S.M.'s Camping World Update, Issue No. 55
October 16, 2009
Rumors
To update Johnny Benson , he doesn't have sponsorship with Con-Way Freight. As Jack Roush announced on Tuesday that they were going with Colin Braun to the Nationwide Series and would sponsor 16 to 18 races in the No. 16 Ford.
Denny Hamlin will be driving the No. 51 Miccosukee Resorts/Graceway Pharmaceuticals Toyota at Martinsville.
Hermie Sadler will be back driving the No. 48 Virginia Lotterty Chevrolet for Andy Hillenburg at Martinsville.
Steve Park will be back in the Truck Series at Talladega driving for Corrie Stott Racing, in the No. 02 Koma Unwind Chevrolet.
It's good to see him back racing the series, were he raced from 2004 to 2006, compiling a win in 2005, had eight top fives, 16 top-10 finishes and was the series most popular driver in 2004.
The one race deal came about due to Park being friends with Koma Unwind's CEO Brian Weber.
Mike and Chrissy Wallace Update
Mike Wallace will be driving the No. 48 Andy Hillenburg Chevrolet at Talladega, he'll be guaranteed a starting position. Chrissy Wallace, in a truck from Rick Ware Racing, does not have a gauranteed spot and will have to qualify on speed.
News & Notes
The Other Points Battle
Kevin Harvick Inc.'s Ron Hornaday Jr. has had a incredible season so far in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and has owner Delana Harvick in the lead by 168 points over Billy Ballew for the owners title.
It's shaping up to be a great battle over the five remaining races in the season, between Hornaday and Rowdy Busch.
With Denny Hamlin driving the No. 51 at Martinsville, it's the third race were Billy Ballew has made a defensive move and did not have rookie Brian Ickler in the truck.
Like previously plan when Busch wasn't in the truck due to his Nationwide and Cup schedule.
Horn won't be able to rest easy, with Busch running in four of the final five races and also battling Matt Crafton, Mike Skinnner and Brian Scott for the driver's championship.
I don't think Busch can catch him, since Horn hasn't run the last two races that aggressively, and once the win wasn't possible he just switched to points racing.
Now I doubt we'll see him make another mistake like he did last year at Phoenix. But Busch needs, Hamlin to pick up points for him and not lose points to Horn.
It will be two great point battles all the way to Homestead, with Hornaday having wins at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead and Busch just at Phoenix.
The Rookie Chase
With Johnny Sauter coming off his first career win in the Truck Series at Vegas. He's basically got the Raybestos Rookie honors wrapped up with five races left and has a 35 point lead on Tayler Malsam.
Malsam really is the only one with a chance left able too catch him but it'll be a tough order for him to pull off due too how well Sauter has been running of late.
Raybestos Rookie of the Year Standings
Johnny Sauter 210
Tayler Malsam 175
James Buescher 156
Ricky Carmichael 127
Brian Ickler 95
J.R. Fitzpatrick 88
Chris Jones 66
Brent Raymer 65
Upcoming Races
Oct. 24: Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on Speed at 12:30PM the Set-Up Show and 1:00PM Race Time (Saturday).
Oct. 31: Mountain Dew 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on Speed at 3:30PM the Set-Up Show and 4:00PM Race Time (Saturday).
Nov. 6: Lone Star 350K at Texas Motor Speedway on Speed at 8:30PM the Set-Up Show and 9:00PM Race Time (Friday).
Track Facts
This week it's Martinsville Speedway were the trucks have run since 1995 in the Spring, but it wasn't till 2003 that a fall race date was added to the schedule.
The "Paperclip" as the Speedway is referred to by fans, is one of five original tracks left on the schedule.
Track Info.
Track Length: 0.526 Miles
Race Length: 200 Laps/105.2 Miles
Banking: 12 Degrees (Corners)
Lengths: 800 Feet both Front and Back Stretches
Seating: 65,000
Race Winners: Mike Skinner and Dennis Setzer with three wins a piece.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, Oct. 23
10:00AM to 11:20AM - First Practice
1:10PM to 2:05PM - Final Practice
4:40PM - Qualifying (Two Laps/ All Positions)
Saturday, Oct. 24
1:00Pm - Race Start (200 Laps/ 105.2 Miles)
2009 Manufacturers Championship Standings
Toyota 151
Chevrolet 138
Ford 87
Dodge 64
2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Owners Points Standings
1.) Delana Harvick No. 33 3,210
2.) Billy Ballew No. 51 -168
3.) Rhonda Thorson No. 88 -197
4.) David Dollar No. 5 -255
5.) Tom Deloach Nos. 1 & 17 -493
6.) Joe Scott No. 16 -496
7.) Mike Curb No. 13 -563
8.) Steve Germain No. 30 -565
9.) Jack Roush No. 6 -578
10.) Tom Mitchell No. 14 -634
2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Drivers Points Standings
1.) Ron Hornaday Jr. 3,210
2.) Matt Crafton -197
3.) Mike Skinner -255
4.) Brian Scott -496
5.) Johnny Sauter -563
6.) Todd Bodine -565
7.) Colin Braun -578
8.) Rick Crawford -634
9.) Timothy Peters -637
10.) David Starr -658
Final Mock Draft for All 7 Rounds