Who's Where for 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Racin' with Russ

After spending nearly two months discussing who’s where among the 2011 NASCAR Cup and Nationwide scene, here’s a one shot brief synopsis of the Camping World truck side. There are many changes, and it appears to be shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons ever with a great mixture of seasoned veteran ex-champions and young lions.

No. 1 - Jeffrey Earnhardt has put together a full-time ride in this Rick Ware truck with sponsorship still a question mark. Results? I haven’t seen any of his famous grandfather’s abilities in this young man to date.

No. 2 - Elliott Sadler and owner Kevin Harvick will split driving duties in this Chevy truck with top runs and more than one win predictable.

No. 3 - Second year driver Austin Dillon appears to be the real deal in this Childress Chevy ride. Don’t be surprised to see this black ride in the winner’s circle more than once and a real shot at the title.

No. 4 - Ricky Carmichael, James Buescher and Jason Leffler will share driving duties in this Turner Chevy truck. I’d say there are numerous top 10 runs on the horizon.

No. 5 - Mike Skinner is out and ex-truck champ Travis Kvapil is in. Wins and a title shot for this Toyota combo are not unrealistic.

No. 8 - Ex-F-1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. will pilot this Kevin Harvick truck in a full-time effort with Qualcom as the major backer. I see marginal results for this rookie driver despite being in good equipment.

No. 9 - Max Papis is set to drive this Germain Toyota with Geico as the major backer. I don’t see any wins here, but top 10 runs are a real possibility.

No. 10 - Jennifer Jo Cobb has put together a full-time shot in her own operation with DrivenMale.com to be plastered on the quarters. Cobb’s effort to put this Ford out front is ambitious, but not realistic.

No. 11 - Miguel Poluto has signed with this Red Horse Racing team to campaign a Stemco Duraline Toyota with Rick Gay as crew chief. They’ll have a long road to hoe.

No. 13 - Johnny Sauter is well back in place in this Curb Records Chevy. There are many who feel this combo will be among the top three contenders when the smoke clears…I concur.

No. 15/51 - These Billy Balew owned Toyota trucks will have Jason Johnson and Dusty Davis behind the wheels for most of the season with sponsor questions still up in the air. These trucks usually do well, but will never contend for a title without a full-time backer.

No. 17 - Virginia driver Timothy Peters returns to this Toyota ride and should be among the top 10 during the year with at least one win possible.

No. 18 - Mr. Personality Kyle Busch will drive this Toyota truck for about 18 races. He’ll probably need a little more room in his trophy case for additional hardware and possibly a second owner’s title.

No. 20 - A very young Johanna Long has wrangled a full-time ride in this Panhandle Motorsports ride. The ROTY contender should shoot for top 15’s as a realistic goal with a few top 10’s thrown in.

No. 22 - Young Joey Coulter will drive a second Childress truck full-time with several unknowns as far as sponsors as this writing. This could be a good package.

No. 23 - Jason White returns to full-time action in this Gunbroker.com Chevy truck and could pose a top 10 threat along the way.

No. 25 - Taylor Malsam will drive this Randy Moss second truck full-time, with questions remaining as to what sponsor will adorn the quarters of this Toyota.

No. 30 - Reigning champion Todd Bodine is back with Germain Racing despite the lack of a full-time sponsor named. As long as Bodine is with this team, you can never rule them out as a top contender on any given day.

No. 31 - Young James Beuscher is back for a full season with this Turner truck and Great Clips as the backer. This driver is very good, and I would expect to read about good results for this combo in no short order.

No. 33 - Multi-champion Ron Hornaday was asked to return to this Harvick Chevy truck team. After a dismal year last year, I’d expect much better results, but not a title hunt.

No. 62 - Brendan Gaughan is back to a full-time truck racing after nearly winning his first title several years ago. South Point Resorts will sign the checks, and I’d look for numerous top 10’s and perhaps a win before seasons end.

No. 77 - Justin Lofton also becomes a member of the ever expanding Germain Racing operation. This is a talented young driver with lots of potential.

No. 81 - David Starr will pilot this Bobby Dotter Toyota with Zachry named as a 15 race sponsor. I look for middle-of-the-pack results.

No. 88 - Matt Crafton returns to this Menards Chevy with visions of top fives and wins. I don’t rule out either aspiration.

Note: I have not listed every single driver on the 2011 roster, but concentrated on the top contenders.

Rolex 24 - Despite very early problems sending them behind the wall for more than a lap, the two Ganassi DP cars came home first and second in the big twice around the clock event at Daytona. Scott Pruett led the No. 01 car home first while Scott Dixon wheeled the No. 02 to second place. Overall, a very good race right down to the closing minutes.

From Rumorville - Mustang Cup cars? Don’t be surprised if not only the Nationwide Fords in the future are Mustangs, but the Cup cars as well. It appears Ford officials really like the idea of brand identification, and the Mustang may be just the ticket they’re looking for in 2013.

That’s it for this week. Next week’s RWR will preview the first round of NASCAR Sprint Cup action, that being the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, along with more racing news from around the globe.