March 2008 Truck Series News Archive

  • For winners of a race in Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series races: see the Misc Stats page for this and other statistical information.

  • Busch Melee causes Oval Office Trip: Kyle Busch paid a visit to the NASCAR hauler after Saturday’s Kroger 250 Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway, where he wrecked Johnny Benson on the last lap while racing for second place. NASCAR officials also talked with several members of Benson’s crew, who angrily confronted Busch’s crew on pit road after the race. NASCAR officials said they are reviewing the actions of several members of Benson’s crew. After the race, Benson was angry that he got wrecked and fell from second place to 25th, while Busch was angry that Benson’s crewmembers were angry. “I just got spun out,” said Benson, who unlike Busch is racing for a series championship. “I went into the corner as hard as I’d been all day and doing everything we needed to do. The 51 (Kyle Busch) – you know I don’t know. It’s just a shame that it had to happen. It happens a lot within this series. It’s just a shame that nothing ever gets done about it.” Asked what he thought should be done, Benson added, “You have got to penalize people for wrecking people. That is what needs to be done.” “I hate it that we both spun out there. I was probably going to make it through there but then I got spun out, too, so I’ve got a reason to be upset,” said Busch, who held on to the NCTS points lead despite finishing 26th. “It started with me, obviously, but it’s pretty pathetic that pit crew guys want to fight when what happened is between the drivers,” Busch said. “That’s just unacceptable and stupid. My move was probably a pretty stupid move, people will call it, but, hey, I’m a racer. I’m going after another spot.”(Tom Jensen, TruckSeries.com)(3-31-2008)
  • Hornaday to run Nationwide race at Texas: UPDATE Correction: Ron Hornaday, who drives for Kevin and DeLana Harvick, has found a late-career rejuvenation after signing with the team-owning couple in 2005. It propelled him to a Truck series championship last year, but he’ll be at Texas Motor Speedway this week to race in the Nationwide Series O’Reilly 300. Yet another benefit of driving for Harvick. Hornaday is scheduled to start five Nationwide races this year, and the O’Reilly 300 marks the first of the season. He is also scheduled to race in Mexico on April 20. While the Truck series remains his main focus, getting in a Nationwide car is something he calls the “perks” of driving for KHI. And Hornaday shares his boss’ philosophy about the Saturday races. “He has nothing to do on Saturday and that’s why he does it and I said, ‘Hey boss, remember me? I am kind of bored too,'” Hornaday said.(Fort Worth Star Telegram)(3-30-2008)
    UPDATE: According to a KHI representative, Ron Hornaday’s first Nationwide series start will be in the #33-KHI Chevy on Sunday, April 20th in the Corona 200 at Autodromo Hernanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. Hornaday is scheduled to run the #77-KHI Chevy in the Nationwide Series at Texas Motor Speedway in November.(KHI PR)(3-31-2008)
  • Lawler finishes 17th in first-ever series race: Ryan Lawler has been racing and winning in late model stock cars for several years now. He has hopes and dreams of reaching NASCAR stardom and success. Lawler piloted the #07 Deals Auto Auction of Dallas Chevrolet for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway finishing in 17th. Lawler is tentatively scheduled to race in the series again April 26th at Kansas Speedway.(SS Green Light Racing PR)(3-31-2008)
  • Setzer takes an emotional Truck victory at Martinsville: For the first time since the late Bobby Hamilton won at Mansfield in 2005, Dennis Setzer [#18-Dodge] took Bobby Hamilton Racing back to Victory Lane. Setzer’s victory in the Kroger 250 on Saturday at Martinsville Speedway was his third at the .526-mile short track and the 18th of his Craftsman Truck Series career. Setzer won for the first time since taking the checkered flag at Mansfield on May 26, 2007. Hamilton, who posted 10 wins in the Truck Series before his death from cancer on Jan. 7, 2007, claimed his last victory at that same track on May 15, 2005. “I ran second to Bobby Hamilton the year he won the championship [2004],” Setzer said. “We raced really hard against each other, but off the track, we were the best of friends. I don’t think we ever had a harsh word for one another. I respected him a lot.”(nascar.com)(3-31-2008)
  • Setzer may step in for Sadler in Cup race: Martinsville winner, Dennis Setzer practiced the #19 McDonalds Dodge Charger at Martinsville for Elliott Sadler, who injured his back earlier this week. Setzer is on standby for the Sprint Cup race at Martinsville. In response to the question of whether he could make the whole 500 lap race, Sadler said, “”Right now, I feel like that I can go maybe half-way. Right now it’s a 50-50 chance of going the whole way. Dennis (Setzer) is going to stay and hang out with us tomorrow. If I need him, then we’ll go to him. I’m still in a lot of pain right now. You use so much brake here. I’m pushing my back up against the seat a lot. We made seat adjustments today and that helped. Right now it’s 50-50 of going the whole way.”(Dodge Motorsports PR)(3-30-2008)
  • Lia helps raise awareness about Autism: UPDATE Image Added: Donny Lia’s #71 Chevy will carry the colors of Autism Speaks starting at Martinsville Speedway. Lia has a close connection to a child suffering from the incurable disorder. “The Car Chief on my modified has a son who is autistic,” explained Lia. “When we were looking at running at Martinsville without a primary sponsor, we decided that it would be better to offer the space to Autism Speaks to help get the word out about Autism and the need for a cure.”(TRG Motorsports PR)(3-26-2008)
    Image added: Image of the #71-AutismSpeaks.com Chevy is posted on the 2008 Paint Scheme Gallery page.(3-28-2008)
  • Shark Energy Drink no longer sponsoring NASCAR teams: David Tomasello, The former Chief Executive Officer of Shark Energy Drink, comments on last weeks news that Shark Energy Drink has suspended its marketing program in NASCAR. “My management team worked very hard to build that motorsports program with Fitz Motorsports and Xpress Motorsports, and it’s very unfortunate that the new CEO and management has chosen not to continue with the program. “I heard about it just like everyone else, on the internet” said Tomasello.[Shark Energy Drink has been sponsoring the #16 Chevy of Brian Scott.](3-28-2008)
  • Lagasse makes first series run at Martinsville: Saturday’s Kroger 250 Craftsman Truck Series race will give many rookie truck series drivers their first glimpse of Martinsville’s long straight-aways and sharp turns. Among them will be 27-year-old Scott Lagasse Jr. in the #20 JTG Racing [Nicholson Group] Ford. Lagasse, son of Scott Lagasse Sr., a former Craftsman Truck Series driver, is not new to racing. Lagasse has piloted a few Nationwide Series cars in the past and competed in several other truck races over the years, but has never competed at Martinsville Speedway. Lagasse took his first laps around Martinsville during the March 12-13 Craftsman Truck Series practice at the track.(Scott Lagasse PR)(3-28-2008)
  • Peters bringing the #47 Tahoe Smokeless Chevy to Martinsville: Timothy Peters will make his 2008 Craftsman Truck Series debut in Martinsville driving the #47 Tahoe Smokeless Tobacco Chevy. Timothy has secured the services of top caliber crew chief Danny Gill for Martinsville and several upcoming races this season. “I am really super appreciative of all the people that have stepped up to help me this season without people like the Bailey Family, Danny Gill, Eric Phillips and Steve Stallings.” Peters competed last year for the #47 team at Martinsville finishing 9th after qualifying 8th for the event.(Timothy Peters PR)(3-27-2008)
    Image added: [Image of the #47-Chevy is posted on the 2008 Paint Scheme Gallery.]
  • Hamlin to pilot #15 at Martinsville: UPDATE: Miccosukee Resorts sponsoring BBM Trucks: Kyle Busch’s Sprint Cup Series Joe Gibbs Racing teammate and friend Denny Hamlin will pilot the #15 Billy Ballew Motorsports entry at the series first short track race of the 2008 season. Busch will be back behind the wheel of the #51 Toyota Tundra at the Martinsville Speedway March 29, 2008.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(3-10-2008)
    UPDATE: Miccosukee Resorts will be the major primary sponsor on both Billy Ballew Motorsports entries. “I’d like to thank James Finch and Miccosukee Resorts for coming on board to support both the #51 and the #15 Tundra’s this week in Martinsville,” Team owner, Ballew said. “They have been a huge supporter of what we are trying to do and it is greatly appreciated. This will be Hamlin’s third start in the Craftsman Truck Series.[Note: #15 making switch from Chevy to Toyota](Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(3-26-2008)
  • #21 supporting Cancer Society’s Relay for Life: The #21 Barnhill Group Ford will be displaying the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life logo [at Martinsville] to help bring more awareness to and toward the prevention of cancer while also celebrating cancer survivors. The race team is going to donate two dollars for every Kroger 250 race lap that Jon [Wood] runs to help raise funds for his mother, Carol Wood, who is a supporter and a Relay For Life of Patrick County team member. She will participate in the event that will take place on May 17th, 2008 at Dehart Park in Stuart, VA.(Wood Bros. Racing PR)(3-26-2008)
  • Benson participating in Nationwide test at Richmond: Johnny Benson has been participating in a two-day test session for the Nationwide Series this week at Richmond Int’l Raceway driving the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. For test session speeds visit the Richmond Test Session page.(3-25-2008)
  • Schrader entered at Martinsville: Ken Schrader is listed on the preliminary entry list for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway driving the #52-Federated Auto Parts Toyota. This will be Schrader’s first series start in 2008. Schrader is also listed as owner.(3-24-2008)
  • Chrissy Wallace to make debut at Martinsville: UPDATE: Abner as crew chief; Mike Wallace to spot: Chrissy Wallace told all the boys she one day would be a NASCAR driver. The 20-year-old Wallace, a daughter and niece in the popular Wallace family of racers, is set to make her NASCAR debut March 29 in the Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway. Tapped to drive for a championship-caliber team, Wallace said she will drive five Truck races and five ARCA races for Germain Racing. On top of that, Wallace will continue racing Late Model events around the Carolina tracks where she has found Victory Lane four times and was named most popular driver at Hickory Speedway, making her the first female to win in a Late Model stock car at the track in its 57-year history. Her father is Nationwide Series driver Mike Wallace, who pilots the #7 Camry [for Germain Racing]. The venture will make Mike and Chrissy the first father-daughter duo racing for the same team in NASCAR. [#03-Chrissy Wallace was 11th on the speed charts in the final test session at Martinsville.](nascar.com)(3-14-2008)
    UPDATE: Germain Racing will field the #03 Germain Motor Company/Chase Toyota Tundra this weekend at Martinsville Speedway for Chrissy Wallace’s Craftsman Truck Series debut. Wallace’s NASCAR career is set to kick off, by strange coincidence, at the same track where her father, NNS driver Mike Wallace, began his career in 1990. Mike will spot for Chrissy. Mike Abner, who has served as crew chief for Ted Musgrave and Justin Marks at Germain Racing, will lead the #03 team effort at Martinsville.(Germain Racing PR)(3-24-2008)
  • Braun to run Nationwide race at Mexico City: Colin Braun just competed in his second-career Nationwide Series race last weekend at Nashville [#16-Citifinancial Ford] where he brought home a 15th-place finish. He will also run the NNS race at Mexico City on April 20.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(3-24-2008)
  • Cogswell to JTG Racing Nationwide team: A JTG Racing spokesman confirmed that crew chief Walter Giles has left the #59 team and driver Marcos Ambrose. Gary Cogswell takes Giles’ place immediately, beginning with Monday’s test at Richmond. [Gary Cogswell has been working as crew chief for the #20 truck team with driver, Scott Lagasse Jr. No word on new crew chief for #20.](Scene Daily.com)(3-24-2008)
  • Skinner going for three-peat; double-duty: Mike Skinner [#5-Toyota] swept both Martinsville races last year and is looking for the three-peat this weekend. If he succeeds, he will become the first driver to win three consecutive Craftsman Truck Series short track races at the same track. He will also tie Ron Hornaday Jr. for the most Series short track wins. Skinner will attempt to make the Sprint Cup race for the third consecutive weekend as he will attempt to qualify the Red Bull Toyota Camry for Team Red Bull.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(3-24-2008)
  • Marks to make second ARCA appearance at Rockingham: Justin Marks tested at Rockingham Speedway this past weekend in preparation for his second ARCA RE/MAX Series race of this year which will be at Rockingham. [Marks was third in overall speeds at 143.472 mph]. Mike Abner will call the shots for Marks at Rockingham.(Germain Racing PR)(3-24-2008)
  • Raybestos Rookie News and Notes – Kroger 250: Justin Marks was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the March 7 American Commercial Lines 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Marks was credited with a 14th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the second time in three races this season. Marks leads Phillip McGilton by one point (30-29) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 29 Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway. McGilton is tenth in the series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Martinsville Speedway is second, shared by Travis Kvapil (2001 spring race), Carl Edwards (2003 fall race) and Todd Kluever (2005 fall race). Raybestos Rookie Point Standings; Justin Marks 30, Brian Scott 29, Phillip McGilton 29, Colin Braun 24, Marc Mitchell 22, Andy Lally 22, Donny Lia 15(Raybestos PR)(3-24-2008)
  • McGilton makes first start at Martinsville: This week’s race at Martinsville will be Phillip McGilton’s first time racing on the half-mile Martinsville Speedway. … McGilton, his No. #22 crew spent time two weeks ago preparing for this race during a test session at Martinsville Speedway. The Raybestos Rookie captured his first top-10 finish a few weeks ago at California Speedway and is currently ranked 10th in the Craftsman Truck Series Championship standings.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(3-24-2008)
  • VFW adorns KHI’s #33 at Martinsville: Kevin Harvick Inc. and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) have joined forces for the 2008 NASCAR race season. [As previously announced], the VFW will be the primary sponsor on the #33 Chevy of Ron Hornaday for four NASCAR Truck Series races (Martinsville, ORP, Nashville and Atlanta), including this weekend at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. [A photo of the paint scheme is posted on the 2008 Paint Scheme Gallery.](3-24-2008)
  • McCumbee hopes he is part of Petty’s summer plans: Chad McCumbee had never been to Rockingham Speedway (formerly known as North Carolina Speedway) so he figured it would be a good experience to turn some laps on the track Friday. McCumbee has been a somewhat busy man these days, driving a truck for MRD Motorsports, an affiliate to Haas CNC Racing. The 23-year-old McCumbee also has tested a Sprint Cup car for Haas CNC Racing and has plans to test for Petty Enterprises. Having driven in the Cup races at Pocono and Michigan last year for Petty, McCumbee could again return to the #45 car when Kyle Petty gets out to go into the TNT broadcast booth. A test scheduled with the Petty’s earlier this week at Gateway International Raceway was canceled because of bad weather conditions. The #45 car needs a driver for the six races Petty will miss during the summer. “It being so early, it’s hard to pinpoint [where] the 45 Cup car is going to be in points, and [where] my schedule in the trucks is going to be and [where] I’m at in the truck points – there’s a bunch of different things that are factors,” McCumbee said Friday as he prepared for the May ARCA race at Rockingham. McCumbee said, though, that his first priority is the truck, where he is currently fourth in points and has two top-10 finishes in three races. McCumbee said, though, that his first priority is the truck, where he is currently fourth in points and has two top-10 finishes in three races.(SceneDaily.com)(3-21-2008)
  • Lawler ready for debut at Martinsville: 19-year old Ryan Lawler will be making his NASCAR Truck Series Debut at Martinsville Speedway with SS Green Light Racing. Lawler will pilot the #07 ASI LIMTED Chevy. Short Track Legend, Butch Miller and Veteran Driver, Bobby Dotter will be the coach / crew chief for the young talent. Lawler has raced in the several late model stock car series including the NASCAR Southeast Series, PASS Super Late Models, and ASA Late Models. He earned two victories in his rookie year of the ASA Late Model Series and won a PASS race at the historic and challenging Hickory Motor Speedway. (SS-Green Light Racing PR)(3-21-2008)
  • Petree to drive at Martinsville? UPDATE 2 denied: Hearing that current ESPN analyst Andy Petree was testing a #92 Harris Trucking Toyota at Martinsville and plans to run the CTS race on March 29. Petree has run 7 career CTS races, the last coming in 2004 at Martinsville.(3-12-2008)
    UPDATE: Image of the #92-Harris Trucking Toyota tested by Andy Petree at Martinsville is posted on the 2008 Paint Scheme Gallery page.
    UPDATE 2: Petree said on Wednesday’s NASCAR Now [ESPN2 6pm/et] that he would not be running the race, he got his racing fix out of his system testing the truck at Martinsville.(3-20-2008)
  • New crew chief for Shelby Howard? Hearing that Lance Hooper is out as crew chief for the #13-Thorsport Racing Chevy with driver Shelby Howard and that Chris Rice has been hired as replacement.(3-19-2008)
  • Allen enters Nashville Nationwide race with Sadler Hamilton Racing: Bobby Hamilton Jr. has announced that 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year Willie Allen will pilot the #95 Dodge for Sadler Hamilton Racing during select NASCAR Nationwide Series events in 2008. Hamilton Jr. recently became a co-owner of the Nashville based team that celebrates it’s 25th anniversary this season. Allen, a Nashville native, will compete in this weekend’s Pepsi 300 at the Nashville Superspeedway. Current plans have Allen driving in the Nationwide Series events at Memphis, Nashville and Talladega.(Willie Allen PR)(3-19-2008)
  • Colin Braun making 2008 Nationwide debut at Nashville: Colin Braun will be behind the wheel of the #16 CitiFinancial Ford this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway; the second-career Nationwide Series start for the 19-year-old Craftsman Truck Series regular. Braun’s Nationwide Series debut came last season at Memphis Motorsports Park.(Roush Fenway PR)(3-18-2008)
  • Key Motorsports working on development program for Dustin Skinner: Key Motorsports has established a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver development program for 22-year-old son Dustin Skinner – the youngest son of former NCTS driving champion Mike Skinner. That project entered the action phase recently whenthe parties tested for two days at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida – Dustin’s home track. The game plan is to raise enough money from sponsors to continue the testing process and to run Dustin in a maximum of six NCTS races in 2008 beginning with half-mile venues. Upcoming NCTS races at the Mansfield Motorsports Park in Ohio, the Milwaukee Mile; Kentucky Speedway; the O’Reilly Motorsports Park in Indianapolis; the Gateway International Raceway outside of St. Louis, and the Texas Motor Speedway are the target venues. Key is committed to the program but needs sponsorship support to maintain it.The first priority for the program is to secure financial support for the program and Key’s #44 race truck and to allow for more testing opportunities. As more money is secured, more races will be added to the schedule that will provide Dustin with the experience that will ultimately have NASCAR approving him for all tracks up to 2 miles in length.(Key Motorsports PR)(3-17-2008)
  • Blood, Sweat & Tears 40th Anniversary Tour prerace concert at Kentucky: The Blood, Sweat & Tears 40th Anniversary Tour will make a Kentucky Speedway stop July 19 to set the stage for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers. While traversing the world, the band has generated album sales in the millions and a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Vocalist Rob Paparozzi, will join bassist Gary Foote, trumpeters Steve Janikowski and Teddy Mullet, keyboardist Glenn McClelland, drummer Andrea Valenti and trombonist Jens Wendelboe to perform favorites such as “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die,” “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “More and More,” “God Bless the Child” and many more.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(3-16-2008)
  • Adam Crawford to test at Martinsville: UPDATE 2 third in final session: Hearing that Adam Crawford, son of veteran Rick Crawford, will participate in the test session scheduled this week at Martinsville Speedway driving a Circle Bar Racing truck.(3-11-2008)
    UPDATE: Adam Crawford will test a Circle Bar Racing prepared truck at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series test at Martinsville on Wednesday and Thursday. The NASCAR test this week is another rung in Adam’s ladder of progress in racing. Currently there are no immediate plans for Adam to compete in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. This week’s test comes at an opportune time as Adam is set to begin his 3rd year of Super Late Model competition on the Gulf Coast. After the test Adam will return to Mobile International Speedway for the season opener this weekend.(Circle Bar PR)(3-11-2008)
    UPDATE 2: Adam Crawford turned in his best effort in the final test session at Martinsville. Crawford clocked in with the third fastest speed at 94.013 mph.(3-14-2008)
  • Sprague most consistent at Martinsville test: Jack Sprague in the #2 KHI Chevy, was the most consistent atop the speed charts at the Martinsville two-day test session. After having the fourth-fastest speed in the first session Wednesday, Sprague topped the evening session at 94.387 (20.062) and the morning session Thursday at 95.675 (19.792). Sprague was second-fastest at 94.106 (20.122) in the final session.(nascar.com)(3-14-2008)
  • Wood Brothers Racing; cousins run together for first time: For Jon and Keven Wood, it’s not backyard racing anymore on the go-cart track their grandfather, Glen Wood, had built with his bull dozer when they were younger in Stuart, VA. The racing cousins are testing the #21 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series machine Wednesday and Thursday together for the first time at Martinsville Speedway. The Wood Brothers Racing team is using this test to give Keven the much needed seat time to prepare for his first race at Mansfield Motorsports Park on May 24th. They are also using it to perfect the #21 race truck for Jon, so he can bring home a top place finish at Martinsville Speedway on March 29th.(Wood Bros. Racing PR)(3-13-2008)
  • National Stock Car Racing Commission upholds #30-Germain Racing penalty: On March 11, 2008, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Germain Racing regarding the #30 truck. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following pre-qualifying inspection on February 14, 2008 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Daytona International Speedway. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing”; Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the truck, truck parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules” and Section 20B-12.9D: “Device designed to reduce the bed panel height at the points of inspection.”
    The penalties assessed were:
    • Loss of 25 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Truck Owner Points for truck owner Steve Germain.
    • Loss of 25 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Championship Series Driver Points for driver Todd Bodine.
    • $10,000.00 fine; suspension from NASCAR for the next four (4) NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until April 30, 2008, and probation until December 31, 2008 for crew chief Michael Hillman, Jr.
    The Appellants argued that the infraction was an inadvertent rules violation and that the materials added were an attempt to shim the rear spoiler to meet the templates and gauges. They also argued that the penalties were too severe for the infractions.The Commission found that clear round inserts added in the inspection holes on the rear spoiler prior to bed panel height inspection appeared to be a blatant attempt to circumvent the inspection process, and a clear violation of the rules.
    Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The Commission notes that suspensions on the crew chief had been deferred pending the hearing. The portions of the penalty for the four (4) race suspension from the series, and the suspension from NASCAR, will be adjusted accordingly, effective from the date of this appeal hearing. The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.(NASCAR PR)(3-11-2008)
  • NCTS broadcast from Atlanta up 31 percent on SPEED: Television ratings for the Atlanta NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race were up 31 percent according to Nielsen Media Research. Friday night, the race scored a 1.05 (753,000 households), a significant increase over last year’s .80 (565,000 households).(SPEED/TV PR)(3-10-2008)
  • Martinsville test session open to public: More that 35 teams are signed up for the two-day test session, March 12-13, 2008, at Martinsville Speedway in preparation for the Kroger 250 on March 29. The two-day NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series test session will be open to the public at no charge. Gates will be open from 9:00am – 5:00pm each day. Day 1 ends with a driver autograph session at a local restaurant. For details visit the Appearance Page.(3-10-2008)
  • Ron Hornaday WIX Filters Lap Leader in American Commercial Lines 200: #33-Ron Hornaday Jr. led six times for 81 laps to earn WIX Filters Lap Leader of the Race honors in tonight’s American Commercial Lines 200. He claimed the award for the first time this season and has led at least one lap in all three races this season. Bodine leads the WIX Filters Lap Leader standings by one race (2-1) over Hornaday Jr.(WIX PR)(3-8-2008)
  • #29 team shut down? Hearing that the #29 Dodge truck team owned by Jim Lynch with driver, Scott Lynch has shut down. Original plans were for this team to run the entire season. [Note: #29 Dodge has withdrawn from AMS].(3-7-2008)
  • New crew chief for McCumbee: During the SPEED/tv pre-race report, Ray Dunlap reported that #8-Chad McCumbee driving the MRD Motorsports Chevy had a new crew chief, Randy Dean. McCumbee qualifed second for the American Commercial Lines 200 at Atlanta.(3-7-2008)
  • TRG teams rally for fallen tire guy: Both the #7-Andy Lally & #71-Donny Lia TRG Motorsports Chevys’ will carry a special decal in Atlanta in honor of 22-year-old Scott Nisbet, Tire Specialist on the #71 Chevrolet, who suffered cardiac related problems while at California Speedway on February 21st. The Michigan native underwent open-heart surgery last week and is recovering well.(TRG Motorsports PR)(3-7-2008)
  • Lia and TRG helping to find a cure: In an effort to raise awareness for the need for a cure of Multiple Sclerosis, Donny Lia’s #71 Chevy will carry the “Say I Won’t…Beat MS” signage this weekend in Atlanta. A t-shirt has been created with the “Say I Won’t…Beat MS” saying and can be purchased online at SayIWont.com for $20 with all profits going direct to help find a cure for MS.(TRG Motorsports PR)(3-7-2008)
  • Hillman Sr. continues as interim crew chief for Bodine: Mike Hillman Sr., general manager for Germain Racing, will continue to serve as interim crew chief for Bodine while crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. continues to work on things from the home front. “We have filed an appeal with the National Stock Car Racing Commission, which means I can come to the track this week, but I have chosen to stay back at the shop and continue to serve the penalty as NASCAR described,” said Hillman Jr. who is serving a four-race suspension based on penalties assigned by NASCAR for pre-qualifying technical infractions at Daytona.(Germain Racing PR)(3-6-2008)
  • Roush Fenway Racing announce driver lineup for #09: Roush Fenway Racing has announced its driver line up for the #09 Zaxby’s Ford for the remainder of the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. Travis Kvapil will pilot the truck for 10 more races, including this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Bobby East will drive in seven races, his first coming at Kansas Speedway on April 26, and John Wes Townley will compete in six races. His truck series debut will be at Mansfield Motorsports Park on May 24. In addition to his six truck races this season, 18-year-old Townley, will run the full schedule in the ARCA RE/MAX Series for RAB Racing in 2008 with hopes of capturing the Rookie of the Year title. He finished 11th in the season opener at Daytona.(Roush Racing PR)(3-5-2008)
  • Crawford making record start at Atlanta: Rick Crawford, driving the #14- Circle Bar/Power Stroke Diesel by Int’l Ford, will make his 275th start – a Series record – this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Crawford’s impressive string of race starts began at the Walt Disney World Speedway on January 19, 1997. In his truck series career, Crawford has been running at the finish of 247 races – a mark of 90.0% – the most of any driver in the series.((Circle Bar Racing PR)(3-5-2008)
  • Miccosukee to sponsor points leader, Kyle Busch at Atlanta: Craftsman Truck Series team owner Billy Ballew heads home this week to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for the first time in the team’s 13-year history as the point’s leader after Kyle Busch scored the team its first win of 2008 at the Auto Club Speedway (formerly known as the California Speedway). Busch’s points lead over former Craftsman Series Champion Todd Bodine by 20 points. Miccosukee Resorts will serve as the primary sponsor for the #51 Toyota with Cartersville, Georgia based RedTop Auto Auction as the major associate sponsor in the American Commercial Lines 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Friday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(3-5-2008)
  • Barnhill Group back with Wood at Atlanta: Jon Wood, driver of the Wood Brothers Racing #21 Ford will be sporting The Barnhill Group, Inc. colors this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway with optimistic views that this is the weekend their luck is going to change. The team spent the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series off -week focusing on details to ensure an optimal performance in the American Commercial Lines 200 on Friday night. The Barnhill Group, Inc. is a general contracting company based in Orlando, Fl.(Wood Bros.PR)(3-5-2008)
  • Windbreaker Racing continues relationship with teams: Windbreaker Racing has renewed its agreement with both Germain Racing & Brendan Gaughan in 2008. Windbreaker has had a relationship with Todd Bodine since 2005, and their logo is featured on Todd and all crew member uniforms for Germain Racing. They have also continued their arrangement with Brendan Gaughan and currently supply the Circle Bar team with coats and jackets for this season.(Windbreakerracing.com)(3-5-2008)
  • Bourque full time in ’08? UPDATE More on Bourque; Gosselin may make move from ARCA to trucks: Hearing that Canadian Pierre Bourque has a sponsor in place to run the full 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule and is currently talking with several top teams in the series. Bourque made his Truck Series debut in 2007 for Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Racing team at O’Reilly Raceway Park.(12-3-2007)
    UPDATE: Auto123.com has learned from Pierre Bourque, occasional NASCAR Canadian Tire series driver from Ottawa, that he is close to finding a sponsor for the last 21 Craftsman truck races of the 2008 season. On the other hand, Auto123.com learned directly from Quebec-born Mario Gosselin (now living in Florida) that he had bought all four Chevy trucks from a closing NASCAR team as he expects to keep two to switch from ARCA to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series. Contrary to what has been written elsewhere, he does not expect to race in Martinsville since he has a lot to do before that specific event.(racing.auto123.com)(3-5-2008)
  • Benson’s turn in the #27: UPDATE: TCUV to sponsor: During an interview for “The Morning Show” on Sirius Radio, Slugger Labbe, crew chief for the #27-BDR Toyota, confirmed that Johnny Benson would be the driver for this week’s Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Labbe did say that there is a sponsor for the race; however, he was not able to release that information yet.(3-3-2008)
    UPDATE: The #27 Toyota Camry will feature the decals of Toyota Certified Used Vehicles this weekend in Atlanta . TCUV is one of Benson’s primary sponsors on his #23 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series machine as well.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(3-4-2008)
  • Red Bull could replace Allmendinger; may move to truck: UPDATE Skinner in: Red Bull Racing is considering temporarily pulling #84-A.J. Allmendinger from his Toyota as it reevaluates that struggling program. Allmendinger failed to qualify for Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, making him 0-for-3 on the season. In contrast, teammate #83-Brian Vickers has made all three races in the other Red Bull car. “We can’t keep missing races. It’s just not an option,” said general manager Jay Frye, hired in January to turn around the second-year Red Bull program. We’re looking at several different ideas, all aimed at figuring out what’s wrong with that program, how we can fix it and how we can get that car into races. But it can’t continue the way it is. It just can’t.” One of the options being considered is pulling Allmendinger from the seat and replacing him with a veteran who can help assess the program and get the car into races. Among the available drivers are Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson, who are currently both pitching in to fill an open seat at Bill Davis Racing, and Sterling Marlin and David Stremme. “We love A.J. and we’re 100 percent committed to him and want to develop him,” Frye said. “This is not at all giving up on A.J. But we just can’t do nothing and risk having a season like that team had last year.” Red Bull is also working on securing seat time for Allmendinger in Nationwide Series and Truck Series races to help his adaptation to NASCAR. Options in the Nationwide Series are rides in a Joe Gibbs Racing or Chip Ganassi car, and there could be some seat time available in a truck owned by Billy Ballew.(Associated Press/Sports Illustrated)(3-3-2008)
    UPDATE: Red Bull Racing Team has confirmed that veteran NASCAR driver Mike Skinner will temporarily replace AJ Allmendinger in the #84 Red Bull Camry in the Sprint Cup Series effective this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Skinner, A Craftsman Truck Series champion, currently races full-time in the #5 Toyota Tundra. Skinner’s history with Red Bull Racing Team dates back to 2006 when he served as a test driver for the team. Skinner’s history with Allmendinger also dates back to 2006, when he mentored teammate Allmendinger during the rookie’s part-time ride with Bill Davis Racing NCTS team. Frye hopes with the help of Skinner, that RBRT will have the program turned around and the ride returned to Allmendinger in no time.(Red Bull Racing PR)(3-4-2008)
  • Cook to make record 250th consecutive series start: Veteran driver Terry Cook will make his 250th consecutive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start this Friday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the #60 Wyler Racing Toyota. Cook will continue adding to the on-going record making his 268th overall NCTS career-start at AMS this weekend. Cook began his streak in the 1998 season-opening race at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Florida.(Wyler Racing PR)(3-4-2008)
  • HT Motorsports to sport additional partner at AMS: The Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City , Georgia has signed as “The Official Hotel of HT Motorsports” this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway and their logo will be displayed on the #59 Team ASE/Harris Trucking Toyota Tundra. Musgrave has one top-five and five top-tens, with an average finish of 10.4 in the NCTS at AMS. This will be Musgrave’s fifth consecutive event at AMS with Team ASE as primary sponsor.(HT Motorsports PR)(3-4-2008)
  • McGilton makes first start at Atlanta: This week’s race will be #22-Phillip McGilton’s first time racing on the 1.5-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway for the #22 Bill Davis Racing Toyota. He tested on the track earlier this year and ran well during the test session. Raybestos Rookie captured his first top-10 finish last time out at California Speedway and is currently ranked sixth in the Championship points standings.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(3-4-2008)
  • Federated expands relationship with Ken Schrader Racing: Federated Auto Parts has expanded its relationship with Nextel Cup driver Ken Schrader and Ken Schrader Racing for the 2008 season. In 2008, Schrader will drive a Federated sponsored vehicle in selected NASCAR Nationwide Series, ARCA, Truck and Grand National West events designed to support Federated members in all regions of the country. In a new initiative designed to support Federated stores and Car Care Centers, Schrader will also be driving a Federated sponsored vehicle in over 100 dirt track events throughout the country. This grass roots racing program, gives Federated members a local promotional vehicle in markets in their respective areas of the country.(Search-AutoParts.com)(3-3-2008)
  • Raybestos Rookie News & Notes – Atlanta prerace: Colin Braun was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the February 22 San Bernardino County 200 at Auto Club Speedway. Braun scored a ninth-place finish, his best effort in three Craftsman Truck Series starts. He scored the first top-10 finish by a Raybestos Rookie at Auto Club Speedway since Todd Kluever placed fourth in 2004. Phillip McGilton grabbed a tenth-place finish at Auto Club Speedway, his best in two Craftsman Truck Series races. McGilton is sixth in the series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He trails fifth-place Rick Crawford by 20 points and leads seventh-place Chad McCumbee by six points. Brian Scott holds a one-point lead (20-19) over McGilton in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the March 7 American Commercial Line 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Point standings; Brian Scott 20, Colin Braun 19, Justin Marks 19, Phillip McGilton 19, Marc Mitchell 16, Andy Lally 15, Donny Lia 7.(Raybestos PR)(3-3-2008)
  • For winners of a race in Cup, Busch and Truck Series races: see the Misc Stats page for this and other statistical information.
  • Skinner starting 5th in LVMS Cup race: Mike Skinner, driving the #27-Bad Boy Mowers Toyota for Bill Davis Racing will be starting from the fifth position for Sunday’s Sprint Cup UAW-Dodge 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Skinner, the fastest of the go or go-home entries, qualified from the 46th position with a speed of 181.117 to place fifth in the lineup.(3-1-2008)

2008

February
January
December
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Born On Date: March 1, 2008

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