|
|
O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 | Kansas Speedway
Race No. 10 | July 3, 2004
TrackSideLive! brings you exclusive online coverage of the tough trucks and
even tougher drivers of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Check out the TrackSideLive! Archives
Pages: [
1
][
2
][
3
][
4
][
5
]
Good Morning from Kansas Speedway
07-02-2004 11:38 am
Good morning from Kansas Speedway! The weather outlook is grim. Menacing clouds have soaked the racetrack and track officials have halted all track drying efforts. We'll keep you updated as the day progresses.
Qualifying Has Been Cancelled
07-02-2004 12:29 pm
The persistent rain has prompted NASCAR officials to cancel Bud Pole Qualifying for the Craftsman Truck Series here in Kansas. The starting grid will be determined by Owner Points and we'll have a starting lineup posted shortly.
Practice Makes Perfect
07-02-2004 12:37 pm
NASCAR has announced their intention to run at least one practice session this afternoon, weather permitting of course.
Who Won What?
07-02-2004 12:46 pm
2004 marks the fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series visit to Kansas Speedway. In 2001, Ricky Hendrick won the event and set the race record. The Denver, NC rookie completed the event in just a tick over 2 hours with race average speed set at 125.094 mph. Mike Bliss won the event in 2002 and last year's winner, Jon Wood, is the only previous winner entered in this weekend's event. 2 of 3 Kansas victors have been under 23 years of age.
Top Spot Not so Hot
07-02-2004 12:57 pm
Kansas Speedway has yielded three different winners in as many races. However, no driver has won from the pole. Second, Third and Fourth place starting positions have been the charm. Surprisingly, Dodge has not won in Kansas. Chevrolet has two wins and Ford has one.
Jet Dryers Gettin' Busy
07-02-2004 1:12 pm
The weather has cleared somewhat and the rain has subsided enough to allow Jet Dryers out onto the racing surface. We'll keep you updated when, and if, we can get a practice session in. Rememeber, the Indy Racing League is here this weekend and track officials will try to accommodate both series' need to practice.
Rain Keeping Trucks at Bay
07-02-2004 2:35 pm
The skies opened once again, foiling track drying efforts and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series from getting back on track. We'll keep you posted as the situation develops.
Rain Lets Up in Kansas
07-02-2004 3:14 pm
Believe it or not, the rain has subsided and track officials are busy drying the racing surface. Jet Dryers and what looks to be just about every available emergency vehicle is running laps around the track to expedite drying. No word yet on when we might get on-track.
Track Drying Efforts Continue
07-02-2004 3:29 pm
Terry Cook, Driver No. 10 Ford
07-02-2004 3:35 pm
“The Ford Power Stroke Diesel by International truck is solidly in the field. It looks like we’re going to start 13th on Saturday. We came here prepped in race trim knowing that we had two practice sessions. In the second practice session, prior to qualifying, we were going to go to a qualifying trim. The crew definitely is in a relaxed mode knowing that the very next time we get on the track we only have to worry about a race mode and we’re already in race mode. Knowing we are solidly in the field, we’re going to get ready to race. The last time we didn’t qualify because it was rained out was at Mansfield and we had a great run there so we’re looking to do more of the same.”
Stork visits Truckseries
07-02-2004 3:41 pm
Dick Timmons, a crew member with the #38 Cure Autism Now/Werner Ladder Ford NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team of driver Brandon Whitt, was greeted with welcome news Friday morning. His wife Rachel gave birth to their first son, Riley, in North Carolina
Jack Sprague, Driver No. 16 Chevrolet
07-02-2004 3:42 pm
“It is always a toss up whether it is good or bad to not qualify. The bigger issue is no practice for some teams. We tested extensively at Chicago and we feel like we have a good race setup for our Chevy Trucks Silverado. Would be nice to have a few laps just to shake down and make sure everything is tight and ready to roll, but if we don’t, we are starting in a spot that will keep us up near the front and we will be ok.”
Dennis Setzer, Driver No. 46 Chevrolet
07-02-2004 3:45 pm
“This is the first time I have been the points leader and in a position to start the race from the pole as the points leader. It is a tribute to the quality of this Chevy Silverado Morgan Dollar Motorsports team. While we aren’t focusing on anything but one race at a time, it does feel pretty good not only for myself but the entire team.”
Brandon Whitt, Driver No. 38 Ford
07-02-2004 3:46 pm
“I’m fortunate because I have had some track time here. We ran the Kansas Truck race last year, and ran pretty well until we lost an engine. As far as I’m concerned, I’d just as soon now that it rain all day long and let’s just crank ‘em up and go (Saturday) afternoon. That might give me an advantage over some of the other rookies who have not run here before at all.”
Track is Hot, Trucks are Not
07-02-2004 4:05 pm
The Infiniti Pro Series cars have taken to the track. Dark clouds have given way to partial clearing and we'll see trucks on track at 4:30 pm EASTERN time.
Revised Practice Schedule
07-02-2004 4:09 pm
Revised NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Practice Schedule:
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm NCTS Practice
5:45 pm - 6:15 pm NCTS Practice
All times Eastern - Subject to change
It's Raining Again
07-02-2004 4:26 pm
Rain has abruptly brought the action to a grinding halt here at Kansas Speedway. No word yet on any alternate plans to get the trucks on track for practice.
At least it's not raining in the garage...
07-02-2004 4:32 pm
Check out the TruckShots from Kansas Speedway...
Click Here
That Concludes TrackSide Live for Today
07-02-2004 5:48 pm
Well, rain has washed out all activity for today. Join us tomorrow for coverage of the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 from Kansas City!
Good Morning from Kansas Speedway!
07-03-2004 10:04 am
NASCAR has just concluded an abbreviated half-hour practice session.
Click Here
Back of the Pack
07-03-2004 12:08 am
The No. 67 Ford with driver Kevin Love and Steve Park's No. 62 Dodge will start at the back of the field after electing to change engines after this morning's practice session.
Kelly Sutton, No. 02 Chevrolet
07-03-2004 12:13 am
“Awesome! I wish we had time to run more laps this morning here at Kansas Speedway, but I'm glad we were able to get some track time. Our laps got better after our second trip out, and the crew feels confident on what adjustments we made. I've never felt this good after a first practice. This same truck ran strong in Texas, and also in Milwaukee. It's my favorite, and we're looking forward to a strong run here in Kansas.”
Matt Crafton, No. 6 Chevrolet
07-03-2004 12:14 am
“We really struggled with the #6 GM Goodwrench Silverado this morning and we have struggled in the past with this particular truck a few different times. When we get to the track, we have to change it a little bit and that is what I was having to do this morning. More practice would definitely help, but that is the way it goes. The truck kept wanting to go right, then left. Every time I would drop the nose, it would shoot right and then once the nose would settle I was tight off. We will just have to make sure there is adjustability in it to work with the setup once the race starts.”
David Starr, No. 75 Chevrolet
07-03-2004 12:28 am
“You have to unload strong off the trailer when you have a deal like this where we have such limited track time. You need to be fast and we struggled a little bit at first but the guys made some adjustments, especially to the front end and the Spears Silverado really came alive. I really think I have something to race today. Since I missed this race due to injury last year, nothing from when I was here before really transfers because everything is so different with the trucks. My guys did a great job putting a good truck under me to start the race. Being behind the eight-ball isn’t an excuse because it is the same for everyone, fortunately I have a good team with a tremendous wealth of experience and knowledge so I feel confident about today’s race.”
Pit Box Assignments
07-03-2004 12:30 pm
Red
- Ray Dunlap Pit Reporter
Blue
- Wendy Norris Pit Reporter
Turn 1
1
2
15
24
4
02
75
8
10
08
21
62
63
18
46
07
22
99
Start/Finish Line
42
29
72
16
6
67
20
59
74
88
13
38
12
17
14
25
50
Turn 4
Mike Skinner, No. 42 Toyota
07-03-2004 2:04 pm
"We didn’t get the opportunity to do everything that we wanted to do because of time constraints and just went off our Chicago notes. I wasn’t happy at all with this truck at Texas or Lowe’s, but today, I feel like our team definitely gained on it. NASCAR helped with the changes in the spoiler, and my crew helped with the aerodynamics. We’re just trying to decide what to do with it now. But we’re not going to change a whole lot since the No. 42 is fast and had great horsepower this morning. I feel pretty good about it. I think we can bring home Bang Racing and Toyota’s first win today."
Travis Kvapil, No. 24 Toyota
07-03-2004 2:08 pm
"We were pretty tight, but overall the truck drove well and had a lot of horsepower. Over the half hour session, the crew really had to make some quick but significant changes in springs to help me turn the truck. I was happy that the team definitely found a direction in helping me pick up some speed. It was still a little too tight at the end of practice, but I feel like I know what we need to do. We compared notes off our teammate’s truck and there were a couple of pretty big differences, so we feel like we know what direction we need to go to get faster. The truck is really stable and was ‘racey’ when I was passing other trucks. And it’s got a lot of horsepower, so I know we’ll be fast today."
Unofficial Results from Kansas
07-03-2004 6:41 pm
1. (2) Carl Edwards, Ford, 167, $48,225.
2. (3) Bobby Hamilton, Dodge, 167, $36,975.
3. (4) Rick Crawford, Ford, 167, $24,865.
4. (14) Steve Park, Dodge, 167, $15,300.
5. (7) Matt Crafton, Chevrolet, 167, $14,500.
6. (8) Jon Wood, Ford, 167, $13,000.
7. (9) Travis Kvapil, Toyota, 167, $13,850.
8. (11) Jack Sprague, Chevrolet, 167, $14,700.
9. (6) Chad Chaffin, Dodge, 167, $12,925.
10. (13) Terry Cook, Ford, 167, $13,625.
11. (24) Kevin Love #, Ford, 167, $13,625.
12. (10) Mike Skinner, Toyota, 167, $12,490.
13. (25) Chase Montgomery #, Dodge, 167, $12,415.
14. (20) Tracy Hines #, Chevrolet, 167, $12,365.
15. (27) Todd Bodine, Dodge, 166, $12,815.
16. (19) Shane Sieg #, Chevrolet, 165, $12,240.
17. (35) Eric Jones, Chevrolet, 163, $11,415.
18. (32) Chris Wimmer #, Ford, 162, $11,115.
19. (15) David Starr, Chevrolet, 159, engine failure, $12,065.
20. (26) Ken Weaver #, Chevrolet, 159, $10,865.
21. (18) Hank Parker Jr., Toyota, 158, $10,740.
22. (29) Lance Hooper, Chevrolet, 146, $10,715.
23. (21) Brandon Whitt #, Ford, 145, accident, $9,690.
24. (28) Robert Huffman #, Toyota, 145, accident, $9,665.
25. (1) Dennis Setzer, Chevrolet, 136, $9,640.
26. (17) Shane Hmiel, Chevrolet, 135, accident, $9,615.
27. (23) Brad Keselowski #, Ford, 115, accident, $9,590.
28. (22) Bill Lester, Toyota, 115, accident, $9,565.
29. (12) David Reutimann #, Toyota, 101, accident, $9,520.
30. (5) Ted Musgrave, Dodge, 92, $9,490.
31. (16) Andy Houston, Dodge, 87, $9,465.
32. (31) Ryck Sanders, Chevrolet, 54, handling, $9,440.
33. (33) Phil Bonifield, Chevrolet, 10, handling, $9,420.
34. (34) Bobby Dotter, Chevrolet, 9, radiator, $9,390.
35. (30) Kelly Sutton #, Chevrolet, 6, accident, $9,365.
Unofficial Top-10 Points after Kansas
07-03-2004 6:43 pm
Top 10 in Points:
D. Setzer - 1,527; C. Edwards - 1,493; B. Hamilton - 1,466; R. Crawford - 1,395; M. Crafton - 1,341; C. Chaffin - 1,330; J. Wood - 1,327; T. Kvapil - 1,300; T. Musgrave - 1,299; J. Sprague - 1,288.
By the Numbers
07-03-2004 6:45 pm
Average Speed of Race Winner:
105.994 mph.
Time of Race:
2 hours, 21 minutes, 48 seconds.
Margin of Victory:
1.769 Seconds.
Caution Flags:
10 for 44 laps.
Lead Changes:
14 among 9 drivers.
Lap Leaders:
D. Setzer 0; B. Hamilton 1-21; T. Musgrave 22; B. Hamilton 23-30; S. Park 31-33; J. Sprague 34-58; S. Hmiel 59-81; J. Wood 82-85; B. Hamilton 86-103; C. Chaffin 104; J. Wood 105-114; S. Hmiel 115-123; J. Wood 124-139; M. Crafton 140-145; C. Edwards 146-167.
David Starr, No. 75 Chevrolet
07-03-2004 6:52 pm
“Our Spears Chevrolet Silverado was really good today. With just a 30 minutes of practice, we had a lot of adjustments to make on the truck but the guys got it a lot closer before the race started. I think we changed either three or four springs, shocks and everything else. We kept adjusting on it during the race and kept getting better and better. We had to start way back but we gotten up to fifth place when our problems started. We started having fuel pressure problems. The pressure would go way down to zero then back up to five and finally there with about eight laps to go, it completely quit. Boy I wish I knew what to do to change our bad luck. We will just move on and see what we can do in Kentucky next week.”
Dennis Setzer, No. 46 Chevrolet
07-03-2004 6:54 pm
(After contact on lap two put him behind wall for repairs that put him 31 laps down) "I guess I got a little loose there in the beginning of the race and got into the 99 truck. I had to lift and fell back in the pack there. Then we got to racing hard back in the pack. I guess someone got into a couple of trucks and we got hit in the right rear quarter. I almost had it saved but the track was really slick out there in the beginning. I can't say enough about my guys. They did a great job of fixing the truck and getting us back out there. They had to change a radiator and fix a lot of the front-end suspension. It was a tough day for us but without their hard work it could have been a lot tougher its way to early to be points racing for us. We just want to win races at this point. That is how we prepare for each race. We just take the best piece we got and go and try to win. If we just take it one race at a time and go for the win each week, the points will take care of themselves."
Steve Park, No. 62 Dodge
07-03-2004 7:02 pm
“We earned another fourth-place finish. It wasn’t easy, but I have to thank these guys on the Orleans Dodge team. Charlie Wilson, Steve Hibbard and everyone at Dodge did a great job to get us another top-five finish. We had a slow start to the season, but that has definitely started to turn around. We still have things to work on, but we are headed in the right direction. We had some trouble with the engine this morning. The guys worked hard to change the engine before the race. They made it look easy. The Kroyer Racing Engines power worked well today. We had to start at the back because of the engine change, but it just made it that much more challenging to get to the front. Then we were involved in a spin. A fan gave me a lucky charm at our autograph session today. I think it worked because I didn’t get any major damage in the spin. And we had a good points day. We need those. I’m going to enjoy my 4th of July holiday tomorrow and then started thinking about Kentucky. I’m looking forward to going there, especially coming off two fourth-place finishes. Wyler’s dealerships are there, so we really want to get our first win of the season next weekend.”
Brandon Whitt, No. 38 Ford
07-03-2004 7:44 pm
WHAT PUT YOU BEHIND THE WALL? “We were racing Chase Montgomery for 20 or 30 laps, and we were faster than he was, but he could drive in deeper and we would come off the corner better. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get around him and that’s what happens when stuff like that goes wrong.” WAS THERE A VIABLE SECOND RACING GROOVE TODAY? “You could run two wide, and that’s what happened there. Chase was able to run up high and we just got the air taken off of our spoiler right there and around we went.”
Jack Sprague, No. 16 Chevrolet
07-03-2004 7:45 pm
“Our Chevy Trucks Silverado was a rocket today. We had that close call on lap two (contact with the 2 truck) but we had no damage to the truck so we were able to take it to the front. The 15 truck (Shane Hmiel) was definitely faster so we let him go to the lead and were doing fine there in second. When the 24 (Kvapil) got into us we tore the valiance and the front end up on the truck and it was so loose I could hardly drive it. I am proud of my guys, they kept working on it and working on it and we kept creeping forward. All in all it was a decent finish for us considering how many times we got hit today. We got it better at the end but just not good enough to make it much farther forward than we did. Just one of those days but my guys really worked hard to give me a truck I could drive there at the end."
Kevin Love, No. 67 Ford
07-03-2004 7:46 pm
Love scored a career-high NCTS 11th place finish and earned the Raybestos Rookie of the Race: YOU MANAGED TO POST A CAREER-BEST FINISH IN YOUR FIFTH START IN THE SERIES? “The pit crew did an awesome job pitting today. They got me in and out of the pits, and pitted at the right time strategy-wise. I’ve got to thank Fiddle Back Racing to let me drive this weekend, and I’m glad to bring the truck home in one piece and with an 11th-place finish.” YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THIS TRACK BEFORE THIS WEEKEND AND GOT JUST 30 MINUTES OF PRACTICE BEFORE THE RACE. HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO ADAPT TO THE TRACK SO QUICKLY? “We wound up blowing up in practice and had to start dead last, so it’s pretty awesome to come back and finish 11th.”
Chad Chaffin, No. 18 Dodge
07-03-2004 7:49 pm
"I'm not real satisfied with how we ran, but it was a Top-10 finish. That's seven Top-10's in 10 races this year. Man, we really had to work hard for this. That's as hard as I had to drive this year. We had to really use our strategy and our tires to get this. We had to stay out of wrecks, too... so we would have liked to run a whole lot better. But I've run really good and finished worse than I finished today. So in the end, it's all that matters is the results. This is probably as bad of a truck as we've had all year. That just shows how good our trucks are and we figure out a way to bring it home ninth."
Terry Cook, No. 10 Ford
07-03-2004 7:57 pm
“The Power Stroke Diesel by International truck was just awesome today. I don’t want to say we let one get away from us today, but I guarantee you we were going to run second if we didn’t win it. That was 100 percent the driver’s fault. We were running fourth on a restart with about 60 to go. Lapped traffic was doing their own thing. They weren’t being mean, so I can’t blame it on them, but they were making it difficult and you saw a lot of trucks in the fence today. You have to run such a big right-rear spring here to make these things turn that when you get in traffic, you’re just out of control. We were again today in traffic, but, man, it was sure fast by itself. I got underneath the 8 truck off of turn 4 and it started coming around. I buried the throttle and did all I could just to keep it off the wall, and I’m glad we at least did that. We went down through the grass and knocked the valance up. We took a truck that should have won or at least run second, and ended up finishing 10th. The Power Stroke Diesel team did their job, I guess I’m the one that let them down today.”
Matt Crafton, No. 6 Chevrolet
07-03-2004 8:02 pm
“We were 16th in practice this morning and the guys had to make a lot of changes on the GM Goodwrench Silverado. I can’t say enough for my entire crew. We had great pit stops all day long that got us out in the right places at the right time. We started to get tights on the long runs especially when we were leading. When we were running second on the last restart, I got a good jump and then had to pedal it a little bit when the 4 truck (Bobby Hamilton) out in front of me and started to pull me around. It started making the air make me too free so I had to pedal it a little more. We would have finished third but a top-five is pretty good for us. We just have to make sure we keep the momentum rolling.”
Rick Crawford, No. 14 Ford
07-03-2004 8:04 pm
“I looked more in the mirror than I did ahead of me. We got Matt (Crafton). He got himself out of shape and we were able to capitalize on that. Bobby (Hamilton) was really strong; he had the strongest truck today. He went around with ease, and we were able to kept he Circle Bar Motel & RV Park Ford in third place.”
Ted Musgrave, No. 1 Dodge
07-03-2004 8:04 pm
"The truck was pretty good, but you drive them on the loose end, and when I went into the corner there, I think the 6 struck out on my right rear and took me around. It's one of them deals where maybe I should have maybe seen that he was going to drive in a little hard and do that. It's unfortunate like I say, I haven't done that in years. A bad day in the points. A bad day for Ultra Motorsports, but the truck worked good and the guys did all the right stuff."
Shane Hmiel, No. 15 Chevrolet
07-03-2004 8:14 pm
(After brushing the wall while in the lead) “I got a little bit on the recess and got out of the groove. The #15 Silverado got away from me. The crew tried to straighten it out in the pits but when I went back out, there was damage to the suspension causing vibrations in the truck. I really hate it having built up such a good lead. Billy (Ballew), Ritchie (Wauters) and the guys gave me the best Chevy Silverado I have ever driven. I would like to thank Whitaker Farms for being on board with us this weekend. We will just head on to Kentucky and go for it one more time.”
Jon Wood, No. 50 Ford
07-03-2004 8:17 pm
“We didn’t get it full of fuel, so we didn’t have much of a choice but to come back in or we weren’t going to be able to finish the race. It’s a better day than what we’ve been having at tracks this size, but we’re still not there yet.”
Travis Kvapil, No. 24 Toyota
07-03-2004 8:18 pm
"We had a great truck at the beginning of the race. We were just a little bit off. The guys did a great adjustment on the first stop. Really got the truck about right where we needed to be. I just caught up to the No. 16 truck and I was starting to get tight behind him. I ran him down from a whole straightaway and... I thought he'd kind of let me go a little bit. I got tight behind him, and then got into him and wrecked us both pretty good."
Goodnight from Kansas Speedway!
07-03-2004 8:22 pm
Carl Edwards recovered from a first lap accident then outran veteran Bobby Hamilton to capture Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway. Outside front row starter Edwards got tangled up with series points leader Dennis Setzer as the field raced off Turn 1 and – after several pit stops under a lap three caution for repairs to his Superchips Ford – restarted the race in the 33rd position. Edwards, however, methodically worked his way back into contention after making his final pit stop for tires and fuel with 47 laps remaining. He took the lead from Matt Crafton on the 146th of 167 laps and rebuffed Hamilton’s challenge through two additional restarts. The 25-year-old competitor, who grew up a couple of hours east of the track in Columbia, Mo., won his second race of the year and fifth overall on the series at an average speed of 105.994. Edwards, who won $48,225, held a 1.769-second lead over Hamilton’s Square D Dodge at the finish. Edwards, who began the day 131 points behind Setzer, cut the leader’s advantage to 34 after 10 of 25 scheduled races. Setzer, whose Chevrolet Silverado Chevrolet was extensively damaged in the race’s initial caution at lap three, finished 25th. There were 14 lead changes among nine drivers with 10 caution flags consuming 44 laps. Rick Crawford steadily advanced his Circle Bar Motel & RV Park Ford through the field after failing out of the top 10 early on to finish third. Steve Park was fourth in the Orleans Dodge, followed by Crafton’s GM Goodwrench Chevrolet. Defending race winner Jon Wood was sixth, trailed by 2003 series champion Travis Kvapil, Jack Sprague, Chad Chaffin and Terry Cook. The first 14 of 24 finishers completed all 167 laps.
Pages: [
1
][
2
][
3
][
4
][
5
]
|
|
|
|
|
