Twenty Drivers Are Locked Into The NextEra Energy Resources 250 Truck Race

On Thursday, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers will qualify for the season opening NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway. 

NASCAR for trucks set criteria that every team that runs the entire previous year gets locked into the field. Basically it's a top 30 rule much like Sprint Cup's top 35 rule.

Entering this season, only 20 trucks are locked-in at Daytona, taking up most of the guaranteed starting spots out of 30 lock-in positions.

Now nine teams from last year that ran full-time have closed and no deals were made by other teams to purchase and transfer owner points.

They were: Bill Davis Racing—three teams, Roush-Fenway—two teams, then Bobby Hamilton Racing-VA, Germain Racing, Wood Brothers Racing and MRD Motorsports all closed one team a piece.

There were three owner point transfers. Ricky Carmichael driving the No. 4, will use the owner points from the No. 2. Then Colin Braun driving the No. 6 will use the owner points from the No. 99. David Starr driving the No. 24 , will use the owner points from the No. 59.

Here's the list of drivers and teams locked into the race:

1. Johnny Benson, Jr.—Red Horse Racing

2. T.J. Bell—Red Horse Racing

3. Ron Hornaday, Jr.—Kevin Harvick, Inc.

4. Ricky Carmichael—Kevin Harvick, Inc.

5. Kyle Busch—Billy Ballew Motorsports

6. Shane Sieg—Billy Ballew Motorsports

7. Todd Bodine—Germain Racing

8. Matt Crafton—ThorSport Racing

9. Johnny Sauter—ThorSport Racing

10. Rick Crawford—Circle Bar Racing

11. James Buescher—Circle Bar Racing

12. Stacy Compton—Wyler Racing

13. Brian Scott—Xpress Motorsports

14. Taylor Malsam—Randy Moss Motorsports

15. J.R. Fitzpatrick—TRG Motorsports

16. Mike Blisss—Key Motorsports

17. Chad McCumbee—SS Green Light Racing

18. Butch Miller—SS Green Light Racing

19. Colin Braun—Roush-Fenway Racing

20. David Starr—HT Motorsports

There will be 19 drivers competing for 16 spots and the season-opener will have a 36 truck field.

Here are the drivers and teams that need to qualify for 16 positions:

1. Mario Gosselin—DGM Racing

2. Timothy Peters—Premier Racing

3. Norm Benning—Norm Benning Racing

4. Larry Foyt—Cope/Keller Racing

5. Brent Raymer—Raymer Racing

6. Mike Harmon—Lafferty Motorsports

7. Andy Lally—Rosenblum Racing

8. Bryan Silas—Fast Track Racing

9. Justin Hobgood—Black Bull Racing

10. Mike Skinner—Randy Moss Motorsports

11. Dennis Setzer—Gunbroker.com Racing

12. Wayne Edwards—Gunbroker.com Racing

13. Jason White—Gunbroker.com Racing

14. Terry Cook—HT Motorsports

15. Lance Hooper—Key Motorsports

16. Brandon Knupp—Fast Track Racing

17. J.C. Stout—Premier Racing

18. Johnny Chapman—Wyler Racing

19. Chase Austin—Trail Motorsports

Should Johnny Benson not need the past Champions provisional it would fall to Mike Skinner. Note because JB is the most recent champion, I listed him with the lock-in drivers rather than with those needing to qualify into the field.

Both the first two practice sessions are on Wednesday. The first practice is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. Then the second practice is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.

Then on Thursday they'll have final practice from 11:15 a.m to 1:20 p.m.

Starting at 6:10 p.m. truck qualifying starts for all 36 positions. Based on speed, each driver will run two laps and three divers will be going home.

Source: scenedaily.com & jayski.com

Photo Credit: chase-this.net