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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), and is the only series in NASCAR to race production pickup truck-based stock cars. The series is one of three national divisions of NASCAR, ranking as the third tier behind the second-tier NASCAR Xfinity Series and the top level NASCAR Cup Series.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
CategoryStock cars, pickup truck racing
CountryUnited States
Inaugural season1995
ManufacturersChevrolet · Ford · Toyota
Engine suppliersChevrolet · Ford · Toyota · Ilmor Engineering Ltd.
Tire suppliersGoodyear
Drivers' championBen Rhodes
Makes' championChevrolet
Teams' championThorSport Racing
Official websiteNASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Current season

The 2023 season will be the first with Stanley Black & Decker holding the series' naming rights. Previously, Sears, Roebuck & Co held title sponsorship from 1995 through 2008 with the Craftsman brand, during which the series was known as the NASCAR SuperTruck Series in 1995 and the Craftsman Truck Series from 1996 through 2008. Camping World took over the sponsorship to dub the Camping World Truck Series from 2009 through 2018, followed by the Gander Outdoors Truck Series in 2019, the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series in 2020, and a return to the Camping World name in 2021 and 2022. Stanley Black & Decker, which acquired the Craftsman brand in 2017, took over starting in 2023.

History edit

Craftsman Truck Series (1995–2008) edit

 
The trucks of Lance Norick (No. 90) and Terry Cook (No. 88) racing in 1998
 
Ford F-150
 
Chevrolet C/K

The idea for the Truck Series dates back to 1991.[1] A group of SCORE off-road racers (Dick Landfield, Jimmy Smith, Jim Venable, and Frank "Scoop" Vessels)[2] had concerns about desert racing's future, and decided to create a pavement truck racing series. They visited NASCAR Western Operations Vice President Ken Clapp to promote the idea, who consulted Bill France Jr. with it, but the plans fell apart. Afterwards, Clapp told the four to build a truck before NASCAR considered it. Bakersfield fabricator Gary Collins built a prototype truck, which was first shown off during Speedweeks for the 1994 Daytona 500[1] and tested by truck owner Jim Smith around Daytona International Speedway.[3] The truck proved to be popular among fans, and NASCAR arranged a meeting in a Burbank, California hotel on April 11, 1994; the meeting ultimately led to the creation of the "SuperTruck Series".[1]

Four demonstration races were held at Mesa Marin Raceway, Portland Speedway, Saugus Speedway and Tucson Raceway Park.[2] Tucson held four events that winter, which were nationally televised during the Winter Heat Series coverage.[2] Sears, Roebuck, & Co., through the Craftsman brand, served as the sponsor of the series on a three-year deal, and the series was renamed to the Craftsman Truck Series in 1996. In addition, the series' $580,000 purse is larger than the Busch Grand National Series' fund.[4] While a new series, it garnered immediate support from many prominent Winston Cup Series team owners and drivers. Prominent Cup owners Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick, and Jack Roush owned truck teams, and top drivers such as Dale Earnhardt and Ernie Irvan also fielded SuperTrucks for others.[4] The series also attracted the attention of drivers like sprint car racing star Sammy Swindell, Walker Evans of off-road racing fame, open-wheel veteran Mike Bliss, and Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville.[1] The inaugural race, the Skoal Bandit Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway, was held on February 5; the race, featuring an event-record crowd of 38,000 spectators,[1] concluded with eventual series champion Mike Skinner holding off Cup veteran Terry Labonte to win.[5] Only one team from the first season of the series, FDNY Racing, is still racing in the series today.

Camping World and Gander Outdoors Truck Series (2009–2022) edit

 
The Camping World Truck Series vehicle of the three-time series champion Matt Crafton

At the end of the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule, Craftsman ended its sponsorship of the series.[6] Subsequently, Camping World signed a seven-year contract with NASCAR, rebranding the series as the Camping World Truck Series.[7]

With decreasing money and increasing costs,[8] the series has struggled financially with sponsorship and prize money, the latter often being low,[9] while the former would prompt teams to shut down to reduce in size. Teams like Richard Childress Racing, a Cup team with 31 Truck wins,[10] shut down their Truck operations; in RCR's case, after the 2013 season. After the 2014 season, Brad Keselowski stated his Brad Keselowski Racing team had lost $1 million despite recording a win that year,[11] and told the Sporting News: "The truck series, you have to be able to lose money on a constant basis. That's just how the system works."[12] BKR ended up shutting down after the 2017 season. To cut costs, NASCAR required teams to use sealed engines, with teams not being allowed to run at most three races with a previously used engine. Additionally, NASCAR reduced the maximum number of pit crew members allowed over the wall for a pit stop from seven to five, and required teams to only take either fuel or tires on a single pit stop in 2009.[13] This requirement was abandoned for the 2010 season.

Starting with the 2011 season, NASCAR implemented a new rule that allows drivers to compete for the drivers' championship in only one of the three national touring series (Cup, Xfinity, or Truck) in a given season.[14] On January 19, 2016, NASCAR announced the introduction of a playoff format similar to the NASCAR Cup Series Chase for the Championship: the format consists of eight drivers across three rounds, with two drivers being eliminated after each round.[15] Starting in 2020 season, the playoff was expanded to 10 drivers, with two being eliminated after the first round and four being eliminated after the second round.[16]

 
2019 NextEra Energy 250, first race under Gander Outdoors sponsorship

Camping World signed a seven-year extension in 2014 to remain the title sponsor of the Truck Series until at least 2022.[17] On May 8, 2018, NASCAR and Camping World announced the Truck Series' title sponsorship would be switched to its subsidiary Gander Outdoors starting in 2019, renaming it the Gander Outdoors Truck Series. The series was slightly renamed to the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series in 2020,[18][19] but returned to the Camping World Truck Series branding the following season.[20]

Craftsman Truck Series (2023–present) edit

 
2023 NextEra Energy 250, first race under Craftsman sponsorship

On August 26, 2022, NASCAR announced a multi-year sponsorship deal with Stanley Black & Decker—which had acquired the Craftsman brand from Sears in 2017[21]—under which the series would return to being known as the Craftsman Truck Series beginning in 2023. As part of the deal, Stanley Black & Decker also became the official tool brand of NASCAR.[22]

Drivers edit

Most of the first drivers in the series were veteran short track drivers who had not made it or struggled to thrive in the other NASCAR national series;[9] for example, 1991 Featherlite Southwest Tour champion Rick Carelli[23] had failed to qualify twelve times for Cup races across 1991–1994, with only nine career Cup starts, but he finished sixth in the inaugural Truck Series championship.[24] It is worth noting that most of the early champions have become NASCAR Cup Series regulars later in their careers, such as 1995 champion Skinner, who joined Richard Childress Racing's Cup team in 1997,[25] competing on a full-time basis until 2003.[26] Professional football coach Jerry Glanville was among the series' first drivers.[27] As the years went on, a number of younger drivers debuted in the series, using the series as a springboard for their racing careers. NASCAR stars Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, and Kyle Busch each started in the series.[9]

A 2001 Truck Series race incident resulted in a significant NASCAR rule change. In early November of that year, the Truck Series was running as a support race for CART's Marlboro 500, that series' final event of its season; since the race weekend was being staged by CART and not NASCAR, its rules had to be followed. As a result, the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement was effective. Thus, any driver who participated in the race weekend had to be at least 18 years of age. The rule affected Roush Racing's No. 99 truck driven by Kyle Busch, as he was underage at the time (16) and thus disqualified from the event despite having already qualified. The issue resulted in a 2002 rule change that mandated that any driver competing in a NASCAR national touring series (Truck, Busch, Cup) or any regional series race on the weekend of a national series race must be at least 18 in order to comply with the Master Settlement Agreement.[28] After NASCAR phased out tobacco sponsorships, the minimum age for regional touring series was changed to 16, and the Truck Series' rule regulated a minimum age of 16 for any circuit one mile or shorter (Rockingham Speedway included, despite it being 1.017 miles), and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.[29]

In later years, though, the Truck Series has also become a place for Cup veterans without a ride to make their living[9] which included Ricky Craven, Jimmy Spencer, Dennis Setzer, Brendan Gaughan (who started his career in a family-owned team, and after his Nextel Cup attempt, returned to the family operation), Rich Bickle, Andy Houston, Todd Bodine, Bobby Hamilton Jr. and previous champions Johnny Benson, Mike Skinner, Ron Hornaday, Ted Musgrave, and Jack Sprague. Older drivers dominated the series, most with Xfinity and Cup Series experience: in 2007, all the top-10 drivers were over 30 years of age,[30] and 7 of the 10 had Cup experience, as did every race winner except Erik Darnell. Even though novice drivers play a minimal role in this "minor league" series, there is no controversy like the disputes over "Buschwhackers" in the Busch (later Nationwide, now Xfinity Series). No current Cup regulars drive a full Truck Series schedule, although Cup driver Kevin Harvick owned his own team in the series until 2011,[31] Brad Keselowski owned his own team until he announced its cessation of operations in 2017[32] and Kyle Busch currently fields his own team, Kyle Busch Motorsports, respectively, driving part-time for his team. A current Truck Series field could be split into three groups: Cup drivers that compete as owner-drivers like Busch, or to receive additional money like David Gilliland; Truck regulars who compete full-time in the series; and young drivers who use the Truck Series to enter NASCAR.[9]

Racing and strategy edit

Qualifying edit

A Truck Series field currently consists of 36 trucks in races with qualifying. Previously, 32 trucks comprised a field, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the field was increased to 36 in races with qualifying and 40 without to accommodate as many trucks as possible.

For most races, a single-truck qualifying format is used. For tracks 1.25 miles and shorter, each truck gets two laps with the fastest lap counting. At tracks longer than 1.25 miles each truck only gets one timed lap. Road course events use a 2 part knockout qualifying format similar to Formula 1, with the top 12 qualifiers from Q1 advancing to Q2. At the event at Eldora, qualifying sets the lineups for a series of heat races which then determines the lineup.

The race edit

 
A Truck Series garage at Lowe's Motor Speedway in 2008

Initially, the series used a number of rules that differed from both Winston Cup and Busch Grand National Series racing. Most of the first races were no longer than 125 miles in length, with many being 150-lap races on short tracks. To save teams money by not requiring teams to hire pit specialists and buy extra tires, and because some tracks – Saugus Speedway, Flemington Raceway, Tucson Raceway Park, Evergreen Speedway and Colorado National Speedway most notably—did not have a pit road safe enough for pit stops, or had pits outside the track, starting with the second race of the series in Tucson, NASCAR adopted a five-minute "halftime" break, in place of pit stops, where teams could make any changes they would want to the truck. The only time tire changes were possible were for the interest of safety, such as a tire failure, or a danger to the tire. The rule was popular with television and fans, and was spread for the entire schedule afterwards as pit reporters could interview drivers and crew chiefs for the break in a time without stress. However, starting in 1998, NASCAR introduced competition cautions, with each team being awarded four sets of tires; with this rule change, the halftime break was abolished starting with the race at Pikes Peak International Raceway.[33] In 1999, full pit stops were added, with drivers being allowed to pit during races, but were not allowed to change more than two tires during a stop.[34]

In 1996, some races went to two intermissions for full tire and fuel stops, while longer races were stopped at three times—a limited break near the one-quarter and three-quarter marks for fuel stops, and at the halfway point for fuel and tire stops. If tire wear was a concern, NASCAR also permitted two-tire changes if necessary in the first and third period breaks. These rules were influential in driver development. Drivers had to learn to conserve tire wear for up to a half race, which allowed them to learn conserving the truck. Some drivers used the rules to learn tire conservation for other series. In 1997, NASCAR started phasing pit stops. During the 1997 season, trucks could only legally take fuel and make adjustments during pit stops during the race. Tire changes were still illegal except for emergency causes and at break times.[citation needed]

For a short time in 1995, NASCAR adopted traditional short-track rules by inverting a number of cars at the front of the grid after complaints about some races where drivers led the entire event. That was dropped quickly after some races ended as walkovers for drivers, leading entire races.[citation needed][clarification needed]

 
Miguel Paludo's team performs a pit stop at Texas Motor Speedway in 2012

A more popular rule that was effective until the middle of the 2004 season was the "overtime" rule. Unless interrupted by weather, Craftsman Truck Series races had to end under green flag conditions, and the rule mandated that all races must end with a minimum of two consecutive laps in green flag condition, often referred to as a "green-white-checkered" finish. Since racing to the yellow flag was prohibited until 1998 (and again in 2003 under the current free pass rule), scoring reverted to the last completed lap, and until racing back to the line was legalized in 1998, if the yellow waved during the first lap of a green-white-checkered finish, the entire situation would be reset. This rule meant some races would be greatly extended. In 1998, a CBS-televised race in Pikes Peak scheduled for 186 laps ran 198 laps (12 extra laps) because of multiple attempts, and the last such race, in Gateway International Raceway in 2004, lasted 14 additional laps (16.25 miles). A July 24, 2004 rule change for NASCAR's three national series meant only one "green-white-checkered" finish can be attempted, and the race can end under yellow in one of four situations—inclement weather, darkness, the yellow flag waving because of an incident during the final lap of a race, or the yellow flag waving after the one attempt at green-white-checkered begins. This was later extended by NASCAR to three attempts. (Although reducing the Truck Series attempts at a green-white-checkered finish to one, the rule change was part of NASCAR's implementation of the rule to the Cup and Busch Series due to complaints regarding NASCAR's policy at the time regarding late race cautions; the policy stated that a red flag would be thrown during a late race caution to attempt to ensure the race would finish under green but if a caution occurred after the window for the red flag, the race would end under caution regardless of where the incident occurred or how severe it was). Ironically, the first Truck Series race under the new rules ended with a yellow flag on the final lap.

In 2014, NASCAR banned tandem drafting, a method of racing in which two vehicles would line up with each other to gain speed, from the Truck Series. Drivers who commit the act are black-flagged.[35]

In the 2016 season, the Truck Series experimented with a rule similar to those used in longer-distance Super Late Model events such as the Snowball Derby that limited how long a race can go before a competition caution for pit stops or adjustments in an effort to reduce green-flag pit stops, with which younger and more inexperienced drivers were unfamiliar. The limit was 20 minutes of green flag racing (in theory 75 laps at Bristol, or 60 laps at Martinsville), without beneficiaries being awarded. Upon each restart, the clock restarted from 20:00, and each caution for an incident reset the clock back to 20:00. As is the case in the short track rules, no competition caution would be used in the final 20 laps, except for tracks where lap times are 50 seconds or greater (Pocono or Mosport), where the limit was ten laps, or Eldora because of its format.[36] In 2017, this was replaced with the stage system adopted by all other NASCAR national series that season.[37]

Tracks edit

Initially, the Truck Series competed primarily on short tracks and tracks in the Western United States; the series' inaugural schedule included races at tracks in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, with only five races in the Southeastern U.S., such as Louisville Motor Speedway, which was not run by the Cup Series. Additionally, the longest tracks run by the series, Phoenix International Raceway and Milwaukee Mile, were one mile long.[38] By 1998, most of the short tracks were phased out in favor of speedways of 1 to 2 miles in length, and more of the races were held at tracks that hosted Cup and Busch events concurrently, but some races were held with CART and Indy Racing League events. Road courses were phased out by 2001, the last race being in 2000 at Watkins Glen International, but returned in 2013 with the Truck race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.[39] Also in 2013, the Truck Series began racing at Eldora Speedway, the first time NASCAR had raced at a dirt track since the 1970 NASCAR Grand National Series season.[40] As of the 2023 season, the series races on 21 tracks: one dirt track (Bristol), two road courses (Circuit of the Americas and Mid-Ohio), five short tracks (Bristol, Martinsville, Richmond, North Wilkesboro, and Indianapolis Raceway Park), three superspeedways (Daytona, Talladega, and Pocono) and nine intermediate ovals.[41] The second most recent addition to the series schedule is Atlanta Motor Speedway, which returned to hosting Truck races in 2015 after a two-year absence.[42] The most recent addition to the series schedule is North Wilkesboro Speedway which returned to hosting Truck races after a twenty-six–year absence.

Television and radio edit

The 1995 season's races were nationally televised on ESPN, TNN, ABC and CBS.[43] Of the 20-race schedule, TNN aired ten races, while ESPN aired seven races and CBS two, while ABC aired the race at Mesa Marin Speedway as part of its Wide World of Sports program.[1] In 2001, NASCAR moved the series exclusively to cable, first with ESPN, and in 2003, switched to Speed, a network which provided supplemental coverage for Fox's coverage of NASCAR events. Network television returned to the series from 2007 to 2010 when two races per season (the Kroger 250 at Martinsville and the City of Mansfield 250 at Mansfield, with a race at Fontana replacing Mansfield) airing on Fox as NASCAR on Fox events. These broadcasts were discontinued in 2011.

On August 13, 2013, Speed was converted into Fox Sports 1 (FS1), continuing with all Truck Series race broadcasts, whereas some practice and qualifying sessions were moved to sister channel Fox Sports 2 (FS2). For the 2014 season, the Fred's 250 at Talladega had its race broadcast moved from FS1 to the Fox broadcast network.[42] For the 2018 season, the UNOH 200 at Bristol aired in prime time on Fox.[44] For the 2020 season, the Clean Harbors 200 aired on Fox.[45] In 2022, the CRC Brakleen 150 was moved to Fox.[46] In 2023, the Tyson 250 was moved.[47]

Motor Racing Network has exclusive radio broadcasting rights to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Specifications edit

 
Trucks at Heartland Park Topeka in 1995
  • Chassis: Steel tube frame with safety roll cage, must be NASCAR standards
  • Engine displacement: 5.86 L (358 cu in) built or 376 cubic inch (6.2 L) Chevrolet LSX NT1 crate Pushrod V8
  • Transmission: 4-speed manual
  • Weight: 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) minimum without driver and fuel; 3,400 lb (1,542 kg) minimum with driver and fuel
  • Power output: 650–700 hp (480–520 kW) unrestricted,[48] ≈450 hp (340 kW) restricted
  • Torque: 700 N⋅m (520 ft⋅lb)
  • Fuel: Sunoco 93 MON, 104 RON, 98 AKI 85% unleaded gasoline + Sunoco Green Ethanol E15 15%
  • Fuel capacity: 18 US gallons (68 litres)
  • Fuel delivery: Carburetion (built) or Fuel injection (crate)
  • Compression ratio: 12:1
  • Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
  • Carburetor size: 390 cubic feet per minute (184 litres per second) 4 barrel (built)
  • Wheelbase: 112 in (2,845 mm)
  • Steering: Power, recirculating ball
  • Tires: Slick (all tracks except Bristol Motor Speedway), dirt (Bristol spring) and rain tires (shorter flat ovals and all road courses only if in case of rainy conditions) provided by Goodyear Eagle
  • Length: 206.5 in (5,245 mm)
  • Height: 60 in (1,524 mm)
  • Width: 80 in (2,032 mm)
  • Safety equipment: HANS device, seat belt 6-point supplied by Willans

Manufacturer representation edit

The series was notable in seeing the return of Chrysler Corporation factory-supported race vehicles to the tracks. Chrysler withdrew its factory support of its Dodge and Plymouth brands after the 1972 season to cut costs, though teams continued to campaign cars with Plymouth and Dodge sheetmetal and power plants until 1985. Chrysler funded a small R&D effort, with factory funding and support for Dodge to return to NASCAR for the Craftsman Truck Series with the Dodge Ram pickup truck in 1997. By 2001 Dodge made a full-time return to NASCAR with a full factory-backed effort. While Dodge continued to race in the other series until 2012, the Ram Trucks division (spun off from Dodge after the Fiat Group took control of Chrysler) raced in the Camping World Truck Series in Dodge's place. In 2014, Ram pulled out, leaving the Nationwide Series as the last series with teams fielding Dodge. As of the 2021 season, no teams in the Truck Series field Ram trucks.

The Truck Series was the first major NASCAR series to feature Toyota, with the Toyota Tundra model making its debut in the series in 2004; Toyota had previously competed in the mostly regional level Goody's Dash Series. The Japanese automaker became the first foreign nameplate to race in NASCAR during the sport's modern era. Toyota would later join the Cup series and Xfinity series as well, doing so in 2007.

FCA US (Chrysler)
  • Dodge Ram: 1995–2011
  • Ram: 2012–2016, (no factory support after 2013)
Ford
General Motors
Toyota

Seasons edit

Year Races Champion Manufacturers'
Champion
Owners' Champion Rookie of the Year Most Popular Driver
1995 20 Mike Skinner Chevrolet No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Not awarded in first season Butch Miller
1996 24 Ron Hornaday Jr. Chevrolet No. 16 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Bryan Reffner Jimmy Hensley
1997 26 Jack Sprague Chevrolet No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Kenny Irwin Jr. Ron Hornaday Jr.
1998 27 Ron Hornaday Jr. (2) Chevrolet No. 16 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (2) Greg Biffle Stacy Compton
1999 25 Jack Sprague (2) Ford No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports (2) Mike Stefanik Dennis Setzer
2000 24 Greg Biffle Ford (2) No. 50 Roush Racing Kurt Busch Greg Biffle
2001 24 Jack Sprague (3) Dodge No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports (3) Travis Kvapil Joe Ruttman
2002 22 Mike Bliss Chevrolet No. 16 Xpress Motorsports Brendan Gaughan David Starr
2003 25 Travis Kvapil Dodge No. 16 Xpress Motorsports (2) Carl Edwards Brendan Gaughan
2004 25 Bobby Hamilton Dodge (3) No. 4 Bobby Hamilton Racing David Reutimann Steve Park
2005 25 Ted Musgrave Chevrolet No. 1 Ultra Motorsports Todd Kluever Ron Hornaday Jr.
2006 25 Todd Bodine Toyota No. 30 Germain Racing Erik Darnell Johnny Benson Jr.
2007 25 Ron Hornaday Jr. (3) Toyota No. 33 Kevin Harvick Incorporated Willie Allen Johnny Benson Jr.
2008 25 Johnny Benson Jr. Toyota No. 23 Bill Davis Racing Colin Braun Johnny Benson Jr.
2009 25 Ron Hornaday Jr. (4) Toyota No. 33 Kevin Harvick Incorporated (2) Johnny Sauter Ricky Carmichael
2010 25 Todd Bodine (2) Toyota No. 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports Austin Dillon Narain Karthikeyan
2011 25 Austin Dillon Chevrolet No. 2 Kevin Harvick Incorporated (3) Joey Coulter Austin Dillon
2012 22 James Buescher Chevrolet No. 31 Turner Scott Motorsports Ty Dillon Nelson Piquet Jr.
2013 22 Matt Crafton Toyota No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports (2) Ryan Blaney Ty Dillon
2014 22 Matt Crafton (2) Toyota No. 51 (Kyle Busch Motorsports) (3) Ben Kennedy Ryan Blaney
2015 23 Erik Jones Toyota No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports (4) Erik Jones John Hunter Nemechek
2016 23 Johnny Sauter Toyota No. 9 (Kyle Busch Motorsports) (5) William Byron Tyler Reddick
2017 23 Christopher Bell Toyota No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports (6) Chase Briscoe Chase Briscoe
2018 23 Brett Moffitt Chevrolet No. 16 Hattori Racing Enterprises Myatt Snider Noah Gragson
2019 23 Matt Crafton (3) Toyota No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports (7) Tyler Ankrum Ross Chastain
2020 23 Sheldon Creed Chevrolet (10) No. 2 GMS Racing Zane Smith Zane Smith
2021 22 Ben Rhodes Toyota (12) No. 99 ThorSport Racing Chandler Smith Hailie Deegan
2022 23 Zane Smith Toyota (13) No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Corey Heim Hailie Deegan
2023 23 Ben Rhodes (2) Chevrolet (11) No. 99 ThorSport Racing (2) Nick Sanchez

All-time win table edit

All figures correct as of the Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway (November 3, 2023).

Key
# Driver is competing full-time in the 2024 season
° Driver is competing part-time in the 2024 season
^ Driver has been inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame
* NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion
Rank
Driver
Wins
1 Kyle Busch ° 64
2 Ron Hornaday Jr. ^* 51
3 Mike Skinner * 28
3 Jack Sprague * 28
5 Johnny Sauter * 24
6 Todd Bodine * 22
7 Dennis Setzer 18
8 Greg Biffle * 17
8 Ted Musgrave * 17
10 Matt Crafton * 15
11 Johnny Benson Jr. * 14
11 Kevin Harvick 14
13 Mike Bliss * 13
13 Brett Moffitt * 13
13 John Hunter Nemechek 13
13 Joe Ruttman 13
17 Timothy Peters 11
18 Grant Enfinger 10
18 Bobby Hamilton * 10
20 Travis Kvapil * 9
20 Zane Smith * 9
22 William Byron 8
22 Sheldon Creed * 8
22 Brendan Gaughan 8
22 Austin Hill 8
26 Christopher Bell * 7
26 Austin Dillon * 7
26 Erik Jones * 7
26 Mark Martin ^ 7
26 Ben Rhodes * 7
31 James Buescher * 6
31 Terry Cook 6
31 Carl Edwards 6
31 Bubba Wallace 6
35 Rick Crawford 5
35 Christian Eckes # 5
35 Corey Heim # 5
35 Kasey Kahne 5
35 Scott Riggs 5
35 Chandler Smith 5
35 Mike Wallace 5
42 Ryan Blaney 4
42 Kurt Busch 4
42 Rick Carelli 4
42 Ross Chastain 4
42 Carson Hocevar 4
42 Tony Raines 4
42 Jay Sauter 4
42 David Starr 4
50 Rich Bickle 3
50 Clint Bowyer 3
50 Ty Dillon 3
50 Chase Elliott 3
50 Stewart Friesen 3
50 Todd Gilliland 3
50 Justin Haley 3
50 Andy Houston 3
50 Parker Kligerman 3
50 Kyle Larson 3
50 Ty Majeski 3
50 Tyler Reddick 3
50 Dave Rezendes 3
63 Aric Almirola 2
63 Chase Briscoe 2
63 Chad Chaffin 2
63 Stacy Compton 2
63 Cole Custer 2
63 Erik Darnell 2
63 Ron Fellows 2
63 Noah Gragson 2
63 Denny Hamlin 2
63 Jimmy Hensley 2
63 Kenny Irwin Jr. 2
63 Joey Logano 2
63 Nelson Piquet Jr. 2
63 Ryan Preece 2
63 Robert Pressley 2
63 Brian Scott 2
63 Tony Stewart ^ 2
63 Randy Tolsma 2
63 Jon Wood 2
82 Tyler Ankrum 1
82 Spencer Boyd 1
82 Colin Braun 1
82 Jeb Burton 1
82 Austin Cindric 1
82 Joey Coulter 1
82 Ricky Craven 1
82 Matt DiBenedetto 1
82 Tate Fogleman 1
82 Cale Gale 1
82 Kaz Grala 1
82 Ricky Hendrick 1
82 Shane Hmiel 1
82 Brandon Jones 1
82 Ben Kennedy 1
82 Bob Keselowski 1
82 Brad Keselowski 1
82 John King 1
82 Bobby Labonte ^ 1
82 Terry Labonte ^ 1
82 Jason Leffler 1
82 Raphaël Lessard 1
82 Donny Lia 1
82 Justin Lofton 1
82 Sam Mayer 1
82 Jamie McMurray 1
82 Butch Miller 1
82 Ryan Newman 1
82 Steve Park 1
82 Bryan Reffner 1
82 David Reutimann 1
82 Elliott Sadler 1
82 Boris Said 1
82 Ken Schrader 1
82 Scott Speed 1
82 Jimmy Spencer 1
82 Daniel Suárez 1
82 John Wes Townley 1
82 Martin Truex Jr. 1
82 Michael Waltrip 1
82 Brandon Whitt 1

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Rockne, Dick (May 8, 1995). "Trucks Pick Up Fans, Sponsors". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c . Road & Track magazine. February 25, 2005. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  3. ^ "NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES PRIMER". Daytona International Speedway. February 18, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Pearce, Al (September 5, 1995). . Daily Press. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  5. ^ Norman, Brad (March 12, 2015). "#TBT: FIRST-EVER TRUCK SERIES RACE". NASCAR. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  6. ^ Pedley, Jim (December 3, 2007). . The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on 2007-12-06. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  7. ^ . Camping World. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  8. ^ Coble, Don (February 22, 2013). "NASCAR: Race teams in trucks, Nationwide feeling financial pinch". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  9. ^ "Richard Childress: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results (wins)". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  10. ^ Long, Dustin (December 2, 2014). . Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  11. ^ "NASCAR's Lower Divisions Struggling". Hartford Courant. December 19, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  12. ^ Demmons, Doug (January 30, 2009). "NASCAR Truck Series issues new rules to save money". The Birmingham News. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  13. ^ "CHANGES FOR 2011 INCLUDE EMPHASIS ON WINNING, SIMPLER POINTS". NASCAR. January 27, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  14. ^ "CHASE FORMAT EXTENDED TO XFINITY, CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES". NASCAR. January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  15. ^ "Gander Trucks playoff field expands to 10 drivers in 2020". NASCAR. January 21, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  16. ^ "Camping World extends sponsorship for NASCAR truck series". Sporting News. May 5, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  17. ^ "NASCAR, Camping World expand partnership, provide Gander Outdoors entitlement". NASCAR. May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  18. ^ McFadin, Daniel (November 19, 2019). "Truck Series gets minor name change for 2020". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  19. ^ Andrejev, Alex (September 15, 2020). "NASCAR Truck Series will have a new (old) title sponsor next season". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  20. ^ Miller, Ben (Mar 7, 2019). "Stanley sues Sears over Craftsman brand". Chicago Business Journal. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  21. ^ "Craftsman returns as title sponsor of NASCAR Truck Series starting in 2023". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  22. ^ "West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame to induct 10 in July". NASCAR. April 8, 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  23. ^ "Rick Carelli". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  24. ^ . Mike Skinner. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  25. ^ "Mike Skinner". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  26. ^ "Remember When: Mike Skinner and the Truck Series Arrives". Popular Speed. July 30, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  27. ^ "Rule could put Busch's truck career on hold". Las Vegas Sun. December 11, 2001. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  28. ^ "NASCAR announces 2013 Truck sked". Fox Sports. November 28, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  29. ^ "NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings for 2007". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  30. ^ Demmons, Doug (September 9, 2011). "Kevin Harvick plans to shut down his NASCAR Truck Series team". The Birmingham News. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  31. ^ McFadin, Daniel (August 17, 2017). . Yahoo Sports. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  32. ^ Schnatz, Pete (July 13, 1998). "Nascar Shelves 'Halftime'". Philadelphia Media Network. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  33. ^ Fox, John Jay (July 8, 1999). "Live Pit Stops Have Made Nascar's Craftman Series More Competitive. Truck Stop". The Morning Call. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  34. ^ Bruce, Kenny (January 11, 2014). "NASCAR to Penalize Tandem Drafting". NASCAR. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  35. ^ Albert, Zach (January 19, 2016). "NASCAR introduces Caution Clock in NCWTS". NASCAR.com. Charlotte, North Carolina. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  36. ^ Kelly, Godwin (January 23, 2017). "NASCAR changes points and playoffs systems". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. GateHouse Media. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  37. ^ Siano, Joseph (February 5, 1995). "AUTO RACING; The Latest From Nascar: A 20-Race SuperTruck Series". The New York Times. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  38. ^ . Sporting News. Associated Press. September 1, 2013. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  39. ^ Bruce, Kenny (July 23, 2013). . Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  40. ^ "Tracks". NASCAR. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  41. ^ a b "NASCAR reveals 2015 schedules for national series". NASCAR. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  42. ^ "NASCAR CRAFTSMAN SUPERTRUCK SERIES CRUISES ONTO 4 NETWORKS". Sports Business Daily. November 21, 1994. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  43. ^ "UNOH 200 AND BUSH'S BEANS 150 RACES MOVE TO THURS. AUG 16 DURING BASS PRO SHOPS NRA NIGHT RACE WEEK". Bristol Motor Speedway. Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  44. ^ "UPDATED 2020 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series schedule". Jayski's. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  45. ^ "CRC Brakleen 150 set for Saturday". WPGH-TV. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
  46. ^ "NASCAR Craftsman Trucks set for return to North Wilkesboro". NASCAR. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
  47. ^ "Delta Engine Spec Program On Schedule For NASCAR Camping World Trucks In May". Retrieved 10 May 2022.

External links edit

  • Official website

nascar, craftsman, truck, series, pickup, truck, racing, series, owned, operated, national, association, stock, auto, racing, nascar, only, series, nascar, race, production, pickup, truck, based, stock, cars, series, three, national, divisions, nascar, ranking. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing NASCAR and is the only series in NASCAR to race production pickup truck based stock cars The series is one of three national divisions of NASCAR ranking as the third tier behind the second tier NASCAR Xfinity Series and the top level NASCAR Cup Series NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesCategoryStock cars pickup truck racingCountryUnited StatesInaugural season1995ManufacturersChevrolet Ford ToyotaEngine suppliersChevrolet Ford Toyota Ilmor Engineering Ltd Tire suppliersGoodyearDrivers championBen RhodesMakes championChevroletTeams championThorSport RacingOfficial websiteNASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesCurrent seasonThe 2023 season will be the first with Stanley Black amp Decker holding the series naming rights Previously Sears Roebuck amp Co held title sponsorship from 1995 through 2008 with the Craftsman brand during which the series was known as the NASCAR SuperTruck Series in 1995 and the Craftsman Truck Series from 1996 through 2008 Camping World took over the sponsorship to dub the Camping World Truck Series from 2009 through 2018 followed by the Gander Outdoors Truck Series in 2019 the Gander RV amp Outdoors Truck Series in 2020 and a return to the Camping World name in 2021 and 2022 Stanley Black amp Decker which acquired the Craftsman brand in 2017 took over starting in 2023 Contents 1 History 1 1 Craftsman Truck Series 1995 2008 1 2 Camping World and Gander Outdoors Truck Series 2009 2022 1 3 Craftsman Truck Series 2023 present 2 Drivers 3 Racing and strategy 3 1 Qualifying 3 2 The race 4 Tracks 5 Television and radio 6 Specifications 7 Manufacturer representation 8 Seasons 9 All time win table 10 See also 11 References 12 External linksHistory editCraftsman Truck Series 1995 2008 edit nbsp The trucks of Lance Norick No 90 and Terry Cook No 88 racing in 1998 nbsp Ford F 150 nbsp Chevrolet C KThe idea for the Truck Series dates back to 1991 1 A group of SCORE off road racers Dick Landfield Jimmy Smith Jim Venable and Frank Scoop Vessels 2 had concerns about desert racing s future and decided to create a pavement truck racing series They visited NASCAR Western Operations Vice President Ken Clapp to promote the idea who consulted Bill France Jr with it but the plans fell apart Afterwards Clapp told the four to build a truck before NASCAR considered it Bakersfield fabricator Gary Collins built a prototype truck which was first shown off during Speedweeks for the 1994 Daytona 500 1 and tested by truck owner Jim Smith around Daytona International Speedway 3 The truck proved to be popular among fans and NASCAR arranged a meeting in a Burbank California hotel on April 11 1994 the meeting ultimately led to the creation of the SuperTruck Series 1 Four demonstration races were held at Mesa Marin Raceway Portland Speedway Saugus Speedway and Tucson Raceway Park 2 Tucson held four events that winter which were nationally televised during the Winter Heat Series coverage 2 Sears Roebuck amp Co through the Craftsman brand served as the sponsor of the series on a three year deal and the series was renamed to the Craftsman Truck Series in 1996 In addition the series 580 000 purse is larger than the Busch Grand National Series fund 4 While a new series it garnered immediate support from many prominent Winston Cup Series team owners and drivers Prominent Cup owners Richard Childress Rick Hendrick and Jack Roush owned truck teams and top drivers such as Dale Earnhardt and Ernie Irvan also fielded SuperTrucks for others 4 The series also attracted the attention of drivers like sprint car racing star Sammy Swindell Walker Evans of off road racing fame open wheel veteran Mike Bliss and Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville 1 The inaugural race the Skoal Bandit Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway was held on February 5 the race featuring an event record crowd of 38 000 spectators 1 concluded with eventual series champion Mike Skinner holding off Cup veteran Terry Labonte to win 5 Only one team from the first season of the series FDNY Racing is still racing in the series today Camping World and Gander Outdoors Truck Series 2009 2022 edit nbsp The Camping World Truck Series vehicle of the three time series champion Matt CraftonAt the end of the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule Craftsman ended its sponsorship of the series 6 Subsequently Camping World signed a seven year contract with NASCAR rebranding the series as the Camping World Truck Series 7 With decreasing money and increasing costs 8 the series has struggled financially with sponsorship and prize money the latter often being low 9 while the former would prompt teams to shut down to reduce in size Teams like Richard Childress Racing a Cup team with 31 Truck wins 10 shut down their Truck operations in RCR s case after the 2013 season After the 2014 season Brad Keselowski stated his Brad Keselowski Racing team had lost 1 million despite recording a win that year 11 and told the Sporting News The truck series you have to be able to lose money on a constant basis That s just how the system works 12 BKR ended up shutting down after the 2017 season To cut costs NASCAR required teams to use sealed engines with teams not being allowed to run at most three races with a previously used engine Additionally NASCAR reduced the maximum number of pit crew members allowed over the wall for a pit stop from seven to five and required teams to only take either fuel or tires on a single pit stop in 2009 13 This requirement was abandoned for the 2010 season Starting with the 2011 season NASCAR implemented a new rule that allows drivers to compete for the drivers championship in only one of the three national touring series Cup Xfinity or Truck in a given season 14 On January 19 2016 NASCAR announced the introduction of a playoff format similar to the NASCAR Cup Series Chase for the Championship the format consists of eight drivers across three rounds with two drivers being eliminated after each round 15 Starting in 2020 season the playoff was expanded to 10 drivers with two being eliminated after the first round and four being eliminated after the second round 16 nbsp 2019 NextEra Energy 250 first race under Gander Outdoors sponsorshipCamping World signed a seven year extension in 2014 to remain the title sponsor of the Truck Series until at least 2022 17 On May 8 2018 NASCAR and Camping World announced the Truck Series title sponsorship would be switched to its subsidiary Gander Outdoors starting in 2019 renaming it the Gander Outdoors Truck Series The series was slightly renamed to the Gander RV amp Outdoors Truck Series in 2020 18 19 but returned to the Camping World Truck Series branding the following season 20 Craftsman Truck Series 2023 present edit nbsp 2023 NextEra Energy 250 first race under Craftsman sponsorshipOn August 26 2022 NASCAR announced a multi year sponsorship deal with Stanley Black amp Decker which had acquired the Craftsman brand from Sears in 2017 21 under which the series would return to being known as the Craftsman Truck Series beginning in 2023 As part of the deal Stanley Black amp Decker also became the official tool brand of NASCAR 22 Drivers editMost of the first drivers in the series were veteran short track drivers who had not made it or struggled to thrive in the other NASCAR national series 9 for example 1991 Featherlite Southwest Tour champion Rick Carelli 23 had failed to qualify twelve times for Cup races across 1991 1994 with only nine career Cup starts but he finished sixth in the inaugural Truck Series championship 24 It is worth noting that most of the early champions have become NASCAR Cup Series regulars later in their careers such as 1995 champion Skinner who joined Richard Childress Racing s Cup team in 1997 25 competing on a full time basis until 2003 26 Professional football coach Jerry Glanville was among the series first drivers 27 As the years went on a number of younger drivers debuted in the series using the series as a springboard for their racing careers NASCAR stars Greg Biffle Kevin Harvick Jamie McMurray Kurt Busch Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch each started in the series 9 A 2001 Truck Series race incident resulted in a significant NASCAR rule change In early November of that year the Truck Series was running as a support race for CART s Marlboro 500 that series final event of its season since the race weekend was being staged by CART and not NASCAR its rules had to be followed As a result the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement was effective Thus any driver who participated in the race weekend had to be at least 18 years of age The rule affected Roush Racing s No 99 truck driven by Kyle Busch as he was underage at the time 16 and thus disqualified from the event despite having already qualified The issue resulted in a 2002 rule change that mandated that any driver competing in a NASCAR national touring series Truck Busch Cup or any regional series race on the weekend of a national series race must be at least 18 in order to comply with the Master Settlement Agreement 28 After NASCAR phased out tobacco sponsorships the minimum age for regional touring series was changed to 16 and the Truck Series rule regulated a minimum age of 16 for any circuit one mile or shorter Rockingham Speedway included despite it being 1 017 miles and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 29 In later years though the Truck Series has also become a place for Cup veterans without a ride to make their living 9 which included Ricky Craven Jimmy Spencer Dennis Setzer Brendan Gaughan who started his career in a family owned team and after his Nextel Cup attempt returned to the family operation Rich Bickle Andy Houston Todd Bodine Bobby Hamilton Jr and previous champions Johnny Benson Mike Skinner Ron Hornaday Ted Musgrave and Jack Sprague Older drivers dominated the series most with Xfinity and Cup Series experience in 2007 all the top 10 drivers were over 30 years of age 30 and 7 of the 10 had Cup experience as did every race winner except Erik Darnell Even though novice drivers play a minimal role in this minor league series there is no controversy like the disputes over Buschwhackers in the Busch later Nationwide now Xfinity Series No current Cup regulars drive a full Truck Series schedule although Cup driver Kevin Harvick owned his own team in the series until 2011 31 Brad Keselowski owned his own team until he announced its cessation of operations in 2017 32 and Kyle Busch currently fields his own team Kyle Busch Motorsports respectively driving part time for his team A current Truck Series field could be split into three groups Cup drivers that compete as owner drivers like Busch or to receive additional money like David Gilliland Truck regulars who compete full time in the series and young drivers who use the Truck Series to enter NASCAR 9 Racing and strategy editQualifying edit A Truck Series field currently consists of 36 trucks in races with qualifying Previously 32 trucks comprised a field but due to the COVID 19 pandemic the field was increased to 36 in races with qualifying and 40 without to accommodate as many trucks as possible For most races a single truck qualifying format is used For tracks 1 25 miles and shorter each truck gets two laps with the fastest lap counting At tracks longer than 1 25 miles each truck only gets one timed lap Road course events use a 2 part knockout qualifying format similar to Formula 1 with the top 12 qualifiers from Q1 advancing to Q2 At the event at Eldora qualifying sets the lineups for a series of heat races which then determines the lineup The race edit nbsp A Truck Series garage at Lowe s Motor Speedway in 2008Initially the series used a number of rules that differed from both Winston Cup and Busch Grand National Series racing Most of the first races were no longer than 125 miles in length with many being 150 lap races on short tracks To save teams money by not requiring teams to hire pit specialists and buy extra tires and because some tracks Saugus Speedway Flemington Raceway Tucson Raceway Park Evergreen Speedway and Colorado National Speedway most notably did not have a pit road safe enough for pit stops or had pits outside the track starting with the second race of the series in Tucson NASCAR adopted a five minute halftime break in place of pit stops where teams could make any changes they would want to the truck The only time tire changes were possible were for the interest of safety such as a tire failure or a danger to the tire The rule was popular with television and fans and was spread for the entire schedule afterwards as pit reporters could interview drivers and crew chiefs for the break in a time without stress However starting in 1998 NASCAR introduced competition cautions with each team being awarded four sets of tires with this rule change the halftime break was abolished starting with the race at Pikes Peak International Raceway 33 In 1999 full pit stops were added with drivers being allowed to pit during races but were not allowed to change more than two tires during a stop 34 In 1996 some races went to two intermissions for full tire and fuel stops while longer races were stopped at three times a limited break near the one quarter and three quarter marks for fuel stops and at the halfway point for fuel and tire stops If tire wear was a concern NASCAR also permitted two tire changes if necessary in the first and third period breaks These rules were influential in driver development Drivers had to learn to conserve tire wear for up to a half race which allowed them to learn conserving the truck Some drivers used the rules to learn tire conservation for other series In 1997 NASCAR started phasing pit stops During the 1997 season trucks could only legally take fuel and make adjustments during pit stops during the race Tire changes were still illegal except for emergency causes and at break times citation needed For a short time in 1995 NASCAR adopted traditional short track rules by inverting a number of cars at the front of the grid after complaints about some races where drivers led the entire event That was dropped quickly after some races ended as walkovers for drivers leading entire races citation needed clarification needed nbsp Miguel Paludo s team performs a pit stop at Texas Motor Speedway in 2012A more popular rule that was effective until the middle of the 2004 season was the overtime rule Unless interrupted by weather Craftsman Truck Series races had to end under green flag conditions and the rule mandated that all races must end with a minimum of two consecutive laps in green flag condition often referred to as a green white checkered finish Since racing to the yellow flag was prohibited until 1998 and again in 2003 under the current free pass rule scoring reverted to the last completed lap and until racing back to the line was legalized in 1998 if the yellow waved during the first lap of a green white checkered finish the entire situation would be reset This rule meant some races would be greatly extended In 1998 a CBS televised race in Pikes Peak scheduled for 186 laps ran 198 laps 12 extra laps because of multiple attempts and the last such race in Gateway International Raceway in 2004 lasted 14 additional laps 16 25 miles A July 24 2004 rule change for NASCAR s three national series meant only one green white checkered finish can be attempted and the race can end under yellow in one of four situations inclement weather darkness the yellow flag waving because of an incident during the final lap of a race or the yellow flag waving after the one attempt at green white checkered begins This was later extended by NASCAR to three attempts Although reducing the Truck Series attempts at a green white checkered finish to one the rule change was part of NASCAR s implementation of the rule to the Cup and Busch Series due to complaints regarding NASCAR s policy at the time regarding late race cautions the policy stated that a red flag would be thrown during a late race caution to attempt to ensure the race would finish under green but if a caution occurred after the window for the red flag the race would end under caution regardless of where the incident occurred or how severe it was Ironically the first Truck Series race under the new rules ended with a yellow flag on the final lap In 2014 NASCAR banned tandem drafting a method of racing in which two vehicles would line up with each other to gain speed from the Truck Series Drivers who commit the act are black flagged 35 In the 2016 season the Truck Series experimented with a rule similar to those used in longer distance Super Late Model events such as the Snowball Derby that limited how long a race can go before a competition caution for pit stops or adjustments in an effort to reduce green flag pit stops with which younger and more inexperienced drivers were unfamiliar The limit was 20 minutes of green flag racing in theory 75 laps at Bristol or 60 laps at Martinsville without beneficiaries being awarded Upon each restart the clock restarted from 20 00 and each caution for an incident reset the clock back to 20 00 As is the case in the short track rules no competition caution would be used in the final 20 laps except for tracks where lap times are 50 seconds or greater Pocono or Mosport where the limit was ten laps or Eldora because of its format 36 In 2017 this was replaced with the stage system adopted by all other NASCAR national series that season 37 Tracks editMain article List of NASCAR tracks Initially the Truck Series competed primarily on short tracks and tracks in the Western United States the series inaugural schedule included races at tracks in Arizona California Colorado Oregon and Washington with only five races in the Southeastern U S such as Louisville Motor Speedway which was not run by the Cup Series Additionally the longest tracks run by the series Phoenix International Raceway and Milwaukee Mile were one mile long 38 By 1998 most of the short tracks were phased out in favor of speedways of 1 to 2 miles in length and more of the races were held at tracks that hosted Cup and Busch events concurrently but some races were held with CART and Indy Racing League events Road courses were phased out by 2001 the last race being in 2000 at Watkins Glen International but returned in 2013 with the Truck race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 39 Also in 2013 the Truck Series began racing at Eldora Speedway the first time NASCAR had raced at a dirt track since the 1970 NASCAR Grand National Series season 40 As of the 2023 season the series races on 21 tracks one dirt track Bristol two road courses Circuit of the Americas and Mid Ohio five short tracks Bristol Martinsville Richmond North Wilkesboro and Indianapolis Raceway Park three superspeedways Daytona Talladega and Pocono and nine intermediate ovals 41 The second most recent addition to the series schedule is Atlanta Motor Speedway which returned to hosting Truck races in 2015 after a two year absence 42 The most recent addition to the series schedule is North Wilkesboro Speedway which returned to hosting Truck races after a twenty six year absence Television and radio editThe 1995 season s races were nationally televised on ESPN TNN ABC and CBS 43 Of the 20 race schedule TNN aired ten races while ESPN aired seven races and CBS two while ABC aired the race at Mesa Marin Speedway as part of its Wide World of Sports program 1 In 2001 NASCAR moved the series exclusively to cable first with ESPN and in 2003 switched to Speed a network which provided supplemental coverage for Fox s coverage of NASCAR events Network television returned to the series from 2007 to 2010 when two races per season the Kroger 250 at Martinsville and the City of Mansfield 250 at Mansfield with a race at Fontana replacing Mansfield airing on Fox as NASCAR on Fox events These broadcasts were discontinued in 2011 On August 13 2013 Speed was converted into Fox Sports 1 FS1 continuing with all Truck Series race broadcasts whereas some practice and qualifying sessions were moved to sister channel Fox Sports 2 FS2 For the 2014 season the Fred s 250 at Talladega had its race broadcast moved from FS1 to the Fox broadcast network 42 For the 2018 season the UNOH 200 at Bristol aired in prime time on Fox 44 For the 2020 season the Clean Harbors 200 aired on Fox 45 In 2022 the CRC Brakleen 150 was moved to Fox 46 In 2023 the Tyson 250 was moved 47 Motor Racing Network has exclusive radio broadcasting rights to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Specifications edit nbsp Trucks at Heartland Park Topeka in 1995Chassis Steel tube frame with safety roll cage must be NASCAR standards Engine displacement 5 86 L 358 cu in built or 376 cubic inch 6 2 L Chevrolet LSX NT1 crate Pushrod V8 Transmission 4 speed manual Weight 3 200 lb 1 451 kg minimum without driver and fuel 3 400 lb 1 542 kg minimum with driver and fuel Power output 650 700 hp 480 520 kW unrestricted 48 450 hp 340 kW restricted Torque 700 N m 520 ft lb Fuel Sunoco 93 MON 104 RON 98 AKI 85 unleaded gasoline Sunoco Green Ethanol E15 15 Fuel capacity 18 US gallons 68 litres Fuel delivery Carburetion built or Fuel injection crate Compression ratio 12 1 Aspiration Naturally aspirated Carburetor size 390 cubic feet per minute 184 litres per second 4 barrel built Wheelbase 112 in 2 845 mm Steering Power recirculating ball Tires Slick all tracks except Bristol Motor Speedway dirt Bristol spring and rain tires shorter flat ovals and all road courses only if in case of rainy conditions provided by Goodyear Eagle Length 206 5 in 5 245 mm Height 60 in 1 524 mm Width 80 in 2 032 mm Safety equipment HANS device seat belt 6 point supplied by WillansManufacturer representation editThe series was notable in seeing the return of Chrysler Corporation factory supported race vehicles to the tracks Chrysler withdrew its factory support of its Dodge and Plymouth brands after the 1972 season to cut costs though teams continued to campaign cars with Plymouth and Dodge sheetmetal and power plants until 1985 Chrysler funded a small R amp D effort with factory funding and support for Dodge to return to NASCAR for the Craftsman Truck Series with the Dodge Ram pickup truck in 1997 By 2001 Dodge made a full time return to NASCAR with a full factory backed effort While Dodge continued to race in the other series until 2012 the Ram Trucks division spun off from Dodge after the Fiat Group took control of Chrysler raced in the Camping World Truck Series in Dodge s place In 2014 Ram pulled out leaving the Nationwide Series as the last series with teams fielding Dodge As of the 2021 season no teams in the Truck Series field Ram trucks The Truck Series was the first major NASCAR series to feature Toyota with the Toyota Tundra model making its debut in the series in 2004 Toyota had previously competed in the mostly regional level Goody s Dash Series The Japanese automaker became the first foreign nameplate to race in NASCAR during the sport s modern era Toyota would later join the Cup series and Xfinity series as well doing so in 2007 FCA US Chrysler Dodge Ram 1995 2011 Ram 2012 2016 no factory support after 2013 Ford Ford F 150 1995 presentGeneral Motors Chevrolet C K 1995 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1998 presentToyota Toyota Tundra 2004 presentSeasons editYear Races Champion Manufacturers Champion Owners Champion Rookie of the Year Most Popular Driver1995 20 Mike Skinner Chevrolet No 3 Richard Childress Racing Not awarded in first season Butch Miller1996 24 Ron Hornaday Jr Chevrolet No 16 Dale Earnhardt Inc Bryan Reffner Jimmy Hensley1997 26 Jack Sprague Chevrolet No 24 Hendrick Motorsports Kenny Irwin Jr Ron Hornaday Jr 1998 27 Ron Hornaday Jr 2 Chevrolet No 16 Dale Earnhardt Inc 2 Greg Biffle Stacy Compton1999 25 Jack Sprague 2 Ford No 24 Hendrick Motorsports 2 Mike Stefanik Dennis Setzer2000 24 Greg Biffle Ford 2 No 50 Roush Racing Kurt Busch Greg Biffle2001 24 Jack Sprague 3 Dodge No 24 Hendrick Motorsports 3 Travis Kvapil Joe Ruttman2002 22 Mike Bliss Chevrolet No 16 Xpress Motorsports Brendan Gaughan David Starr2003 25 Travis Kvapil Dodge No 16 Xpress Motorsports 2 Carl Edwards Brendan Gaughan2004 25 Bobby Hamilton Dodge 3 No 4 Bobby Hamilton Racing David Reutimann Steve Park2005 25 Ted Musgrave Chevrolet No 1 Ultra Motorsports Todd Kluever Ron Hornaday Jr 2006 25 Todd Bodine Toyota No 30 Germain Racing Erik Darnell Johnny Benson Jr 2007 25 Ron Hornaday Jr 3 Toyota No 33 Kevin Harvick Incorporated Willie Allen Johnny Benson Jr 2008 25 Johnny Benson Jr Toyota No 23 Bill Davis Racing Colin Braun Johnny Benson Jr 2009 25 Ron Hornaday Jr 4 Toyota No 33 Kevin Harvick Incorporated 2 Johnny Sauter Ricky Carmichael2010 25 Todd Bodine 2 Toyota No 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports Austin Dillon Narain Karthikeyan2011 25 Austin Dillon Chevrolet No 2 Kevin Harvick Incorporated 3 Joey Coulter Austin Dillon2012 22 James Buescher Chevrolet No 31 Turner Scott Motorsports Ty Dillon Nelson Piquet Jr 2013 22 Matt Crafton Toyota No 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports 2 Ryan Blaney Ty Dillon2014 22 Matt Crafton 2 Toyota No 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports 3 Ben Kennedy Ryan Blaney2015 23 Erik Jones Toyota No 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports 4 Erik Jones John Hunter Nemechek2016 23 Johnny Sauter Toyota No 9 Kyle Busch Motorsports 5 William Byron Tyler Reddick2017 23 Christopher Bell Toyota No 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports 6 Chase Briscoe Chase Briscoe2018 23 Brett Moffitt Chevrolet No 16 Hattori Racing Enterprises Myatt Snider Noah Gragson2019 23 Matt Crafton 3 Toyota No 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports 7 Tyler Ankrum Ross Chastain2020 23 Sheldon Creed Chevrolet 10 No 2 GMS Racing Zane Smith Zane Smith2021 22 Ben Rhodes Toyota 12 No 99 ThorSport Racing Chandler Smith Hailie Deegan2022 23 Zane Smith Toyota 13 No 38 Front Row Motorsports Corey Heim Hailie Deegan2023 23 Ben Rhodes 2 Chevrolet 11 No 99 ThorSport Racing 2 Nick SanchezDriver in Italics has won at least 1 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship Driver in Bold has won at least 1 NASCAR Cup Series championship All time win table editAll figures correct as of the Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway November 3 2023 Key Driver is competing full time in the 2024 season Driver is competing part time in the 2024 season Driver has been inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ChampionRank Driver Wins1 Kyle Busch 642 Ron Hornaday Jr 513 Mike Skinner 283 Jack Sprague 285 Johnny Sauter 246 Todd Bodine 227 Dennis Setzer 188 Greg Biffle 178 Ted Musgrave 1710 Matt Crafton 1511 Johnny Benson Jr 1411 Kevin Harvick 1413 Mike Bliss 1313 Brett Moffitt 1313 John Hunter Nemechek 1313 Joe Ruttman 1317 Timothy Peters 1118 Grant Enfinger 1018 Bobby Hamilton 1020 Travis Kvapil 920 Zane Smith 922 William Byron 822 Sheldon Creed 822 Brendan Gaughan 822 Austin Hill 826 Christopher Bell 726 Austin Dillon 726 Erik Jones 726 Mark Martin 726 Ben Rhodes 731 James Buescher 631 Terry Cook 631 Carl Edwards 631 Bubba Wallace 635 Rick Crawford 535 Christian Eckes 535 Corey Heim 535 Kasey Kahne 535 Scott Riggs 535 Chandler Smith 535 Mike Wallace 542 Ryan Blaney 442 Kurt Busch 442 Rick Carelli 442 Ross Chastain 442 Carson Hocevar 442 Tony Raines 442 Jay Sauter 442 David Starr 450 Rich Bickle 350 Clint Bowyer 350 Ty Dillon 350 Chase Elliott 350 Stewart Friesen 350 Todd Gilliland 350 Justin Haley 350 Andy Houston 350 Parker Kligerman 350 Kyle Larson 350 Ty Majeski 350 Tyler Reddick 350 Dave Rezendes 363 Aric Almirola 263 Chase Briscoe 263 Chad Chaffin 263 Stacy Compton 263 Cole Custer 263 Erik Darnell 263 Ron Fellows 263 Noah Gragson 263 Denny Hamlin 263 Jimmy Hensley 263 Kenny Irwin Jr 263 Joey Logano 263 Nelson Piquet Jr 263 Ryan Preece 263 Robert Pressley 263 Brian Scott 263 Tony Stewart 263 Randy Tolsma 263 Jon Wood 282 Tyler Ankrum 182 Spencer Boyd 182 Colin Braun 182 Jeb Burton 182 Austin Cindric 182 Joey Coulter 182 Ricky Craven 182 Matt DiBenedetto 182 Tate Fogleman 182 Cale Gale 182 Kaz Grala 182 Ricky Hendrick 182 Shane Hmiel 182 Brandon Jones 182 Ben Kennedy 182 Bob Keselowski 182 Brad Keselowski 182 John King 182 Bobby Labonte 182 Terry Labonte 182 Jason Leffler 182 Raphael Lessard 182 Donny Lia 182 Justin Lofton 182 Sam Mayer 182 Jamie McMurray 182 Butch Miller 182 Ryan Newman 182 Steve Park 182 Bryan Reffner 182 David Reutimann 182 Elliott Sadler 182 Boris Said 182 Ken Schrader 182 Scott Speed 182 Jimmy Spencer 182 Daniel Suarez 182 John Wes Townley 182 Martin Truex Jr 182 Michael Waltrip 182 Brandon Whitt 1See also edit nbsp Sports portalList of auto racing tracks in the United States List of the closest NASCAR Truck Series finishes List of NASCAR Truck Series champions List of NASCAR drivers List of NASCAR teams NASCAR Cup Series NASCAR Xfinity Series List of NASCAR series Triple Truck ChallengeReferences edit a b c d e f Rockne Dick May 8 1995 Trucks Pick Up Fans Sponsors The Seattle Times Retrieved February 19 2015 a b c Press Snoop NASCAR Truck Series facts Road amp Track magazine February 25 2005 Archived from the original on October 11 2008 Retrieved 2007 12 14 NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES PRIMER Daytona International Speedway February 18 2016 Retrieved April 30 2016 a b Pearce Al September 5 1995 Pro Focus Nascar Supertruck Series Daily Press Archived from the original on February 19 2015 Retrieved February 19 2015 Norman Brad March 12 2015 TBT FIRST EVER TRUCK SERIES RACE NASCAR Retrieved June 24 2015 Pedley Jim December 3 2007 Craftsman dropping sponsorship of NASCAR Truck series The Kansas City Star Archived from the original on 2007 12 06 Retrieved December 4 2012 Camping World to be Title Sponsor for NASCAR Truck Series Camping World Archived from the original on June 23 2015 Retrieved June 22 2015 Coble Don February 22 2013 NASCAR Race teams in trucks Nationwide feeling financial pinch The Florida Times Union Retrieved June 25 2015 a b c d e Margolis Bob May 16 2015 Truck Series Offers a Look into NASCAR s Future Popular Speed Retrieved June 25 2015 Richard Childress NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results wins Racing Reference Retrieved June 25 2015 Long Dustin December 2 2014 Keselowski Says Truck Team Lost 1 Million Motor Racing Network Archived from the original on June 26 2015 Retrieved June 25 2015 NASCAR s Lower Divisions Struggling Hartford Courant December 19 2013 Retrieved June 25 2015 Demmons Doug January 30 2009 NASCAR Truck Series issues new rules to save money The Birmingham News Retrieved June 27 2015 CHANGES FOR 2011 INCLUDE EMPHASIS ON WINNING SIMPLER POINTS NASCAR January 27 2011 Retrieved December 4 2014 CHASE FORMAT EXTENDED TO XFINITY CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES NASCAR January 19 2016 Retrieved January 19 2016 Gander Trucks playoff field expands to 10 drivers in 2020 NASCAR January 21 2020 Retrieved March 12 2020 Camping World extends sponsorship for NASCAR truck series Sporting News May 5 2014 Retrieved May 8 2018 NASCAR Camping World expand partnership provide Gander Outdoors entitlement NASCAR May 8 2018 Retrieved May 8 2018 McFadin Daniel November 19 2019 Truck Series gets minor name change for 2020 NBC Sports Retrieved November 19 2019 Andrejev Alex September 15 2020 NASCAR Truck Series will have a new old title sponsor next season Miami Herald Retrieved September 15 2020 Miller Ben Mar 7 2019 Stanley sues Sears over Craftsman brand Chicago Business Journal Retrieved March 8 2019 Craftsman returns as title sponsor of NASCAR Truck Series starting in 2023 CBSSports com Retrieved 2023 02 12 West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame to induct 10 in July NASCAR April 8 2009 Retrieved 3 February 2010 Rick Carelli Racing Reference Retrieved June 23 2015 MIKE S BIO amp HISTORY Mike Skinner Archived from the original on July 9 2015 Retrieved June 23 2015 Mike Skinner Racing Reference Retrieved June 23 2015 Remember When Mike Skinner and the Truck Series Arrives Popular Speed July 30 2014 Retrieved October 27 2015 Rule could put Busch s truck career on hold Las Vegas Sun December 11 2001 Retrieved June 23 2015 NASCAR announces 2013 Truck sked Fox Sports November 28 2012 Retrieved January 9 2014 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings for 2007 Racing Reference Retrieved June 23 2015 Demmons Doug September 9 2011 Kevin Harvick plans to shut down his NASCAR Truck Series team The Birmingham News Retrieved June 23 2015 McFadin Daniel August 17 2017 Brad Keselowski Racing to cease operations in Truck Series after this season Yahoo Sports Archived from the original on June 9 2022 Retrieved December 30 2017 Schnatz Pete July 13 1998 Nascar Shelves Halftime Philadelphia Media Network Retrieved June 22 2015 Fox John Jay July 8 1999 Live Pit Stops Have Made Nascar s Craftman Series More Competitive Truck Stop The Morning Call Retrieved June 22 2015 Bruce Kenny January 11 2014 NASCAR to Penalize Tandem Drafting NASCAR Retrieved January 12 2014 Albert Zach January 19 2016 NASCAR introduces Caution Clock in NCWTS NASCAR com Charlotte North Carolina Retrieved January 19 2016 Kelly Godwin January 23 2017 NASCAR changes points and playoffs systems The Daytona Beach News Journal GateHouse Media Retrieved January 27 2017 Siano Joseph February 5 1995 AUTO RACING The Latest From Nascar A 20 Race SuperTruck Series The New York Times Retrieved June 23 2015 Chase Elliott wrecks Ty Dillon to win truck race Richard Childress furious Sporting News Associated Press September 1 2013 Archived from the original on February 14 2014 Retrieved December 8 2013 Bruce Kenny July 23 2013 Richard Petty recalls NASCAR dirt race Yahoo Sports Archived from the original on September 26 2013 Retrieved September 6 2013 Tracks NASCAR Retrieved February 17 2023 a b NASCAR reveals 2015 schedules for national series NASCAR August 26 2014 Retrieved August 27 2014 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN SUPERTRUCK SERIES CRUISES ONTO 4 NETWORKS Sports Business Daily November 21 1994 Retrieved June 23 2015 UNOH 200 AND BUSH S BEANS 150 RACES MOVE TO THURS AUG 16 DURING BASS PRO SHOPS NRA NIGHT RACE WEEK Bristol Motor Speedway Speedway Motorsports Inc Retrieved 2018 04 17 UPDATED 2020 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series schedule Jayski s Retrieved 2022 03 25 CRC Brakleen 150 set for Saturday WPGH TV Retrieved 2023 09 06 NASCAR Craftsman Trucks set for return to North Wilkesboro NASCAR Retrieved 2023 09 06 Delta Engine Spec Program On Schedule For NASCAR Camping World Trucks In May Retrieved 10 May 2022 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to NASCAR Truck Series Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series amp oldid 1183674599, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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