NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Race #11 | Built Ford Tough 225
Kentucky Speedway
Saturday July 10, 2004

Craftsman Truck Series Drivers Clash With SPEED Channel Personalities In Annual Softball Game

June 9, 2004 | By Charles Krall, TrackSide Editor (and Umpire)

The NCTS drivers and Speed Channel production team squared off in their annual "grudge match" softball game last night at Champion Window Field at Freedom Park in Florence, Kentucky. The Speed Channel crew jumped out to a quick two run lead, but the NCTS drivers came back strong to tie it up in the bottom of the first inning. From there out, it was a virtual deadlock through the remaining innings, and the game eventually ending in a 5-5 tie.

"I think the umpires need to have their eyes checked," said Speed Channel play-by-play announcer Rick Allen, referring to the umpiring skills of TruckSeries.com's Steve Keller and Charles Krall. "Some of those calls were very questionable." Allen legged out an inside-the-park homer to tie the game late. However, he was also spotted wrapping his arms around members of the driver's team as they attempted to round third base to score.

Allen, Phil Parsons, Johnny Benson, Ray Dunlap, Wendy Norris, Keith D'Allessandro, Ryan Graft, Rich Russo, Emma Barnett, Kymberly Higgs, Charlie Vincent, Mark Levy, Todd Caldwell, Scott Knepshied, Shawn Parker, and Michael Dranes suited up for the Speed Channel team. Vincent made two impressive catches in the final inning to prevent the drivers from scoring several runs.

The NCTS driver players were Mike Skinner, Travis Kvapil, Kelly Sutton (who hit an impressive two-run base hit early in the game, and was named MVP by announcer Tim Bray), Robert Huffman, Ted Musgrave, Tracy Hines, David Starr, Frank Kimmel, Deborah Renshaw, Jack Sprague, and Craftsman rep Andy Stolp. Rick Crawford served as the coach for the drivers. Hines pulled off an unassisted double-play with one out and the bases loaded to prevent the Speed crew from adding two runs.

"That was a lot of fun," Hines said. "I played shortstop, and now I know why guys like Alex Rodriguez make as much money as they do. That was hard! I am sure I will feel it in the morning."

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