S.M.'s Craftsman Update Issue No. 7

Horn FanAug 27, 2008

Rumors

Marc Davis, a Joe Gibbs Racing development driver and African American. Has spent two years driving in the Camping World East Series.

Davis will be making his truck series debut driving for Randy Moss Motorsports in the No. 81 truck at Gateway International Raceway.

TOP NEWS

It's a six race deal, he has permission from JGR to drive for Moss and brought his own sponsor a Howard University affiliated radio station WHUR.

Ernie Cope, who crew chief's Kevin Harvick, Inc No. 2 truck in CTS. Will be filling in as Happy's crew chief for the No. 33 Camping World car in the Nationwide race at Fontana.

Truck Race Sponsor News

O'Reilly Auto Parts, has signed a three year extension with Bristol Motor Speedway. being the race sponsor for the truck race and as the official auto parts store of BMS.

Win Star Casino, is the new race sponsor for the June truck race at Texas Motor Speedway, starting in 2009. They are replacing, Sam's Town.

Title Sponsor Update

NASCAR is close to having a title sponsor for the truck series in 2009. No name yet, who it is could be several weeks, before the announcement will be officially made.

News

It's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team's turn to have their engines looked at.

Officials impounded eight engines after the O'Reilly 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway for routine testing in Concord, NC.

The engines will be tested for horsepower and data will be used.To determine whether the rules encourage balanced competition.

The following drivers/teams had engines taken:

Toyota - Johnny Benson/Bill Davis Racing and Todd Bodine/Germain Racing

Ford - Brendan Gaughan and Rick Crawford from Circle Bar Racing

Dodge - Dennis Setzer/Bobby Hamilton Racing-Virginia

Chevrolet - Jack Sprague/Kevin Harvick, Inc, Jimmie Johnson/Randy Moss Motorsports and T.J. Bell/TRG Motorsports

(Source:scenedaily.com)

Driver Profile

This week, going to be talking about Scott Speed. While he's only racing a limited schedule in 2008, he's full-time in the series in 2009 and possible limited Sprint Cup races.

In just nine Craftsman Truck Series starts, to Speed's credit. He's compiled one-pole, one-win, three-Top Fives and five-Top tens.

He got his first win in the truck series in only his third start. Using pit strategy, he out ran both Jack Sprague and Ron Hornaday for the win at Dover.

The past race at Bristol, he captured his first career pole. Watching Speed race at Bristol. It's amazing to realize, he's never raced their or driven on a 1/2 mile oval track before and spent most of the night in the Top-Five, finishing third.

Prior to running ARCA Re/Max and a limited NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule in 2008. Speed had zero experience in stock car racing, was interested in trying and with Red Bull supporting him.

Red Bull Racing was his sponsor when Speed drove in Formula One and followed him back to United States.

He got the opportunity to try, has done really well. Speed's a fast learner, smart enough to ask veteran drivers questions. Also reacts, adapts and adjusts well to whatever happens around him.

While he ran his debut race in trucks with the old Morgan-Dollar Motorsports team driving the No. 46 Red Bull truck. He's since been driving for Bill Davis Racing in the No. 22 Red Bull truck.

Speed likes his crew, has a bond with crew chief Doug Wolcott. It will be interesting if he'll stay with BDR in 2009, or if Red Bull will start a team for him. Sure it will be announced shortly, what their plans are.

Speed an unusual guy, doesn't fit the standard NASCAR driver mold and most definitely will bring a breath of fresh air to the sort. He likes being outside the box, he's cultured and most driver's accept his style.

He gets pedicures, paints his toe-nails Red Bull blue, wears flashy designer clothes, wears his hat like K-fed, and always listening to music through head phones.

I've seen Speed a couple NASCAR track side shows on Speed TV. He's definitely different, so appreciative for the opportunity and really has a likable personality.

"Everything he has done has exceeded our expectations", says Jim Frye. (usatoday.com) Frye's the general manager for Red Bull racing and Speed's boss.

Speed's been both quick driver, but he's also a quick study. According to Frye, red Bull only intended to sponsor him at Eddie Sharp Racing running full-time in ARCA Re-Max and that was it. (usatoday.com)

But that's all changed, he's leading ARCA, collecting four wins. He's now driving for Bill Davis racing in trucks in a limited schedule and has been testing in Sprint Cup Cars. Don't be surprised if he's running a race or two this year in a third car.

According to Frye, Speeds going to be in Cup full-time in 2010, for the Red Bull racing team. (usatoday.com)

Speed has no goals for NASCAR, knows he's not the best driver and will continue in Cup as long he keeps improving.

Speed also says, "If I'm not learning anymore. I won't sit in Cup and make money. No way. I'll go do something else". (usatoday.com)

Speed enjoys racing trucks, likes it better than any form of racing. If he only ran trucks, at the end of the day he'll be happy.

While some fans are eager to see what Joey Lagano can do in the No. 20 Home Depot car. I'm one fan patiently waiting to see what Scott Speed can do in a Sprint Cup and get ready. Because it's going to be exciting.

Speed's next truck race will be Sept. 20th truck race at Las Vegas and he'll be in the No. 22 BDR truck.

Shrub sighting

Kyle Busch will be running in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Fontana, California. In the No. 18 car for JGR with Z-line design and M&M's respectively.

Mike Skinner will be running hid finally race for Michael Waltrip racing in the No.00 in the Cup race.

Ron Hornaday, won't be taking the weekend off. He's set to run a late model race over labor day weekend. He's entered in the 8th Annual Peterbilt Prostock 250, at Speedway 660 located in Geary, New Brunswick, Canada.

Upcoming Races

Sept. 6th - The Camping World 200 presented by Honda Power equipment at gateway International Raceway, on Speed at 2PM (Saturday)

Sept. 13th - New Hampshire 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, on Speed at 2:30PM (Saturday)

Sept. 20th - Quickliner Las Vegas 350 at las Vegas Motor Speedway on Speed at 9:30PM (Saturday)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Point Standings

1. Johnny Benson 2426

2. Ron Hornaday -119

3. Matt Crafton -156

4. Todd Bodine -239

5. Mike Skinner -254

6. Rick Crawford -261

7. Erik Darnell -287