Ron Hornaday Would Love to Start His Title Defense with a Win at Daytona

As the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series kicks off its season at Daytona with the NextEra Energy Resources 250, it also means Ron Hornaday will be kicking off his "Drive for Five" (titles).

In 2010, Hornaday will try to set another record in Trucks by becoming the first to repeat as champion, but it won't be easy.

While 90 percent of his No. 33 Kevin Harvick, Inc. team returned, two important pieces moved on over the offseason.

First, Rick Ren left the pit wagon behind to become the director of competition for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Then, truck chief Danny Stockman, who was Ren's right-hand man, became Austin Dillon's crew chief for Richard Childress Racing.

The good news is that spotter/general manager Rick Carelli will still be there as the voice in Hornaday's ear.

David Fuge steps in as Horn's new crew chief. The two go back over 20 years and they have chemistry. Horn picked up a win, driving for Fuge in 2002 at Homestead.

At Daytona, Horn scored a career-best finish of fifth last year and led eight laps.

"Since I first sat behind the wheel of a race car, I wanted to go to Daytona. I know a lot of drivers say that, but driving through the tunnel at Daytona always gives me chills. To win a race at Daytona would fulfill a dream. It would be a great accomplishment."

Horn will be racing chassis No. 026. It's the same car he raced last year and should be a pretty stout truck.

We should see him be fast, qualify well, stay out of trouble, and run among the leaders. I think he'll finish top five or better.

With the new pit stop rules, having Fuge on his pit wagon, we may also see him being pushed by Todd Bodine for the win.

It probably will come down to just how good the No. 33 Longhorn Chevrolet is handling in the latter stages of the race.

Source for quote: kevinharvickinc.com