NASCAR Camping World Truck Series News & Rumors
March 2011 Archives

  • Crawford has big plans for Mobile, but not ready to retire from NASCAR: Rick Crawford isn’t worried about what he’ll do for an encore. The sort-of-but-not-really-retired NASCAR Camping World Truck Series veteran driver made his debut as track operator last weekend at Mobile International Speedway and packed in the fans. Crawford has a lot of plans for shows to put on — things like bluegrass, country and gospel music and driving schools. And he also has his sights set on bringing the ARCA Series to Mobile. ARCA mostly races in the Midwest but does make an annual trip to Talladega and many of its races are at short tracks similar to Mobile. “I’m thinking it’s in the future, maybe the near future, maybe 2012 or 2013,” Crawford said. And one day, he said, he’d like to bring NASCAR’s Truck Series to Mobile. That would take some substantial improvements to the track — like more walls and SAFER barriers, an improved pit road and more seating. Crawford has 330 starts in the Truck Series with five career wins and 160 top 10s. His longtime affiliation with Ford and Circle Bar Racing ended last year when sponsorship dried up and he has raced for a few other teams since. “I’m committed to be hands on at Mobile Speedway,” he said, “but at the same time I haven’t retired yet.” “I think I can still get the job done. In fact, I know I can,” he said. If the right situation comes along with the right team, he said, he’ll return to NASCAR. In the meantime, he’s got another full slate of racing to host on April 9.(AL.com)(3-31-2011)

  • Randy Moss Motorsports #25 team shut down? UPDATE 2 #25 team will not be at Martinsville: Speedtv announcer Ray Dunlap is reporting that the #25 Iron Horse jeans NCWTS team at Randy Moss Motorsports has closed down as of noon Wed March 23rd. No word as to the future plans of driver Tayler Malsam. The team missed the first two events of 2011 and lost an engine at the most recent event in Darlington.(3-23-2011)
    UPDATE: “Due to various circumstances outside of our control, we are re-evaluating the status of the No. 25 Toyota Tundra,” commented David Dollar, co-owner of Randy Moss Motorsports. “Tayler Malsam is a very talented young driver, and we are extremely appreciative of everything he, One Eighty, and Iron Horse Jeans have done for us. We have an entry filed for the April 2nd race at Martinsville Speedway and are currently evaluating our options for that event.”(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(3-24-2011)
    UPDATE 2: Although the #25 RMM Toyota is listed on the Preliminary Entry List for Martinsville, a team representative has just confirmed that the #25 team will not be racing at Martinsville.(Nancy/Jayski)(3-31-2011)

  • Piquet to run RedCross.org at Martinsville: The No. 8 Qualcomm/Autotrac Chevrolet driven by Nelson Piquet Jr. will be running a special initiative in an effort to help support Japan this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Three weeks ago in Darlington after the first earthquake and Tsunami hit, Nelson Piquet Jr.’s No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado was the first truck to display a decal in support of Japan. This week, the No. 8 team will go one step further by supporting the American Red Cross’ earthquake and Pacific tsunami response efforts. The American Red Cross website, RedCross.org, will appear on the No. 8 truck’s tonneau cover, lower rear quarter panels and B-post, along with the Japanese flag and call to action: “Donate Now” in order to encourage donations to the American Red Cross. [Images of the #8 Qualcomm/Autotrac Chevrolet’s Red Cross initiatve are posted on the #8 NCWTS 2011 Paint Schemes page.](Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(3-31-2011)

  • Long honored at PSA Awards banquet: From a Super Bowl, to a Snowball Derby, to dominance at the high school and college levels, this year’s Pensacola Sports Association Annual Awards were clearly defined by one reverberating theme: Championships. Thirty individuals and two title-winning prep teams were celebrated during the 57th annual PSA Awards Banquet at New World Landing on Tuesday night. [Josh] Sitton joined NASCAR racing phenom Johanna Long as the PSA’s Professional Athletes of the Year. After winning the prestigious Snowball Derby in December, Long, 19, has jumped up to run on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series full-time. She accepted her award in person on Tuesday, just 10 hours before catching a plane to Martinsville, Va., for a race this weekend. “(Sitton) has done a lot more than me,” she said, laughing. “I have to make my name in NASCAR, for sure. So I have a long ways to go.”(PensacolaNewsJournal.com)(3-30-2011)

  • Bodine still looking for elusive short-track win: As Martinsville Speedway gets its turn on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule this weekend, Todd Bodine and the No. 30 Germain.com Tundra team are looking forward to continuing to build on what they had at the Virginia short-track last fall when the Chemung, NY, native led 83 laps en route to a third-place finish. The team seems to have the pieces put together. Bodine hopes this weekend could signal the end of Germain Racing’s nil in the win column in the short-track category.”We’ve run well at Martinsville , just never got it done. The guys have done a great job putting a truck together that’s specific for Martinsville . Hopefully we can use it the best we can and finally get it done,” explained Bodine.(Germain Racing PR)(3-30-2011)

  • Rookie News & Notes – Martinsville:
    *Cole Whitt was the Sunoco Rookie of the Race in the “Too Tough To Tame 200” at Darlington Raceway.
    *Whitt ranks second in the championship standings following Darlington — the highest ever by a freshman after the season’s first three races.
    *Whitt scored an eighth place finish after winning his first series pole at Darlington Raceway.
    *Whitt was the only rookie to record a top-10 finish at Darlington, backing up a run of sixth at Phoenix International Raceway.
    *Whitt claimed top Sunoco Rookie honors for the second consecutive race in just three series starts.
    *Whitt leads Jeffrey Earnhardt by 10 points (39-29) in the overall Sunoco Rookie standings entering the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway.
    [Complete rookie standings following Race #3 at Darlington Speedway are posted on the Darlington Results page.](Nancy/Jayski)(3-30-2011)

  • RWR ends relationship with Jeffrey Earnhardt: UPDATE: RWR & JEI mend fences; headed to Martinsville: Rick Ware Racing recently became aware how small of a sandbox the NASCAR community is. Over the past few weeks the out pouring condolences from fans/drivers and team owners resulting from the death of two crew members of RWR (Dean Shaut and Stephen “Dirt” Masch) has been uplifting but the same network of owners also delivered disturbing news to the organization within the same week. “We have been informed by several team owners that our driver (Jeffrey Earnhardt) and his management company (Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc) has been shopping around for another team, eluding that sponsorship was coming with them,” stated owner Rick Ware. This aggressive move by Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. has resulted in a breach of contract between RWR and JEI. Rick Ware Racing will now put the focus on finding a driver for the #1 Fuel Doctor Chevy at Martinsville and the rest of the season. “We have proven that our equipment can get to the front. We have had several top 10 qualifying and finishes in the past eight months and we won’t let this stop us!”(Rick Ware Racing PR)(3-29-2011)
    UPDATE: Unfolding today were some disturbing events for Jeffrey Earnhardt and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. as they were informed through a press release written today by Rick Ware Racing that Jeffrey would not be driving for their team effective immediately. In addition to the release stating that Jeffrey will not be driving the #1 NCWTS Fuel Doctor Racing truck and continuing his battle for the Rookie of the Year standings where he currently sits in 2nd in points, the team also made an announcement that contains erroneous claims that JEI and Jeffrey have breached their contract with RWR. “To read that release was very upsetting and I’m disappointed to hear the inflammatory and disparaging statements personally made by Rick Ware about me and my company. The facts support that we did reach out to other race teams after the sponsor notified Rick Ware and my group that they were pursuing alternative marketing venues and after we were contacted by Rick Ware informing us that he would be unable to support me without the sponsor’s funding. This past Sunday, Rick advised us that he would only race me in Martinsville providing we signed a release to allow him out of his contract with JEI. That release never arrived and we notified him in writing on Monday that we expected to drive the #1 truck in Martinsville, in accordance with our contract. To suggest anything other than these facts does not reflect the truth and is unfair to the fans and us.” stated Earnhardt. “We are extremely thankful for Fuel Doctor’s support over the past two years and will avoid compromising our progress this season by giving credence to the misinformation coming from RWR. This news speeds up the need to find an alternative ride and we look forward to continuing our run for rookie of the year with a new team,” said Earnhardt. JEI is taking the official position that there will be no further comment.(Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. PR)(3-29-2011)
    UPDATE 2: As one day ends, another one begins and the relationship between Rick Ware Racing and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc continues. Emotions and a lack of communication between Rick Ware Racing and Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc in a stressful time have been resolved. Why? “We just want to race, and sometimes the issues of business just seem to make us lose focus on why we are here!” stated Rick Ware. The two sides have come to an agreement for Jeffrey Earnhardt to compete in the #1 Fuel Doctor Chevy at Martinsville Speedway. “Jeffrey will be in the truck at Martinsville and we will work hard to continue to keep him in that seat. The amount of effort we have poured into his career and having a place for him to perform is important in his development. He is young and there is a lot of promise in him and both the management of RWR and JEI have the same goal for him,” continued Ware. Rick Ware Racing will be strenuously looking for marketing partners to keep Jeffrey competing in the truck series for 2011.(RWR PR)(3-30-2011)

  • Kvapil makes stop in Nashville to promote upcoming race: Travis Kvapil, driver of the No. 5 International Truck/Monaco RVs Toyota Tundra for Randy Moss Motorsports, stopped in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday to promote the upcoming Bully Hill Vineyards 200 at Nashville Superspeedway. The day kicked off with several interviews with area radio and television stations. That afternoon, Kvapil joined NASCAR Nationwide Series regulars Reed Sorenson and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., to meet fans and give a few lucky guests a ride around the concrete track as the Richard Petty Driving Experience provided a free rides to attending season ticket holders. Country music stars Bucky Covington and Carter’s Chord also attended the event drawing media from the music industry.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(3-29-2011)

  • VAR teams prepared for Martinsville at Gresham: Justin Johnson, No. 51 Wounded Warrior Project/Vision Airlines Toyota Tundra, Dusty Davis, No.15 Vision Airlines/Emerald Coast Resorts Toyota, and the VAR crew went to Georgia last week for a test session on the half mile Gresham Motorsports Park. After two days of testing the crew felt they learned a lot. Davis commented, “This test has really allowed me to learn some things that I know will help me during my Martinsville debut next week.” Davis will also visit Rich Acres Elementary school this week in Martinsville, VA. As a spokesperson for Driven to Read, a merit based program designed to encourage youngsters to increase their reading proficiency through the power of NASCAR, Davis will visit with students to talk about the importance of reading. Driven to Read plans to visit more area schools around the Camping World Truck Series circuit where Davis and his Vision Aviation Racing team will be competing in 2011.(Vision Aviation Racing PR)(3-29-2011)

  • Busch set to drive #18 at Martinsville: Kyle Busch Motorsports heads to Martinsville Speedway atop the owners’ standings in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. A win in the Kroger 250 would give the defending owners’ champions a third consecutive trip to victory lane in 2011. To-date, Busch has yet to pick up a win at Martinsville.
    Some Fast Facts:
    *Captured his first career pole at Martinsville, qualifying first for the 2010 Kroger 200 (10/23/10)
    *Second-place finish in the Kroger 200 was highest in 19 career starts between Cup and Trucks at Martinsville (10/23/10)
    *Led a race-high 139 laps in the 2009 Kroger 250 but finished 17th after being penalized for a commitment line violation late in the race (3/30/09)
    *Ranks first among NCWTS drivers over the last 12 races at Martinsville with an average running position of 7.9; average speed in traffic of 91.13 mph
    *Has won 28.7% of the NCWTS races he has entered and finished first or second in 47.1%
    *Currently ranks first in the NCWTS in wins (2), laps led (212) and fastest laps run (59)
    (Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(3-29-2011)

  • Crafton heads to Martinsville as points leader: ThorSport Racing driver Matt Crafton and the No. 88 Menards/Tarkett Chevy team return to Martinsville Speedway this weekend. The current points leader makes his 19th appearance at the famed “Paperclip” short track. The only driver to have three top 10 finishes in as many races in the 2011 NCWTS season, Crafton’s results speak for themselves in consistency – four top 10 finishes in the last four appearances. Crafton on leading the points…”We talk a lot about the points. Again, it’s so early on in the year, and while it’s great to be on top and we’re not in a position to have to ‘come back’ later on – I don’t put a lot of stock in it. There’s just too much competition to say that.(ThorSport Racing PR)(3-29-2011)

  • Sauter on “baby watch” this weekend: ThorSport Racing driver Johnny Sauter returns to Martinsville Speedway with the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet crew on April 2nd. Sauter returns for his seventh appearance at the track in the NCWTS; he currently sits 5th in driver points. Sauter currently on “baby Watch as his wife Courtney is due with their second child, their first daughter, on Monday, just after the race weekend.(ThorSport Racing PR)(3-29-2011)

  • Additional sponsorship for Carmichael: Turner Motorsports and Monster Energy are pleased to welcome Kroger and Apple Market to the lower-rear quarter panels of the No. 4 Monster Energy Silverado. The Kroger Co., headquartered in Cincinnati, is one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, with fiscal 2010 sales of $82.2 billion. The Kroger Co. spans many states with store formats that include grocery and multi-department stores, convenience stores and mall jewelry stores. Workman Oil Company is the operator of 45 convenience stores under the “Apple Market” banner in central and southwest Virginia and Eastern Kentucky. The company also operates as a franchisee for Subway, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, Krystal, and Blimpie. Workman Oil Company also has a proprietary food service operation in 13 Apple Market convenience stores under the Granny Smith’s name. In preparation for this weekend’s Kroger 250, Carmichael along with Turner Motorsports teammate James Buescher tested at Motor Mile Speedway on Tues., March 29. Motor Mile Speedway is a flat, four tenths-mile paved oval located near Radford, Va. (Turner Motorsports PR)(3-29-2011)

  • Marks to make 2nd career Martinsville start: Justin Marks will make his second career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday. Marks and the No. 66 GoPro team took their Chevrolet Silverado race truck to Motor Mile Speedway in Dublin , Va. last week for a private test session to prepare for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway. Virginia’s own Van-Go Rentals – “Your Temporary Transportation Solution” is a team sponsor of Turn One Racing. Van-Go Rentals is based in Lynchburg , Va. and is locally owned and operated. In addition, the team receives support from Grand Springs Water, a co-packaging facility and private label bottling company that offers natural spring water with an exceptional taste.(Turn One Racing PR)(3-29-2011)

  • Sweet makes first Martinsville start: his weekend’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Martinsville Speedway will mark Brad Sweet’s first start at the famed .526-mile track. The rookie driver hopes to build on his learning experience this season in the NCWTS by adding to his solid start thus far. The No. 32 Great Clips Chevrolet Silverado team will bring chassis TMS-017 to the half-mile Martinsville Speedway for Saturday’s 250-lap event. This chassis was run earlier this season at Phoenix International Raceway where Sweet finished 11th.(Turner Motorsports PR)(3-29-2011)

  • Goess readies at Little Rock for first trip to Martinsville: For the third-straight race, Goess will compete at a track he has never faced before. Piloting the No. 46 Greenville Toyota of N.C., Goess will take his first laps around the .526-mile track. The southern Virginia track is the shortest track on the NCWTS schedule this season. Goess and the No. 46 team headed to Rockingham, N.C., last weekend to test at the Little Rock track behind Rockingham Speedway. The team had the opportunity to have a private test at the .5-mile, 11-degree banked oval to prepare for this weekend at the .526-mile Martinsville Speedway. Goess remained in the 14th position in the NCWTS point standings after his 19th-place finish at Darlington Raceway. The Greenville, N.C., resident moved up three positions in the 2011 NCWTS rookie standings to the fourth position. He is currently 18 points behind rookie points leader Cole Whitt.(Eddie Sharp Racing PR)(3-29-2011)

  • Harvick returns to #2 KHI Chevrolet at Martinsville: The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series revs back to action at Martinsville Speedway this weekend, and fans will see Kevin Harvick Inc. co-owner Kevin Harvick climb into the driver’s seat of the No. 2 KHI Chevrolet Silverado for the first time this season. Harvick has 11 Truck Series starts and has recorded two wins, one pole, five top-five and six top-10 finishes at Martinsville. The driver has led a total of 233 laps around the 0.526-mile paperclip-shaped Virginia track, which has been on the Truck Series schedule since the inaugural 1995 season. Should Harvick win this Saturday’s 250-lap contest, it would be his third consecutive spring victory at Martinsville.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(3-28-2011)

  • Home Market Foods teams with KHI: UPDATE first start with Hornaday; Martinsville’s most recent winner: Kevin Harvick Inc and Cooked Perfect Meatballs, a Home Market Foods brand, announced today their partnership for two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events during the 2011 season. Cooked Perfect Meatballs are a leading brand of frozen meatballs sold in grocery stores throughout the U.S. Cooked Perfect Meatballs will be the primary sponsor of the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado driven by four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway on April 2 and the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 24. Home Market Foods is a major specialty provider of fully cooked, frozen, value-added meal entrées, appetizers and snacks for both retail and foodservice customers.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR) [Image of the #33 cooked Perfect Meatballs Chevrolet is posted on the #33 NCWTS Paint Schemes page.](3-22-2011)
    UPDATE: The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns to the 0.526-mile oval this weekend where the Kevin Harvick Inc. stable was able to sweep both races during the 2010 season. It was KHI’s most recent trip to Martinsville last fall when four-time champion Ron Hornaday was able to capture his first victory at Martinsville Speedway, which had eluded him for 16 previous starts. KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick will head into the weekend as the defending race winner, visiting victory lane after leading 187 of 250 laps. Ron Hornaday finished second and brought home a one-two finish for KHI in that spring event.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(3-28-2011)

  • Oliver to make first 2011 start at Charlotte: Bowling Green KY driver Dillon Oliver has teamed up with Chuck Tuck Motorsports to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. They have set their debut for Charlotte on May 20th.(Middle TN Racing Scene)(3-28-2011)

  • Dillon to make Cup debut: UPDATE: debut late in season: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation’s Centennial Celebration and the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma will be the primary sponsors when Austin Dillon makes his Sprint Cup Series debut later this season in the #98 Curb-Agajanian Performance Group Chevy. The Ronald Reagan Centennial is a historic, year-long celebration to commemorate the 100th birthday of the 40th President of the United States of America. A series of substantive and celebratory events, partnerships, and initiatives sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation are planned throughout 2011. The specific race will be announced at a later date.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(3-27-2011)
    UPDATE: Austin Dillon will make his Sprint Cup debut later this year at either Kansas in October or Phoenix in November in a car built by his grandfather’s Richard Childress Racing. Team co-owner Mike Curb, owner of Curb Records, was a lieutenant governor under Reagan as well as co-chairman of Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign. The team for Dillon will get its car from RCR, an engine from Earnhardt Childress Racing and will use Dillon’s RCR crew that fields his car in the Camping World Truck Series.(Scene Daily)(3-28-2011)

  • Starr to make Sprint Cup debut at TMS: Thirteen years ago, Houston native David Starr stood in the Winner’s Circle at the former San Antonio Speedway and was thanking his lucky stars. Starr, who was only 29 then, had just outlasted a grueling 100-lap race that was filled with wrecks and high drama. His Chevrolet Monte Carlo was badly damaged, but somehow he managed to outrace a 19-car field to win the Super Late Model race. Shortly after winning that night at SAS, Starr’s racing career took off and he has never looked back. Starr, who is now 43 and a resident of Irving, is about to make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut when NASCAR returns to Texas in two weeks for the Samsung Mobile 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. He will drive the No. 95, a car on the Texas-founded team of Leavine Fenton Racing of Tyler, and will compete in six Sprint Cup Series races this season. Wally Rogers will serve as his crew chief. Since the win at SAS back in 1998, Starr has spent the past 14 years competing in the NASCAR Truck Series. In 268 starts, Starr has four wins, five poles, and his best points season finish was fourth in 2006. He also has 16 career starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.(MySanAntonio.com) [For past news on the new Leavine Fenton Racing team, visit the January News Archives page or the Cup #95 Team News and Links page.](3-26-2011)

  • Long returns to super late model roots this weekend: Johanna Long will return to her Super Late Model roots this weekend at her hometown track, Five Flags Speedway on Friday, then at Mobile International Raceway on Saturday. Long, who is competing for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year title, will be making her first start at Five Flags Speedway since becoming only the second woman in history to win the Snowball Derby. For more race information visit the Jayski Driver Appearances page.(3-24-2011)

  • Rick Ware Racing soliciting donations for crewmen: From the Rick Ware Racing Facebook: To donate to the Dean Shaut and Steve Masch families please visit your local SunTrust Bank and mention you would like to donate to the Dean Shaut/Steve Masch Fund. On March 11, Dean Shaut, lost control of his vehicle while driving on Ball Park Road in Thomasville, NC and was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger Stephen Masch was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., with spinal cord and head injuries and is listed in critical condition. Rick Ware Racing fields entries for the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series.(3-22-2011)

  • Peters heads to home track with solid start: The historic Virginia oval is Peters’ home track, so of course he should feel a bit of confidence. And there are the two wins he has at Martinsville, one in the Kroger 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in 2009 and the other in the big season-ending Late Model Stock race in 2005. “It’s no secret how much I love Martinsville,” said Peters during an off week before the Kroger 250 on April 2 and the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 on April 3. There could be even more love going around this time, thanks to the addition of veteran crew chief Butch Hylton to Peters’ Red Horse Racing Team in the off season. The two have had pretty fair success at Martinsville the past couple of seasons. Peters won the Kroger 200 in the fall of 2009. Hylton was on the pit box for both Martinsville truck series winners in 2010, Kevin Harvick in the spring and Ron Hornaday in the fall. Peters is off to a consistent if not flashy start to the 2011 season. He was 11th in the season-opener at Daytona, 12th the following week at Phoenix and sixth at Darlington last Saturday night. He’s third in the points headed to Martinsville on April 2 in what is an amazingly tight points race. Just nine points separate leader Matt Crafton and fifth place Johnny Sauter. Peters is seven points back. [The Camping World Truck Series returns to Martinsville Speedway for the Kroger 250 on Saturday, April 2, 2011.](Martinsville Speedway PR)(3-20-2011)

  • ThorSport signs Armstrong for 3rd truck team: ThorSport Racing has signed 2010 ARCA Series Rookie of the Year Dakoda Armstrong to pilot its third team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. ThorSport Racing, the longest-tenured active NCWTS team, adds the No. 98 Chevy Silverado in its stable to run a select number of races in 2011 with the 19-year-old New Castle, Indiana native. Armstrong ran for an impressive two wins in the 2010 ARCA Racing Series and collected the Rookie of the Year title. Most notably, the then 18-year-old won at one of the toughest tracks in NASCAR’s elite series – Talladega Superspeedway. “We’re excited to add Dakoda Armstrong, such a fresh talent and unique ‘voice’ in the agricultural, entrepreneurial and alternative energy world; to our growing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series program in 2011. “Dakoda is a very inspirational young driver who has had a lot of success in every series he’s competed in, and he’s part of the next generation of NASCAR drivers,” said Matt LaNeve, Vice President of Motorsports Partnerships at ThorSport Racing. “Add to the fact that he’s one of many corn growers who are helping to feed and fuel America, it’s a winning combination with the effort of our series to use Sunoco Green E15 fuel. What better than a potential Sunoco Rookie of the Year who helps produce ethanol fuel from home? We think he’s such a compelling NASCAR story.” Armstrong’s debut race is tentatively scheduled at Iowa Speedway in July. Team plans to evaluate Armstrong after six races and make a decision at a later date on maintaining ROTY status for 2012.(ThorSport Racing PR)(3-18-2011)

  • Moss spending more time at race track: Randy Moss looked entirely at ease moving through the garage area at Darlington Raceway. That’s because the star receiver and owner of Randy Moss Motorsports says NASCAR feels like home. With his main job on hold — he’s a free agent and can’t strike an NFL deal until the league’s labor troubles are resolved — Moss has immersed himself in his venture as co-owner of a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. He’s watched his racers, Travis Kvapil and Tayler Malsam, at Daytona and Darlington and plans to attend Truck Series races at Martinsville and Nashville next month. Moss sees a similarity with Joe Gibbs, a three-time Super Bowl champion coach in Washington who built his passion for racing into Sprint Cup success. Moss thinks he’s got the same drive for the sport and hopes it can lead to NASCAR championships as Gibbs has done. “So that’s something I can take out of his book,” Moss said. Moss also might help NASCAR move the needle in its drive for a more diverse audience. Minority owners such as Moss will attract others, Dollar is certain. “It can’t be anything but a benefit for the sport,” he said. Right now, Moss hopes to enjoy as much time at the race track as he can. He loves the roar of the engines, the smell of a barbecue and the joy of Southern fans gathering with a couple of beers to see who’s the fastest at the end of the night.(AP/SPEEDtv.com)(3-18-2011)

  • Kentucky Speedway welcomes UNOH as race sponsor: The University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) will bring its motorsports industry expertise to Kentucky Speedway October 1 when the entrepreneurial, not-for-profit institution serves as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “UNOH 225.” Located in Lima, Ohio, UNOH grants master’s, baccalaureate, and associate degrees through its Colleges of Technologies, Business, and Distance Learning. The College of Technologies prepares students for careers in the motorsports and automotive industry through specialized Automotive, High Performance Motorsports, Diesel, and Alternate Fuels programs. The UNOH College of Technologies has built a storied racing history through its involvement in the ARCA Racing Series, NASCAR National Series, and events such as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour UNOH Perfect Storm 150 contested at the Bristol Motor Speedway, in addition to the UNOH Southern Slam 150 held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. UNOH will receive multiple promotional considerations under the undisclosed terms of the entitlement agreement. The “UNOH 225” will open Kentucky Speedway’s second and final event weekend of 2011 with an 8:00 p.m. start. Racing will continue Oct. 2 with an open-wheel doubleheader featuring a 300-mile IZOD IndyCar Series event and a 100-mile Firestone Indy Lights sprint. Kentucky Speedway will open its historic 2011 campaign with an inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend July 7-9. The tripleheader will open with a NCWTS visit for a 225-mile tilt and continue with a July 8 300-mile NASCAR Nationwide Series battle before culminating with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “Quaker State 400” July 9.(Kentucky Speedway PR)(3-17-2011)

  • Sad News – Elfriede Wood: Elfriede Wood, wife of Lafterty Motorsports team Vice President Calvin Wood and mother of mechanic/team jackman Steven Wood, passed away Sunday night as a result of complications from an earlier stomach surgery. The Wood family has been instrumental in the continued growth of Lafferty Motorsports. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00pm at Hartsell Funeral Home, located at 460 Branchview Dr NE, Concord, NC on Wednesday, March 16th. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:00pm/et. (Lafferty Motorsports PR)(3-16-2011)

  • Darlington images: Added a few images from the “Too Tough To Tame 200” at Darlington Raceway. #18-Kasey Kahne, Toyota Tundra Toyota, Kyle Busch Motorsports; #33-Ron Hornaday Jr., Tide/Kroger Chevrolet, Kevin Harvick Inc; #23-Jason White, Gunbroker.com Chevrolet, Joe Denette Motorsports; #29-Parker Kligerman, Penske Truck Leasing Dodge, Brad Keselowski Racing; #2-Elliott Sadler, Armour Vienna Sausages Chevrolet, Kevin Harvick Inc; #32-Brad Sweet, Great Clips Chevrolet, Turner Motorsports. Check them out via the 2011 Camping World Truck Series Paint Schemes page.(3-16-2011)

  • Crawford takes reigns at Mobile International Speedway: UPDATE more info: NASCAR driver Rick Crawford has entered into a multi-year agreement to manage and promote Mobile International Speedway. Crawford’s career began at MIS racing for owner’s Lee and Ida Fields and has now come full circle with his return to the Speedway. “I am truly humbled that Ida Fields has chosen me to takeover her and Lee’s baby. Growing up, I thought winning at Daytona was just a dream and that dream came true, today another dream has become a reality,” said Crawford. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and I hope our fans and our racers will be patient with us as we get started.” Ida Fields added the following: “I had a great partner in Lee and we were able to build the track into something special. I see a lot of Lee in Rick and Lee would be so proud that Rick has come back to Mobile International Speedway.” Crawford’s management team is in place as of today and are in the process of preparing for the Speedway’s Annual Swap Meet this Saturday [March 19th] as well as the Miller Lite Super Late Model series season opener on March 26th. Known as the fastest half mile in Alabama, Mobile International Speedway hosts racing every other Saturday night. Six different classes of cars compete at MIS; Island Motors II Bombers, Bob’s Speed Shop Sportsman, Praytor Realty Super Stocks, Alabama Pipe and Supply Modifieds, Midwest Cooling Towers Pro-Late Models and Miller Lite Super Late Models. The Winged Sprint cars are set to make a special appearance on July 9th. Rick Crawford Performance, L.L.C. is based out of Concord, North Carolina Rick Crawford Performance provides promotions, entertainment and racing performance consulting services from local racing to NASCAR. Currently, Rick Crawford Performance has an ARCA team, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in it’s North Carolina facility.(Rick Crawford Performance PR)(3-15-2011)
    UPDATE: Formal announcement was made at a luncheon at a local Mobile, Alabama restaurant today. Mobile International Speedway, has now become a Rick Crawford Performance Track. Crawford has a three-year agreement to run the Speedway, with an option for three more years, with the track’s owner, Ida Fields. Crawford said that he would like to see Mobile International Speedway become a “full-blown entertainment facility” with outdoor summer concerts, defensive driving classes for kids and eventually something along the lines of the “Snowball Derby” at Mobile International Speedway. Crawford also said that he’s not done racing yet; and hopes to run a few more truck races this year. He would like to run Talladega, possibly others if able to pick up a ride in a good truck. Crawford ended his remarks by saying that he’s driven race cars all over the United States, but is glad to call Mobile home.(3-15-2011)

  • Kahne no definite plans; would like to run more: During an interview, when Kasey Kahne was asked if he had plans to run more truck races this year, he responded, “not as of right now. I’d like to and Kyle (Busch, team owner) said I could. I think it just depends on if we can get some money and find some sponsors maybe for one or two or three more races, something like that at some of the races that Kyle’s not running or he’s not going to run. We’re going to look for that and probably try to do a few more, but as of right now this is the only one.”(Toyota Motorsports PR)(3-12-2011)

  • Bodine & Germain still not set for 2011 sponsors: Todd Bodine was asked if the Germain Racing team had enough sponsorship to get through the season. He responded, “no, we’re not even close to set. Tire Kingdom — I think they’re going to do four more. Valvoline’s going to do a couple and now we have one with Georgia Boot. We’ve still got a lot of races that we need to get sponsorship for, but we’re real excited about Georgia Boot because it’s such a great company. They were with (Ron) Hornaday and (Kevin) Harvick last year and decided to do a little different thing and come with us. We’re excited about it. Obviously there’s more opportunity there. It’s a great company and they’re still trying to feel their way a little bit through the sport and understand the things they need to do to promote their products. That’s why right now it’s a one-race deal. Hopefully they can step up and do some more, but right now we are still lacking a lot of races from sponsors.” (Toyota Motorsports PR)(3-12-2011)

  • Fifth annual Toyota Skinner Round-Up coming up: Toyota driver Mike Skinner and wife Angie will host the fifth-annual Toyota Skinner Round-Up next week. The two-day event kicks off to the public with the ‘Hoe Down Bash’ on March 16, 2011 (7:00-11:00m/et) in the Fanzone at Daytona International Speedway. Nashville recording artist Stacy Mitchhart headlines the Hoe Down Bash on Wed., March 16 with a live concert, along with musical guests Edwin McCain and American Idol finalist Bo Bice, sponsored by Brighthouse Networks. SPEED TV reporter Ray Dunlap will serve as emcee. Skinner will be joined at the two-day event by three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon, as well as fellow NASCAR drivers Ron Hornaday Jr., Scott Speed and Steve Park. Former NASCAR driver and current U.S. Olympic bobsled builder Geoff Bodine, dare devil Robbie Knievel, country music comedian Cledus T Judd and NASCAR Sirius Speedway host Dave Moody are other celebrities who will honor former NASCAR executive Jim Hunter this year. Over the past four years, the Skinner Round-Up has raised more than $500,000 for various Volusia County charities, including the Council on Aging, Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare, Greyhound Pets of America, Halifax Foundation and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.[For links to updated information see the Jayski Charities Page.](3-11-2011)

  • Skinner to serve as advisor to MAKE Motorsports & Bell; Cheek as crew chief: Former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Champion Mike Skinner will not be behind the wheel this weekend at Darlington Raceway for the “Too Tough to Tame 200”, but will be involved in the NCWTS action in a different role. Offering advice and a watchful eye during on-track action, Skinner will assume the role of spotter for MAKE Motorsports driver TJ Bell and the No. 50 Liberty Tire Recycling/Pinnacle Rubber Mulch Chevy. Mike Cheek, veteran of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will also be an addition to the MAKE Motorsports roster as he assumes the role of crew chief. Primary sponsor Liberty Tire Recycling and Pinnacle Rubber Mulch will make its second appearance at Darlington Raceway on the MAKE Motorsports No. 50 Silverado. Liberty made its first appearance in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition with MAKE in August 2010 at Darlington Raceway. T.J. Bell will be riding with a special passenger. The passenger side window of the No. 50 Silverado will sport the name of TJ Bell’s long-time family friend, Bob Walls, in memory of Bob’s life. “Grandpa Bob”, as TJ named him, passed away last week and played a big role in Bell’s racing career.( (Make Motorsports PR)(3-11-2011)

  • Darlington marks 250th consecutive start for Crafton: Matt Crafton will make his 250th consecutive start this Saturday at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Too Tough to Tame 200 at Darlington Raceway. The Tulare, Calif. veteran, driver of the No. 88 Menards/Tarkett Chevrolet Silverado, holds a single-point lead in series point standings over Clay Rogers. Driving for the series’ longest tenured active owner, ThorSport Racing will make its 343rd and 344th starts over the weekend (along with championship-contending teammate Johnny Sauter in the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet Silverado). Crafton also has the longest-running consecutive sponsor relationship in the NCWTS, with Menards, Inc. for the past ten years. Crafton finished seventh at Phoenix International Raceway just two weeks ago to rank among the top 10 in points for the 74th consecutive race – a streak that stands fourth in series history. ThorSport Racing continues to dominate with its teams, finishing among the top 10 in points seven times with both trucks in 2009-2010.(ThorSport Racing PR) [Image of the #88 Menards/Tarkett Chevrolet is posted on the #88 NCWTS 2011 Paint Schemes Page.](3-10-2011)

  • SC Education Lottery onboard with Lafferty at Darlington: At this weekend’s Too Tough to Tame 200 race in Darlington, you’ll catch a glimpse of a familiar instate brand speeding around the oval. Chris Lafferty, driver of the #89 Chevy in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will have the South Carolina Education Lottery logo painted on his hood. The South Carolina Education Lottery is Lafferty’s primary sponsor for this weekend’s race. Lafferty and his red #89 Chevy will also be on hand for NASCAR fans to enjoy at the Lottery’s promotional events for the May Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Darlington. In fiscal year 2009-2010 alone, the South Carolina Education Lottery transferred more than $272 million to educational programs. Since the Lottery began in 2002, more than $2.2 billion has been transferred to the Education Lottery Account to benefit South Carolina’s students. Lafferty Motorsports is primarily involved in the NASCARCamping World Truck Series, but the team also builds engines and has a driver development program. In May, Lafferty will begin a new, late-night television show titled “The Last Lap with Chris Lafferty.” The racing themed show will air locally in North and South Carolina.(Lafferty Motorsports PR)(3-10-2011)

  • Mattioi making 3rd series start; Darlington 1st: The “Too Tough To Tame 200”, set for Saturday, March 12th, will mark the 1st time that Chase Mattioli and the No.10 CollegeComplete.com Ford will take up the challenge of Darlington, NASCAR’s original Superspeedway. This will be Mattioli’s third series start. The No. 10 CollegeComplete.com Ford is currently 17th in Owner Points and will be a guaranteed starter, not having to qualify on speed. “This will allow us to focus on getting Chase as comfortable as possible in our race set up and not have to spend a lot of time or energy on our qualifying set up,” commented Team Manager, Charlie Vest. “Our relationship with Jennifer Jo Cobb provides us with this opportunity, as well as the use of some of her equipment, allowing her to focus on her Nationwide program, while we focus on our NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” Vest concluded.(Chase Mattioli PR)(3-10-2011)

  • Stemco to sponsor Paludo’s Darlington debut: Miguel Paludo, the 27-year-old rookie from Nova Prata, Brazil will be making his debut at the famed Darlington Raceway this weekend driving the #7 STEMCO-Duroline Toyota for Red Horse Racing. Fast Facts — Paludo didn’t grow up chasing Formula One dreams, instead wanting to race in NASCAR. After winning two Porsche Cup championships in Brazil, Paludo and wife Patricia moved to United States in March 2010 to pursue his dream. Paludo is currently second in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, trailing Cole Whitt by three points. STEMCO-Duroline is on board with Paludo at Darlington.(Red Horse Racing PR)(3-10-2011)

  • Bodine heads to Darlington as race defender: For the Germain.com Tundra team the old racing adage holds true — the most important race is the next one on the schedule. Darlington Raceway is next, and, it is important to the No. 30 team and Germain Racing driver Todd Bodine. Bodine led 47 of 147 laps last August to capture the victory in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ return to the track Too Tough to Tame. “We won the race there last year in the Germain.com Tundra. I’ve always run well at Darlington in everything I’ve driven there, ever. I’ve got a win in our Toyota truck, a win in the Nationwide Series. It’s a driver’s track that’s a lot of fun. It’s real technical. Hopefully I can give our teammates some pointers and help them speed up their learning curve a little,” said Bodine. Bodine has competed in two Truck Series events at Darlington, both behind the wheel of the No. 30 Tundra. He has one win and one 20th place result. This Saturday night, he’ll compete in his 168th Truck Series race when he fires up the Germain.com Tundra for the third race of the 2011 season. Bodine has 730 NASCAR career starts to date.(Germain Racing PR)(3-9-2011)

  • Darlington High School Falcons to serve as Grand Marshals for Saturday’s race: The Darlington High School Falcons varsity basketball team will serve as the grand marshals for Saturday’s Too Tough To Tame 200, announced Darlington Raceway President, Chris Browning. The Falcons recently wrapped up their season after being crowned Lower State Champions and advancing to the state championship game for the first time since 1983. The Falcons finished the season with a 24-2 record.(Darlington Raceway PR)(3-9-2011)

  • One Eighty returns as sponsor for Malsam: One Eighty, the Seattle-based company that acted as Malsam’s primary sponsor at Daytona International Speedway last month, will make another appearance on the hood of the 22-year-old’s Toyota Tundra this weekend at Darlington Raceway. This weekend will mark Tayler Malsam’s first race at the “Lady in Black.” The Seattle, Wash. native tested at the 1.366-mile oval in 2008 as a development driver for Bill Davis Racing. Malsam, then 19, logged laps around the difficult South Carolina track while behind the wheel of a Toyota Tundra and hopes to benefit from that experience during the race on Saturday evening.(Randy Moss Motorsports PR)(3-9-20110

  • Homecoming for RBR; additional sponsors onboard: It will be like homecoming this Saturday for the RBR Race Team as they head into Darlington, South Carolina for the running of the “Too Tough To Tame 200”. Darlington, the third event of the season for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is only 60 miles from the Ricky Benton Racing headquarters in Cerro Gordo, NC. Driver, Clay Rogers is currently 2nd only 1 point out of the NCWTS points standings in his first season as driver of the #92 fleetHQ / BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors Chevrolet. Rogers is coming off a 16th place finish in Phoenix and a 3rd place finish in Daytona. This will be Rogers first time racing at the Darlington Raceway. “This will be my first race at Darlington,” said Rogers. “I’ve raced a lot of places, but not at Darlington. BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, associate sponsors on the #92 NCWTS Truck, will be doing a big hospitality event prior to the race from 2 — 4pm. RBR also will be bringing on additional marketing partners for the Darlington Race. Other associate sponsors on the #92 NCWTS Truck for the event will be Harold Wells Insurance, Dilmar Oil Company and Sam’s Pit Stop.(RBR Enterprises PR)(3-9-2011)

  • Earnhardt among list of first-timers at Darlington: The #1 Fuel Doctor Chevy team veteran crew chief Joe Lax is giving Jeffrey Earnhardt advice as the team prepares to take to the track at Darlington Raceway this Saturday March 12th, 2011. Darlington is a track that Earnhardt has only seen and not yet had the opportunity to drive on. Jeffrey is listening close to the advice of many of the sports veterans which all has the same ring to it; “drive your own race and concentrate on your line not theirs.” Earnhardt received a career high finish at Daytona this year taking the checkered flag in the seventh position while receiving a respectable 19th place finish at Phoenix two weeks ago. Earnhardt will be entering the race this week in the 7th position in driver points, just 9 points behind leader Matt Crafton. Earnhardt will be sporting the Fuel Doctor USA colors again this weekend for the 147 lap NCWTS Too Tough To Tame 200 at Darlington Raceway airing live on SPEED at 5:00pm/et.(Earnhardt/RWR PR)(3-9-2011)

  • Gaughan & team; new strategy for Darlington: Brendan Gaughan [#62 South Point Hotel & Casino Tundra] and crew chief Bryan Berry agree to have a new team strategy for Darlington that goes along with the aggressive style of the South Carolina track. Bryan Berry and me are trying a new strategy at Darlington. When we unload the South Point Hotel & Casino Tundra at Darlington, we’re going to start practice with a qualifying run and work from there,” said Gaughan, who hopes to combat a personal battle with the new strategy and Germain Racing’s wealth of data and experience. “One of the problems I’ve had in my career is I don’t get up to speed fast enough in practice. I need to start being faster earlier in practice instead of testing the truck for three or four laps and wearing the good off the tires. With Germain Racing, the team has such engineering information and experience in the Truck Series, that when we show up at the race track, there’s no question what kind of Tundra you have. So, we are going to start practice with a qualifying run and build from there.(Germain Racing PR)(3-9-2011)

  • Sophomore Dillon’s advice to rookies: RCR has just one previous appearance at Darlington. Austin Dillon started ninth and finished fifth in August 2010 at the track. Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team finished fifth at Phoenix International Raceway after starting second. His advice for rookie drivers; “Run every lap. I can give my opinions to first year truck series drivers, such as my teammate, Joey Coulter, but when it comes down to it, the best way to learn is to actually race and experience different situations for yourself. I definitely feel more prepared this year heading into every track that I’ve been able to run a lot of laps on. For the tracks where I had problems and didn’t get to run as many laps, I will be leaning on others just as Joey does. Having prior experience at a track definitely helps, but it’s cool that other drivers can come talk to me this year.” Austin Dillon will pilot chassis No. 005 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stable in this weekend’s Too Tough To Tame 200. This is the same chassis that Dillon drove to Victory Lane at Iowa Speedway in July 2010, leading 187 of 200 laps, earning a perfect driver rating of 150 and out-dueling Johnny Sauter in a green-white-checkered restart to earn his first career NCWTS victory in the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet. Dillon and his brother, fulltime ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards driver Ty Dillon, are featured as future stars in motor sports in this week’s ESPN the Magazine.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(3-9-2011)

  • Marks yet another first-time Darlington starter: Justin Marks has made 69 starts throughout his career in NASCAR, but Saturday will mark his first career start at the “Lady in Black”. “Weekends like this are becoming more and more rare for me, when I get to go to a track that I’ve never raced at,” said Marks. “Obviously, as the biggest NASCAR fan I know of, growing up watching (NASCAR Sprint) Cup races when I was young, Darlington has always stood out as one of the sport’s “hallowed grounds”. There’s so much history here and so many great moments from this track that being able to finally compete in a NASCAR race there is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.” Turn One Racing recently announced a new alliance with Eibach Springs, the world’s leading manufacturer of performance suspension springs. The partnership kicks off this weekend during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Darlington Raceway. As part of the agreement, Eibach will provide Justin Marks and teammate Cole Whitt with the new ER Platinum Springs for both of their race trucks.(Turn One Racing PR)(3-9-2011)

  • Starr looks for turnaround at Darlington: David Starr and the SS Green Light Racing team will head to the oldest track on the NASCAR circuit this Saturday hoping to change the misfortunes of the early season in which the veteran NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver was caught-up in an accident not of his doing in back to back races. The early struggles have left Starr outside of the top-twenty in the drivers point standings as the SS Green Light team brings the No. 81 Zachry Toyota to the Too Tough to Tame 200. “It’s always a tough track to race on, you have to respect it and that being said it’s still tough,” said Starr. “I’m excited about it. I just love racing at Darlington. Heck, I wish we had two races at Darlington each year.” “We just need a little luck to fall our way this week and get our Zachry Toyota back up in the points.” Starr has four career NCWTS starts at the Darlington Raceway; with three top-ten finishes.(SS Green Light Racing PR)(3-9-2011)

  • WinStar World Casino partnering with TMS through 2015: Thackerville, Okla.-based WinStar World Casino is expanding its relationship with Texas Motor Speedway by becoming the “Official Casino of Texas Motor Speedway” and continuing its title sponsorship of the racing venue’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races in June and November through 2015. In addition, WinStar World Casino will serve as the presenting sponsor of the “No Limits” Garage Party prior to the Samsung Mobile 500 and AAA Texas 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in April and November; become a Texas Motor Speedway “Preferred Hotel Partner”; and sponsor of the Lone Star Circle and Victory Circle campgrounds. The WinStar World Casino 400k on Friday, June 10, is the ninth of 25 races on the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule. This will be the 15th truck race that is coupled with the IZOD IndyCar Series, a tradition that began in the inaugural 1997 season of “The Great American Speedway!” Kicking off the November 4-6 NASCAR tripleheader is the WinStar World Casino 350k, which will be the seventh edition of the fall NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Texas Motor Speedway. The Nov. 4 event is followed by the O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge NASCAR Nationwide Series race and AAA Texas 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, respectively.(Texas Motor Speedway PR)(3-2-2011)

  • Cook enjoying new role at RHR: Maybe there really is something to that old adage about life beginning at 40. For former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Terry Cook, he’s enjoying the post-40 turn just fine. From 1998 through the end of 2009, Cook appeared in all but one NCWTS race over 12 seasons, winning six times and earning 33 top-five and 112 top-10 finishes. A fine driving career by any measure. Now, at the ripe old age of 43, Cook has embarked on a second career, albeit one that remains firmly rooted in the Truck Series: He’s the new director of competition for Red Horse Racing, the Tom DeLoach and Jeff Hammond-owned team that fields a pair of Toyota Tundras for Timothy Peters and Miguel Paludo out of its shops in Mooresville, N.C. Cook’s new job is one that helps the others on the team do their jobs. In addition to his management duties, Cook is helping mentor Brazilian native Paludo, who cut his teeth racing go-karts and sports cars. Whenever the team gets to a new track, Cook takes Paludo for some laps in the pace car to show him the proper racing lines, braking points and where to turn and when to accelerate. “And then just mentor him through practice and basically just focus on the driving aspect,” said Cook. “‘This is what you’re going to feel in 30 laps, this is what you’re going to feel on sticker tires, this is what you’re going to feel here, and here’s the line you need to run around the race track. I’ve always wanted to come to work at Red Horse Racing in whatever capacity, and at the end of the season, Tom and Rick (Gay) approached me about being the director of competition,” Cook said. “Rick Gay was the competition director last year, he stepped back into the crew chief role for Miguel Paludo so that opened that slot and here I am. The rest is history. Honestly, out of all the teams in the Truck Series garage, I couldn’t think of a better one to work for.”(SPEEDtv.com)(3-8-2011)

  • Kahne to drive #18 at Darlington: UPDATE more info: Kyle Busch Motorsports has announced that Kasey Kahne will drive the team’s No. 18 Toyota Tundra in the Too Tough to Tame 200 at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, March 12. Toyota will serve as the primary sponsor for the defending NASCAR Camping World Series owners’ champions and The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) will join the KBM sponsor lineup as an associate sponsor for the race. In Kahne’s first career Camping World Truck Series start, he drove the No. 2 Team ASE truck to victory in the 2004 Darlington 200 at Darlington Raceway. He returned to the seat of the No. 2 truck the following week for the Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and once again was victorious. After a five-year absence from the Truck Series, the Enumclaw, Wash. native was tabbed to pilot the No. 18 Toyota Tundra for KBM in the Pocono Mountains 125 at Pocono Raceway last July. The 30-year nearly made it three victories in three career starts, leading 17 of 55 laps before finishing second to Elliott Sadler.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(2-25-2011)
    UPDATE: Kasey Kahne will make his fourth career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start Saturday in the Too Tough To Tame 200 at Darlington Raceway which will be televised on SPEEDtv beginning at 5:00pm Eastern. Joining ASE as associate sponsors are; Dollar General, Flexco, M & M’s.(Kyle Busch Motorsports PR)(3-8-2011)

  • Carmichael gets sponsorship help for Darlington: Turner Motorsports and Monster Energy are pleased to welcome BI-LO and Markette to the lower-rear quarter panels of the No. 4 Monster Energy Silverado. BI-LO and Super BI-LO grocery stores serve customers throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia with fresh, high-quality products and excellent service at the very best value. There are currently 23 Markette Convenience Stores located throughout the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. Markette has proudly served its customers for over 40 years, providing state-of-the-art facilities, outstanding customer service and a variety of fuel types to meet every need. The Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado show truck will make three stops in the Darlington area this week [see Turner Motorsports.com for details]. Carmichael’s lone NCWTS start at Darlington came last August where he started 16th and was headed for a prospective top-10 finish when he was collected in a late-race incident and left with a 24th-place result.(Turner Motorsports PR)(3-8-2011)

  • Change of plans; VAR two trucks to Darlington: Vision Aviation Racing was originally slated to enter only the No. 51 Wounded Warrior Project/Vision Airlines truck of Justin Johnson for this week’s race in Darlington. Johnson made his NCWTS debut two weeks ago in Phoenix where he was able to bring his Toyota Tundra home 8th after starting 14th.Early last week the team decided, based on the performance in Phoenix two weeks ago, to also enter the No. 15 Vision Airlines/Emerald Coast Resorts Toyota Tundra with rookie Dusty Davis at the wheel. Davis was originally scheduled to run only seven races this season with the next race slated for Nashville on the 22nd of April. A change of plans has Davis in the No.15 seat this weekend in Darlington. The decision was based on the early success Davis showed in Phoenix before the late race accident took away his chance at a top-15 finish.(Vision Aviation Racing PR)(3-8-2011)

  • Racing at Darlington a first for Sweet: This weekend’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) event at Darlington Raceway, the Too Tough to Tame 200, will mark Brad Sweet’s first start at the famed 1.33-mile track. The rookie driving, driving the No. 32 Great Clips Chevrolet, plans to rely on mentor and team owner for his open-wheel endeavors, Kasey Kahne, who is also competing in the event, for advice on succeeding at the track. Fresh off his NNS victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which marked Turner Motorsports first NASCAR win, crew chief Trent Owens will relinquish a rare NNS weekend off to head to Darlington Raceway and call the shots for Sweet in Saturday evening’s event.(Turner Motorsports PR)(3-8-2011)

  • Armour, KHI & AMG host Wounded Warriors group at Darlington: Following a successful partnership last season that culminated with an event during the NASCAR race weekend at Richmond International Raceway in September, Armour Vienna Sausages along with Kevin Harvick Inc. and American Marketing Group announced today that they will continue their efforts with the Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) and will host a group of wounded warriors and their family members at Darlington Raceway this weekend. The group of over 50 veterans from across North and South Carolina will attend the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event, Saturday March 12th and will join long-time sponsor Armour Vienna Sausages as they celebrate their first primary sponsorship of 2011 on the No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado piloted by Elliott Sadler. The guests will be joined by Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) regular Chad Hackenbracht who will serve as their weekend guide and will spend time with KHI drivers Sadler, Ron Hornaday and Nelson Piquet Jr. as well as have the opportunity to meet other Truck Series competitors. The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “honor and empower wounded warriors” of the United States Armed Forces. The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) works to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(3-7-2011)

  • Fontaine making first trip to Darlington: Chris Fontaine, driver of the #84 Glenden Enterprises Toyota Tundra will be will be making his 26th NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Darlington Raceway this Saturday. This will be Fontaine’s first NCWTS race at Darlington Raceway. The last NCWTS race Fontaine ran was at Daytona in February. After running in the top 10 for most of the race, unfortunately his night ended in the wreck on lap 96. As for plans to running the remainder of the schedule, “we are going to take it one race at a time,” said Fontaine.(Chris Fontaine Racing PR)(3-7-2011)

  • Sadler returns with Armour Vienna Sausages onboard: Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 Armour Vienna Sausage team roll into Darlington Raceway following a weekend off for the Truck Series. The first stand-alone event of the season sees the No. 2 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) team with two solid second-place finishes thus far in 2011. Sadler returns to the seat of the No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado for the second time in 2011 after a narrow loss to Michael Waltrip in the series season opener at Daytona International Raceway. Pinnacles Foods and the Armour brand are a long-time sponsor of Kevin Harvick and the Kevin Harvick Inc. team. Since becoming a primary sponsor in 2009, the black, blue and gold Armour colors have never lost a race, going to victory lane for the first time with KHI co-owner Harvick as he earned his first win driving a KHI-owned vehicle at Bristol Motor Speedway, followed by wins at Nashville Superspeedway and Richmond International Raceway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. At the end of last season Armour was on board with four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday and found victory lane once again as the Truck Series veteran won for the first time at Martinsville Speedway after 16 attempts.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(3-7-2011)

  • KHI making 300th series start: Just one week after celebrating its 300th Nationwide Series start, Kevin Harvick Inc. will hit the same milestone in the Truck Series this weekend in Darlington. In their previous 298 starts, KHI trucks have earned 33 wins, 119 top fives, 177 top 10’s and two Truck Series championships..(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(3-7-2011)

  • Goess to make first-ever trip to Darlington: Craig Goess, driving the #46 Greenville Toyota of NC for Eddie Sharp Racing, will compete at the Darlington, S.C., track for the first time in his career. He will face the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval for the third event of the 2011 NCWTS season. With two events under his belt, Goess currently sits in the 14th position in the Official Driver Standings in the NCWTS.(Eddie Sharp Racing PR)(3-7-2011)

  • Long & Coulter visit young fans ahead of Darlington: UPDATE 2 “Cowboy” Starland joins in: Johanna Long couldn’t believe she was already talking to young students about not only her job–but working hard to achieve their dreams. The 18-year-old from Sarasota, Florida, stood before a cafeteria packed with first- and second-graders at Cain Elementary School in Darlington, and couldn’t help but smile. Not only does she live her dream at work, she gets to live it all of the time. “To know I was sitting there (where the students were), listening to someone talk about how I should stay in school and to follow my dreams, and to know that they’re listening to what I love to do–it was awesome,” said Long. Her fellow rookie, Joey Coulter, who drives for Richard Childress Racing, showed up at Cain wearing his fire suit, and carrying his helmet. “It gives them a chance to ask more questions,” said Coulter. “I feel like it opens up a lot more questions and it makes it more fun,” he said. Browning said the track’s decision not to charge admission for anyone under 17 years old for the truck series and Nationwide Series race (in May) is as much an economic decision as it is a push to broaden NASCAR’s fan base. “We’re really putting a focus on the youth market to cultivate and bring that next generation of fans along,” said Browning. Tickets for children under age 17 will also be half-price for the May 7th Southern 500. The Too Tough To Tame 200 happens Saturday, March 12, at Darlington Raceway, and any ticket allows fans to watch a full day of practice, qualifying, and the race, which will be run under the lights.(SC Now.com)(3-2-2011)
    UPDATE: Coulter and Long visited seven elementary schools in Darlington County sharing stories from the track and the classroom with students ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade. Long is currently finishing up her high school degree attending home school classes while Coulter works to complete his Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. After putting in time in the classroom, the drivers participated in a media tour of South Carolina making stops in the Florence/Myrtle Beach market as well as the state’s Capitol city of Columbia to promote the upcoming Too Tough To Tame 200 that will be run at Darlington Raceway on March 12.(Darlington Raceway)(3-2-2011)
    UPDATE 2: NASCAR veteran crew chief Kevin “Cowboy” Starland, current crew chief of the youngest Rookie of the Year contender & competitor Johanna Long and the No. 20 Panhandle Grading Toyota Tundra team, will be speaking to Darlington County Institute of Technology students. Starland has over 20 years of experience in NASCAR, winning championships with Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle; as well as drivers such as Aric Almirola, Steven Wallace, Johnny Benson, Rick Crawford and Nelson Picquet, Jr. Starland, along with team transport driver and gasman Terry Lynch, will be in town promoting the upcoming Too Tough To Tame 200 at Darlington Raceway. Starland will talk to the high school students about careers in motorsports, while Lynch will demonstrate the gasman duties in full firesuit and tour the hauler.(Darlington Raceway PR)(3-7-2011)

  • Darlington another first for Piquet: For the second race in a row, Nelson Piquet Jr. will face a new track as he attempts to tame the “Lady in Black,” Darlington Raceway, a 1.366-mile intermediate-length track with short track characteristics. Two of Piquet Jr.’s three top-10 finishes in 2010 came at intermediate tracks; Texas Motor Speedway [1.5-miles] and Michigan International Speedway [2.0-miles]. In his first trip to Phoenix International Raceway, Piquet Jr. drove the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado through a caution-filled race to earn a 13th-place finish.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(3-7-2011)

  • Phoenix images added: UPDATE more added: Added a few images from the Phoenix race: #2-KHI’s Tide/Kroger Chevrolet driven by Clint Bowyer; #3-Richard Childress Racing’s Bass Pro Shops/Remington/Tracker Boats Chevrolet driven by Austin Dillon; #19-Steve McGowan’s MMI Services/Ron’s Rearends Chevrolet driven by David Mayhew; #44-Gene Price Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Greg Pursley; #60-Turn One Racing’s Red Bull Chevrolet driven by Cole Whitt; #66-Turn One Racing’s GoPro Chevrolet driven by Justin Marks.(3-1-2011)
    UPDATE: Added more Phoenix images; #4-Turner Motorsports Monster Energy Chevrolet driven by Ricky Carmichael; #7-Red Horse Racing’s K&N Toyota driven by Miguel Paludo; #17-Red Horse Racing’s GearWrench Toyota driven by Timothy Peters; #30-Germain Racing’s Germain.com Toyota driven by Todd Bodine; #31-Turner Motorsports Wolfpack Rentals Chevrolet driven by James Buescher; #88-ThorSport Racing’s Menards/Ideal Door Chevrolet driven by Matt Crafton. Check them out via the 2011 NCWTS Paint Schemes page.(3-4-2011)

  • Raymer forced to suspend race efforts: One of the last Fords left in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has been forced to suspend efforts due to lack of funding. Brent Raymer Racing, with Brent Raymer behind the wheel of the No. 85 Ford F-150, decided Thursday that without a sponsor the operation cannot continue. Raymer and his four-man team were a garage favorite with their grassroots approach to the sport. The father-son organization ran five races in 2008 followed by 15 in 2009. Its first full season was in 2010 where it made all but two races and finished 19th in driver points. Raymer was recognized as the “Ford. Drive one.” entry. The team failed to qualify for the first two races of the season at Daytona International Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway. Brent and Brent Raymer Racing have no intention of giving up on the sport but understand a sponsor is needed if they are to compete against the multi-truck teams and big corporate sponsors.(Brent Raymer Racing PR)(3-3-2011)

  • Georgia Boot aligns with Bodine & Germain Racing: Germain Racing proudly announces a new team sponsorship for the 2011 season. The team has partnered with America ‘s Hardest Working Boot, Georgia Boot. The brand is a perfect match for Germain Racing’s strength and competitive reputation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Georgia Boot has signed on as primary sponsor of the No. 30 Georgia Boot Tundra at Kentucky Speedway in July and the No. 30 Germain Racing team will proudly wear the Georgia Boot logo as an associate sponsor for the entire 2011 season. “Georgia Boot is a sponsor that’s been in front of the Truck Series fans for years. They know that race fans love the Truck Series because it’s tough. It’s competitive. It might be the best racing around. We love the fact that Georgia Boot is headquartered in Central Ohio , just down the road from Germain Motor Company headquarters. We are looking forward to having Georgia Boot on Todd’s Tundra as he defends his Championship in 2011,” said team owner Bob Germain Jr. Germain Racing is only the second team in Truck Series history to earn multiple wins in seven consecutive seasons. Germain Racing has 22 wins, nine pole awards and two championships. Georgia Boot is a manufacturer and marketer of quality work and outdoor footwear. It is a division of Rocky Brands, a publicly traded company on NASDAQ.(Germain Racing PR) [Rendering of the #30 Georgia Boot Toyota being driven by Todd Bodine is posted on the #30 NCWTS 2011 Paint Schemes page.](3-2-2011)

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