September 2007 Craftsman Truck Series Archive - Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

September 2007 Truck Series News Archive

Winners of a race in Cup, Busch and Truck Series races: see my Misc Stats page for this and many others.
Billy Ballew Motorsports switching to Toyota? Hearing that the #15 and #51 trucks for Billy Ballew Motorsports may be switching to Toyota in 2008 as a result of Kyle Busch’s signing with Joe Gibbs Racing and their subsequent affiliation with Toyota.(9-28-2007)
Crew chief fined for Las Vegas infraction: NASCAR announced today that Larry J. Pryor, crew chief of the #29 Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, has been fined $5,000 for an infraction this past weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Pryor was found in violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4-Q (truck, truck parts and/or equipment used in the event not conforming to NASCAR rules) and 20B-5.9D (4) (unapproved modifications to the plenum area of the truck’s engine intake manifold). The violation was found during opening day inspection last Friday.(NASCAR PR)(9-25-2007)
Busch, Trucks will not run at Iowa next year: Stock car racing fans will have to wait until at least 2009 for a chance to see a Busch Series or Craftsman Truck Series event at Iowa Speedway in Newton. The track’s 2008 slate will include return visits by the IndyCar Series and NASCAR’s Grand National Division, but the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series will not expand next season, Iowa Speedway’s vice president and general manager Craig Armstrong said Monday. “They are certainly looking at us as a prospect for 2009 and beyond,” said Armstrong.(Des Moines Register)(9-25-2007)
Bodine, Germain to Kansas for Busch race: UPDATE: 14th place finish: Todd Bodine and Germain Racing have entered the #03 Toyota in this weekend’s Busch Series event at Kansas Speedway. “We get to go to Kansas with no pressure. We can go there and just race,” said Bodine, who will be looking for fun competition in the Yellow Transportation 300. “Of course we want the best performance so we can help our cause in lining up our sponsorship for next season, but with the coil binding in these cars, the front ends are so similar from race track to race track that we are pretty comfortable heading into the weekend. We feel we’ve got a handle on the set up and we’re looking forward to just having some fun in Kansas.” Bodine has a total of 11 starts at Kansas Speedway. He’s run four Cup Series races, three Busch Series races and four Truck Series races. His worst finish in the Truck Series was 15th, the only race of his four when he wasn’t driving for Germain Racing. Germain Racing plans to run in Busch Series races at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway this season.(Germain Racing PR)(9-25-2007)
UDPATE: After starting from the 28th position, Bodine had a respectable 14th place finish in the Yellow Transportation 300 at Kansas Speedway.(9-30-3007)
Leffler joins Red Horse Racing for balance of year: Red Horse Racing announced today that three-time National Midget Champion Jason Leffler will race the #1 RFMS/Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in five of the six remaining events on the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule. Leffler will hand the wheel over to Brandon Whitt when the Series’ hits Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 27th due to a scheduling conflict and his commitments in the NASCAR Busch Series. “We are very thankful to David Green for helping us get our feet back under us,” said General Manager and Team Owner, Tom DeLoach. “David helped us move forward as we continue to grow Red Horse Racing but we’re still trying to find out what we need to do to make our team better. We’re making changes to make our program stronger as we prepare for a Championship run in 2008. Our intent is to have Jason in the RFMS/Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra for the balance of the year with the exception of Atlanta due to a scheduling conflict.” Leffler has made 40 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since making his Series’ debut in 2000. Leffler has accumulated one win, 16 top-five, and 25 top-10 finishes. He last raced in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2004. Leffler’s first race with Red Horse Racing will be Saturday, October 6th during the Mountain Dew 250 at the 2.66-mile oval of Talladega Superspeedway.(Red Horse Racing PR)(9-25-2007)
Scott to run ARCA; Cope to drive #16-truck at Talladega: Xpress Motorsports driver Brian Scott has not been cleared by NASCAR to run at the superspeedway level; driver Derrike Cope is scheduled to handle the driving duties for the #16 Xpress Motorsports Ford at Talladega. Brian Scott is signed to pilot the #32-Country Joe Racing Dodge for the ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on Friday, October 5.(Xpress Motorsports)(9-25-2007)
Lazier learns valuable lessons; hopes to have opportunity to return: Indy Racing League Champion and Indy 500 Winner Buddy Lazier learned valuable lessons when he made his debut in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race Saturday, September 22nd in the #15 Billy Ballew Motorsports Chevy. “We had a fast run going on our second lap in qualifying,” Lazier said. “It just snapped loose and I spun collecting the wall. Not having that rookie practice hurt us today. Without testing, we had counted on that time to prepare for the race. I can’t say enough about everyone on the Billy Ballew Motorsports team. I had a lot of fun with them and hope to have an opportunity to come back and run again. I have to thank Flanders Beef Patties for sponsoring us this weekend. I just wish I could have given them a better finish. I’ve gotten a little taste tonight of the trucks and it made me hungry to come back and race again.” Despite the effort on the part of the driver, team and spotter, the contact with the wall in qualifying affected the rear part of the truck causing extremely loose conditions. Lazier persevered crossing the finish line in the 24th place position gaining valuable experience that testing and practice may not always provide. (Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(9-24-2007)
ARCA’s Casola headed to trucks at Phoenix: ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Dominick Casola will compete in the Casino Arizona 150, in the Craftsman Truck Series event at Phoenix International Raceway on November 9 driving for his ARCA team Andy Belmont Racing (ABR). Casola will pilot the #12 Casola Farms Chevy in his inaugural NCTS debut. Casola is expected to return to ABR for a full ARCA RE/MAX Series season in addition to several NCTS events in 2008.(catchfence.com)(9-24-2007)
Kinser seeking opportunity for 2008: Dale Earnhardt Inc. development driver Kraig Kinser says he is looking for a job for the 2008 season. Kinser, who drove in 31 truck races for MB2 Motorsports and Ginn Racing in conjunction mostly with Morgan-Dollar Motorsports over the last two years, said Saturday that he didn’t anticipate DEI finding sponsorship for him to run any more this year. Aric Almirola and Regan Smith have run the Morgan-Dollar entry in recent Craftsman Truck Series races.(SceneDaily.com)(9-23-2007)
Villeneuve will attempt to qualify for first-ever NASCAR race: Jacques Villeneuve will attempt to qualify for his first-ever NASCAR race-the Smith’s Las Vegas 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway-in the #27 Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra; the 36-year old Villeneuve, who began his decorated global racing career 22 years ago in 100cc kart racing, has never witnessed a live NASCAR race. Villeneuve joins Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi as the only drivers in motorsports history to win the World Driving Championship (F1), the Indianapolis 500 and the CART IndyCar World Series championships. Villeneuve will bring the #27 to his NASCAR competition, a number as iconic for his family and to global motorsports fans as the #3 is to the Earnhardt/NASCAR legacy in the United States; his father Gilles carried the number throughout much of his primary racing career (including his time at Ferrari) and Jacques raced with the #27 during his two CART series seasons with Forsythe-Green/Team Green. Should he qualify for the NCTS race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, Villeneuve will become the second World Driving Champion to compete in an event in one of NASCAR’s top three series (NNCS, Busch Series, NCTS); on October 29, 1967, Jim Clark, the two-time (1963, 1965) F1 champion, finished 30th in the American 500 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina, retiring his #66 Holman-Moody Ford after 144 laps due to engine failure.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(9-20-2007)
Mary Wilson to perform National Anthem, Danielle Peck headlines at Neon Garage: Danielle Peck, whose hit single “I Don’t” has soared up the country music charts, will headline in the Neon Garage prior to Saturday’s Smith’s Las Vegas 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Peck, who has opened for many notable stars including Toby Keith, is scheduled to appear on the Neon Garage stage at 3:30pm. Peck also will serve as the race’s grand marshal and will give the command to start engines prior to the Craftsman Truck Series event. Halfway To Hazard, an up-and-coming country group, will follow Peck on the Neon Garage stage. Two Las Vegas-area bands will kick off the music in the Neon Garage at 12:30pm. Neon Garage passes are only $10 but must be accompanied by a race ticket. Race fans will be allowed to purchase Neon Garage passes at the speedway on Saturday. In addition to the Neon Garage entertainment, Mary Wilson will perform the National Anthem prior to Saturday night’s race. Wilson won multiple awards as an original member of the Supremes, which was fronted by the legendary Diana Ross and recorded such hits as “Baby Love” and “Stop in the Name of Love.”(LVMS PR)(9-20-2007)
Villeneuve among many scheduled to test ARCA car at Talladega: 1995 Indy 500 winner and 1997 Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve, in a Bill Davis Racing entry, is listed among the entrants to test at Talladega on Tuesday, September 25th. A second Bill Davis entry with driver Michael Annett is also among the entrants. At present, 40-plus teams have sent notice that they intend on testing at Talladega in preparation for the upcoming ARCA RE/MAX 200 Friday, October 5th at 5:00 pm/et.(arcaracing.com)(9-23-2007)
Wood returning to Cup competition at Kansas: UPDATE: Car #47: Jon Wood is scheduled to return to the NextelCup ranks for the Sept. 30 race at Kansas Speedway. Wood has been competing for the team in the Craftsman Truck Series, but will make his return to the Cup series for this event. Wood drove for the Wood Brothers in the #21 Cup Ford at Las Vegas earlier this season. He originally planned to run the full Busch Series schedule and compete in more races in the #21, but was sidelined with health issues before returning to the truck series. Gene Nead, who parted company with Robby Gordon Motorsports Monday, will be the crew chief for the car. Nead started with the Wood Brother team on Thursday.(SceneDaily.com)(9-21-2007)
UPDATE: The team would like to clarify that the #47 McKee Foods Ford Fusion will be driven by Jon Wood, who is set to make his second career Nextel Cup start in 2007. The #47 Ford will have Gene Nead calling the shots from the pit box. McKee Foods is the parent company of the Little Debbie brand of snack cakes. The #21 Little Debbie Ford Fusion will be driven by Bill Elliott, with Michael “Fatback” McSwain continuing his duties as crew chief for the team.(Wood Bros/JTG Racing PR)(9-23-2007)
First female in the flagstand: For the first time in series history, and the first time in known history for NASCAR’s top three national touring divisions, there is a female in the flagstand serving as the chief starter. Kim Lopez will be handling the flags throughout the day at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Kim usually assists throughout the day in the inspection line and as a pit road official during the race.(truckseries.com)(9-22-2007)
Fike appears in court on drug charges: Former NASCAR driver Aaron Fike appeared in Warren County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday on charges stemming from his arrest in an amusement park parking lot with what police said was heroin and drug tools. Fike, 24, of Cornelius, N.C., did not enter a plea, and no trial date was set, Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel said. Fike remained free on an own-recognizance bond. The charges stem from his arrest July 7, when police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot at Kings Island amusement park. Police said they found Fike and a female companion in the vehicle with bloody napkins, syringes, a spoon and black tar heroin. A grand jury indicted Fike on charges of possession of heroin, a felony, and possession of drug abuse instruments, a misdemeanor, Hutzel said. Cassandra Davidson, 21, also of Cornelius, N.C., bypassed the grand jury and pleaded guilty to the same charges Aug. 23, Hutzel said. Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 11. Fike, who drove the #1 Toyota Tundra for Red Horse Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series, ranked eighth in the point standings at the time of his arrest. The team replaced him, and he was suspended by NASCAR.(espn.go.com)(9-19-2007)
Lazier to drive #15 at Vegas: UPDATE: Flanders Beef Patties to sponsor: Billy Ballew Motorsports has announced that former Indy Racing League champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier will drive its #15 Chevy in the Sept. 22 Craftsman Truck Series race at Las Vegas. Lazier, a former International Race of Champions runner-up, previously tested one of Ballew’s trucks at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2005. “IROC really was an eye-opener for me into the world of stock-car racing,” Lazier said. “Racing with the best in the Nextel Cup and Busch Series, as well as other race drivers, was a blast. It was probably the most fun racing experience for me in my 20 years of professional motorsports [and] I’ve been trying to find the right opportunity since then.” His test with Ballew was part of that. “I was pretty cautious but our times were comparable to the other trucks on the track and I knew I wanted to race for that team some day. The opportunity arose for us to race in Las Vegas and I am extremely excited. They are racers on that team and to me it’s a perfect fit — I feel right at home with the whole team. “I’ll be studying up on last year’s race this week and be looking forward to a lot of seat time during practice. I look forward to a good start and finish and see what develops from there. Obviously, I’d love to continue racing in a top-tier NASCAR series and hope I can make a good start next week in Las Vegas.”(nascar.com)(9-15-2007)
UPDATE: Billy Ballew Motorsports has announced that Flanders Beef Patties will serve as the primary sponsor with other sponsorship announcements pending.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(9-18-2007)
Raybestos Rookie News & Notes: Tim Sauter was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 15 New Hampshire 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Sauter scored a 23rd-place finish and took top rookie honors for the third time this season. Willie Allen was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead the New Hampshire race, holding the top spot once for six laps. Allen has led twice in two races for a total of 29 laps this season. Sauter leads Allen by two points (129-127) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 22 Smith’s Las Vegas 350 at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. Sauter is 16th in the Craftsman Truck Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is 12 points ahead of 17th-place Allen. Marcos Ambrose was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 Smith’s Las Vegas 350, grabbing a seventh-place finish. Ambrose was the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the event, holding the top spot once for 12 laps.(Raybestos PR)(9-18-2007)
Hamlin returns to the #4 for Vegas race: Kevin Hamlin returns to the #4 Open Joist Dodge Saturday night at Las Vegas. It will be Hamlin’s fifth start for Bobby Hamilton Racing and his first since Memphis in June. Hamlin tested a Busch car for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates earlier this season at Las Vegas, however this will be his first career NASCAR series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(Bobby Hamilton Racing PR)(9-18-2007)
The Stratosphere sponsors #13 at LVMS: The Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower will provide primary sponsorship of Willie Allen’s #13 Chevy for the running of the Craftsman Truck Series Las Vegas 350 on September 22nd. Allen will be making his first start at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway as he continues his battle for 2007 Rookie of the Year honors. ThorSport Racing and The Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower are excited to partner once again for the annual Las Vegas race.(Willie Allen/Mod Mgmt PR)(9-18-2007)
Setzer to drive #18 for BHR at Las Vegas: Dennis Setzer will pilot the #18-Fastenal Dodge this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Current driver Ken Schrader returned to his Cup car duties last week in New Hampshire which resulted in a logistical conflict for this weekend’s Las Vegas 350. Setzer will be making his ninth career NASCAR start at LVMS when he pilots the #18 Fastenal Dodge on Saturday night.(Bobby Hamilton Racing PR)(9-17-2007)
Stratosphere associate sponsor for #59 at LVMS: HT Motorsports team owner Jim Harris has announced that The Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower would serve as a major associate sponsor on the #59 Toyota in the Smith’s Las Vegas 350 Craftsman Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway September 21-22.(HT Motorsports PR)(9-17-2007)
Compton to reach milestone at LVMS – 100th start: Saturday night’s Smith’s Las Vegas 350 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be Stacy Compton’s 100th career start in the Craftsman Truck Series. Compton is one of just 12 drivers to make 100 starts in the popular truck-racing series. He’s also one of only seven drivers to make at least 80 career starts in all three of NASCAR’s premier national touring divisions, including the Busch and Nextel Cup series. Compton is sharing the driving duties in the #09-Ford at Wood Brothers/JTG Racing with Joey Clanton.(Wood Bros/JTG Racing PR)(9-17-2007)
Drivers & Teams hit the bowling alley for good cause in Las Vegas: On Thursday night [Sept. 21], numerous Truck Series drivers, teams and NASCAR officials will go head-to-head in the “Burn-Out, Bowl-Off” charity bowling tournament hosted by the South Point Hotel & Casino at the South Point Bowling Center to benefit Speedway Children’s Charities.(Brendan Gaughan PR) For more info, see the Racing Charities page.(9-17-2007)
Setzer’s future uncertain after losing #75 ride: Dennis Setzer, who has 235 career starts and 17 wins in the Craftsman Truck Series, doesn’t know whether he’ll be driving in the race next Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Setzer found a last-minute ride with Green Light Racing for the Sept. 15 event at New Hampshire International Speedway after Spears Motorsports opted to put Clay Rogers in the #75 truck for the event. Setzer was 13th in points going into New Hampshire but obviously the Spears Motorsports team wasn’t where it wanted to be. “It’s been a tough season,” Setzer said. “Maybe it’s time to shake the pot. Maybe they’ll do better and I’ll do better and everything will go the way it needs to go.” Rogers, who finished 12th at NHIS, will be in the #75 truck at Las Vegas.(SceneDaily.com)(9-16-2007)
Chris Wimmer named driver for Milburn Racing at LVMS: Jeff Milburn Racing, based in Texas, has announced their entry in the upcoming race on September 22 2007, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The driver for the #76 truck will be Chris Wimmer. The Smith’s Las Vegas 350 will be Wimmer’s second start for the 2007 season in the Craftsman Truck Series and his 22nd career start in the Series. This past June, Wimmer and the Jeff Milburn Racing team finished 30th in the Sam’s Town 400 at the Texas Motor Speedway.(Milburn Racing PR)(9-15-2007)
Loudon last race for Matthews with BDR: After twelve races in the Craftsman Truck Series, during which time he scored a career best 4th place finish and Bud Pole Award in his 7th race at Kentucky, Mathews will be stepping out of the #22 Bill Davis Racing Toyota in order to help the team with Jacques Villeneuve’s anticipated start in a NASCAR Truck. “I can’t say enough to thank Bill and Gail Davis, Mark Chambers, Doug Wolcott and the rest of the team for what they have done for me this season.” “I am still hopeful that we can put together something to get back in the truck with Bill Davis for 2008 but I am keeping all of my options open for the rest of this year and next.” Mathews will pilot the #22 for his final race with BDR this weekend where he hopes to bring home another top 5 finish. “Our primary focus is to keep Ryan racing and we have been in contact with many teams and will continue to seek opportunities for the rest of 2007,” said Terry Dickerson of Connection Motorsports Group. “We would also like to return Ryan to the #22 Bill Davis Toyota next year but it is dependent upon sponsorship and therefore we are looking to explore possibilities with all teams.” (BDR/Connection Motorsports Group PR)(9-15-2007)
Mountain Dew to sponsor Talladega race: Talladega Superspeedway announced today that Mountain Dew will sponsor the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Saturday, October 6. “We are delighted to partner with Mountain Dew on our truck race. I believe the exciting style of racing that the trucks bring to Talladega Superspeedway matches well with the Mountain Dew brand and its exciting style of advertising and promotion,” said President of Talladega Superspeedway Rick Humphrey. The legendary Talladega Superspeedway is the ideal track for the first running of the Mountain Dew 250,” said Ralph Santana, VP, sports, media and entertainment marketing, Pepsi-Cola North America. “Mountain Dew has strong southern roots and we know this event will be a great celebration for us and the fans.”(Talladega Superspeedway PR)(9-14-2007)
ARCA team names Barry Dodson crew chief: Stringer Motorsports has announced that Barry Dodson will take over crew chief duties on the #90 Great Clips race team, driven by Gabi DiCarlo, effective with this weekend’s Salem Speedway event. Dodson will bring more than 35 years of racing experience and more than 75 career NASCAR wins to Doug Stringer’s young development team. Dodson is credited with guiding Rusty Wallace to the 1989 Winston Cup Championship and has recorded wins in NASCAR Cup. With the addition of Dodson it is clear that the Great Clips team is serious about a run at the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship.(arcaracing.com)(9-13-2007)
Caisse to make series debut in home state: UPDATE: Truck image posted: Sean Caisse is set to make his Truck Series debut in the New Hampshire 200 at New Hampshire Int’l Speedway this weekend. Caisse will be driving the #03 Casella Waste Systems Toyota for Germain Racing. The Pelham, N.H., native began racing in the region in 1997 and is now in his third year of competition in NASCAR’s Busch East Series. In his full-time Busch East effort, Caisse drive’s for Andy Santerre Motorsports. In 2007 season, he’s collected three wins and five pole awards.(Germain Racing PR)(9-10-2007)
UPDATE: Image of the #3-Casella Waste Systems Toyota is now posted on the 2007 Paint Scheme Gallery page.(9-12-2007)
Lynch slated for double duty in New Hampshire: Scott Lynch travels Loudon, New Hampshire, this weekend with a full schedule on tap: racing in both the Busch East Series’ Aubuchon Hardware 125 and the Craftsman Truck Series’ New Hampshire 200. In both races, Lynch will pilot the #29 Jasper Engines and Transmissions-Intertech Dodge. Friday’s event will be Lynch’s first official Busch East race. Fielding his Dodge machines is startup Windward Racing Enterprises, led by Aaron Brown.(Scott Lynch PR)(9-12-2007)
Compton back in the #09 this week: When Stacy Compton isn’t racing the #09 Zaxby’s Ford in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he’s talking about it on ESPN. Compton, will be back in the driver’s seat of the #09 Zaxby’s Ford at New Hampshire Int’l Speedway. Compton has two wins and 26 Top-Five finishes in the Craftsman Truck Series, including a second-place finish in the #09 Ford F-150 at Dover in June.(Wood Bros/JTG Racing PR)(9-12-2007)
Wood Bros/JTG #21 Truck to carry tribute decals: The #21 Wood Brothers/JTG race team has announced that Jon Wood’s Craftsman Truck Series entry at New Hampshire International Speedway will carry tribute decals in honor of a sick young man named Brandon Elam. Elam suffered from a brain tumor, which the doctors removed, however the cancer spread to other parts of his body. Elam and his family are close friends of Wood Brothers/JTG Account Executive Mike Murphy. A few weeks ago, Murphy approached President Tad Geschickter about running the awareness decals on the #21 truck. It was approved and Brandon’s logo and website will adorn both the hood and TV panel of the #21 Bush’s Best Baked Beans Ford F-150 in the New Hampshire 200 on Saturday afternoon. When notified of the decals, Elam remarked that he thought the whole idea was “the coolest thing.” No doubt Elam will be tuning in from his North Carolina home, urging Jon Wood and the entire Wood Brothers/JTG No. 21 team to Victory Lane this weekend. Brandon Elam has an official website, located at www.brandonelam.com. Visitors to the site can make donations and sign Brandon’s guest book. There is also a journal of his brave fight, which gives both great and inspiring insight into his character and outlook.(Wood Bros/JTG PR)(9-11-2007)[Scheme is posted on the 2007 Paint Scheme Gallery page.]
Kyle Busch pulling double-duty at Loudon: Kyle Busch is playing double duty this weekend at the New Hampshire International Speedway. Busch will drive in Sunday’s Sylvania’s 300 Nextel Cup Series race but will also be back behind the wheel of the #51 Flanders Beef Patties Billy Ballew Motorsports Chevy Saturday for the running of the New Hampshire 200 Craftsman Truck Series race. Flanders Beef Patties has joined with Billy Ballew Motorsports as the primary sponsor of the #51 Chevy this weekend.(Billy Ballew Motorsports PR)(9-11-2007)
Donny Lia to drive fourth BDR truck at Loudon: UPDATE 3: #36 sponsor & crew chief announced: Bill Davis Racing has announced that Donny Lia, one of NASCAR’s Modified Superstars, will drive a fourth truck for the team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at [Loudon] New Hampshire International Speedway Sept. 15. The Jericho, N.Y., native has competed in many different series over the years, including the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Lia had already tamed two of the three most hallowed tracks on the Tour; Stafford Motor Speedway and New Hampshire International Speedway, and he completed the sweep Saturday night when he captured the pole and a win at Martinsville Speedway. It was his sixth victory of the season.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(9-5-2007)
UPDATE: Bill Davis Racing will be using the #36 truck for Donny Lia at New Hampshire.(9-6-2007)
UPDATE 2: Whelen Engineering and Nicolock Paving Stones will both adorn the #36 truck of Donny Lia this weekend at Loudon. Whelen Engineering is a Connecticut-based manufacturer of automotive, aviation, industrial and emergency vehicle lighting, and also the series sponsor for the NASCAR Modified Tour. Nicolock Paving Stones and Retaining Walls is a Lindenhurst, NY based company that manufacturers a complete line of interlocking concrete paving stones, architectural paving slabs, precast concrete products, and segmental retaining wall systems.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(9-11-2007)
UPDATE 3: Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin will spend an extra day atop the pit box this weekend, as he leads BDR’s fourth Craftsman Truck Series entry for the running of the New Hampshire 200. Lia will pilot the #36 machine for which Baldwin will call the shots.(Bill Davis Racing PR)(9-11-2007)
Sieg named the driver of the #15 at Loudon: Shane Sieg looks to have his second start in the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this weekend at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. Georgia driver, Sieg, will be piloting the #15 Swift Transportation Chevy Silverado in the 18th race of the 2007 season Saturday, September 15th for Billy Ballew Motorsports. Sieg had his first start of 2007 in Bristol driving for Bobby Dotter in the #08. Sieg will be making his first start for Billy Ballew, the Georgia businessman and team owner, Saturday in the 200 lap, 211.6 mile race. Although debuting for Ballew this weekend, Sieg has two previous Craftsman Truck Series starts in Loudon, New Hampshire with a best finish of 16th in 2003.((Billy Ballew Motorsports)(9-11-2007)
#16 Xpress Motorsports team sold: UPDATE: New majority owner, new driver: Hearing that Dave Fuge has sold the #16-Xpress Motorsports operation and that a formal announcement will be made early next week.(9-7-2007)
UPDATE:: Xpress Motorsports owner Dave Fuge has just announced that JB Scott (Scott Racing) has acquired majority interest in Xpress in a deal just recently finalized. Fuge will retain minority ownership and stay on as Crew Chief and Competition director. He will be joined by veteran short track standout Freddie Query who will take the role of GM for Xpress. “This is a great opportunity and I look forward to having the financial support to return Xpress to a championship caliber team” stated Fuge. “One of my first objectives is to add personnel to the Xpress team and I will be looking to hire experienced fabricators, shock specialists, engineers and pit crew members.” “My goal is to have the entire team assembled by the Homestead race in order to be fully prepared for Daytona in 2008.” Piloting the #16 for seven of the remaining eight races in 2007 and for the full season in 2008 will be Brian Scott who just recently tested at Chicago. The 19-year-old Scott started racing Mini-Sprints when he was 12 at a local dirt track in Idaho. He has also competed in the 360 and 410 sprint car series with much success. In 2006 Brian made the move off the dirt and onto the pavement competing in several super late model events. The 2007 season has seen Scott compete in several starts in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series as well as one start and 13th place finish in the ARCA race at Kentucky.(Xpress Motorsports PR)(9-10-2007)
Bliss to finish season in #22 Busch Series: UPDATE: Fitz Motorsports will have Mike Bliss finish out the season for them in the #22-Supercuts/Family Dollar Dodge.(Fitz Motorsports PR)(9-10-2007)
UPDATE: It is expected that Bliss will be in the car the remainder of the year, but not finalized yet.(9-10-2007)
Kvapil could be in #88 before end of year: Travis Kvapil said many details [of his 2008 ride with Yates Racing in the #88 Ford] are still not finalized. He’s uncertain who will sponsor him, but said “it all sounds promising.” He hasn’t been promised he’ll have a ride if sponsorship doesn’t materialize, he said. “To be honest with you we haven’t even really talked about any of that stuff yet,” he said. “I’d hope to think so. It takes a lot of money to run these cars, but we just haven’t gotten to that point yet, but I’d like to think with Roush Fenway’s marketing we’d be able to swing a couple deals for that car and fund it for a season.” But what about now? The current full-time driver in the #88, Ricky Rudd, is week-to-week with a left shoulder separation. He’s uncertain whether he’ll return. Veteran Kenny Wallace replaced Rudd at Richmond last weekend and finished 28th, but might Kvapil take the seat early, before the end of ’07? “I know it’s been kicked around. We talked Thursday and Friday about it,” he said. “We just don’t want to get the cart before the horse going into these next couple of weeks, here. Not sure right now, but we have talked about it.” Dover, Kvapil said, presents the lone obstacle. While the Busch and Cup Series are at The Monster Mile, the Craftsman Truck Series is in Las Vegas. With three victories in the past eight races, Kvapil currently ranks third in the 2007 CTS standings. As for next year, Kvapil hopes to run a Busch Series slate to supplement this Cup schedule.(ESPN.com)(9-10-2007)
Raybestos Rookie News & Notes – NHIS: Willie Allen was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the September 1 Missouri/Illinois Dodge Dealers 200 at Gateway Int’ Raceway. Allen posted a 12th-place finish and took top rookie honors for the second time this season. Tim Sauter leads Allen by two points (129-127) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the September 15 New Hampshire 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Sauter is 16th in the Craftsman Truck Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie. He is just two points ahead of 17th-place Allen. Erik Darnell was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2006 New Hampshire 200, scoring a ninth-place finish. A Raybestos Rookie has logged a top-five in eight of the previous 11 races at the 1.058-mile speedway.(Raybestos PR)(9-10-2007)
Bowyer to make third start at NHIS: Clint Bowyer will pilot the #2 Camping World Chevy in Saturday’s New Hampshire 200 at the 1.058-mile race track in Loudon (N.H.). Bowyer will make his third start of the season in the Kevin Harvick Inc, #2 Camping World Chevy. Bowyer is scheduled to drive the #2 truck in two more races this season for KHI at Martinsville Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Kevin Harvick Inc. PR)(9-10-2007)
Chaffin to drive #40 remainder of season: Veteran driver Chad Chaffin is returning to Key Motorsports to drive the team’s #40 Chevy race trucks. Team owner Curtis W. Key, Sr. has announced that he has hired Chaffin to replace rookie driver Brandon Miller for the final eight races on the 2007 Craftsman Truck Series season schedule. Chaffin, a native of Murfreesboro, TN and a 2-time winner in NCTS competition, was behind the wheel of the #40 truck for the first six races of the 2006 season.(Key Motorsports PR)(9-10-2007)
Roush Fenway Racing swaps crew chiefs & crews: In an effort to improve the performance of two of the Roush Fenway Racing truck teams, Jack Roush made the decision to swap both the crew chief and crews for the #99 & #50 trucks. John Quinn, previously the crew chief for Erik Darnell and the #99 Ford, will move over to the team’s #50 Ford. Matt Puccia, who has worked with Carl Edwards, T.J. Bell, Peter Shepherd, and Danny O’Quinn, will move from the #50 to the #99 team.(Roush Fenway Racing PR)(9-8-2007)
Kvapil to the #88? Restucturing at Yates: Robert Yates Racing is expected to announce a management structure change Friday night that, according to multiple sources close to the situation, will include team owner Robert Yates’ retirement. Those same sources say that Travis Kvapil, current driver of Roush Fenway Racing’s #6 Ford in the Craftsman Truck Series, will replace Ricky Rudd in the #88 Ford for the 2008 Sprint Cup season. Sources said Doug Yates, Robert’s son and the president of the team, will assume the ownership role and preside over the company. Sources also said that Roush Fenway Racing will provide full support to Yates, including licensing, marketing and engineering.(ESPN.com)(9-7-2007)
Trip Bruce to stand in as Mayfield’s crew chief: Trip Bruce, crew chief for Johnny Benson at Bill Davis Racing will serve as the crew chief for Jeremy Mayfield in the Nextel Cup races this weekend at Richmond and next weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway. Bruce replaces BDR’s Joe Lax, who was suspended for two weeks after a crew member put lead in a water bottle prior to qualifying last week at California.(SceneDaily.com)(9-7-2007)
Setzer out of #75 ride, Rogers in? UPDATE: Not officially released: On SPEED’s NASCAR Live Friday, Ray Dunlap reported that Dennis Setzer has been released from the #75 Spears Racing Chevy ride and would likely be replaced by Clay Rogers for the next race New Hampshire.(9-7- 2007)
UPDATE: Al Hoffman, team manager for Spears Motorsports, stressed that Setzer has not been released from the team. “Dennis Setzer has not been released or fired as our driver,” Hoffman said. “I can confirm that we will have another driver racing the #75 at New Hampshire, but as of right now it is just for that one race. Wayne (Spears, team owner) has already approved Dennis’ request to find another ride for that race. We cannot confirm who our driver will be at this time, but that announcement will come in the next few days.”(truckseries.com)(9-7-2007)
Setzer to Greenlight? UPDATE: Confirmed for NHIS: On SPEED’s NASCAR Live Friday, Ray Dunlap reported that Dennis Setzer, released from the #75 team, could end up driving for Greenlight Racing in either the #07 or #08 Chevy trucks.(9-7-2007)
UPDATE: Setzer confirmed that he will attend the New Hampshire event with the Green Light Racing team.(truckseries.com)(9-7-2007)
Smith to take the wheel of DEI’s fourth entry in 2008: Dale Earnhardt, Inc.’s four-car lineup has been settled for the 2008 season, with Regan Smith being the latest driver to join the organization. Smith is the final piece to the driver corps that includes Martin Truex Jr., Paul Menard, Mark Martin and Aric Almirola. Smith’s car number and sponsor will be announced at a later date. [Smith is currently handling driving responsibilities for the #47-Ginn Resorts Chevy in the Truck Series.](DEI PR)(9-7-2007)
Dodson working with ARCA team at Chicagoland: NASCAR veteran Barry Dodson team will bring his 35-plus years of experience to the #56 Ergon Chevy and driver Marc Mitchell for this weekend’s ARCA event at Chicagoland Speedway. Barry is going to come in and give us a big hand this weekend,” said Mitchell. “My regular crew chief, Rusty Clanton, is taking time to be with his family. [Dodson along with the entire crew of the #7-Pennington Motorsports Dodge were recently released from the team; circumstances surrounding their release are unknown]. Dodson’s most memorable racing moment came when he led Rusty Wallace to the 1989 Nextel Cup championship.(Motorsport.com)(9-7-2007)
South Point Racing to host Open House during LVMS race weekend: South Point Racing will host its annual open house meet and greet on Friday, Sept. 21. The event will take place from 3 to 7:30 p.m. PT. Fans are invited to come tour the South Point Racing shop and visit with driver Brendan Gaughan, who will be on hand to sign autographs. Visitors will also be treated to a barbecue during the open house. South Point Racing is located at 6975 Speedway Blvd., Bldg. D-104, directly beside Las Vegas Motor Speedway.(South Point Racing PR)(-9-6-2007)
Second Annual “Toyota Tundra Skinner Round Up” slated for Sept. 27- 28: Mike Skinner and his wife, Angie, will partner with Toyota to host the second annual “Toyota Tundra Skinner Round Up” Sept. 27-28 in Daytona Beach, FL, more info on my Racing Charities page.(BDR Racing PR)(9-5-2007)
BDR hires race engineer for Villeneuve: Ryan Coniam has been hired as race engineer for Jacques Villeneuve in the 2008 Nextel Cup Series. Villeneuve, who was world driving champion in 1997, will start his NASCAR career at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 22 when he will partner with Bill Davis Racing teammate Mike Skinner in a Craftsman Truck Series race. Villeneuve is expected to drive as many as seven truck races and possibly one Nextel Cup race in ’07 before going into the Cup series full-time in 2008. The 27-year-old Coniam, former World of Outlaws sprint car star and son of Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame inductee Warren Coniam, has been living in Mooresville, N.C., where he was employed in research and development for Dale Earnhardt Inc. He was head-hunted by BDR and traveled to Bristol, Tenn., for an interview the weekend of Aug. 25. He was notified last Friday that he has the job. Villeneuve will drive truck #27, renumbered in recent days by BDR to honor Villeneuve’s late father, Gilles Villeneuve, who drove Ferrari #27. Jacques Villeneuve also drove with that number on his car when he raced in the CART series in the mid-1990s, winning both the Indianapolis 500 and the CART championship in 1995.(Toronto Star)(9-5-2007)
Germain Racing headed to Richmond; plans for 2008 still undecided: Todd Bodine and the #03-Germain Racing Toyota are entered in this Friday’s Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond Int’l Raceway. “Richmond was the first big stepping stone for Germain to get to the point where they could win a Truck Series championship. Now running the limited Busch Series schedule this year is one of the next stepping stones to get us ready for the future. We need to keep improving our Busch Series finishes, and, after the team’s performance with the Lumber Liquidators Tundra at Gateway this past weekend, we are very excited to go to Richmond with the GERMAIN Toyota Camry,” said Mike Hillman Jr. Germain Racing plans to run in Busch Series races at Kansas Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway this season. The team is gearing up for what could be a full season of Busch Series racing in 2008. “We’re either going to run two NASCAR Busch Series teams and one Craftsman Truck Series team, or one Busch team and two Truck teams,” said Mike Hillman Sr., general manager for Germain Racing. “We definitely will be expanding to three teams next season. Sponsorship and drivers will be determined. We’d like to run two Busch Series teams and one Truck Series team and contend for the championships in both series. What we’ll be doing hasn’t been absolutely determined yet.”(Germain Racing PR)(9-5-2007)
Benson to run Late Model race at Berlin: Johnny Benson, winner of the last two Truck Series events will be racing his #10 Late Model car at Berlin Raceway located in Marne, MI on Saturday, September 8th. Racing actions starts at 7:00pm.( Berlin Raceway)(9-4-2007)
Schrader wins ARCA dirt-track race at DuQuoin: Defending race winner Ken Schrader, in the Federated Auto Parts Chevy, earned his 15th career ARCA RE/MAX Series victory Monday [Sept. 3] at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, winning the 55th Southern Illinois 100 in front of 8,000 fans. Schrader, after chasing Josh Wise for 20 laps, slid underneath the former leader on the 85th lap of the 100-lap race and kept the field at bay to earn his second consecutive victory at the historic fairgrounds.(arcaracing.com)(9-4-2007)
Wise returns to the #00 for at least three more races: Prior to the race start, it was noted that Josh Wise is scheduled to return to the #00 for Waltrip Racing in at least three more events; Atlanta, Vegas, and Talladega. Wise had a second place finish in the ARCA Series race at Gateway on Friday.(Speed/TV)(9-1-2007)
Musgrave back in the #9 in 2008? Ray Dunlap reported during the prerace report on Speed/TV that as Todd Bodine prepares to move into the Busch Series next season a steady stream of young drivers have talked to the Germains about the ride. Dunlap said that the #9 ride may be open as well as it’s not clear whether Ted Musgrave will be back in the #9 Toyota in 2008.(9-1-2007)

2007

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June
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Born On Date: September 1, 2007