny Benson, 1443
    5) #60-Jack Sprague, 1337
    6) #14-Rick Crawford, 1318
    7) #85-Dennis Setzer, 1317
    8) #88-Matt Crafton, 1315
    9) #11-David Starr, 1311
    10)#15-Mike Bliss, 1308
    For complete standings:
    motorsportsone.com
    truckseries.com
    nascar.com(official)(6-19-2006)
  • Johnny Benson picks up his first Truck Series win: A late race caution brought on a green-white-checkered finish, however, race leader Johnny Benson was able to hold off Mark Martin to win the Con-Way Freight 200 at Michigan Int’l Speedway. This is Benson’s first win in the Truck Series, and he joins an elite group of only 17 drivers who have won in all three NASCAR series. A good run by Bobby Labonte in the #4 Bobby Hamilton Racing Dodge as he finished the race in third. Todd Bodine, after starting in 25th place and struggling with a loose truck all day, still managed to move through the pack and come home in 4th place. Rounding out the top 5 was the #14 Circle Bar Ford of Rick Crawford; another good run by that team. The top finishing rookie was #99, Eric Darnell who finished 12th. There were 14 lead changes among 6 drivers; 8 cautions. Bodine still maintains the points lead, but David Reutimann has quietly snuck into 2nd place in the standings.(6-17-2006)
  • Johnny Benson Wins the Con-Way Freight 200 at MIS:(Top ten)
    1) #23-Johnny Benson, Exide Batteries Toyota
    2) #6-Mark Martin, Scotts Ford
    3) #4-Bobby Labonte, Dodge Motorsports BHR Dodge
    4) #30-Todd Bodine, Lumber Liquidators Toyota
    5) #88-Matt Crafton, Menards/Energizer Chevy
    6) #14-Rick Crawford, Circle Bar Truck Corral Ford
    7) #33-Ron Hornaday, Kevin Harvick Inc Chevy
    8) #85-Dennis Setzer, FlexFuel E85 Chevy
    9) #10-Terry Cook, Power Stroke Diesel by Int’l Ford
    10)#60-Jack Sprague, Con-Way Frieght Toyota

    Final Race Notes & Awards:
    Race Comments: Before an estimated crowd of 60,000, Johnny Benson won the Con-way Freight 200, posting his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory. Mike Skinner won the Bud Pole – his 27th, tying Jack Sprague for the most in the Series. No one dropped to the rear. The 30 trucks on the lead lap set the Series record. Failed to Qualify: (1) Robert Richardson, #1.
    Time of Race: 1 hour, 45 minutes, 2 seconds: Average Speed: 116.534 mph, Margin of Victory: .112 second

    Budweiser Pole Award; Mike Skinner, #5, 178.758 mph, 40.278 seconds
    Checkers/Rally’s Double-Drive Thru Challenge Award:Jack Sprague, #60
    Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award: Erik Darnell, #99 (23 places)
    Mobil 1 Command Performance Driver of the Race Award: Todd Bodine, #30
    Raybestos Rookie of the Race Award: Erik Darnell, #99
    Sunoco Diamond Performance Award: Johnny Benson, #23
    WIX Filters Lap Leader Award: Johnny Benson, #23 (31 Laps)

    Caution Flags: 8 for 29 laps: Laps 7-9 (#18 spun frontstretch); 12-14 (#75 accident turn 1); 37-39 (Debris backstretch); 69-72 (debris turn 3); 75-81 (#04 accident turn 4); 86-88 (Debris turn 2); 90-92 (#16,21 accident frontstretch); 98-100 (#13,51 accident turn 4)

    Lead Changes: 14 among 6 drivers: M. Skinner 1-23; M. Martin 24; M. Skinner 25; M. Martin 26; M. Skinner 27; M. Martin 28-36; M. Crafton 37; T. Cook 38-39; B. Labonte 40-48; M. Martin 49; B. Labonte 50; M. Martin 51-68; J. Benson 69; M. Martin 70-72; J. Benson 73-102<(NASCAR PR)(6-19-2006)

    For complete results:
    espn.go.com
    motorsportsone.com
    truckseries.com
    nascar.com(official)(6-19-2006)

  • Con-Way Freight 200 starting order:(Top five)
    1) #5-Mike Skinner, 178.758
    2) #20-Marcos Ambrose, 177.506
    3) #21-Bobby East, 176.852
    4) #17-David Reutimann, 176.579
    5) #23-Johnny Benson, 176.557
    1st Dodge(6th) #4-Bobby Labonte, 176.363
    1st Rookie(2nd) #20-Marcos Ambrose, 177.506
    Going home: #1-Robert Richardson, winyourmortgage.com Chevy

    For complete starting order:
    truckseries.com

  • Final practice results for the Con-Way Freight 200:(Top five)
    1) #5-Mike Skinner, 177.651
    2) #98-Erin Crocker, 176.322
    3) #17-David Reutimann, 175.837
    4) #46-Kraig Kinser, 175.580
    5) #6-Mark Martin, 175.503

    For complete final practice results:
    truckseries.com
    nascar.com(6-16-2006)

  • 1st practice results for the Con-Way 200 at MIS:(Top five:)
    1) #4-Bobby Labonte, 179.372
    2) #17-David Reutimann, 178.532
    3) #5-Mike Skinner,178.501
    4) #10-Terry Cook, 178.200
    5) #6-Mark Martin, 178.101
    1st Chevy; (6th) #51-Martin Truex Jr., 178.002
    1st Rookie; (20th)#75-Aric Almirola, 175.648

    For complete practice results:
    truckseries.com(6-16-2006)

  • Lester to make second Cup start in Michigan: UPDATE: Bill Lester will attempt to make the second start of his Nextel Cup career this weekend after becoming the first African-American to qualify for a Cup race since Willy T. Ribbs did so at MIS in 1986. Lester qualified 19th at Atlanta in March. In doing so, he was just the sixth African-American in Cup history to qualify for a race. (BillLester.com)(6-12-3006)
  • UPDATE: Lester qualifies: Bill Lester, qualified the #34 BDR Waste Management 23rd for the Nextel Cup race at Michigan Int’l Speedway. This is Lester’s second start in the Cup Series.(BillLester.com)(6-17-2006)
  • Ryan Moore candidate for ROTY: Ryan Moore has declared himself a candidate for the 2006 Truck Series Rookie-of-the-Year in the #40 Key Motorsports Chevy. Moore practiced well in all three sessions at MIS; was the fastest in Rookie practice.(Key Motorsports PR)(6-16-2006)
  • New Truck team plans to debut later this year: Carter2 Motorsports announced FreeFeds.org, Cotton Eyed Joe, and RvRentToGo.com will be the sponsors of its #54 Dodge Truck driven by team owner Roger Carter II for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Carter will run a full season in his #02 Limited Late Model at Hickory Motorspeedway, and will also compete in select races in the 2006 Truck Series to prepare himself, his team and their sponsors for the battle of rookie of the year in 2007.Carter2Motorsports PR), been told the team plans to attempt its first race at Bristol in August.(6-15-2006)
  • IRP sells naming rights: Indianapolis Raceway Park officials say the facility is being renamed O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis under a sponsorship agreement with O’Reilly Auto Parts. The facility hosts the Kroger 200 Busch Series race and the Power Stroke Diesel 200 Craftsman Truck Series race. Financial terms were not disclosed.(scenedaily.com)(6-14-2006)
  • Wimmer will be Green Light Racing #08 starter:UPDATE: Chris Wimmer, driving the #08 for Green Light Racing. Chad McCumbee drove that truck last weekend after his #06 MRD Motorsports team did not enter Texas because of funding issues. McCumbee, a rookie who is 23rd in points, is not on the entry list that came out Monday. (scenedaily.com)(6-13-2006)
    UPDATE: Driver change: A change in drive has been announced for this week’s running of the Con-Way Freight 200 at Michigan Int’l Speedway. Chad McCumbee will be driving the #08 with U.S. Restoration as the sponsor, and in the #07 will be Kevin LePage, sponsored by Road Loans.(greenlightracing.com)(6-14-2006)
  • Benson, Stremme headline ASA Challenge Event: The ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division returns home for one of the biggest events in series history on Wednesday, June 14, when a special mid-week extravaganza will see the superstars of the Challenge Division make a visit to Berlin Raceway for the running of the Safety-Kleen 200. Big names fill the field for the event, which is expected to draw nearly 40 entries.(johnnybenson.com)(6-14-2006)
  • Truex to drive for Billy Ballew Motorsports at MIS: Entry lists are out for this weekend’s races at Michigan International Speedway and among the notable changes is Martin Truex Jr. driving the #51 Billy Ballew Motorsports truck in the Con-Way Freight 200 Truck Series race at Michigan.(scenedaily.com)(6-13-2006)
  • Labonte to drive #4 at Michigan: Dodge Motorsports announced that Nextel Cup Driver Bobby Labonte will drive the #4 Dodge Motorsports Dodge in the Con-Way Freight 200 this Saturday at Michigan. It will be Labonte’s first Truck Series start since Atlanta last October, and will also mark the first time he has competed in a Dodge Ram. Dodge Motorsports also announced its #04 Hemi Dodge will run only three more NCTS races at a later determined date.(Bobby Hamilton Racing PR)(6-13-2006)
  • News & Notes from the Raybestos Rookie Contenders: Chad McCumbee was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 9 Sam’s Town 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. McCumbee finished ninth, his best finish in eight career Truck Series starts and took top rookie honors for the first time this season. He led the race once for one lap, the first time he has led a lap in his Craftsman Truck Series career. Erik Darnell leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 14 points (84-70) over Aric Almirola entering the June 17 Con-way Freight 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Only two Raybestos Rookies have scored top-five finishes in the six previous races at Michigan: Busch and Carl Edwards, who placed fifth in 2003. Jamie McMurray (2000) is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole at Michigan. Point standings: Erik Darnell 84; Aric Almirola 70; Chad McCumbee 62; Kyle Krisiloff 58; Joey Miller 52; Boston Reid 49; Erin Crocker 48; Bobby East; 48; Kerry Earnhardt 42; Robert Richardson 32; Kraig Kinser 31; Scott Lagasse Jr. 28; Marcos Ambrose 25, Sean Murphy 12; Michel Jourdain Jr. 10; J.R. Patton 4; Tam Topham 1.(Raybestos PR)(6-13-2006)
  • Martin to make Truck Series debut at MIS: Mark Martin will make his Truck Series debut at MIS when he competes in the Con-way Freight 200 on Saturday. The long-time Cup regular, in his final season of competition, is driving the #6 Scotts/Miracle-Gro Ford in the Craftsman Truck Series. Martin will look to win at MIS in his fifth different series after posting victories in the NEXTEL Cup (4), Busch (2), IROC (1) and ASA (1) Series at the 2-mile oval.(Michigan Int’l Speedway)(6-12-2006)
  • Reutimann to perform double duty again: After heavy campaigning to race the #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine at Kentucky Speedway, David Reutimann has been given the green light by Michael Waltrip to compete in the Meijer 300 Busch Series event Saturday evening. Once the 100-lap NASCAR Truck Series race concludes at Michigan International Speedway. Reutimann will have to immediately depart the two-mile oval for Kentucky Speedway. The Truck Series race is slated to begin at 3:15pm/et at Michigan and the Busch Series event is scheduled for 8:05 pm/et at Kentucky. (michaelwaltrip.com)(6-12-2006)
  • Roush to host open house: The Roush Automotive Collection, in Livonia, Michigan, will host an open house on Thursday, June 15 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Among the activities and exhibits planned are a Roush Racing autograph session, the AAA race car simulator, and Roush Performance vehicles and parts displays. (roushracing.com)(6-12-2006)

    Drivers to make first start at MIS:A number of Truck Series drivers will attempt to make their first MIS start this weekend. They are: Chris Wimmer, Marcos Ambrose, Bobby East, Boston Reid, Ryan Moore, and Aric Almirola. Ambrose is the first native of Australia to drive in the Truck Series, and Almirola is the series’ first driver of Cuban heritage.(Michigan Int’l Speedway)(6-12-2006)

  • Lester to make second Cup start in Michigan:UPDATE: Bill Lester will attempt to make the second start of his Nextel Cup career this weekend after becoming the first African-American to qualify for a Cup race since Willy T. Ribbs did so at MIS in 1986. Lester qualified 19th at Atlanta in March. In doing so, he was just the sixth African-American in Cup history to qualify for a race. (BillLester.com)(6-12-3006)
  • Lester qualifies for the 3M Performance 400 at MIS: Bill Lester, qualified the #34 BDR Waste Management 23rd for the Nextel Cup race at Michigan Int’l Speedway. This is Lester’s second start in the Cup Series.(bill lester.com)(6-17-2006)
  • Crocker to run ARCA & Trucks at MIS: Erin Crocker will drive the #98 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge in the Truck Series in the June 17 Con-way Freight 200. The race will be her first at MIS in the Truck Series. Crocker will also race in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz Group 200 on Friday, where she placed seventh last season to become the second-highest female finisher in MIS history.(Michigan Int’l Speedway)(6-12-2006)
  • Automotion to again sponsor Key Motorsports entry at Michigan: One of the racing industry’s newest companies, Automotion, will again provide sponsorship to Key Motorsports and Ryan Moore in the #40 Chevy in this weekend’s Truck Series race at the Michigan International Speedway.(Key Motorsports PR)(6-12-3006)
  • Melling to sponsor HT Motorsports #59 at MIS: Melling Engine Parts and Melling Select, (new brand of high performance oil pumps and engine parts from Melling), has announced their association with Jim Harris’ HT Motorsports #59 Ford and driver Steve Park to compete in the Truck Series event, the Conway Freight 200 on June 17th, 2006 at Michigan International Speedway. (melling.com)(6-8-2006)
  • Craftsman for a Cure hosts one final online auction: The final drive to raise money for Craftsman For a Cure begins today with an online auction featuring a one-of-a-kind, specially designed Sam Bass guitar. The 10-day EBay auction will run from today, June 6 through Friday, June 16. All proceeds from the auction and the event will benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Victory Junction Gang Camp. To date, more than $50,000 has been raised by the Craftsman For a Cure charity event, and donations are continuing to come in. See more at my charities page(Craftsman PR)(6-8-2006)
  • Woolrich back on track at Texas, Michigan: When the #99 Ford of Erik Darnell goes racing the next two weeks, it will do so with Woolrich on the hood and quarter panels as their white, black and red paint scheme returns for Texas and Michigan. Woolrich, The Original Outdoor Clothing Company, came on board with Roush Racing for the Truck Series race in Daytona, and extended their relationship for an additional eight races following their on and off track success of the program.(roushracing.com)(6-6-2006)
  • Truck Series News & Notes–Michigan:
    Father’s Day is doubly special for many NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competitors. Without racing fathers, nearly half the starting field in Saturday’s Con-way Freight 200 might be doing something other than competing in a race. At least 15 competitors taking the green flag at Michigan International Speedway have fathers who drove racecars. Some of those fathers have left the driver’s seat; others continue to compete – often against their sons.

    Johnny Benson (#23 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota), who grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich. not far from MIS, was seven when he began working in his father Johnny Benson Sr.’s race shop. The elder Benson won seven championships at Berlin (Mich.) Speedway and more than 200 races. He currently owns a race equipment business. David Reutimann (#17 Team Tundra Toyota) and Kraig Kinser (#46 Centrix Auto Finance Chevy) grew up idolizing their fathers – then racing against them. Both still do on occasion.

    Kinser not only raced with his father but beat the legendary Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws champion, in sprint car racing’s equivalent to the Daytona 500 – the Knoxville Nationals. Between father and his racing grandfather, Bob Kinser, the now 21-year-old received what amounted to racing’s version of a Harvard doctorate. The Kinser clan – grandfather, father, uncle, Randy Kinser and now Kraig – pretty much epitomize racing as a family sport. All pitched in toward a common goal.

    There’s another rookie in the truck field at Michigan with links to racing fathers. Boston Reid’s father was a chief mechanic on Indy cars during the late 60’s and 70’s. He had the first racing car to put 4 wheels on the track. During the Goodyear tire test they averaged .7 mpg with the turbo off. Big trouble.(Boston Reid)(6-14-2006)

    News & Notes, Part II:
    Todd Bodine’s (#30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota) June 9 victory at Texas Motor Speedway put the series point leader in elite company. His Sam’s Town 400 win was Bodine’s 10th in 49 Truck races ranking the New Yorker fourth all-time in fewest starts to reach double figures.

    Fewest Starts to 10 Victories
    1) Mike Skinner; 26, 1995-96
    2) Ron Hornaday Jr.; 38, 1995-96
    3) Ted Musgrave; 47,1995-02
    4) Todd Bodine, 49, 1996-06
    5) Greg Biffle; 61,1998-00

    Truck Series Leaders — through nine races of the 25-race season:
    Points leader – Todd Bodine (1,490)
    Money won – Todd Bodine ($370,380)
    Laps led – Mark Martin (288)
    Miles led – Mark Martin (466.460)
    Victories – Todd Bodine, Mark Martin (3)
    Budweiser Poles – David Reutimann, Mike Skinner (2)
    Top-five finishes – Todd Bodine (7)
    Top-10 finishes -David Reutimann (8)
    Raybestos Rookie Leader – Erik Darnell (14 over Aric Almirola)
    Races led – Todd Bodine (6)
    Weeks in Top 10 – 4 (9)drivers

    Etc:
    David Starr (#11 Red Horse Racing Toyota) is set to make his 150th start at Michigan, the 10th driver to reach the number…Cook will reach $3 million in series winning with a top-20 finish in the Con-way Freight 200…Ted Musgrave (#9 Team ASE) can become the series’ third $4 million winner with a third-place finish. He would join Jack Sprague (#60 Con-way Freight Toyota) and Dennis Setzer (#85 E85 FlexFuel Chevy)…Cook and Setzer are the only drivers to complete all 600 laps and 1,200 miles at Michigan…Sprague, still seeking win # 1 for Wyler Racing’s Con-way team, recalls that Travis Kvapil’s Line-X Toyota was the winner of the 2004 race that was sponsored by – Line-X…Twenty-three different drivers have led a lap through the season’s first nine races…Chad McCumbee (#08 Death Toll The Movie Chevrolet) was the fourth different Raybestos Rookie of the race with a ninth-place finish at TMS. It was McCumbee’s first top 10…Michel Jourdain Jr. (#50 Roush Racing Ford) made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck debut with a solid, 13th-place effort on the lead lap. Jourdain becomes the 17th member of this year’s huge Raybestos Rookie class

    On the right track:
    Musgrave, Sprague solid on MIS-style tracks … While neither driver has won a series race at Michigan, there’s no arguing with the record of Musgrave and Sprague on 2-mile speedways. Combining their records at Michigan and sibling California Speedway, the pair counts five wins, 13 top fives and 16 top-10 finishes. At Michigan, Musgrave twice has finished second (2003-04) while last year’s fourth place stands as the best by Sprague.

    In the loop:
    Although winner Dennis Setzer posted the top Driver Rating of 129.8, three competitors in last year’s race finished high on the statistical charts. Kevin Harvick was second at 122.7 while Mike Skinner scored a 122.4. Setzer recorded only the fourth-fastest lap of the race at 180.550 mph. Rick Crawford led all drivers at 181.202. Where is the “passing zone” at Michigan International Speedway? Ask Setzer and he’ll probably say Turn 3. He executed more than one-third (22) of his 61 passes en route to Victory Lane.

    From the archives:
    The 1999 inaugural running of the Con-way 200 saw family history made on the Truck Series as a father and son led a series race for the first time. Jay Sauter finished second while his father Jim Sauter came home in 10th-place. The elder Sauter, at age 56, is the oldest driver to compete in a Truck event at Michigan International Speedway.

    Fast Facts:
    What: Con-way Freight 200 (Race 10 of 25)
    Where: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, Mich
    When: 3:15 p.m. ET, June 17
    Track layout: 2-mile paved oval
    Race length: 200 miles/100 laps
    Posted awards: $595,299
    TV: SPEED Channel, 3 pm/et
    Radio: MRN, XM Satellite
    2005 winner: Dennis Setzer
    2005 polesitter: Kyle Busch
    Pre-race schedule (all times local): Thursday -Practice 10:15 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. Rookie Practice 1:10 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. Final Practice 1:50 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday – Qualifying 11:40 a.m. Trucks impounded after qualifying.z(NASCAR PR)(6-12-2006)

  • Bodine wins at Texas:(Top five)
    1) #30-Todd Bodine, Lumber Liquidators Toyota
    2) #5-Mike Skinner, Toyota Tundra Toyota
    3) #14-Rick Crawford, Circle Bark Truck Corral Ford
    4) #17-David Reutimann, Team Tundra Toyota
    5) #23-Johnny Benson, Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota
    1st Chevy(6th) #85-Dennis Setzer, Shell Rotella T Chevy
    1st Rookie & Dodge: #08-Chad McCumbee, Death Toll-The Movie Dodge
    For complete results:
    espn.com
    motorsportsone.com
    truckseries.com
    nascar.com(official)(6-12-2006)
  • Driver Point Standings following Texas:(Top five)
    1) #30-Todd Bodine, 1490
    2) #9-Ted Musgrave, 1375
    3) #17-David Reutimann, 1354
    4) #23-Johnny Benson, 1258
    5) #60-Jack Sprague, 1203

    For complete standings:
    motorsportsone.com
    truckseries.com
    nascar.com(official)(6-12-2006)

  • Bodine “The Onion” wins Sam’s Town 400: Todd Bodine comes back from a lap down to win the Sams Town 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. With six laps to go, the 4-second lead of Mike Skinner’s went down the drain and a faster Todd Bodine in the #30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota driving hard on the outside. passed Skinner to come up with the win. Rounding out the top five; Mike Skinner in 2nd, Rick Crawford 3rd, David Reutimann 4th, with Johnny Benson coming in 5th. The top rookie, Erik Darnell, had trouble early and it was an opportunity for Aric Almirola to pick up a few points. But it was not the case, as Almirola also had trouble early on. Chad McCumbee, running the Gene Christensen/Bobby Dotter #08 Dodge, was the first Dodge across the line, finishing in 9th place. McCumbee also took top Raybestos Rookie honors for the race. Michel Jourdain started 30th in the #50 Roush Racing Ford finished 13th. And newcome, Ryan Moore, did a respectable job in the #40 Key Motorsports Chevy ending up 14th after starting 31st.(6-9-2006)
  • Skinner picks up fourth Texas pole; wins the pole for the Sam’s Town 400:(Top five)
    1) #5-Mike Skinner, 183.206
    2) #10-Terry Cook, 182.976
    3) #46-Kraig Kinser, 182.914
    4) #23-Johnny Benson, 181.953
    5) #14-Rick Crawford, 181.916
    1st Dodge(12th) #98-Erin Crocker, 180.929
    Going home: #63-J.R. Patton, #76-Blake Mallory

    For complete starting lineup:
    truckseries.com
    nascar.com

  • Final Practice Results for the Sam’s Town 400:(Top five)
    1) #5-Mike Skinner, 180.747
    2) #17-David Reutimann, 179.509
    3) #99-Erik Darnell, 179.075
    4) #14-Rick Crawford, 178.938
    5) #30-Todd Bodine, 178.849
    1st Chevy(6th) #46-Kraig Kinser, 178.778
    1st Dodge(12th) #98-Erin Crocker, 177.194

    For complete final practice results:
    nascar.com
    truckseries.com(6-8-2006)

  • 1st Practice Results for the Sam’s Town 400:(Top five)
    1) #23-Johnny Benson, 181.500
    2) #5-Mike Skinner, 181.409
    3) #99-Erik Darnell, 180.699
    4) #17-David Reutimann, 180.487
    5) #10-Terry Cook, 179.450
    1st Chevy(7th) #16-Mike Bliss, 179.015
    1st Dodge(11th) #77-Brendan Gaughan, 178.778

    For complete practice results:
    nascar.com
    truckseries.com(6-8-2006)

  • Chad McCumbee to drive #08 at Texas: UPDATE: Chad McCumbee is the listed driver for Green Light Racing in the #08 Chevy with the sponsor listed as “Death Toll Movie.” Bobby Dotter is the crew chief.(greenlightracing.com)(6-7-2006)
    UPDATE: Owner of Green Light Racing Gene Christensen also announced that the entry will be sponsored by H&K Pictures new movie “Death Toll” staring DMX and Lou Diamond Phillips. The sponsorship with a Hollywood flare came about because Christensen will be in a supporting role as City Councilman McGraw. “Death Toll” the movie will begin filming in Louisiana later this month and is scheduled for release in later this fall.(greenlightracing.com)(6-8-2006)
  • Butch Miller back at Texas: SS Racing’s Butch Miller will pilot the #07 ASI LIMITED/Spectrum Metal Finishing/Akzo-Nobel Chevy for the Sam’s Town 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday June 9th. It will be Miller’s 115th start in the Truck Series and his second of 2006.(greenlightracing.com)(6-7-2006)
  • Windbreaker Racing associate sponsor for Germain race teams: Windbreaker Racing has signed an associate sponsorship deal with Germain Racing as a product sponsor for both Todd Bodine and Ted Musgrave. They provide the team and drivers with Windbreaker jackets. This is the second year sponsoring Todd Bodine and first year with Ted Musgrave.(windbreakerracing.com)(6-7-2006>
  • Reid gets new associate sponsor: Red Rocks Café will continue to adorn the hood of Reid’s #25 Dodge Ram for this weekend’s race in Texas. But a new sponsor will climb aboard as an associate for the Sam’s Town 400. Logansport, Indiana’s own Mike Anderson Auto Group will appear on the quarter panels of Reid’s truck. Anderson, a relative of Reid’s, owns a series of dealerships in the Logansport area where Reid is a hometown favorite. (woodardracing.com)(6-6-2006)
  • Russo’s Tinting joins Key Motorsports as product sponsor: Russo’s Tinting, an accessory providers in motorsports, has joined Key Motorsports as a product sponsor for the balance of the 2006 Truck Series schedule. Russo’s provides window-tinting products for residential, commercial and automotive use. The growing company also sells a vast line of truck and motorcycle accessories, but it is the company’s tear-off business in racing that has propelled its rapid growth.(keymotorsports.com)(6-6-2006)
  • News & Notes from the Raybestos Rookie Contenders: Aric Almirola was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the June 2 AAA Insurance 200 at Dover International Speedway. Almirola finished 12th and took top rookie honors for the third time this season. Almirola’s truck owner, Wayne Spears, made history at Dover. The Spears team made their 273rd start in the series, passing Jim Smith for most starts all-time. Erik Darnell leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by 14 points (82-68) over Aric Almirola entering the June 9 Sam’s Town 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. A Raybestos Rookie has won four of the 15 Craftsman Truck Series races at Texas: Irwin, Travis Kvapil (2001) and Brendan Gaughan, who swept both races in 2002. Raybestos Rookies Kvapil and Gaughan gave the rookie class three consecutive wins in 2001-2002. Point standings: Erik Darnell 82, Aric Almirola 68, Kyle Krisiloff 50, Chad McCumbee 49, Joey Miller 49, Erin Crocker 46, Bobby East 41, Kerry Earnhardt 40, Boston Reid 40, Kraig Kinser 29, Robert Richardson 24, Scott Lagasse Jr. 24, Marcos Ambrose 19, Sean Murphy 12, J.R. Patton 3, Tam Topham 1.(Raybestos PR)(6-5-2006)
  • Reutimann pulls double duty this weekend: After recording a top-five finish at Dover International Speedway, David Reutimann plans to compete in both the Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway and the Busch Series race at Nashville Superspeedway this weekend. Reutimann will drive the #99 Dream Machine for Michael Waltrip Racing at Nashville.(WaltripRacingInc.com)(6-5-2006)
  • Jourdain returns to the #50 in Texas: Michel Jourdain, Jr. will attempt to make his first race in the #50 Roush Racing Ford F-150 this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Jourdain attempted to make the race in Mansfield, Ohio two weeks ago but his efforts were dampened when afternoon rain showers forced the cancellation of qualifying. The field was set by the NASCAR rulebook with 38 competitors vying for 36 starting positions. Because the #50 was only entered in four of six events, it did not qualify for a provisional. (roushracing.com)(6-5-2006)
  • Driver Point Standings after Dover:
    1) #30-Todd Bodine,
    2) #9-Ted Musgrave, 1229
    3) #17-David Reutimann, 1194
    4) #23-Johnny Benson, 1098
    5) #11-David Starr, 1078

    For complete standings:
    motorsportsone.com
    truckseries.com
    nascar.com(official)(6-5-2006)

  • Truck Series News & Notes:
    Mark Martin ( 6 Scotts Ford) became the season’s first three-time winner when he beat Roush Racing teammate Carl Edwards (# 50 Scotts/Ortho Ford) by just under four seconds at Dover International Speedway on June 2. The one-two finish was the organization’s first since last October when Ricky Craven beat teammate Todd Kluever at Martinsville Speedway. Martin’s victory was #40 for team owner Jack Roush, whose first start as a series owner came at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sept. 29, 1996. One of eight Roush winners, Martin has won four of his nine series starts – a record of seven top-five and eight top-10 finishes.

    Most Wins by Active Owner: (275 Races)
    1. Roush Racing/Jack Roush, 40
    2. Bobby Hamilton Racing/Bobby Hamilton, 19
    3. Morgan-Dollar Motorsports/David Dollar, 12
    5. Orleans Racing/Michael Gaughan, 9; Germain Motors/Stephen Germain, 9

    Roush’s victory total is four more than that of now inactive Ultra Motorsports owner Jim Smith and 21 greater than the total of the next active team. Bobby Hamilton Racing, winless in 2006, has won 19 times. Edwards’ return boosts #50 team … Roush Racing put its third truck on the track in March at Atlanta and hadn’t enjoyed much success -until bringing Cup Series star and 2003 Truck Raybestos Rookie of the Year Carl Edwards out of “retirement.” Edwards’ last series start was in November 2004. This week, Michel Jourdain Jr. is due to make his debut. David Ragan also is set for duty after taking over Martin’s seat in the #6 Ford at Texas Motor Speedway.

    Series Stats:
    Points leader – Todd Bodine (1,305)
    Money won – Todd Bodine ($298,780)
    Laps led – Mark Martin (288)
    Miles led – Mark Martin (466.460)
    Victories -Mark Martin (3
    Budweiser Poles – David Reutimann (2)
    Top-five finishes – Todd Bodine, Ted Musgrave (6)
    Top-10 finishes -David Reutimann (7)
    Raybestos Rookie Leader – Erik Darnell (14 over Aric Almirola)
    Races led – Todd Bodine (5)
    Weeks in Top 10 – 4 drivers (8)

    Etc:
    Chevy has the most wins at Texas Motor Speedway (six); however, Toyota has won two of the last three races. All four series manufacturers have won at the 1.5-mile layout…Two drivers have won races at TMS and championships in the same season. Sprague posted the first of two wins in 2001, the season in which he claimed his third Truck title. Greg Biffle won the 2000 Sam’s Town 400 while leading a track-high 120 laps…The Dover race saw 35 of 36 starters take the checkered flag, three more than the previous series record for finishers. The single DNF matched the record set April 22, 1995 at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif…Dennis Setzer (#85 FlexFuel E85 Chevy) won’t carry fond memories of career start #200. In fact, he’s likely already forgotten his 20th-place finish at Dover…David Reutimann (#17 Team Tundra Toyota) will fly to Nashville Superspeedway following Friday night’s Sam’s Town 400 to compete in the Busch Series Federated Auto Parts 300 event…To date, the recent Craftsman for a Cure event at Concord, N.C. has raised more than $50,000 for various charities including American Cancer Society and Victory Junction Gang. “It is truly amazing when you call on your friends to help that everyone is eager to jump on board,” said 2004 series champion and cancer patient Bobby Hamilton, one of the event’s organizers.

    On the right track:
    Texas good place for Setzer to kick-start season…Dennis Setzer won four times in 2005 and has yet to do so this year, but the three-time series runner-up isn’t completely off schedule. His first win came a year ago next week at Michigan International Speedway. And Texas is one of Setzer’s best tracks. He is one of four multiple race winners there – most recently in 2004 – and counts 11 top-10 finishes, most by any competitor at the Ft. Worth facility.

    In the loop:
    Picking a favorite who hasn’t won at Texas Motor Speedway? Loop Data statistics point to Johnny Benson, who just might collect his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory Friday night. Last year’s Sam’s Town 400 found Benson with a Driver Rating of 123.6, tying for second with Jack Sprague. Overall in 2005, Benson posted the second highest Speed in Traffic (174.098 mph), fourth in Quality Passes (tie-42) and third in Average Running Position (6.038). Mike Skinner led all drivers at Texas Motor Speedway in 2005 with a combined Driver Rating of 141.000. Here’s a snapshot of Loop Data from last year’s two events at Texas Motor Speedway. A complete rundown along with a 2006 season to-date chart is available at www.nascarmedia.com.

    From the archives:
    Only two drivers have scored their first series wins at Texas Motor Speedway. Bryan Reffner posted his first – and only – victory in the fall’s Silverado 350 on Oct. 13, 2001. Brendan Gaughan’s Sam’s Town 400 victory on June 7, 2002 was the first of four consecutive victories at TMS and eight overall. Ironically, Gaughan’s last win – 33 races ago – came in Ft. Worth on Oct. 11, 2003. Jack Sprague is the series’ only other active driver to count TMS on his “last” list. The defending winner of the Sam’s Town 400 has gone winless in 23 subsequent starts.

    Fast facts:
    What: Sam’s Town 400 (Race 9 of 25)
    Where: Texas Motor Speedway, Ft. Worth, Texas
    When: 9:15 p.m. ET, June 9
    Track layout: 1.5-mile paved speedway
    Race length: 400 kilometers/250.5 miles/167 laps
    Posted awards: $668,182
    TV: SPEED Channel, 9 pm/et
    Radio: MRN, XM Satellite
    2005 winner: Dennis Setzer
    2005 polesitter: Mike Skinner
    Pre-race schedule (all times local): Thursday -Practice 11 a.m. -12:00 noon. Rookie Practice 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Final Practice 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Qualifying 6:00 p.m. Trucks impounded after qualifying.(NASCAR PR)(6-6-2006)

  • News & Notes from Texas Motor Speedway:
    The Truck Series is in its 12th season and no speedway has hosted more truck events than Texas Motor Speedway. The Sam’s Town 400 on Friday evening will be the 17th truck series race since “The Great American Speedway!” opened in 1997. The Sam’s Town 400 is the third race this season for the trucks on a 1.5-mile superspeedway. Bodine (March 17-Atlanta Motor Speedway) and Kyle Busch (May 19-Lowe’s Motor Speedway) are the two previous superspeedway winners this year. A year ago, Sprague led the final eight laps of the June race at Texas to claim the win and became the first series driver to win in eight different seasons.

    Home track advantage:
    David Starr, driver of the #11Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra, is hoping the 16th time is the charm at Texas Motor Speedway. The Houston native has come close to winning at his home speedway with eight top-10 showings, including three third-place finishes. Four times Starr has started on the outside pole, but is still seeking his first win at Texas.

    Texas Ties:
    Three Truck Series drivers with Texas roots will attempt to make the field for the Sam’s Town 400. Robert Richardson driver of the #1 winyourmortgage.com Chevy, is from McKinney; David Starr, driver of the #11 Red Horse Racing Toyota, is from Houston; and Blake Mallory, driver of the #76 Automotive Fabrication Chevrolet, is from Joshua.

    Fast & Furious:
    Mike Skinner, driver of the #5 Toyota Tundra Toyota, knows how to get around Texas Motor Speedway – in a hurry. The veteran driver has qualified on the pole for the past three Truck Series races at “The Great American Speedway!” Last June, he set a speedway truck series qualifying record with his speed of 182.902 mph/29.524 sec. Skinner’s three poles have come in just four starts at Texas and he has finished 11th, 4th, and 2nd from the #1 position. (texasmotorspeedway.com)(6-5-2006)

  • A new baby in the family: David Kulak and his wife, Tara of Concord, NC became proud parents for the first time to a baby boy, Ryan David Kulak, 7 lbs 1 oz, 20″ long. Ryan became a member of the NASCAR family at 12:03 a.m. on June 3rd, 2006. David is the front tire carrier for the #12 truck team of Joey Miller and employed by Darrell Waltrip Motorsports.(6-4-2006)
  • Martin wins the AAA Insurance 200: For the third time this season, Mark Martin brought home the checkered flag in the Truck Series. Martin swapped the lead with front-runner Kyle Busch a couple of times, but Busch lost a lap after being black-flagged and had to return to the pits because of a loose hood pin. Finishing in second place was teammate, Carl Edwards in the #50; with series leader Todd Bodine 3rd, Mike Bliss 4th, and David Reutimann finishing in 5th position. Highest finishing rookie was Aric Almirola who finished in the 12th position. Kyle Busch managed to get his lap back, coming back through the pack to finish 10th.(6-2-2006)
  • Martin wins at Dover(Top Five)
    1) #6-Mark Martin, Scotts Ford
    2) #50-Carl Edwards, Scotts/Ortho Ford
    3) #30-Todd Bodine, Lumber Liquidators Toyota< BR> 4) #16-Mike Bliss, IWX Chevy
    5) #17-David Reutimann, Team Tundra ToyotaBR> 1st Dodge (13th) Bobby Hamilton Jr., Fastenal Dodge
    1st Rookie (12th) Aric Almirola, Spears Mfg. Chevy
  • Race Awards:
    Budweiser Pole Award: David Reutimann, #17, 153.905 mph, 23.391 seconds
    Checkers/Rally’s Double-Drive Thru Challenge Award: David Reutimann, #17
    Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award: Aric Almirola, #75 (18 places)
    Mobil 1 Command Performance Driver of the Race Award: Todd Bodine, #30
    Raybestos Rookie of the Race Award: Aric Almirola, #75
    Sunoco Diamond Performance Award:Mark Martin, #6
    WIX Filters Lap Leader Award: David Reutimann, #17 (18 Laps)

    For complete results:
    espn.com
    motorsportsone.com
    truckseries.com
    nascar.com(official)(6-5-2006)

  • Reutimann wins the pole for the AAA Insurance 200 at Dover:(Top five)
    1) #17-David Reutimann, 153.905
    2) #16-Mike Bliss, 153.780
    3) #51-Kyle Busch, 153.374
    4) #14-Rick Crawford, 153.224
    5) #18-Bobby Hamilton Jr., 153.224
    1st Rookie (12th) #20-Marcos Ambrose, 151.892)
    Going home: #1-Robert Richardson, #40-Ryan Moore

    For complete starting lineup:
    truckseries.com(6-2-2006)

  • 1st Practice Results for the AAA Insurance 200 at Dover Int’l Speedway:(Top five)
    1) #10-Terry Cook, 148.859
    2) #16-Mike Bliss, 148.490
    3) #18-Bobby Hamilton Jr., 147.923
    4) #6-Mark Martin, 147.783
    5) #51-Kyle Busch, 147.710
    1st Toyota (6th) #17-David Reutimann, 147.704
    1st Rookie (10th) #04-Scott Lagasse, 146.771

    For complete practice results:
    nascar.com
    truckseries.com(6/1/2006)

  • Final Practice Results for the AAA Insurance 200 at Dover Int’l Speedway:(Top five)
    1) #17-David Reutimann, 150.823
    2) #51-Kyle Busch, 150.811
    3) #10-Terry Cook, 150.647
    4) #16-Mike Bliss, 150.194
    5) #14-Rick Crawford, 149.800
    1st Dodge (7th) #4-Timothy Peters, 148.982
    1st Rookie (6th) #46-Kraig Kinser, 149.982

    For complete final practice results:
    nascar.com
    truckseries.com(6-1-2006)

  • Carl Edwards returns to drive the #50 at Dover:UPDATE: Roush Racing has announced that Carl Edwards will return to the Truck Series for Roush Racing in the #50 Ford F-150 this Friday in the AAA Insurance 200 at Dover International Speedway. Edwards last raced in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2004, when he competed in the season-ending Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. David Ragan will return to the seat next week in the Sam’s Town 400 at the Texas Motor Speedway.(roushracing.com)(5-30-2006)
  • UPDATE: Scotts, Ortho to Sponsor: Roush Racing has announced that The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company’s Ortho brand will sponsor Roush Racings #50 Ford driven by Carl Edwards in this weekends Truck Series AAA Insurance 200 at Dover International Speedway. roushracing.com)(6-1-2006)

 

2006

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Born On Date: June 1, 2006

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