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Category: Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series news and information

  • TOYOTA NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Post-Race Notes & Quotes Martinsville Speedway

    Kyle Busch (second) was the highest finishing Tundra driver in Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at Martinsville Speedway.  

    Todd Bodine (third), Jason White (fourth), Aric Almirola (fifth), Mike Skinner (sixth) and David Starr (seventh) also posted top-10 results for Toyota at the half-mile Virginia track.  

    Tundra drivers Justin Lofton (13th), Jason Bowles (18th), Johanna Long (22nd), Matt Lofton (31st) and Timothy Peters (34th) were also in the field.  

    Bodine continues to lead the unofficial NCWTS driver standings following Martinsville, holding a 282-point advantage over Almirola.  Peters (seventh), Skinner (eighth) and Starr (ninth) are also in the top-10 in points after 21 of 25 races.   Germain Racing leads the unofficial NCWTS owner standings by 39 points over Kyle Busch Motorsports with four races  remaining in 2010.

    KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 Toyota Tundra/Z-Line Designs Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports Finishing Position:  2nd How did your truck handle in today’s race? “It was normal Martinsville, just don’t know how to find speed when you need it.  Overall, just a good day.  Ran real competitive.  We were right behind the 2 (Kevin Harvick) and the 33 (Ron Hornaday Jr.) for most of it trying to make our way back up to the front.  Once getting there, just too tight.  We just couldn’t get the thing to roll the center of the corner the way it needed to roll the center of the corner the way it needed to.  Just got beat.  We’ll go on to next week I guess.” Was the racing just as hard up front as there was toward the middle of the pack? “There was enough rooting and gouging and bumping and banging up front as there was anywhere else.  It’s a short track – everyone runs the same speed so you’re trying to get any position that you can and when you’re all running the same speed, the only way to do that is to run in the back of somebody and move them out of the way.  I don’t necessarily call that racing, I just call it mayhem I guess.  Just disrespect and you’ll see the same thing tomorrow.  We all run the same speed and it’s hard to pass so guys will be running over each other and especially coming down toward the end of the race.  Just all hell breaks loose so the same thing will happen again.” Were you surprised that Ron Hornaday was scored ahead of you on one of the last caution flags? “No, (Ron) Hornaday was in front of me when the green flag came out.  I was actually surprised that they gave it to me and then they reverted it back.  That’s the way it should have been.  He was ahead of me so they got it right.” Were you surprised that Todd Bodine raced as hard as he did today? “It’s very unfortunate when you have to go through circumstances like that in any person’s family.  I give the Bodine family my thoughts and prayers of course and knowing that it’s not just Todd (Bodine), but it’s Geoff (Bodine) and Brett (Bodine) as well too.  We’ve got a championship on the line and Todd did the best he could.  He stayed out much of the race and I’m kind of surprised that his tires were that good judging how long he was out there.  He was still racing as hard as anybody else would have and trying to block and cut across my nose and stuff like that just to try to keep his position, which you have to do in the closing laps I guess.  No different than you would expect from anybody else.” Why did you take the outside lane at the start of the race? “I took the outside on the start and (Matt) Crafton gave me a break and let me fall in line so instead of him having to work at the outside and fall back, we kind of worked that out amongst ourselves.  Then the last restart, I just didn’t get a great restart to begin with and kind of fell back a little bit from (Ron) Hornaday there before we even got to turn one, he was already clear of me.  I tried the best I could to get to the bottom so I didn’t have to fight the 33 (Ron Hornaday Jr.) or anybody else for that matter.  Just didn’t have enough.  I would get in the corners and on the brakes and be too loose and then it would shove the nose in the center.  That’s the produce of what happens with the trucks or cars when you start overdriving and you just start trying to get everything you can out of it and those were the feelings that I had.”

    TODD BODINE, No. 30 Germain.com, Germain Racing Finishing Position: 3rd How eventful was today’s race? “It was a little eventful for us – not a normal, typical Martinsville for us.  Starting 24th we knew we had to strategize our way to the front and (Mike Hillman) Junior (crew chief) did a great job and had a plan laid out to get track position that we needed and it worked.  We had a really, really good truck.  It kind of went away a little bit at the end.  I was overdriving it a little bit probably.  This was one of the wild cards we were worried about with the points race and anything can happen like in the spring time.  A guy stopped in front of me in the middle of the back straightaway and I ran into him, popped the radiator and blew the motor.  Stuff that you can’t control.  To come out of here third is a great day, a good run for us.  We’ve got a lot of good runs at Martinsville – we finally led some laps and ended up leading the most laps today so that was good points wise.  I’m proud of everybody at Germain Racing for sticking with me and doing a great job every single week.” Did any drivers cut you any breaks on the track today? “Actually one guy did – Jason White cut me a couple breaks at the end and I thanked him for it.  I cut him off a little bit.  It’s a great series, it’s a great series to be a part of.  It’s tough – it was a tough day for me.  I was good until coming down pit road.  I know they were up there watching.” What does it mean to have so many friends in the Truck Series? “That’s great and the thing about a time like this is it makes you realize how many friends you really have.  I couldn’t walk 10- feet through the garage area today without somebody stopping me and hugging me.  That means more than anything.  Having good friends is important and that’s what life’s about – family and friends.  This going in circles every week and getting to enjoy it is not what life’s about and just being able to have friends and do it with your friends – that’s important.  Timmy (Timothy Peters) and Ron (Hornaday Jr.) and Justin Lofton and I could go down the list – there are so many guys.  This series is so good to be a part of.  It’s like I said the other day up here, ranting and raving a little bit – it’s still fun in the trucks.  There’s not a lot of guys in racing that can say they’re having fun and in trucks we do every single week.”

    JASON WHITE, No. 23 Gunbroker.com/Pursuit Channel Toyota Tundra, Green Light Racing Finishing Position:  4th How was your first race in a Tundra? “It was pretty cool – first time in a Toyota.  Qualified seventh, which was the best we ever qualified here.  We were able to finish fourth and Todd (Bodine) just had more drive off the corner and I was right there.  I just wanted to run him clean because he’s a good guy.  I have to thank Gunbroker.com and the whole team – they all worked hard to get this truck ready so it was pretty cool.”

    ARIC ALMIROLA, No. 51 Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota Tundra, Billy Ballew Motorsports Finishing Position:  5th How was your race truck today? “The truck was pretty good.  We fought tight all day.  I was happy – that was the best we’ve ever run together as a team here at Martinsville Speedway.  Proud of the run.  It’s good to come here – this is not one of our best places.  To get out of here with a top-five is a good day.  We know we have a really good truck for these next four races coming up.  I’m excited about Talladega – Richie (Wauters, crew chief) and all the guys have been working really, really hard on our Talladega truck.  All in all a good day.  Our truck is pretty much in one piece so we’ll get her cleaned up and back together and ready for Phoenix.” Did the cautions hurt you at the end? “The cautions really hurt us at the end.  Our truck seemed to be better on the long run.  We were just really tight at the get-go and then it would get better and better.  Really proud of the day and hopefully we’ll get it all fixed up and go to Phoenix.”

    MIKE SKINNER, No. 5 International Trucks/Monaco RV Toyota Tundra, Randy Moss Motorsports Finishing Position:  6th How was your race today? “It was really good.  We got it a little bit tight right there in the middle of the race and just couldn’t get track position.  I kind of wanted to stay out the first stint and then pit with everybody on the second one.  The team did a good job though.  We came in with 50 or so to go and had a really good truck.  Had fresher tires than everybody, just like in the spring, but the problem was the caution kept coming up and let everyone’s tires equal ours.  If it would’ve stayed green right there, I think we had at least a top two or three truck.”

    DAVID STARR, No. 81 Zachry Toyota Tundra, Green Light Racing Finishing Position:  7th How was your race today? “It was fun.  Man, I had a lot of fun.  My hat’s off to our sponsor, Zachry, for all their support.  We couldn’t do this without them.  Jason Miller (crew chief) and everyone on the team.  They did a great job.  We fought and fought and (Mike) Skinner had some new tires and I was trying to hold him off and he got into my left rear into turn three there and I thought I was gonna spin out, but I was able to hang onto it.  Two of them got by me and I was able to get one back.  Just a fun, exciting race.  We were just a little tight in the center.  We thought we were going to be able to capitalize, but as it went tight, that’s all we had.  It was a great day for the team and for Zachry.  This was Toyota Tundra was awesome.”

    JUSTIN LOFTON, No. 7 visitPIT.com Toyota Tundra, Red Horse Racing Finishing Position:  13th

    JASON BOWLES, No. 15 Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota Tundra, Billy Ballew Motorsports Finishing Position:  18th

    JOHANNA LONG, No. 20 Panhandle Grading & Paving Toyota Tundra, Panhandle Motorsports Finishing Position:  22nd

    MATT LOFTON, No. 97 Strutmasters.com Toyota Tundra, Lofton Motorsports Finishing Position:  31st

    TIMOTHY PETERS, No. 17 Nelson Toyota Tundra, Red Horse Racing Finishing Position:  34th What happened that took you out of the race? “I got run over from behind and it could have been avoided.  We had a lot of good folks helping us this week – Hayes Iron and Metal, Thunder Road Harley Davidson and Nelson Toyota.  We’ll gather back up and go to Talladega.  It was just Martinsville racing.”

  • Truckin’ at Martinsville: Kroger 200 Notebook

    Truckin’ at Martinsville: Kroger 200 Notebook

    In looking at how things were boiling down for the start of the Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway this afternoon, everybody knew it’d be a battle between Ron Hornaday, Kyle Busch, Todd Bodine and Kevin Harvick.

    At the beginning, it’d look to be Busch’s race to lose as he led. However, when strategy started taking place, it began changing from one person to the other.

    Todd Bodine pitted early due to starting near the back, and then when the leaders pitted, he was able to gain track position and get to the lead.

    Bodine led from gaining that spot up front till Kyle Busch caught him and passed him.

    Though with less than 20 to go, Hornaday took charge on a late race restart and took the lead the hard way—on the outside—and never looked back.

    “I got tears in my eyes,” Hornaday said in victory lane. “This is so cool. I hate to be a baby. There’s a lot of people that have got thing going on. Shane Hmiel, Todd’s mom, it’s just emotional. Harvick said this paint scheme was unbeatable and we kept it going.”

    Hornaday Shoots Rumors Down With Win

    This marks a highlight in a season that some would call a disappointment for Hornaday, as the four-time champ currently is outside the race for the championship. Rumors began that possibly, Hornaday would be leaving Kevin Harvick Incorporated, though with new crew chief Butch Hilton, those rumors look to be disappearing.

    “It’s so cool to have Kevin and Delana have the confidence in me and give me Butch and the guys to do this.” Hornaday said.

    “To have Butch and the guys get Ron Hornaday in this victory lane at Martinsville is pretty cool.” Kevin Harvick added.

    Owner’s Championship Battle: Germain Racing vs. Kyle Busch Motorsports

    While Bodine has the driver’s championship pretty much locked up, the battle for the owner’s championship is heating up. Coming into the race, the No. 30 of Germain Racing, driven by Bodine, led the No. 18 of Kyle Busch Motorsports, driven by Busch, by 36 points. Bodine finished third, though there was no points change as Bodine led the most laps.

    “This is how you win championships,” Bodine said after the race, competing just hours after the death of his mother. “We didn’t have the best truck, but we got third.”

    Bodine and Busch look to battle it out to the end as they’ve already had their run-ins, including a conversation following Bodine’s win at Kentucky this year. Martinsville was no exception to their battle as they fought hard side-by-side, and at one point, Bodine was accused of trying to fool Busch on a restart.

    “If they think I was trying to do a slow restart to fool Kyle Busch, they are wrong,” Bodine said on the radio at that time. “I just didn’t get a good restart. Message delivered—I’ll work on it.”

    The Drama Surrounding Kevin Harvick (and others)

    Kevin Harvick, who won the spring race at Martinsville, finished 15th after an eventful day that included run-ins with multiple drivers. The run-in that caused the most discussion would be Harvick vs. the Red Horse Racing drivers, Timothy Peters and Justin Lofton.

    Battling side-by-side, Peters and Harvick made contact multiple times, which resulted in Harvick cutting a left rear tire down. Harvick then spun out and tried to get the car re-fired while Johnny Sauter got wrecked at the other end of the track, bringing out the caution.

    NASCAR deemed that Harvick was part of the reason for the caution, not allowing him to get the lucky dog (giving him his lap back) as he had fallen a lap down in the process. Some could say this changed the entire outcome, as it put Harvick back and made the hole bigger. Had Sauter not spun, there would’ve been no caution as Harvick wasn’t in the way.

    Once Harvick got back on the lead lap with approximately 15 to go, he then tried to mount his charge, yet ended up running into issues with Lofton. Lofton made contact with Harvick, causing further damage to Harvick’s truck, during a wreck that started with Sauter and Lofton. Emotions were displayed after the race as Harvick drove up the back bumper of Lofton’s truck on pit road.

    Though while we’re here, Sauter should be warned for his actions as instead of answering the black flag and coming down pit road to get the loose sheet metal removed, Sauter brake-checked Lofton down the backstretch, causing a bunch of other drivers to wreck in the corner and a caution.

  • Hornaday wins the Kroger 200 at Martinsville

    Hornaday wins the Kroger 200 at Martinsville

    The brisk chill of a Martinsville morning in October wasn’t enough to cool the excitement of short-track truck racing Saturday. By drop of the green flag the temperature and the anticipation for Camping World Truck action were both on the rise.

    Kyle Busch led the field to the green flag with his sixth season pole start. It wasn’t long however before the forces of KHI were bearing down upon him. Kevin Harvick and Ron Hornaday made their way to the front and for the first quarter of the race they seemed a dominate force to be reckoned with.

    With a lot of new blood in the field the cautions began flying and through it all it was not leading the pack through the brunt of the short track furry but Todd Bodine.

    With a load on his heart and on his mind Bodine raced his way from 24th starting spot to lead 83 of the afternoons 206 laps. The emotional favorite for Saturday’s victory started to fall of his pace in the closing laps and Hornaday and Busch surpassed Bodine to battle for the Grandfather clock.

    As the No. 24 of Cody Cambensey spun on lap 198, it came down to a shootout battle between day’s three top trucks.

    Hornaday, Busch, and Bodine restarted for a green-white-checkered finish each determined to push their trucks and their competitors as hard as they could while keeping the battle as clean as possible.

    When the final flag flew it was Hornaday with the victory, Busch finished second, Bodine third.

    “To win here at Martinsville … the grandfather clock…it’s a big deal,” said the 52-year-old Hornaday. “I’m pretty manly about stuff. I’ve won championships and not cried, but I had a tear in my eye today.”

    Busch was disappointed with his second place finish, but congratulated the No. 33 of Hornaday and KHI for their Victory.

    “Over all it was a good day.” Busch said. “We ran real competitive. I mean, we were right behind the 2 and the 33 for most of it trying to make our way back to the front, but getting there we were just too tight.”

    Bodine retained the points lead with his third place finish, and after the race he spoke to the media about the race.

    “We had a really good truck; it kind of went away a bit at the end. I was over driving it a bit probably.” Bodine said.

    “This was one of the wild cards we were worried about, with points racing.”

    Unofficial Race Results

    Kroger 200, Martinsville Speedway

    October 23, 2010 – Race 21 of 25

    Pos.St.No.DriverMakePts.Bon.LapsStatus
    1333Ron HornadayChevrolet1905206Running
    2118Kyle BuschToyota1755206Running
    32430Todd BodineToyota17510206Running
    4723Jason WhiteToyota1600206Running
    51551Aric AlmirolaToyota1550206Running
    6105Mike SkinnerToyota1500206Running
    713181David StarrToyota1460206Running
    82060Stacy ComptonChevrolet142026Running
    964Ricky CarmichaelChevrolet1980206Running
    10288Matt CraftonChevrolet1340206Running
    111439Ryan SiegChevrolet1300206Running
    12831James BuescherChevrolet1270206Running
    13117Justin Lofton *Toyota1240206Running
    142548Hermie SadlerChevrolet1210206Running
    1542Kevin HarvickChevrolet1235206Running
    1693Austin Dillon *Chevrolet1150206Running
    17239B.J. McLeodChevrolet1120206Running
    181615Jason BowlesToyota1090206Running
    19277John KingChevrolet1060206Running
    2029116Wes BurtonChevrolet1030206Running
    21513Johnny SauterChevrolet1055206Running
    2217120Johanna LongToyota970206Running
    232685Brent RaymerFord940204Running
    243357Norm BenningChevrolet910204Running
    253047C E FalkChevrolet880203Running
    26346Amber CopeDodge850203Running
    272846Clay GreenfieldDodge820202Running
    2831187Chris JonesChevrolet790202Running
    2919192Dennis SetzerChevrolet760201Radiator
    30321Angela CopeDodge730200Running
    3121197Matt LoftonToyota00198Running
    3236124Cody CambensyChevrolet670198Running
    333510Jennifer Jo Cobb *Ford640172Running
    341217Timothy PetersToyota610163Accident
    351812Mario GosselinChevrolet580116Engine
    362293Mike GarveyChevrolet55027Brakes

  • TOYOTA NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Post-Qualifying Notes & Quotes Martinsville Speedway

    1st, Kyle Busch 7th, Jason White 10th, Mike Skinner 11th, Justin Lofton 12th, Timothy Peters 13th, David Starr 15th, Aric Almirola 16th, Jason Bowles 17th, Johanna Long 21st, Matt Lofton 24th, Todd Bodine

    KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 Toyota Tundra/Z-Line Designs Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports Starting Position:  1st How do you feel about the four women competing in the Truck race? “I think it’s great.  I think that Johanna (Long), she’s done a really nice job in the starts that she’s been able to make.  Unfortunately she had an engine failure  right off the get-go at Vegas.  I think the Martinsville, the way this place is and of course going through the NASCAR approval process, obviously it’s easy for them to make some starts here at Martinsville.  I think it’s just another car number when you come up to them, you have to pass them.  It’s not that they’re going to be treated or looked at any differently than anybody else.” Were you able to practice around any of the female drivers today? “I think the biggest thing is just confidence and being able to have the truck under you and being able to believe in it and knowing how far to push it.  Being able to have them just get the track time and the track time they need and deserve is always beneficial.  With the way our testing rules are, you can’t go test anywhere so they get their first hands on the race track when they get there.  I was never around any of them today, but the more track time you get and the more laps you get, the more comfortable you feel and the better you do.” Does winning the pole help get you closer to winning the owner’s championship? “I don’t really think it sets us any closer unless there were points for qualifying.  For us, I look forward to it.  We’ve got a good set of five races here left to go, of course Talladega being sort of a crap shoot knowing anything can happen there.  Running well there in the past so I look forward to it.  I feel like we have a good shot at this and it’s something that I really, really want to do.  I know that Todd (Bodine) and the Germain Racing team, they want to make sure that I don’t win the owner’s championship, but Bob’s (Germain) won one before so I’m hoping that I can go out there and maybe steal a little bit of his thunder and bring Kyle Busch Motorsports home with a championship the first year out.” How important is it for you to have sponsorship for the rest of this season in the Truck Series? “It’s really big and it’s a great help that we’re able to go out there and race knowing that we can race and we’re not racing on my money or we’re not racing race to race.  It’s pretty good.  I feel like the sponsors I’ve had behind me have really been a great story and a great help to me whether it’s been in the Cup Series with M&M’s or the Nationwide Series with Z-Line and NOS or the Truck Series with the abundance of partners that we’ve had this year.  I’m looking forward to it.  I feel like the rest of this year we can race hard, we can race for wins and we can go out there and do the best we can for all these people.  Interstate Batteries is the lone one that kind of doesn’t fit in with what we’ve done so far this year at Texas.  They’ll be on board with us there.  Next year, again, same thing I said in Charlotte, I’m not any further along than I was there.  I’ve sold five races, but we’ll be announcing that partner hopefully shortly in the next couple weeks and get on to 2011 trying to get everything else squared away and sold where they’re no more inventory left would be great.” Where does your love of the history of NASCAR come from? “I’ve been wanting to be here since I was a child – eight, nine, 10-years old or whatever it was.  Finally got my opportunity and a crack at it when I was 16 and then went away for a year-and-a-half because I wasn’t old enough and then came back when I was 18.   Ever since I got here, I’ve kind of never really been really well-represented I guess.  The fans haven’t quite taken to me.  I’ve been battling that uphill battle forever and I presume it will be a long time yet that I’ll be doing that.  I’ve got great people that work with me on the side that know who I am and know that I have a heart and that I’m not the scarecrow or the lion that didn’t have the heart or whatever in the Wizard of Oz.  I am a person and I do have thoughts.  The tin man – the lion was the coward – well, I’m all of those anyway.  Regardless of my point there, scratch that.  I know a lot about the sport and I’ve grown up watching it and paying attention to it and just kind of learning about it.  I like watching the old day races – sitting back and watching the races from the 70s, the 80s – the Tim Richmond special that was on.  I didn’t get to catch all of it, but I was watching parts and pieces and it was pretty cool.  You watch cars going through the esses at Watkins Glen and they’re sideways – the old bias-ply tires and stuff like that.  It’s just fun to pay attention to the sport and you want to know about what you’re doing and how you got there and how the sport has gotten to where it is.  A lot of credit goes to those guys that were before me.”

    JASON WHITE, No. 23 Gunbroker.com/Pursuit Channel Toyota Tundra, Green Light Racing Starting Position:  7th How was your qualifying lap? “It wasn’t bad.  First time in a Toyota, so it’s pretty exciting.  Great, great power and these things turn really good, so I’m pretty excited about the race.  Basically, we want to be good on the long runs tomorrow.  We were one of the faster trucks on long runs.  You pit once here and that’s it.  We made our truck for the long runs and I think it will be pretty good in the race.”

    MIKE SKINNER, No. 5 International Trucks/Monaco RV Toyota Tundra, Randy Moss Motorsports Starting Position:  10th How was your qualifying lap? “We were a little bit tight in the middle of the corner in our qualifying run.  That’s usually a good sign for me and we tried to make it perfect.  We took too much wedge.  We took wedge out and made a tire pressure adjustment and a track bar adjustment.  We just did too many things.  We fixed the center.  The center was perfect.  The truck got in the corner and through the center of the corner, I felt, perfect.  But, when I picked the throttle up, she just lit up that big old Triad Racing Technologies motor and she spun the tires halfway down the straightaway.  When you’re spinning the tires instead of hooking them up, you’re losing time.  All in all though, we got a good race truck this week.  I’m pretty pumped up about driving it tomorrow.”

    JUSTIN LOFTON, No. 7 visitPIT.com Toyota Tundra, Red Horse Racing Starting Position:  11th How was your qualifying lap? “It was pretty good.  We were fighting the truck all day, getting it to rotate in the center.  We definitely hit on something there.  The guys did a great job all practice.  We kind of got a little loose off turn four the first two laps and that warm-up lap.  The second lap, I just didn’t want to push the issue and thought it’d be better to get a lap in.  I’m really proud of all the guys on the No. 7 Toyota Tundra, and we’ll go racing tomorrow.”

    TIMOTHY PETERS, No. 17 Nelson Toyota Tundra, Red Horse Racing Starting Position:  12th

    DAVID STARR, No. 81 Zachry Toyota Tundra, Green Light Racing Starting Position:  13th How was your qualifying lap? “It’s pretty exciting.  I’ll tell you, our Zachry Toyota Tundra was pretty awesome.  First lap, the front tires didn’t come in.  Turns one and two were pretty good, but I came down in there to turn three right past the center and it just pushed up on me really bad.  I needed to hit my marks, so second lap, drove it just as hard, but the front tires stuck.  Not a bad lap for us.  I wanted to get into the 19s (seconds).  We hadn’t done that all day and we’re in pretty solidly.  I just wanted t a decent starting spot for the race because I feel like our Toyota is pretty strong.”

    ARIC ALMIROLA, No. 51 Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota Tundra, Billy Ballew Motorsports Starting Position:  15th

    JASON BOWLES, No. 15 Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota Tundra, Billy Ballew Motorsports Starting Position:  16th

    JOHANNA LONG, No. 20 Panhandle Grading & Paving Toyota Tundra, Panhandle Motorsports Starting Position:  17th

    MATT LOFTON, No. 97 Strutmasters.com Toyota Tundra, Lofton Motorsports Starting Position:  21st T

    ODD BODINE, No. 30 Germain.com, Germain Racing Starting Position:  24th

  • Fourth Turn … A Fan’s Perspective

    Fourth Turn … A Fan’s Perspective

    Welcome to NASCAR, E15!

    Recently, NASCAR announced that in 2011 it would be moving to Sunoco Green E15. The fuel is 15% Ethanol and 85% 260 GTX. Hence it’s name E15. But do we really know what ethanol is? Where does it come from? What are its advantages and disadvantages in a NASCAR stock car? How is it more advantageous to the environment?

    Ethanol is an alcohol that is currently used in gasoline as a detergent and has been for many years. It burns hot enough that it keeps the deposits from clogging the fuel injection systems that are used on most domestic vehicles.

    The ethanol product that NASCAR will be utilizing in all three of its touring series will be made of Corn. It can also be made from other biomass products, such as corn cobs and stalks, rice straw, wheat straw, switch grass, vegetable and forest wastes and other organic materials. Twenty percent of the nations corn supply was used for Ethanol in 2007. That translates to approximately 3.0 billion barrels of ethanol. For every barrel of Ethanol that is utilized we offset use of 1.2 barrels of petroleum.

    Ethanol adds oxygen to the gasoline causing more complete combustion and thus decreasing the amount of harmful emissions that are released into the atmosphere. It adds 2 – 3 points of octane to the gasoline which causes it to have an increase performance and higher horse power output. It also adds to the life of the fuel injection system by keeping harmful deposits from accumulating in the injectors and the engine itself.

    NASCAR choose Sunoco’s Green E15 because it utilized American Farmer’s products according to NASCAR’s CEO Brian France. By doing so Sunoco is assisting farmers by increasing their crops and the change to the fuel will allow for an increase in the size and production of the plant in Marcus Hook, PA, where the fuel will be mixed, and thus will add jobs to the economy.

    Ethanol has some distinct drawbacks to go with its obvious environmental pluses. One, Ethanol attracts moisture. Many of the tracks that NASCAR competes on in the summer months have hot and humid climates. This attribute of the fuel will require different storage containers and different measures to protect the cars from getting moisture in the fuel. Thus, Sunoco will be mixing the fuel in tankers and bringing those tankers to the track and dispensing the fuel from there. The new fuel cans that will go into mandate next year as well as the lack of a catch can will also add to the safety of keeping moisture away from the fuel.

    Two, the fuel burns blue and it burns 150 times hotter than the fuels teams currently use. No doubt this was a consideration in doing away with the catch can men on the pit crews. The fire protection gear worn by the crews on pit road and by the drivers in the car are sufficient to protect them from the new fuel according to Simpson fire safety group.

    Third, it can have issues with some polymers that we currently see used in the fuel systems on SC cars. Rubber and plastic literally melt. Although, it has been being tested for several months on the down low by teams and they have pretty much overcome these issues, it has not been tested in competition. The odds of having a piece fail due to fuel damage by the time the series begins using it in Daytona is slim. It is not out of the question but most teams have already been tweaking those parts and pieces to insure their longevity.

    Lastly, on a competition basis, the teams have discovered that the mileage factor with the E15 fuel drops noticeably.

    “The fuel mileage is going to change for a little bit, but it’s going to change for everybody across the board,” stated Joe Gibbs Racing Vice President Jimmy Makar. “The biggest thing is the chemical properties and making sure we have the compatibility with different components in the engine or the fuel system itself.”

    Danny Lawerence of Richard Childress racing tested E15 at Richmond earlier this year. “There were no issues with it at all. It makes a little more power, but we did use a little bit more.”

    There is little doubt that the change to Ethanol fuel was made at this time to prepare for the announced change to fuel injection slotted to occur in July of 2011. Ethanol increases the life of fuel injection systems and helps to prevent failures. By making the change at this time, NASCAR is assuring the prevention from a sudden increase in the cost of competing

    The introduction of Ethanol fuel to a racing series is not a new one. Indy Car made the switch in 2007 to E85. The fuel that is utilized in that series is a product of Brazil and it’s source is sugar cane. The ethanol is mixed 85% ethanol and 15% Methanol.

    Many have confused Ethanol with its closest relative, Methanol. Methanol is not a biomass fuel. Methanol is a petroleum product and although it burns hotter it is more flammable and not as suitable for the combustion type engines utilized in NASCAR.

    The other fuel that it is often mistaken for is Nitro-methane which is used in top fuel cars in NHRA. Nitro-methane is a combination of Propane and Nitric Acid. It’s highly unstable and combustible nature are what make the bright blue signature flames of Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars. It’s fast burning nature would make it unsuitable for sustained competition like NASCAR.

    This ethanol is however a lower percentage of the Ethanol fuel used in World of Outlaws in the 90’s when Doug Wolfgang was nearly killed because the fire fighters didn’t realize quickly they were dealing with an alcohol fire. The lower percentage will allow the fire to be seen as a blue tinted much more vivid red flame. Please note that fire safety systems have advanced far above the ones that Wolfgang was utilizing at the time of that crash in Kansas City Kansas in 1992.

    The presence of ethanol will require fire safety crews to change how they fight a fire on the track. Different extinguishers and Different procedures will need to be utilized in and out of the car. Ethanol’s alcohol make up will make it necessary to change to fire fighting foam.Fire fighting foam is a foam used for fire suppression. Its role is to cool the fire and to coat the fuel, preventing its contact with oxygen, resulting in suppression of the combustion. The P.A.S.S. method is not used for a known alcohol fire. Instead the object is to avoid spreading the fire while at the same time neutralizing as much of it as possible.

    Bob Dylan said, “The times they are changing.” More truth has never been spoken about our sport. From the fuel to the COT and soon the fueling systems they use to create the power and speed that we sit on the edge of our seats for. But the educated fan is a well armed one. Knowing what when and how with the fuel won’t make you an engineer. But it will make you more aware of the subtleties that your team and driver are dealing with next year. Frankly, new fuel mileage, more speed, and doing a good thing for the environment is a good thing for the sport and the earth. This time NASCAR gets a big thumbs up.

    ~~~~~****~~~~~

    Congratulations to Jamie McMurray on a well deserved and hard fought Sprint Cup win. You proved once again that you don’t have to make the chase to be a true competitor or a winner. Congratulations to Brad Keselowski for his Nationwide Series win. Smooth and aggressive in true Keselowski style. I would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere and deepest condolences to Jeff Byrd’s family, friends and co workers. He left a mark on our community that will never be forgotten. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this very difficult time.

    And finally to all the competitors in all the series thanks for giving us everything you have to give, you are our heroes. Most importantly, thanks to all the families who shared their loved ones with us so we could cheer our favorite driver and favorite teams. You are the true heroes of the sport and we are forever in your debt.

  • NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: A tail gate party and a grandfather clock at Martinsville

    NOTES FROM THE NASCAR NATION: A tail gate party and a grandfather clock at Martinsville

    For the first time in nearly a month, NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series returns to action on the very venue that made the series famous to begin with: a short track. Saturday’s Kroger 200 at the Martinsville Speedway is expected to be a lively NASCAR style tailgate party when 36 full sized racing trucks line up on this famous speedway’s half mile, paper clip shaped, oval.

    THE STORY BREAKDOWN

    The significant news for the race winner of the Kroger 200 literally involves the time of day. For many years the winner of the two Sprint Cup events at the Martinsville received a beautiful, custom made, grandfather clock. For the first time ever speedway officials have decided to bestow that special honor to the winner of the NASCAR Camping World Series race winner. Everyone wants to be the first series driver to win this beautiful clock and it’s definitely going to be an added incentive within this race.

    **********

    Keep a sharp eye on the #17 Red Horse Racing Toyota during Saturday’s race. Driver Timothy Peters, along with crew chief Jeff Hensley, will be on a major mission. They won their first ever series race at Martinsville last year and they’re definitely planning on a repeat. That first win last year was particularly special because of the hometown crowd element. Both Peters and Hensley are from Martinsville.

    ***********

    Keep an eye on a quartet of lady drivers who could possibly create some NASCAR history during Saturday’s truck race. Depending on how qualifying turns out, it could be the first time that four lady drivers starts a national NASCAR touring series event. Leading the group is Jennifer Jo Cobb. The driver of the #10 Ford will be making her 25th series start. In the process of trying to launch a national NASCAR career is Johanna Long, #20 Dodge, who hopes to make her fifth series start on Saturday.

    Looking to make their series debut, and some additional NASCAR history, are Angela Cope, #01 Dodge, and Amber Cope, #6 Dodge. The Copes are hoping to become the first ever set of sisters to compete in a NASCAR national touring series. They will also be seeking major seat time while earning respect from the other drivers.

    ************

    Also keep a sharp eye on series points leader Todd Bodine. With only five races left in the season, Bodine currently holds a 262 points lead in the championship standings over Aric Almirola. It appears that Bodine is well on his way to his second series championship.

    But Bodine is involved is involved in another points battle that is still too close to call. That would be the series’ coveted owner’s championship. His owner of record, Steve Germain, is currently on top of the standings but it’s a rather slim lead of 39 points over Kyle Busch Motorsports. Kyle Busch has been driving his own truck when his Sprint Cup schedule allows it. This owner’s points championship will be getting rather interesting because Busch has announced plans to drive the #18 Toyota in the final five truck races of the season.

    Also check out the different paint scheme for Bodine’s #30 Germain.Com Toyota during the Martinsville race. The truck will be loaded with pink paint in support of October being breast cancer awareness month.

    **********

    THE RACE BREAKDOWN

    The Kroger 200 is 200 laps around the Martinsville Speedway’s .526 mile oval. The fact that the speedway is shaped like a paper clip makes it even more challenging.

    The race has 38 entries vying for the 36 starting berths.

    14 of those entries are on the go or go home list meaning these teams are not guaranteed a starting berth because they are currently outside of the top 25 in owner’s points. These teams will have to rely on qualifying speeds to make the race.

    There doesn’t seem to be any real dominance by any one truck team at Martinsville. 23 series races there has produced 19 different winners.

    The Kroger 200 will be broadcast live by SPEED beginning at 1230 pm eastern time.

  • Matt Crafton No. 88 Menards/Tide Chevrolet Preview: Kroger 200 at Martinsville

    Sandusky, Oh. (October 20, 2010) – Matt Crafton heads into Martinsville with the longest top-ten finish streak of any driver in the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. With eleven consecutive top-tens, six of which have been top-five finishes, Crafton is heading to the 0.526-mile paperclip with momentum and confidence – so much so that he and his team think they can close out the season with five more and a chance to win at each of the remaining races on the schedule.

    How confident are you and the team for the final five races of the season? “We are as confident as we’ve ever been. We’ve run incredibly well since the start of the summer and every time we unload we know we are going to be running somewhere up front. We have five really good racetracks for us coming up and we think we can go to each race and have a chance to win. It says something about the strength of this team to have eleven straight top tens, especially after the start we had to this season, but if all we have to show for these next five races is five more top tens we’re going to be a little disappointed. We want to be running up front, in the top five, with a chance to win and we think we can do it.”

    How does your strategy differ in the fall when it’s a 200-lap race versus the spring in a 250-lapper? “It used to be that with the harder tire you wanted to pit as soon as your fuel window opened and that would be it. Now the tires are a little softer and they give up just a little so new tires are an advantage. I think you’ll see some cautions that will keep the field bunched up and a lot of people on the lead lap, so you won’t want to pit too late if you make a second stop but if you do make a second stop it won’t kill your chances to win like it would have a few years ago.”

    With the shorter race does that make it even more intense out on the track, knowing you have 50 less laps to work through traffic and get to the front? “It’s always intense at Martinsville. We’re so close to each other and there’s really no room to get away from anyone. We are all trying to get down to the bottom. We are all dealing with someone right on the back bumper. On the restarts you’ll have someone three inches off your door. It all depends where you’re running on how the shorter race plays out. If you’re leading you’re glad it’s shorter because the last lap can’t get there quick enough. If you’re working your way through the field or even if your in second place you might wish you had those extra 50 laps to make something happen.”

    Tide on for the ride at Martinsville: Procter and Gamble’s Tide detergent will be on board the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet for the second and final time of the 2010 season at Martinsville. Crafton finished third at Pocono with the bright orange Tide hood earlier in the season and knows the “Tide Ride” driven by former Sprint Cup Series champion Darrell Waltrip has seen victory lane at Martinsville, a feat he hopes to match on Saturday.

    Martinsville On-track:

    Friday October 22 10:00-11:20 AM NCWTS Practice

    1:10-2:00 PM NCWTS Final Practice

    4:40 PM NCWTS Qualifying

    Saturday October 23 1:00 PM NCWTS Kroger 200 (200 laps/105.2 miles; Live, SPEED/MRN Radio/Sirius

    NASCAR Radio Channel 128)

  • Johnny Sauter No. 13 SealMaster/Curb Records Chevrolet Silverado Preview: Kroger 200 at Martinsville

    Sandusky, Oh. (October 19, 2010) – Johnny Sauter was well on his way to a top-five finish in the spring race at Martinsville before a bump from behind from Ron Hornaday sent him spinning with just 27 laps to go. Sauter received minimal damage and recovered to finish 16th, but that was little consolation to Sauter and his team at the time. Now, six months removed from the incident, Sauter is focused on one thing – and it’s not retaliation.

    Is there any thought in your mind on retaliation from the spring or are you one-hundred percent focused on winning this weekend? “I know everyone else is thinking about it, but to be honest I haven’t put a lot of thought into it. We’re only thinking about going down and winning the race this time. Any time you’re thinking about something like paying someone back like that it’s negative energy and we really don’t want that distracting us from what we’re there to do. But don’t get me wrong, we haven’t forgotten about it. It will probably change the way we race against the 33, but we aren’t thinking about any sort of retaliation.”

    You tested at Sandusky last week, is there anything you guys learned that will carry over? “Last year we tested at Sandusky and got the truck pretty good and then went to Martinsville and had to change the entire setup. This year we went with our Martinsville setup and just tried some things we’ve always wanted to try but just never had the time. We ended up getting the truck really good and we were about two tenths faster than we’ve ever gone at Sandusky.”

    How does the 200-lap race distance differ strategy-wise from the 250-lap distance we had in the spring? “I know a lot of guys have tried pitting early and then staying out on track the rest of the way and playing the track position game, but I really think you’re going to see some guys pit twice and be up at the front at the end. We were able to race from the back up to second in the spring, and it didn’t take as long as I thought it would have. The double file restarts have really changed how the races at Martinsville play out. If you keep the fenders on it, and that’s a real challenge at Martinsville, you can come from the middle of the pack and race up to the front.”

    SealMaster Back on the No. 13 at Martinsville: SealMaster, the worldwide leader in pavement maintenance products and equipment, will once again adorn the No. 13 Chevrolet at Martinsville. SealMaster has a large franchise system covering many of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas; an existing franchise is immediately available in Oakland, California along with additional open territories including New England, Kansas City, and the Pacific Northwest. SealMaster will provide highly motivated business entrepreneurs with proprietary pavement sealer formulations, complete operations and sales and marketing training, turn-key facility packages, an exclusive territory and ongoing support. SealMaster franchises are the one-stop source for pavement maintenance products and equipment, including pavement sealers, road sealants, crack fillers, traffic paints, patching materials, sport surfacing, concrete products, equipment, tools and accessories. Potential franchisees can get additional information via www.Try13.com, by telephone at 877-356-4015, or via e-mail at franchise@sealmaster.net.

    Martinsville On-track:

    Friday October 22 10:00-11:20 AM NCWTS Practice

    1:10-2:00 PM NCWTS Final Practice

    4:40 PM NCWTS Qualifying

    Saturday October 23 1:00 PM NCWTS Kroger 200 (200 laps/105.2 miles; Live, SPEED/MRN Radio/Sirius

    NASCAR Radio Channel 128)

  • The Hall of Fame and the memories of a NASCAR senior citizen

    The Hall of Fame and the memories of a NASCAR senior citizen

    The memories of carefree moments from my youth are exactly what I received from last week’s announcement regarding the 2010 class of NASCAR’s Hall Of Fame. While everyone else was debating the merits of the five names on this year’s list, I was lost in my own private little world of family memories, our South Carolina home and how NASCAR racing played a role in our lives.

    Like many residents of the southeast during the 1950’s our family quickly became NASCAR racing fans. This was the era of the sport when a racing season often exceeded 60 events. The teams raced on every track configuration from quarter mile dirt ovals to the mammoth Daytona International Raceway. The majority of these events were located in the southeast so there was no shortage of opportunity to see this exciting new sport.

    My first ever NASCAR experience was in the summer of 1958 at a dirt track in Columbia-South Carolina. I was all of six years old at the time. This event was also the NASCAR debut that launched the racing career of King Richard Petty. I was thrilled to get autographs from both Richard and Lee Petty that night.

    Dad eventually became a member of the Darlington Rescue Squad and that opened a brand new level of racing opportunity for his son. It meant spending race weekends there sleeping under the mammoth army tents. My job was to pass out aspirin and small Dixie Cups of water to infield campers who had way too much fun the night before. That job kept me quite busy on race day mornings. It also provided unfettered access to the raceway’s garage area where any autograph a young race fan could ever want was now available.

    Over the years there were plenty of NASCAR themed family mini vacations. That included attending races at Darlington, Daytona, Atlanta and Charlotte plus the collection of paved and dirt short track ovals the series ran on back in the day.

    All of those family memories came flooding back while monitoring the progress of NASCAR’s Hall Of Fame. Many of the video clips used to announce the newest members of the Hall looked very familiar to me. I was there to witness many of those moments first hand. That’s the true reason why the Hall Of Fame means so much to me. It’s those memories of quality time with my family. Over the years I jokingly said that it was NASCAR racing, along with Atlanta Braves baseball, that got Dad and me through the so called generation gap. It was something we could share together completely free of any form of hassle.

    I was especially glad to see Bobby Allison receive his well deserved induction into this year’s Hall Of Fame class. I had a chance to talk racing with Allison last September when he was making a personal appearance at the Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino.

    Allison arrived in NASCAR’s upper tier of racing in the mid 1960’s driving a family owned independent Chevrolet Chevelle. Independent meant that Allison’s team wasn’t receiving the factory sponsorship support that was available to other teams. To help with the travel expenses associated with launching a national NASCAR career, the Allison team began selling two dollar memberships to their official fan club. Allison seemed amazed when he learned that I not only knew this but actually had one of those cards that was purchased in 1966 at Darlington. I suspect it was one of the last things he expected to hear while signing autographs in southern California.

    Over the past week there has been a lot of lively debate from the NASCAR media and the fans regarding whom should have been inducted into the Hall Of Fame’s second class. The debate seems to be centered around Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough being excluded from this year’s vote.

    It’s not me for me to say which NASCAR icon needs to voted in the Hall and who should wait for at least another year. I can’t even comprehend the angst the voting committee went through to whittle 25 well deserving candidates down to five inductees. I wasn’t the least bit surprised to learn that the process took over a reported four hours to complete.

    I’m just glad that there is a NASCAR Hall Of Fame, an official organization to honor those whose contributions created the sport we all enjoy today. I’m perfectly content reliving the memories of a NASCAR senior citizen despite the realization that I’m getting older by the minute.

  • The Best Part About Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series Race at Martinsville Won’t Be the Racing

    The Best Part About Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series Race at Martinsville Won’t Be the Racing

    At the end of a long hard fought day, following the champagne spray, the hat dance and when the media has begun working toward their deadline, the driver will marvel at his winnings.

    The points they gained in the championship. Another win they added to their growing column. Maybe even the hefty winner’s check that their wives or girlfriends can’t wait to help them put to good use.

    All of it though, fails to compare to the trophy.

    Some are cooler than others. Some mean more than others. One, Las Vegas, isn’t a trophy at all. Then there’s one that every driver can’t wait to bring home.

    No, it’s not Daytona or Indianapolis. Although you’ll never hear a driver pass one of those up, more like offer to make a trade of one of their championship trophies for one. That’s because for the past nearly 60 years the Martinsville Speedway has created a unique brand by awarding winners in the Sprint Cup Series Grandfather clocks.

    Whether he’s won only one or nine, no driver gets tired of being awarded a Martinsville clock.

    Except, unless you race in the NSCS that experience will never be felt. It’s why heading into the upcoming weekend the excitement felt in the Camping World Truck Series is bound to overshadow what’s taking place in the NSCS garage and the Chase for the Sprint Cup. When the green flag falls on the Kroger 200 Saturday afternoon there will be 36 drivers that have more incentive to be the first to the checkered flag than ever before.

    There’s one, tall, $10,000 reason.

    Early this year it was announced that they too would finally be getting their hands on the beloved winner’s “trophy” of the Martinsville Speedway.

    It’s something defending winner Timothy Peters doesn’t believe came quick enough, “This is a huge deal. I wish it had started last fall. I would have it sitting in my trophy room right now.”

    For some drivers winning at the short track in Virginia can’t get any better. The emotion on Peter’s face last year after he won not only his first career race, but in his home state, won’t be forgotten anytime soon. For others, just winning at a short track is the greatest accomplishment.

    Then there are those like Mike Skinner who have a score to settle with the speedway. Up until a few weeks ago Skinner had no idea that Martinsville would begin awarding Grandfather clocks.

    “I know you don’t get a clock at Martinsville because I’ve won three of them,” he remarked in regards to his three victories at the paperclip. But when told by the media and fellow driver Todd Bodine that this year was different, Skinner said, “They need to send me a truck load of them then.”

    Should he get back into a familiar groove, Skinner won’t need to just be given a clock. He’s the driver that the rest of the competition will be gunning for as he’s led more laps at the speedway, 600, than any other driver. He’s also tied for the most wins at the speedway with Dennis Setzer.

    However, thus far in 2010 Skinner’s been held winless and is all but eliminated from the championship battle. Sitting eighth in points, over 600 markers behind, the No. 5 team has nothing to lose and everything to gain from here on out. Skinner wants back in victory lane and he most certainly wants a clock he feels is owed to him.

    The racing on Saturday afternoon will be nothing less than frantic and exciting. The NCWTS always good for that but now every driver wants to be the first to take home the newest prize, they want that clock.

    This is no ordinary clock. Valued at $10,000 the Martinsville Speedway gave out the first one in September of 1964. They’re built by a local furniture manufacturer, Ridgeway Clocks, and stand seven feet tall.

    Said Bodine, “That Grandfather clock from Martinsville is just like having that guitar [from Nashville].”

    There will be those in the NASCAR world that don’t understand what the big deal is, why it’s important to a driver who isn’t even taking home a real trophy. Is it possible to ask whether the racing might end up being overshadowed by the driver that ends the day in victory lane and sees the Grandfather clock waiting for him?

    There have been 18 winners at Martinsville in the NCWTS and none of them have one. No more than a what could have been for those drivers who can only be left with a burning desire to again capture the checkered flag in Martinsville.

    This race won’t crown a champion. It won’t send a driver to the new NASCAR Hall of Fame. It may not even be a typical bumping and banging wreck-fest that some races have been in the past.

    It will however, be memorable. It’ll be coveted and relived by a driver for years to come. A brand new, shining, invaluable Grandfather clock will be given away and then treated like gold.

    Sometimes it’s really not about the check. Or the points and the flattering stories from various media outlets. Sometimes it really is all about the hardware.