Johnny
Optimistic About 2007 Season
By: Media Session /
Truck Series.com
Despite the departure of
crew chief Ren, Benson remains optimistic about his chance
of becoming the series' 10th champion. "Even if our team
was 100 percent intact and didn't have a crew chief
change, we'd face the same changes coming in here anyway,"
said Benson. "With the changes to the front end of the
truck and the tire change those challenges are made no
matter what. It's not like we unloaded a truck that came
right off the track last year." Benson believes the team's
success will carry over into the new campaign with crew
chief Trip Bruce, a NASCAR Craftsman Truck veteran with
Evernham Motorsports and Ultra Motorsports. "Momentum is
key, because it gives the guys a great attitude coming
into the season for sure."
Johnny and Trip Bruce
Johnny Speaks with the Media
Interaction with the media plays a big part in Daytona
testing. To check out a ten minute interview with
Johnny -
click here. Go to Sounds - Saturday - Johnny
Benson. Thanks to Truckseries.com for posting the
interview.
Miami Testing Photos
By: Jan Hartman
Truck Series Garage Open to
Race Fans:
Race fans will have
the opportunity to get up close and personal with the
Craftsman Truck Series on Friday, February 23, 2007 at
California Speedway. Track officials have announced that the
Truck Series garage will be open to fans with a Weekend Pit
Pass and a ticket to the San Bernardino County 200 Craftsman
Truck Series race. Weekend Pit Passes can be purchased for
only $55 and allow pit road access when the track is cold.
For more information visit [California
Speedway] online or call 1-800-944-RACE [7223].
New Tire Not Agreeing
With Trucks:
The right-side tire
Goodyear plans to use for Speedweeks next month may make the
Nextel Cup and Busch Series cars easier to drive around
Daytona International Speedway. The same, however, wasn't
the case during preseason testing earlier this month for the
Craftsman Truck Series. "It wasn't much of a change [in the
hardness of the tires], but it was just enough that it
upsets the trucks pretty good, but it helps the cars turn.
And we try to run the same compound everywhere so that the
rubber is the same on the race track," Wayne Auton, the
series' director, said Wednesday during the Nextel Cup Media
Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway. "With the new [nose
and splitter] configurations that we've got on the trucks,
its upset [their handling] pretty good right now. They'll
get it figured out." Drivers said it's definitely a handful,
and while Auton wouldn't say the tires are what's making
things a challenge for the driver, he knows it's one of the
few things that have changed since last year. "The changes
we made [to the trucks] may have a little bit to do with it,
but if you talk to the drivers, the vehicle's still driving
just like it did last year, and [the tire] is the only
common denominator that there is."
Daytona Testing Photos:
By: Jan Hartman
Q &
A with Richie Snyder
Richie Snyder is the gasman for
the #23 Bill Davis Racing team and had worked with Johnny
since he started driving for BDR. Richie is married to
Regina and has two children - Taylor and Will.
Johnny and Richie
Why do you
work on a NASCAR team? What drives you to be
part of the fastest growing sport in the USA? I enjoy
a challenge and every week we race we are challenged to be
the best and that's what drives me and helps me to put a lot
of pride in my work.
What has
been your most rewarding moment in your racing career?
First coming to work at Bill Davis Racing and then
winning my first race at MIS when Johnny won his first
Craftsman Truck race.
What has
been the most challenging moment in your racing career?
I would have to say when I first started at BDR with
Toyota and we only had two trucks in the building for two
teams. We put a lot of long hours in to get where we
are today which makes our success that much more
appreciative.
What would
you like the fans to know about you? Not
really about me, but the team. Every week we come very
well prepared and sometimes things don't work out as
planned. But don't be so fast to pass judgement
because everyone on our team wants and does their very best
no matter what's handed to us at the track.
What would
you like to say to the JB fans? It's been a good
year up to this point and every race we go to we love the
fan support and know we wouldn't be here if not for the
fans. For that, I and the team say thank you very
much.
And
anything else that you would like to share ...
I would like to say that Johnny is truly the best driver
I've ever worked with and I believe every fortunate thing
that comes his way is well deserved.
Thank you,
Richie for sharing with the fans!!
Celebrating
After taking many victory photos
wearing different sponsor hats, Johnny joined the hard
working photographers in victory lane the the Phoenix
International Speedway.
Photos from Daytona
By: Jack Conklin
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 |
|
Tyler
Conklin of
Jacksonville, FL
finally got to meet
his 2nd cousin - Johnny!
|
A soggy
day
of testing! |
Tyler
posed in
Victory Lane where
he hopes that the
Johnny and the #23
team will visit on
February 16th! |
| |
|
|
Numbers in the Truck Series
By Charles Krall @
truckseries.com
With the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck
Series season just around the corner, let's take a look back
at some of the interesting statistics produced in 2006.
0 - Wins for Dodge, the
first time a manufacturer has gone a season with a goose-egg
in the victory column since Dodge went winless in 1996.
0.112 - Margin of victory at Michigan when
Johnny Benson defeated Mark Martin, the closest race
of 2006.
1 - The number of laps led by Kelly Sutton
in 2006. Sutton raced on the series full-time for three
seasons and never was able to get up front before leading
her first circuit just moments before a frightening, fiery
crash at Kansas.
2 - Number of first time winners -
Johnny Benson and Clint Bowyer.
2 - Races that ended under caution, Daytona
and Talladega.
3 - Number of races started in 2006 by 2004
series champion Bobby Hamilton before he announced he was
fighting cancer; Hamilton succumbed to the disease in early
January.
3.09 - Unfinished miles for Terry Cook, the
fewest of any competitor that competed in all 25 NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series races in 2006.
3.154 - Seconds between Kyle Busch and
Terry Cook at Charlotte in May, the largest margin of
victory throughout the season.
4 - Short track races that had three or
fewer lead changes.
5 - Different drivers that have won
Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors driving for Roush
Racing: Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Todd Kluever
and 2006 winner Erik Darnell.
5 - Wins for Chevrolet, the fewest wins in
a season for the Bowtie Brigade in the history of the
series.
5 - Races with a margin of victory under a
quarter of a second.
5.4 - Average start for Mike Skinner,
lowest of any competitor in 2006.
5.52 - Average number of leaders per race.
6 - The most number of wins earned by any
one driver in 2006; ironically it was the driver of the No.
6, Mark Martin, who accomplished this.
7 - The average starting position of the
winner throughout the 2006 season.
8 - Wins for Ford.
8 - Poles for Mike Skinner, series leader
in 2006.
8.4 - Average finish for champion Todd
Bodine, the best of any driver throughout the year.
9.36 - Average lead changes per race.
12 - Wins for Toyota.
12 - Pole winners in 2006.
12 - Number of NASCAR Craftsman Truck
Series race winners in 2006.
13 - Top five finishes for Johnny Benson,
the best in the series for 2006.
18 - Races with a margin of victory under
one second.
19 - How many drivers started each of the
25 races in 2006.
19 - Final points position for Mark Martin,
who only started 14 of the 25 races in 2006. Martin finished
ahead of three drivers that attempted every race.
21 - Lead changes at Daytona, the most of
any race throughout the season.
21 - Number of consecutive races in which
Todd Bodine was the championship leader.
25 - Races started in 2006 by Erin Crocker,
making her the first female driver in NASCAR racing history
to run an entire season's worth of races in a nationally
touring series.
25 - Drivers that scored at least one top
five finish in 2006.
32 - Teams that attempted to qualify for
each race in 2006.
35 - Drivers finishing races at Dover and
Kansas, both series records.
35 - Drivers that scored at least one top
ten finish in 2006.
51 - The number of drivers that led a
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in 2006.
56 - Teams entered in at least one NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series race throughout the season.
64 - Laps led Dodge drivers. That number is
926 laps fewer than the number of laps led by Chevrolet, the
manufacturer that accumulated the third-most laps in the
lead.
85 - Races between victories for Terry
Cook. Cook won at Indianapolis in 2002 then went winless
until a dominant victory at Kansas in July.
90 - Different drivers that competed in the
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2006.
90 - How many more laps were run under
caution in 2006 versus 2005.
90 - Bonus points earned by Mark Martin in
2006, the most of any driver.
107 - Top ten finishes for Toyota drivers
in 2006. There were 250 possible top ten finishes available
in 2006.
127 - Points between champion Todd Bodine
and runner-up Johnny Benson.
147 - Consecutive starts for Matt Crafton
since he joined the series in the final race of the 2000
season.
234 - Lead changes in 2006.
292 - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races
held since the series' inception in 1995.
1,958 - Laps led by drivers in Toyota
Tundras.
3,666 - Points scored by Todd Bodine on his
way to the series championship.
4022 - Number of laps completed in NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series competition in 2006.
4819.52 - Number of miles completed in
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition in 2006.
90,000 - Estimated number of people to
watch the season opener at Daytona from the grandstands, the
largest at-track attendance of the season.
1,046,680 - Dollars won in 2006 by series
champion Todd Bodine.
Allen Leads Broadcast Team
SPEED announced its broadcast
plans for the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season -
including the permanent addition of the popular pre-race
show hosted by series insider and FOX NASCAR pit reporter
Krista Voda.
The pre-race show will get
'behind-the-scenes' with the drivers, crews and race teams
prior to each LIVE NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on
SPEED, beginning with the 2007 season opener from Daytona
International Speedway on Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET. "We
have had great success since we expanded our NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series pre-race show last year," said Frank
Wilson, SPEED VP of Studio Productions. "It is our objective
to bring out the personalities and stories in the Truck
Series, and having an extended pre-race allows us to tell
those stories."
Long-time SPEED play-by-play announcer
Rick Allen will once again lead each NASCAR Craftsman Truck
Series broadcast, as former NASCAR standout Phil Parsons and
current NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Michael Waltrip will
provide color commentary. Every angle on pit road will also
be covered as Truck Series expert Ray Dunlap and veteran
Motor Racing Network (MRN) NASCAR voice Adam Alexander will
offer their unique insights.
Allen, 37, joined SPEED as lead NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series play-by-play announcer in 2003,
talked about what the SPEED crew will bring to the table
this year. "I think the Craftsman Truck Series
audience is really going to benefit from the experience our
SPEED announce team brings to the table," Allen said.
"Everyone has been intimately involved with the Truck Series
at some level, so we'll be able to relay important or
interesting stories, angles or tidbits that really
personalize these great racers to the fans. It's the
personal touch that will really bring these great
personalities closer to the fans."
From a competition standpoint, Allen
thinks there are interesting storylines already developing
for 2007. "The battle for this year's championship is
going to be an intense one," Allen commented. "We have
multiple past champions entered in this year's Truck Series;
including Ted Musgrave, Travis Kvapil, Ron Hornaday, Jack
Sprague and Mike Skinner. These drivers are intense and make
up one of the most competitive fields of entrants in any
form of motor sport.
"Many racers are attracted to the Truck
Series because of the competitiveness - the bumping and
banging - and how it reminds them of the type of tough-nosed
racing these guys grew up on and are used to," Allen added.
But one of the most significant stories of this year might
be the emerging dominance of a single manufacturer.
According to Allen, it could be a story that unfolds at many
levels of the sport.
"One thing we saw last year was Toyota's
ability to take charge and never relinquish control of the
championship," Allen said. "Their domination, except for the
races Mark Martin ran in last year, will be something to
keep an eye on for 2007. It was amazing to see the
amount of time and effort Toyota put into their Truck Series
program over the last two years," Allen continued. "It took
them a couple of years to get going, but they sure have put
things together in a big way. I can see a similar learning
curve for Toyota in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series."
In the first four years it has been live
on SPEED, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has experienced
year-over-year growth in ratings.
Fox to
broadcast Two Truck Series races
Fox will broadcast
two Truck Series races during the 2007 Season. One of those
will be the Martinsville spring race, and the other is still
to be determined. It also is still to be determined whether
Speed's Craftsman Truck Series broadcast crew will do the
two truck events that will appear on Fox.
Change to Point Structure
NASCAR officials say that winners
in all three of its major touring series will be awarded the
five additional bonus points for a win beginning this
season.
The
change, which was announced Monday during the NASCAR Nextel
Cup Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway, applies to
victories in the NASCAR Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman
Truck series.
Congratulations!
To Donald
Quick of Michigan who won the "Early Renewal"
contest. A 1:24 Red TCUV diecast is headed your way!
Congratulations!
To Robert Alink
of South Dakota who had the winning bid for
the 1:24 Black #23 TCUV Diecast and to Mark Meyers
who had the winning bid for the Goodyear tire! Thank you for your
support!
Miami Testing
By: Truck Series.com
This week's test at
Homestead-Miami Speedway will go a long way in helping teams
throughout 2007. All four truck models got a makeover in the
offseason, including a new nose, and this session will help
teams learn how the trucks react on downforce tracks.
"This test is probably one of the best
tests we've ever had," said NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Director Wayne Auton. "The teams will learn enough here to
get them through May. They are going to be able to find out
so much about how the trucks are going to react to the tires
with the aero package. They will take a lot of information
back to the shops that can be applied to most tracks we run
at."
There is one test left in the NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series - May 10-11 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
In the meantime, the 29 teams that tested at Homestead
already have a feel for the new truck design.
"We're excited with how
the trucks ran yesterday," Auton said of Wednesday's
session. "The speeds are very comparable with last year. We
worked hard with the teams to get the aerodynamics and the
downforce as closely matched as we could so it gives every
truck in the garage an opportunity to win races, and
ultimately that's what they're all here for."
Congratulations!
To Tom Mikulski of
New Jersey who had the winning bid for
the 1:24 Black #23 TCUV Diecast. Thank you for your
support!
Miami Testing Update
The #23 Bill Davis Racing team
is testing in Miami at Homestead Speedway this week.
During the first day of testing, Johnny had the 9th
quickest time at a sped of 165.168. Mike Skinner
is on the top of the charts with a speed of 166.631.
Testing Speeds by Manufacturer
By: Ray Patten
Toyota Racing to Build Plant Near Charlotte
Toyota Racing
Development (TRD) said Wednesday it would build a plant in
Rowan County. The company announced the decision a day after
Rowan commissioners voted to put up $519,000 over five years
to lure the plant. The company has an option to buy 89 acres
near Salisbury to build a racing production plant. Toyota
Racing has said the $22 million plant would hire at least 40
employees. If state officials approve incentives worth
$100,000, the plant could open by the fall. The company
chose the Rowan location as its preferred site over
locations in Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Iredell counties and
three other states, Rowan economic development officials
said.
Sad News
The JBFC sends their sympathy
to the entire Parsons family including Phil Parsons - TV
announcer for the Craftsman Truck Series
Benny Parsons, 65,
passed away today [Jan 16] at the Intensive Care Unit of the
Carolinas Medial Center in Charlotte, NC. Parsons, who
became a popular television and radio personality after
retiring from driving in 1988, entered the hospital Dec. 26
as the result of complications stemming from his battle with
lung cancer. The cancer was diagnosed earlier this year and
was recently reported to be in full remission.
Survivors include his mother Hazel Parsons; wife Terri
Parsons; sons Keith and Kevin Parsons; brothers Steve and
Phil Parsons; sister Patty Severt; and granddaughters Emily
and Libbie Parsons. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked
that donations be made to the Connie E. Parsons Memorial
Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 443, Ellerbe, NC 28338; Victory
Junction Gang Camp; or the Blumenthal Cancer Research
Center.
SERVICES: Family, close friends and members of the
racing community who knew Parsons will be received on
Friday, January 19th for a 2:00pm/et service at Grace
Covenant Church in Huntersville, NC, north of Charlotte.
Following the memorial service, race fans are welcome to
present memorials at the church from 4:00-6:00pm/et.
Congratulations!
To CanadianJB of Quebec, Canada
who won the Daytona Testing contest. Her prediction of
184.224 was the winning guess. Johnny and the #23 team
fastest time of the three day session was 184.317. A
"Red" 1:24 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles diecast is yours!
Special tribute to former NASCAR
Champion and TNT race analyst Benny Parsons to air during
the NBA
Tip-off Show
TNT NBA Thursday continues
this Thurs., January 18 at 7 p.m. ET with the NBA Tip-off
Show presented by AutoTrader.com, where Ernie Johnson, Kenny
Smith and Charles Barkley will tip-off the evening’s
doubleheader coverage. During the pre-game show, the network
will air a special tribute to TNT NASCAR colleague Benny
Parsons who passed away this week after battling lung
cancer. The tribute was written and will be voiced by TNT
NASCAR announcer Bill Weber, a long-time friend and
colleague of Parsons.
Testing Continues
At Homestead-Miami Speedway
The second of the 2007 season's three
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series tests will be held Wednesday
and Thursday, Jan. 17-18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The
1.5-mile track hosts the Ford 200, the season finale, on
Nov. 16. Testing will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on
both days with Friday, Jan. 19 reserved in event of
inclement weather. The year's final test is scheduled for
May 10-11 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Truck Series
Director is Happy with Daytona Testing
By: TruckSeries.com
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Director Wayne Auton termed the three days of testing
successful on several fronts. "The trucks definitely, as far
as aerodynamics, have done exactly what we felt like we
could accomplish with four new trucks in the garage area,
which is to keep the speeds where we were before (or) maybe
a little less," he said. A number of drivers told Auton the
package shouldn't diminish passing opportunities. "I've
heard most of them say that with a little bit of help, you
can get out and pass somebody but you can still pull out and
go around a line of trucks even if they are lined up in
front of you," said Auton.
Johnny Attends Fan Fest
The Craftsman Truck Series Fan Fest was held Saturday
night. Johnny joined the stage with Todd Bodine,
Mike Skinner, Kenny Schrader, Brendan Gaughan on others.
Part of the fan fest was broadcasted on SPEED during their
practice session.
Memorable comments made:
Brendan Gaughan explaining his inability to discuss the
parts on his trucks. He made mention that his
springs were triangles. The other drivers laughed
and Johnny (who was sitting next to Brendan) pointed out
that springs were curly not a triangle .... Mike
Skinner chimed in about his commerical idea for NASCAR
promos. It should be of Mike and Todd fighting over
a guitar then Johnny swoops in and takes it away from
them!
Daytona Testing Photos
David Bradley was one of the lucky fans who made it to the
2007 Daytona Testing for the Craftsman Truck Series.
He had a chance to get his picture taken with our favorite
driver and crew chief. Thank you, David for sharing!
 |
 |
|
David
and Johnny |
David
and Trip Bruce
#23 Crew Chief |
David's Update:
OK, I just got back from Daytona. WOW what a fun time!
Between phone calls from JB fan, Becki from California, I
was able to get some autographs and pictures.
I got to see JB and he signed my newest #23
Toyota Tundra. I
told him that I was trying to be the first fan from the
fan club to get a picture taken with Trip Bruce. Well low
and behold, 20 minutes later I met Trip Bruce. He is
a nice guy and I officially invited him to browse this web
site and feel free to post. I told him how much we
would enjoy reading it and also dropped a few good words
for a certain JB fan who lives in California and finds
food in her couch.......LOL
I also had a really nice talk with Woody who drives the
hauler - nice guy. Asked how the team was getting
along with the new crew chief. He said that everything was
going really good. They all have the attitude of "We have
a outstanding crew from last year and if it's working,
don't change it." He sounded so positive about the
upcoming year. What a day!
Day Two Testing
By: Ray Patten
Toyota leads the
testing session in average speed by manufacturer ...
Day One Testing
By: Ray Patten
Voda Joins the Speed Team
SPEED has signed veteran sports journalist Krista Voda to
a multi-year deal that will include hosting the network's
pre-race show for all of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
races in 2007. Voda also recently signed with FOX Sports
as a pit reporter for their NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races
in '07.
"Krista is a tremendous talent with
great passion for her work," said Frank Wilson, SPEED VP
of Production. "She understands racing, knows the players,
and has a great deal of experience and credibility
covering NASCAR and all forms of racing."
Voda began her work in NASCAR for FOX
Sports and SPEED in 2002 as a reporter and host for
Totally NASCAR. Over the last several years, Voda has
worked on multiple programs for both networks, including
SPEED's coverage of the popular Amp'd Mobile AMA
Supercross Series.
"The competitors, their families, and
everyone involved with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
welcomed me with open arms last year and I'm honored to be
back," Voda said. "I'm also excited that the pre-race
show, which was introduced last fall, will be returning
for the full 2007 season and beyond. All of us who cover
trucks believe the series produces the best racing …and
that the racing is done by some of the sport's most
interesting and most genuine people."
Trip Bruce Joins Bill Davis Racing’s No. 23 NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series Team
Bill Davis Racing announced today that Trip Bruce will
serve as the crew chief for Johnny Benson the No. 23
Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
“I couldn’t be more excited to help incorporate the
resources that TRD has provided for the upcoming season,”
Bruce stated. “Johnny Benson wants to win his first
championship, and I am going to do everything in my power
to make that happen.”
Bruce, a Virginia native, began his racing career at the
age of 18, racing Late Models and Grand Stocks at
Southside Speedway in Richmond, Va. He became acquainted
with car owner Don Beverly, and joined Beverly’s team in
1989 as a fabricator and mechanic.
Throughout the next few years, Bruce worked for a
combination of several NASCAR teams, including Richard
Childress Racing, Ultra Motorsports and Bill Davis
Racing. His first stint at BDR lasted from 1999 to 2003,
during which time he served as car chief on the No. 22 car
for fellow Virginian, Ward Burton. Ultra Motorsports once
chose Bruce to lead its Craftsman Truck Series team in
2004. Under Bruce’s leadership, the team posted one of
its best seasons ever, earning one pole position and three
victories with drivers Jamie McMurray and Kasey Kahne.
Since 2005, Bruce has been employed by Evernham
Motorsports. As team director, he led Evernham’s NASCAR
Busch Series efforts in 2005, which yielded one win, two
poles, two top-five finishes and seven top-10 finishes
with eight different drivers.
In 2006, Bruce led Kahne and Scott Riggs to two wins, a
pole, two top-five finishes and five top-10 finishes in
Busch Series competition. Bruce also earned the NASCAR
Busch Series Crew Chief of the Year Honors.
Trip Bruce
Being away from Bill Davis Racing for the last few years,
Bruce is ready to join forces once more with Bill Davis
and driver Johnny Benson in competing for the 2007
Craftsman Truck Series Championship. Benson and the
No. 23 team finished second in the Championship standings
in 2006 after earning five victories. With the
paring of Bruce’s and Benson’s accomplishments, the No. 23
Bill Davis Racing Toyota Tundra team should be a strong
force throughout the 2007 Craftsman Truck Series season
Sad News
The JBFC send
their condolences to the Bobby Hamilton Family
Bobby Hamilton,
the 2004 Craftsman Truck Series champion and a four-time
winner in the Cup Series, died Sunday. He was 49.
Hamilton, a native of Nashville, had been battling cancer
for nearly a year. He announced in March 2006 that he was
undergoing treatment for neck cancer. He immediately turned
over his driving duties in the Craftsman Truck Series to his
son, Bobby Hamilton Jr.
Hamilton was
diagnosed with head and neck cancer in February after a
malignant growth was found when swelling from dental surgery
did not go down. He raced in the season's first three
events, with a best finish of 14th at Atlanta Motor
Speedway, before turning over the wheel to his son. "I love
what I do; I love this business," Hamilton said when he
disclosed that he had cancer. "NASCAR has been good to me,
and I just don't feel comfortable when I am not around it."
Hamilton quit
driving in the Cup Series after the 2002 season to focus on
his thriving Craftsman Truck Series team. He went on to win
the Truck Series title in '04. "It is a terrible
loss to us," said Larry McClure, Hamilton's team owner from
1998-2000. "I will miss him. I always thought of him as my
friend." McClure said he had talked to Hamilton just a
few weeks ago. "I asked him how he was dong and he
said, Pretty good,'" McClure said. "Just amazing how it can
turn like that."
Though he
made his Cup debut in 1989 -- a one-race deal at Phoenix on
Nov. 5 -- Hamilton probably is best known for the unusual
way he broke into NASCAR's top series. He served as a stunt
driver for the 1990 movie Days of Thunder, performing
so well that he was soon hired to run the Cup Series
full-time. He went on become Rookie of the Year in 1991.
His big
break, however, came in 1995 when Hamilton was hired to
drive the No. 43 of Petty Enterprises. He resurrected the
ailing team with 10 top-10 finishes in 1995, and in 1996, he
won at Phoenix, which helped him finish a career-best ninth
in points. After winning at Rockingham in 1997,
Hamilton moved to Morgan-McClure Motorsports for the
1998-2000 seasons. His only win during that time came in '98
at Martinsville. "He was a good driver and a good
businessman," McClure said. "We spent three years with him
and it was great. He got us our last win. It was probably
the last time the team was competitive, and he kept getting
better and better."
Hamilton
wrapped up his Cup career with a two-year stint with
Andy Petree. He won at Talladega in 2001 in a
thrilling race that went green the entire way. The win was
Petree's first as a car owner, and Petree celebrated by
diving across the hood as Hamilton drove into Victory Lane.
Congratulations!
To Chuck
Youcheff of Pennsylvania who had the winning bid for
the Goodyear tire.
Speed Features Preseason NASCAR Shows
Speed has announced plans for
coverage of NASCAR Preseason Thunder testing and other
upcoming events. The network will feature 30-minute
highlight shows of the Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck
series test sessions at Daytona International Speedway.
Testing begins with Cup teams Jan. 8. The schedule for
programming is as follows:
Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. EST - Nextel Cup Series
testing
Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. EST - Nextel Cup Series testing
Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. EST - Nextel Cup Series testing
Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. EST - Testing highlight show
Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. EST - Craftsman Truck Series testing
Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. EST - Craftsman Truck Series testing
Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. EST - Nextel Cup Series testing
Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. EST - Nextel Cup Series testing
Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. EST - Nextel Cup Series testing
Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. EST - Testing highlight show
Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. EST - Busch Series testing.
Beginning Jan. 29, Speed
will also cover NASCAR test sessions from Las Vegas Motor
Speedway. Testing coverage leads into the network's
12-day Daytona Speedweeks schedule that includes live
coverage of the Gatorade Duels, the truck series opener and
other shows.
Farewell to a President
Former
President Gerald Ford was honored Tuesday as a man who
helped restore a nation's faith while remaining true to
himself and his "Main Street values." After a state
funeral at Washington's National Cathedral, Ford's motorcade
traveled to Andrews Air Force Base. His casket will be put
on board a presidential jet for the flight to Grand Rapids,
Michigan, where he will be buried on Wednesday.
One Last Look at the 2006 Season - Truck Series
By: Jim Utter
DRIVER OF THE YEAR: It's a tough
call, with Bodine winning his first NASCAR championship --
also Toyota's first in NASCAR's three national series -- on
the one hand, and Johnny Benson's stellar season
(five wins) on the other. We'll give the nod to Bodine,
because he came close last season and was able to put it all
together this year.
TEAM
OF THE YEAR: Roush Racing's No. 6
Ford. Martin drove the truck in 14 races and David Ragan,
who will debut as a rookie in Cup next season, did nine more
races with the team. Martin won six races and Ragan got two
poles and six top-10 finishes.
BEST
RACE: The June race at Michigan,
where Benson held off a determined Martin for his
first series victory. Benson would win four more
times.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: It was a
tough year for Morgan-Dollar Motorsports, which had
contended for the championship in recent years with
Dennis Setzer. He finished 13th in points and left for
Spears Racing at the end of the season.
BEST
QUOTE: "First, I'd like to say
something nice about (series director) Wayne Auton and his
entire officiating crew. I'd really like to say something
nice, but I can't think of anything." -- Bodine at the
series banquet in Orlando, Fla.
2007
CHAMPION PREDICTION: There is
little doubt Toyotas should remain strong. Because Benson
seemed the most consistent at the end of the season from
that group, we'll go with him.
2007
SURPRISE: A reorganization and
rededication of Brendan Gaughan's team -- the seeds
of which were planted late this season -- should return him
to the title hunt.
Johnny In Top Ten Moments at MIS
By: Truckseries.com
As 2006 comes to a close,
Michigan International Speedway has compiled a "Top 10
Moments of 2006" list. Many race moments and community
achievements are listed in what was truly an exciting year
of racing for the 2-mile oval.
-
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
bumped Carl Edwards out of the way during the final laps
of the NASCAR Busch Series Carfax 250 on August 19.
Earnhardt went on to win the race, causing Edwards to
later purposely run into Jr's car and confronting the
popular driver in Gatorade Victory Lane.
-
2. Matt Kenseth held
off a hard-charging Jeff Gordon on the final lap to win
the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series GFS Marketplace 400 on August
20. Kenseth became the 16th different driver to win
multiple Cup races at MIS. He also won a Cup race at MIS
in June of 2002.
-
3. Local Michigan
native Johnny Benson won his first career NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series race in 60 starts by taking the
checkered flag for the Con-way Freight 200 on June 17.
Benson, from Grand Rapids, held off Mark Martin on the
final green-white checkered restart giving MIS its sixth
different winner in seven career truck events since 1999.
-
4. Polesitter Helio
Castroneves climbed his first MIS fence after recording
his first career victory at the 2-mile oval in the
Firestone Indy 400 on July 30. Castroneves passed the
dominate Vitor Meira late in the race and held on, making
him the speedway's 13th different race winner in as many
events.
-
5. Kasey Kahne won his
first career race at MIS in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series
3M Performance 400 presented by Post-it Picture Paper on
June 18. Kahne won the race off of pit road against Carl
Edwards and was awarded the victory after the red-flag
came out on lap 129 for rain. Kahne's car was being
cheered on by Adam Sandler, the race's grand marshal,
whose movie "Click" was sponsoring Kahne's car in the
race.
-
6. Danica Patrick
can't seem to get a break at MIS. The rising star of the
IRL IndyCar Series has had two of the worst finishes of
her career at the 2-mile oval, including a 17th place
finish in the 2006 event. Last July, she suffered a
mechanical failure with two laps remaining, which caused a
foot-stomping tirade down pit road.
-
7. MIS is known for
its competitive races, however, in last June's ARCA RE/MAX
Series Hantz Group 200, NEXTEL Cup regular David Stremme
had other ideas. Stremme, piloting the #61 Hantz Group
Dodge managed to lap the entire field and led a
race-record 99 of 100 laps en route to his first career
victory at MIS. Billy Wease, who finished second, was the
only other driver to lead a lap in the race.
-
8. After going a lap
down midway through the race, Brent Sherman managed to
pull off a victory in the August ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz
Group 200 at MIS. After race-leader Burney Lamar suffered
a mechanical problem with two laps remaining, new race
leader T.J. Bell suffered an accident with Frank Kimmel,
thus handing the lead over to Sherman, who got back on the
lead lap 20 laps before.
-
9. Reed Sorenson
became just the second NEXTEL Cup rookie in the past 10
years to record top-10 finishes in both Cup races at MIS
in the same season. He finished fifth in June and eighth
in August. Kasey Kahne also accomplished the feat in 2004
(2nd in June, 5th in August).
-
10. MIS hosted it Spirit of America
500 blood drive on September 11, collecting a record 789 units of
blood in one 12-hour period for the Great Lakes Region of the American
Red Cross. The blood drive has grown every year since 2002 making
it one of the nation's largest single-day blood drives on 9/11.
Tickets will go on sale to the general
public beginning on Saturday, January 13, 2007. For
additional information visit
www.MISpeedway.com.
