NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
NASCAR 2008 Preview- The Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has never lacked when it comes to electrifying racing.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has never lacked when it comes to electrifying racing ever since it was introduced way back in 1995. In 2007, Ron Hornaday and Mike Skinner rekindled an old rivalry that dates back to the series primitive days. Skinner and Hornaday won the first two Craftsman Truck Series championships in 1995 and 1996.
Heading into the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Mike Skinner, driving for Bill Davis Racing, owned a marginal 29-point lead over Hornaday. However, a left rear wheel came off of Skinner’s truck on lap 74, ending any hopes of a second Craftsman Truck Series championship. Ron Hornaday, driving for Kevin Harvick, Inc., clinched his third Craftsman Truck Series title by 54 points.
In 2008, Hornaday and Skinner are coherent favorites to contend again for ‘pick-up truck supremacy’. However, there will be several other hungry drivers in the mix.
Projected Top Five
1. 5-Mike Skinner, Toyota Tundra Toyota, Bill Davis Racing-
Crew Chief- Jeff Hensley
The 2007 season was no doubt a heartbreaker for Mike Skinner and his Bill Davis Racing team. He led the series with five wins, 17 top fives, and 11 poles, and was leading the championship standings with one race to go before a loose wheel set him back on lap 74. Skinner never recovered from the misfortune and Ron Hornaday clinched his third title.
He is unmistakably the best qualifier in the series which can make a difference in the shorter truck races where track position is of the essence. Additionally, the pole-sitter typically leads the first lap and clinches those five bonus points. Expect Skinner to win four or five races, and possibly ten poles, and return to championship form in 2008. He should capture his first Craftsman Truck Series championship since he won the inaugural title in 1995.
2. 33-Ron Hornaday, Camping World Chevrolet, Kevin Harvick, Inc.-
Crew Chief- Rick Ren
Have Ron Hornaday and Mike Skinner become the Richard Petty and David Pearson of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series? Another championship duel between the two is foreseeable. They certainly have the talent, experience, and equipment to do so. Hornaday owns three Craftsman Truck Series championships, which along with Jack Sprague, is the most all-time for the series.
Hornaday should win multiple races and contend for the championship. In fact, he will attempt to become the first driver to conquer back-to-back championships in the series history. Nonetheless, there are several hungry drivers not named Hornaday or Skinner awaiting the start of the 2008 campaign.
3. 23-Johnny Benson, Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota, Bill Davis Racing-
Crew Chief- Trip Bruce
Johnny Benson is about as hungry as any driver in the Craftsman Truck Series. He finished second to Todd Bodine in 2006, and faded to third in 2007 after a couple of hiccups. Benson is the Matt Kenseth of the Craftsman Truck Series. He may not receive the attention that Skinner, Hornaday, and Todd Bodine may receive, but he quietly gets the job done, and is usually up front when it is all said and done.
Benson could pose the biggest threat to Hornaday’s championship defense and Skinner’s championship rebound.
4. 30-Todd Bodine, Lumber Liquidators Toyota, Germain Racing-
Crew Chief- Mike Hillman
The 2006 champion was unable to produce the consistency he needed to keep up with Skinner and Hornaday. When Bodine and Germain Racing first collaborated in 2004, they almost appeared unbeatable as they won two of their first four races together. In 2005 and 2006, Bodine won a combined eight races. In 2007, Bodine’s win total dropped to two; however, he still managed to rank fourth in the final championship standings. He will be right back in the thick of the championship hunt in 2008.
5. 99-Erik Darnell, Northern Tool & Equipment Ford, Roush Fenway Racing-
Crew Chief- Mat Puccia
Erik Darnell is approaching a make or break season with Roush Fenway Racing. In two full seasons with the team, he has one victory, and has yet to crack the top ten in the championship standings. If Darnell expects to advance in Jack Roush’s system, he is clearly going to have to improve from his 12th place setting in the standings. As we have seen with Todd Kluever and Danny O’Quinn, Roush will pull the plug on a developmental driver. Expect Darnell to win a couple of races and hover around the top five in the standings. However, I do not believe he is ready to contend for the Craftsman Truck Series title quite yet.
Others to watch for- Jack Sprague, Rick Crawford, David Starr, Dennis Setzer, Brendan Gaughan, and Matt Crafton
Rookie of the Year- 6-Colin Braun, Con-Way Freight Ford, Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing young gun Colin Braun will take over the ride that was vacated by Travis Kvapil following the 2007 season. Kvapil will be a tough act to follow after winning four races and finishing sixth in the final championship standings. Nobody expects Braun to match those numbers, but the 19-year old has endless potential and may be the surprise of the 2008 Craftsman Truck Series season.
