TrackSideLive!
| Paramount Health Care 200
Michigan Speedway | June 17, 2005
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Good morning from Michigan
06-17-2005 8:17 am
Good morning from the Irish Hills! TrackSideLive! Presented by Team ASE is coming at you from Michigan International Speedway as we prepare for round 10 of the 2005 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, the Paramount Health Insurance 200. It is a glorious day at MIS with clear skies, cool temps and very low humidity, and the weather forecasters tell us we are in store for more of the same tomorrow. We have two practice sessions on store for the NCTS here this afternoon, with Live! Bud Pole Qualifying coming at you tomorrow morning. The 100-lap/200-mile race is also on the docket tomorrow, with the green flag coming shortly after 3 pm ET. Keep it locked on to TruckSeries.com for all the news and notes from MIS as we inch closer and closer to putting trucks on the track later this afternoon.
MIS Track Facts
06-17-2005 8:21 am
Michigan International Speedway opened in 1969, and has hosted NASCAR Nextel Cup and Indy car races every year since. In 1992, the NASCAR Busch Series made its initial appearance atr MIS, with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series making its first appearance in 1999. The ARCA Series has run 16 races here at MIS as well, and other series that have raced here in the past include the IRL Infiniti Pro Series, Indy Lights, CART, ASA, SCCA Super Vee, IMSA, the United States Auto Club stock cars, SCCA Formula 5000, SCCA Trans Am, the NASCAR Grand Touring division, the SCCA Can Am Series, and the International Race of Champions Series.
The track itself is a 2-mile D-shaped oval with 18-degree banking in the corners and 12-degree banking down the D-shaped front stretch. The backstretch is relatively flat, slanted at just 5 degrees. The frontstretch is 3,600 feet long, with the backstretch 2,242 feet long. The straightaways are 45 feet wide with 12 foot wide aprons. There is no "out of bounds" rule at MIS, meaning you will often see drivers dipping their left side tires down to the gravel on the frontstretch as they jockey for position. The turns have a radius of 876 feet and are an amazing 73 feet wide. Pit road is 2,229 feet long and is 50 feet wide.
The 2005 Paramount Health Insurance 200 marks the first time in the NCTS' history here at MIS that the series has run here in conjunction with the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The previous Truck Series races at MIS have been run in conjunction with the CART Champ Car World Series and the IRL Indy Car Series.
There are 137,243 seats at MIS, plus an additional 150-acres of space in the infield, most of which is converted for camping to accomodate an estimated 30,000 more people for the Cup races.
Pole and Race Winners
06-17-2005 8:41 am
Here are the pole and race winners for the five previous NCTS races held at MIS:
1999: Pole, Stacy Compton, 175.717 mph; Race, Greg Biffle, 121.889 mph, started 11th
2000: Pole, Jamie McMurray, 177.414 mph; Race, Greg Biffle, 138.408 mph, started 2nd
2002: Pole, Rained Out; Race, Robert Pressley, 142.208 mph, started 8th
2003: Pole, Jason Leffler, 178.037 mph; Race, Brendan Gaughan, 154.044 mph, started 6th
2004: Pole, Rained Out; Race, Travis Kvapil, 125.479 mph, started 8th
Gaughan's win in 2003 is the fastest NCTS race in history. His elapsed time over 200 miles was a quick one hour, 17 minutes, 54 seconds.
Entry List Updates
06-17-2005 8:50 am
Some changes to the "normal" weekly entry list here at MIS...
Sean Murphy is back in the No. 07 Green Light Racing Chevrolet this weekend.
Johnny Chapman is back for the second consecutive week in the No. 08 Green Light Racing Chevy.
Ken Schrader is a semi-regular in the NCTS, but he is here this week driving the No. 11 Toyota, a third entry for Darrell Waltrip Motorsports.
Kyle Busch is back in the No. 15 ditech.com Chevrolet for Billy Ballew Motorsports.
Wayne Edwards is listed back in the No. 24 Mighty Motorsports Chevrolet.
Bobby Labonte is scheduled to run the No. 47 Chevrolet here, the third time this season he has been at the wheel in the NCTS.
Clay Rogers is again wheeling the No. 65 Glynn Motorsports Dodge.
Kevin Harvick is entered in a second KHI truck, the No. 92 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet.
The No. 90 Toyota, scheduled to be driven by Justin Hobgood and entered by Germain-Arnold Racing, was withdrawn.
There are currently 38 drivers/teams entered for the Paramount Health Insurance 200.
Early AM TruckShots!
06-17-2005 9:15 am
Look to the right side of the page to our Sights and Sounds box for the first early morning images from MIS. We'll continue to add pictures throughout the weekend, and shortly we'll head to the garage and start to track down the drivers to bring you out exclusive TrackSideLive! audio. We'll have you covered from every angle at MIS, so keep it locked on to TruckSeries.com...
Friday Track Schedule
06-17-2005 9:18 am
Here is today's track schedule:
7 am ET: NCTS Garage Opens
11 am ET: NCTS Rookie & Spotter Meetings; Drawing for Qualifying Order
12 n - 1:10 pm ET: NCTS Practice 1
2:50 - 3:50 pm ET: NCTS Final Practice
6 pm ET: NCTS Garage Closes
There are also two NASCAR Nextel Cup Series practices scheduled, an early morning ARCA practice and a 200-mile ARCA race scheduled for 5 pm ET (live on Speed).
NCTS Bud Pole Qualifying is scheduled for 10 am ET Saturday.
Montgomery Cleared to Compete
06-17-2005 9:24 am
Chase Montgomery has been medically cleared to compete here this weekend following a hard crash last week in Texas. Montgomery received a concussion after impacting the inside wall with the driver's side and bouncing back up into the turn one wall. He has had several medical tests before receiving clearance to compete here this weekend.
Hometowners
06-17-2005 9:53 am
Ordinarily, NASCAR drivers consider Charlotte to be their home race. While that certainly is the case for much of the NCTS, several drivers and teams come to Michigan for their home event.
K-Automotive, located in Orion Township, Michigan (just across the street from the Palace of Auburn Hills, where the Detroit Pistons play), definitely considered the Michigan race their home event. Team co-owner and crew chief Bob Keselowski has a win here as a driver, winning the ARCA race here in June 1992. Brad Keselowski is looking to make his first MIS start here this weekend in the family-owned No. 29 Ford.
Terry Cook grew up just 45 minutes south of MIS in Sylvania, Ohio. He is a former track champion at nearby Flat Rock Speedway, in suburban Detroit. Cook ran strong here last season before finishing seventh. Cook is making his 200th career NCTS start here this weekend.
Another local team that considers MIS a home race is ThorSport Racing. Located just a couple of hours away in Sandusky, Ohio, the team is also entered in its 200th NCTS race here this weekend.
Michigan Best Finishes
06-17-2005 10:15 am
Here are the best finishes for the drivers entered here at MIS:
Brendan Gaughan, 1st
Robert Pressley, 1st
Ted Musgrave, 2nd
Chad Chaffin, 3rd
Mike Skinner, 3rd
Johnny Benson, 4th
Jack Sprague, 4th
Bobby Hamilton, 5th
Dennis Setzer, 5th
David Starr, 5th
Terry Cook, 6th
Rick Crawford, 7th
Ron Hornaday, 9th
Robert Huffman, 9th
Kevin Harvick, 11th
Bill Lester, 11th
Matt Crafton, 12th
Chase Montgomery, 15th
Tracy Hines, 16th
Steve Park, 17th
Johnny Chapman, 19th
Deborah Renshaw, 22nd
David Reutimann, 24th
Kelly Sutton, 25th
Brandon Whitt, 28th
Wayne Edwards, 33rd
The drivers making their first NCTS start at MIS: Jimmy Spencer, Timothy Peters, Sean Murphy, Shige Hattori, Ken Schrader, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Bobby Labonte, Todd Kluever, Clay Rogers, Todd Bodine, and Ricky Craven
Valence Problems on the Fords?
06-17-2005 11:36 am
Both the No. 10 and No.14 Ford teams were seen with the circular saws trimming off a portion of the front valence before their trucks were cleared through tech inspection this morning. They were trimming off some of the kickout on the left front of their nosepieces. Obviously NASCAR officials have seen something they didn't like with the noses, and despite the lobbying efforts of Ford's Robert Brooks, the teams were forced to make the change.
Trucks are on track!
06-17-2005 11:53 am
The first trucks have taken to the speedway and Practice 1 is underway. Jack Sprague led the charge with Robert Huffman, Dennis Setzer, and a gaggle of others behind. We'll keep you abreast of all the action as it happens, so keep your browser locked on to TrackSideLive!
Speeds down?
06-17-2005 11:56 am
Some teams expect speeds to be down here this weekend due to tires. The left sides were manufactured in May, but the right side tires used by the NCTS were manufactured in December '04 and February '05. They expect much more left side grip that right side grip, and believe overall speeds will be down.
They Said It, Practice 1 No, 1
06-17-2005 11:58 am
Ted Musgrave, No. 1 Dodge: "It's okay on the first lap but it gets worse as we go on. It looks like the right side windshield on Jimmy's truck is blowing in."
Jimmy Spencer, No. 2 Dodge: "It's a little tight in the center."
They Said It, Practice 1 No. 2
06-17-2005 12:01 pm
Bobby Hamilton, No. 04 Dodge: "Water temp is still right around 210."
Deborah Renshaw, No. 8 Dodge: "I can't hold it wide open. I don't have to get out of the gas a lot, just flirt with it a little."
Kyle Busch, No. 15 Chevrolet: "I am just trying to find something that is comfortable. Three and four is really good."
Speaking of Hometowners...
06-17-2005 12:05 pm
Two other drivers entered here this weekend consider Michigan to be their home track.
Johnny Benson, who won numerous races throughout the state before moving on to become an ASA champion and NASCAR star, cut his racing teeth at Berlin Raceway in nearby Grand Rapids. Benson is now the owner of Berlin Raceway.
Another hometowner is Jack Sprague, who is originally from Spring Lake, Michigan. Sprague spent his formative years racing at nearby Kalamazoo Speedway.
Red for Debris
06-17-2005 12:08 pm
After about 15 minutes, the red flag is out for debris...stay tuned for a rundown...
Practice 1 Rundown 1
06-17-2005 12:13 am
1. Busch, 39.938
2. Musgrave, 39.956
3. Crawford, 39.972
4. Skinner, 40.007
5. Setzer, 40.109
6. Cook, 40.224
7. Lester, 40.255
8. Hornaday, 40.285
9. Park, 40.309
10. Starr, 40.334
11. Rogers, 40.395
12. Reutimann, 40.471
13. Huffman, 40.506
14. Spencer, 40.529
15. Bodine, 40.531
16. Craven, 40.532
17. Schrader, 40.587
18. Keselowski, 40.687
19. Benson, 40.802
20. Sprague, 40.836
21. Gaughan, 40.982
22. Peters, 40.998
23. Hines, 41.078
24. Chapman, 41.223
25. Renshaw, 41.292
26. Pressley, 41.437
27. Sutton, 41.532
28. Murphy, 41.655
29. Edwards, 43.427
30. Whitt, 43.787
Montgomery comes to pits trailing smoke
06-17-2005 12:19 pm
Chase Montgomery just came to pit road with smoke trailing the No. 18 BHR Dodge. No indication from his team as to what the cause of the smoke is.
Drafting Practice
06-17-2005 12:20 pm
Several of the teams locked in to the 36-truck starting field, and a couple that aren't, are spending the first of today's two practice sessions finding the handle of their trucks in the draft. A four-truck freight train has been hooked up for several laps, with Ken Schrader, Johnny Benson, Robert Huffman and Steve Park turning some laps in the draft. Terry Cook and Todd Bodine are also drafting one another, with Clay Rogers chasing them down.
The Famous Frenchman Strikes Again
06-17-2005 12:24 pm
Pierre Debris has struck again. NASCAR officials have spotted some debris on the track, bringing us to a temporary halt once again. Stay tuned for a rundown...
Practice 1 Rundown 2
06-17-2005 12:29 pm
It's Toyota domination so far at MIS...
1. Skinner, 39.804
2. Busch, 39.938
3. Musgrave, 39.956
4. Crawford, 30.972
5. Lester, 39.986
6. Huffman, 40.015
7. Setzer, 40.028
8. Crafton, 40.041
9. Harvick, 40.078
10. Reutimann, 40.079
11. Sprague, 40.174
12. Cook, 40.224
13. Labonte, 40.267
14. Rogers, 40.279
15. Hornaday, 40.285
16. Park, 40.304
17. Whitt, 40.314
18. Starr, 40.334
19. Chapman, 40.374
20. Kluever, 40.409
21. Bodine, 40.423
22. Schrader, 40.436
23. Chaffin, 40.479
24. Benson, 40.485
25. Spencer, 40.529
26. Craven, 40.532
27. Montgomery, 40.534
28. Keselowski, 40.697
29. Murphy, 40.752
30. Pressley, 40.809
31. Peters, 40.943
32. Gaughan, 40.982
33. Sutton, 41.024
34. Hines, 41.078
35. Hamilton, 41.082
36. Renshaw, 41.135
37. Hattori, 41.718
38. Edwards, 42.241
Tire problems?
06-17-2005 12:35 pm
Richie Wauter, crew chief for the No. 15 Chevy, has told Kyle Busch they are experiencing the same condition wth the right rear tire that they had in Dover when the track was green. "Just like Dover when there was no rubber down, we are seeing the right rear start to come apart. Take it to Goodyear and see if they will replace the tire," Wauters said.
They Said It Practice 1 No. 3
06-17-2005 12:43 pm
Todd Kluever, No. 50 Ford: "It's 100 percent better than it was earlier. It is still noticibly tight. I would say it is a four on a scale of one to ten."
Dennis Setzer, No. 46 Chevrolet: "Come on big motor! That is SWEET right there!"
Deborah Renshaw, No. 8 Dodge: "Something is shaking under the hood, and it's bad!"
Skinner Makes Contact with Turn 2 Wall
06-17-2005 12:55 pm
Mike Skinner is the man on top of the speed charts right now, but unfortunately a blown right front tire has sent him hard into the turn two wall. Skinner exited the truck under his own power and it making the obligatory trip to the infield care center. It is likely his team will revert to a backup truck for the remainder of the weekend. Although he is apparently uninjured, we will have a further report on his condition when information becomes available.
Practice 1 Rundown 3
06-17-2005 1:01 pm
1. Skinner 39.804
2. Busch 39.900
3. Musgrave, 39.903
4. Crawford, 39.972
5. Lester, 39.986
6. Huffman, 40.015
7. Setzerm 40.028
8. Crafton, 40.041
9. Harvick, 40.078
10. Reutimann, 40.079
11. Whitt, 40.160
12. Sprague, 40.174
13. Chaffin, 40.187
14. Craven, 40.188
15. Cook, 40.224
16. Labonte, 40.267
17. Bodine, 40.274
18. Rogers, 40.279
19. Hornaday, 40.285
20. Kluever, 40.288
21. Park, 40.304
22. Starr, 40.334
23. Chapman, 40.374
24. Schrader, 40.436
25. Benson, 40.485
26. Spencer, 40.523
27. Montgomery 40.534
28. Hines, 40.648
29. Peters, 40.658
30. Keselowski, 40.697
31. Murphy, 40.752
32. Pressley, 40.809
33. Hattori, 40.892
34. Gaughan, 40.936
35. Sutton, 40.937
36. Hamilton, 40.988
37. Renshaw, 41.006
38. Edwards, 41.875
Skinner OK
06-17-2005 1:12 pm
Mike Skinner has been checked and released from the infield care center at MIS following his crash in the final moments of Practice 1. His team has unloaded the backup and are working to get it on the track for Final Practice later this afternoon.
Practice 1 Results
06-17-2005 1:18 pm
1 5 Mike Skinner 39.804 180.886
2 16 Jack Sprague 39.856 180.65
3 15 Kyle Busch 39.9 180.451
4 1 Ted Musgrave 39.903 180.438
5 14 Rick Crawford 39.972 180.126
6 22 Bill Lester 39.986 180.063
7 12 Robert Huffman 40.015 179.933
8 46 Dennis Setzer 40.028 179.874
9 88 Matt Crafton 40.041 179.816
10 * 92 Kevin Harvick 40.078 179.65
11 17 David Reutimann 40.079 179.645
12 99 Ricky Craven 40.12 179.462
13 38 Brandon Whitt 40.16 179.283
14 30 Chad Chaffin 40.187 179.162
15 10 Terry Cook 40.224 178.998
16 * 47 Bobby Labonte 40.267 178.806
17 66 Todd Bodine 40.274 178.775
18 * 65 Clay Rogers # 40.279 178.753
19 6 Ron Hornaday Jr.40.285 178.727
20 50 Todd Kluever # 40.288 178.713
21 62 Steve Park 40.304 178.642
22 75 David Starr 40.334 178.509
23 8 Johnny Chapman 40.374 178.333
24 * 11 Ken Schrader 40.436 178.059
25 23 Johnny Benson 40.485 177.844
26 2 Jimmy Spencer 40.523 177.677
27 18 Chase Montgomery40.523 177.677
28 13 Tracy Hines 40.562 177.506
29 4 Timothy Peters #40.658 177.087
30 29 Brad Keselowski 40.697 176.917
31 7 Sean Murphy # 40.752 176.678
32 59 Robert Pressley 40.809 176.432
33 * 9 Shige Hattori # 40.892 176.074
34 4 Bobby Hamilton 40.901 176.035
35 77 Brendan Gaughan 40.936 175.884
36 * 2 Kelly Sutton 40.937 175.88
37 * 8 Deborah Renshaw 41.006 175.584
38 * 24 Blake Mallory 41.875 171.94
Skinner's Guys Hard at Work
06-17-2005 2:24 pm
Mike Skinner's Bill Davis Racing team is busy preparing their backup truck after Skinner had a right front tire go down on his final run during the first practice earlier this afternoon. Skinner's truck made an abrupt right turn and made hard contact with the turn two wall, sending Skinner to the infield care center for the mandatory checkup and Skinner's truck back to the garage on a rollback. Skinner was uninjured in the accident and went back on track immediately in the No. 23 Dodge during NASCAR Nextel Cup Series practice.
Trucks on Track for Final Practice/Quick Spin for Huffman
06-17-2005 2:45 pm
The engines have fired and the second and final practice for the Paramount Health Insurance 200. We'll keep you abreast of all the action as it happens. As a matter of fact, we're going red flag right now because Robert Huffman looped it coming off turn two. He didn't make any contact and is driving it back to the pits without damage. It appears the right front tire may be flat, but that could be a result of the spin. Keep it locked on to TruckSeries.com for more from MIS.
Final Practice Rundown 1
06-17-2005 2:59 pm
In MPH:
1. Whitt, 180.419
2. Park, 180.379
3. Peters, 179.571
4. Lester, 179.430
5. Sprague, 179.417
6. Harvick, 179.399
7. Spencer, 179.301
8. Craven, 179.203
9. Chaffin, 178.784
10. Skinner, 178.727
11. Musgrave, 178.682
12. Sutton, 178.678
13. Cook, 178.669
14. Reutimann, 178.509
15. Rogers, 178.452
16. Kluever, 178.112
17. Starr, 177.782
18. Crafton, 177.773
19. Hines, 177.769
20. Montgomery, 177.419
21. Bodine, 177.292
22. Gaughan, 176. 974
23. Labonte, 176.935
24. Hamilton, 176.874
25. Hornaday, 176.445
26. Schrader, 175.773
27. Chapman, 175.661
28. Keselowski, 175.353
29. Mallory, 174.821
30. Benson, 174.317
31. Huffman, 174.317
32. Pressley, 173.741
33. Hattori, 172.824
34. Murphy, 172.035
Sights and Sounds!
06-17-2005 3:09 pm
Look to the right side of the TrackSideLive! page for our exclusive Sights and Sounds box, with a rapidly expanding TruckShots gallery and 8 audio interviews with Terry Cook (who predicted an MIS win last week in Texas), Brendan Gaughan with a cameo from Todd Bodine, Robert Huffman, Dennis Setzer, Robert Pressley, Matt Crafton, Robert Pressley, Brad Keselowski. Also, Chase Montgomery tells us how he is feeling after last week's hard crash in Texas. Check it out!
Final Practice Rundown 2
06-17-2005 3:25 pm
1. Busch, 180.709
2. Reutimann, 180.623
3. Skinner, 180.569
4. Whitt, 180.419
5. Park, 180.379
6. Benson, 180.207
7. Crawford, 179.933
8. Setzer, 179.865
9. Huffman, 179.744
10. Lester, 179.566
11. Peters, 179.511
12. Sprague, 179.417
13. Harvick, 179.399
14. Spencer, 179.301
15. Craven, 179.203
16. Musgrave, 179.167
17. Chaffin, 178.784
18. Sutton, 178.678
19. Cook, 178.669
20. Rogers, 178.452
21. Kluever, 178.112
22. Renshaw/Hamilton, 177.848
23. Starr, 177.782
24. Crafton, 177.773
25. Hines, 177.769
26. Chapman, 177.436
27. Montgomery, 177.419
28. Bodine, 177.292
29. Labonte, 177.078
30. Gaughan, 176.974
31. Hamilton, 176.874
32. Schrader, 176.587
33. Hornaday, 176.445
34. Keselowski, 176.268
35. Mallory, 174.821
36. Pressley, 174.069
37. Murphy, 173.189
38. Hattori, 172.824
Ford Valence Update
06-17-2005 3:41 pm
Remember we posted earlier that the Fords were forced to make a change to the front step on their valences? NASCAR Camping World Truck Series director of communications Owen Kearns has cleared it for us as to why they were doing all that work.
"They came to the track with a nosepiece other than the one that was submitted and approved before the season," Kearns said. "It was wider, so NASCAR has asked them to bring it back in line with what they submitted and what was approved."
Final Practice Over
06-17-2005 3:45 pm
Other than Robert Huffman's quick spin right at the beginning of the session, we just wrapped up the final hour of practice clean and green the rest of the distance. We'll have results posted here for you shortly, then head off to the garage for more news and notes leading into tomorrow's Bud Pole Qualifying and Paramount Health Care 200.
Final Practice Results
06-17-2005 3:50 pm
Click here for Final Practice times
ARCA on track...garage is closing
06-17-2005 5:49 pm
The boys and girls of the ARCA Re/MAX Series are on the track now, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series officials are ushering people out of the NCTS garage. We're going to call it a day from MIS, but we will be back at it first thing tomorrow morning as we prepare for Bud Pole Qualifying, coming at you exclusively at TruckSeries.com at 10 am ET. We'll then dig into the stats, track down all the newsmakers, and get you ready for the green flag for the Paramount Health Insurance 200. We'll keep you updated throughout the race, and follow the newsmakers back into the garage once the checkered flag falls. Folks, it's been a blast as always here this afternoon, but it's time to call it a night. We'll see you tomorrow, good night everybody!
Good Morning from MIS
06-18-2005 9:16 am
Good morning everyone, and welcome back to continuing coverage of the Paramount Health Insurance 200 at Michigan International Speedway. It is cloudy and cool, with temps expected to only reach the upper 60s today. There is a slight chance of sprinkles, but the weather experts predict dry weather all the way through the checkered flag. We are inching closer and closer to Live! Bud Pole Qualifying, coming your way at 10 am ET so keep it locked right here at TruckSeries.com to find out who winds up on the pole.
Rams Run for the Pole at MIS
06-18-2005 9:21 am
The run for the pole at MIS has been canceled by rain two times in the series five year history in the Irish Hills. In 1999 and 2000, Stacy Compton and Jamie McMurray earned the pole based on qualifying speeds before rain canceled qualifying in 2002. Jason Leffler sped to the pole in 2003, while rain again put a damper on qualifying in 2004. Every time we have set the field based on qualifying, a Dodge has won the pole at MIS. Ted Musgrave was on the pole based upon owner's points when qualifying was rained out in 2002, and the only time a Dodge didn't start from P1 was last year when Dennis Setzer took off from the pole again after the field was lined up based on owner's points and the rule book.
Busch Captures Bud Pole at MIS
06-18-2005 12:26 am
Kyle Busch won the Bud Pole for this afternoon's Paramount Health Insurance 200 to become the youngest No. 1 qualifier in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history. Busch - age 20 years 1 month 16 days - lapped the 2.0-mile Michigan International Speedway at an average speed of 181.612 to head 30 drivers who, on Saturday, broke Jason Leffler's 2003 mark of 178.037. Busch's older brother, 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Kurt Busch, was the previous youngest series Bud Pole winner at 21 years 10 months in 2000 at The Milwaukee Mile. Busch is attempting to become the fourth driver in series history to win three consecutive starts. He previously scored victories at Lowe's Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway. Joining Busch's Chevrolet on the front row for the 100-lap, 200-mile race is Mike Skinner. Skinner, driving a Toyota, qualified at 181.356. Rick Crawford, Johnny Benson and Bill Lester qualified three through five followed by David Starr, David Reutimann, Ken Schrader, Robert Huffman and Dennis Setzer. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points leader Ted Musgrave qualified his Dodge in the No. 16 position. Previous Michigan winners Brendan Gaughan (2003) and Robert Pressley (2002) will start 34th and 36th, respectively, in the 36-truck field.
Statistical look at NCTS at MIS...
06-18-2005 1:02 pm
Let's take a look at some of the statistical summaries of previous races here at MIS...stick with us here at TrackSideLive! as we break it down for you, right here at TruckSeries.com.
Races Summary
06-18-2005 1:03 pm
There have been five previous NCTS races at MIS.
The average starting positon of the winner is 7th, with Greg Biffle winning both from the highest starting position (11th, 1999) and the lowest (2nd, 2000).
There are an average of 17 drivers on the lead lap at MIS, with a high of 23 in 2004 and a low of 12 in 2000.
There are an average of 12.6 lead changes, with a high of 18 in 2004 and a low of 9 in 2002.
There are an average of 7.2 leaders, with a high of 8 in 1999 and 2002 and a low of 9 in 2000.
There are an average of 4 caution flags, with a high of 7 in 2004 and a low of 1 in 2003.
The average number of caution flag laps is 15.6, with a high of 23 in 1999 and a low of 6 on 2003.
The cumulative average speed is 136.405, with a high of 154.044 in 2003 and a low of 121.889 in 1999.
Races Summary
06-18-2005 1:03 pm
There have been five previous NCTS races at MIS.
The average starting positon of the winner is 7th, with Greg Biffle winning both from the highest starting position (11th, 1999) and the lowest (2nd, 2000).
There are an average of 17 drivers on the lead lap at MIS, with a high of 23 in 2004 and a low of 12 in 2000.
There are an average of 12.6 lead changes, with a high of 18 in 2004 and a low of 9 in 2002.
There are an average of 7.2 leaders, with a high of 8 in 1999 and 2002 and a low of 9 in 2000.
There are an average of 4 caution flags, with a high of 7 in 2004 and a low of 1 in 2003.
The average number of caution flag laps is 15.6, with a high of 23 in 1999 and a low of 6 on 2003.
The cumulative average speed is 136.405, with a high of 154.044 in 2003 and a low of 121.889 in 1999.
Races Summary
06-18-2005 1:03 pm
There have been five previous NCTS races at MIS.
The average starting positon of the winner is 7th, with Greg Biffle winning both from the highest starting position (11th, 1999) and the lowest (2nd, 2000).
There are an average of 17 drivers on the lead lap at MIS, with a high of 23 in 2004 and a low of 12 in 2000.
There are an average of 12.6 lead changes, with a high of 18 in 2004 and a low of 9 in 2002.
There are an average of 7.2 leaders, with a high of 8 in 1999 and 2002 and a low of 9 in 2000.
There are an average of 4 caution flags, with a high of 7 in 2004 and a low of 1 in 2003.
The average number of caution flag laps is 15.6, with a high of 23 in 1999 and a low of 6 on 2003.
The cumulative average speed is 136.405, with a high of 154.044 in 2003 and a low of 121.889 in 1999.
Races Summary
06-18-2005 1:03 pm
There have been five previous NCTS races at MIS.
The average starting positon of the winner is 7th, with Greg Biffle winning both from the highest starting position (11th, 1999) and the lowest (2nd, 2000).
There are an average of 17 drivers on the lead lap at MIS, with a high of 23 in 2004 and a low of 12 in 2000.
There are an average of 12.6 lead changes, with a high of 18 in 2004 and a low of 9 in 2002.
There are an average of 7.2 leaders, with a high of 8 in 1999 and 2002 and a low of 9 in 2000.
There are an average of 4 caution flags, with a high of 7 in 2004 and a low of 1 in 2003.
The average number of caution flag laps is 15.6, with a high of 23 in 1999 and a low of 6 on 2003.
The cumulative average speed is 136.405, with a high of 154.044 in 2003 and a low of 121.889 in 1999.
2005 Laps Led Summary
06-18-2005 1:09 pm
Here are your lap leaders so far in 2005:
Hornaday, 301
Skinner, 188
Musgrave, 158
Hamilton, 125
Busch, 96
Bodine, 91
Sprague, 86
Hmiel, 70
Labonte, 64
Starr, 58
Crawford, 52
Cook, 38
Reutimann, 38
Setzer, 25
Chaffin, 24
Craven, 17
Crafton, 14
Lester, 13
Spencer, 13
Pressley, 6
Benson, 6
Park, 6
Smith, 4
Gaughan, 3
Keselowski, 1
Earnhardt, 1
Murphy, 1
Bickle, 1
Norris, 1
Skinner led 116 laps last week in Texas. Setzer led his first laps since Daytona last week in Texas. Reutimann has led 34 laps in the last two races. Crafton has led 14 laps in two of the last three races. Norris led the first lap of his career last week in Texas.
A driver has led more than 100 laps in a race four times this season, and it has happened in four of the previous five races: Musgrave led 158 out of 160 in St. Louis; Hornaday led 119 of 254 in Mansfield; Hornaday then led 154 of 200 in Dover, and Skinner led 116 of 167 laps in Texas. Only Musgrave ended up winning the race in which he led over 100 laps.
Points YTD
06-18-2005 1:17 pm
In the NCTS point standings, the gap between first and fifth now sits at 87. Last year it was 218 points. From first to tenth it is now 202. Last year at this time it was 296 points.
Point leader Musgrave was fifth at this point last season. Craven was not running Trucks last season. Hamilton is third this year and was third last year. Hornaday wasn't running trucks last season. Setzer was the point leader at this point in 2004. Spencer had run one race in the NCTS last season and was 51st in points, while Crafton seventh this season and was seventh last season as well. Cook moves up from 13th in 2004 to eighth in 2005. Benson was not running trucks at this point last season, while Sprague moves from 11th in 2004 to 10th in 2005.
Two drivers have had big drops in the standings from last year. After 9 races, Crawford was sitting fourth in points while Chaffin was sixth. Crawford is now 14th, while Chaffin is 17th.
Winning Makes
06-18-2005 1:27 pm
Chevrolet: 2004, 3; 2005, 5
Dodge: 2004, 4; 2005, 4
Ford: 2004, 2; 2005, 0
Toyota: 2004, 0; 2005, 0
2005 Season Summary
06-18-2005 1:29 pm
Number of race winners: 2004, 7; 2005, 7
Average start of winners: 2004, 5.33; 2005, 14
Number of pole winners: 2004, 6; 2005, 7
Cumulative Lead Changes: 2004, 85; 2005, 82
Average Lead Changes per Race: 2004, 9.44; 2005, 9.11
Average leaders per race: 2004, 5.33; 2005, 6.78
Total laps under caution: 2004, 432; 2005, 355
Average caution flags per race: 2004, 7.78; 2005, 8.11
2005 Averages
06-18-2005 1:32 pm
Start Position of Winner: 14
Lead Changes per Race: 9.1
Leaders: 6.8
Caution Flags per Race: 8.1
Caution Laps per Race: 39.4
Number of Drivers per Race: 36
Number Running at Finish: 27.4
Number of DNF's: 8.6
Number on Lead Lap: 17.2
Current Year MFR Performance
06-18-2005 1:34 pm
Chevrolet: 5 wins, 2 poles, 17 top-5, 34 top-10, 722 laps led
Dodge: 4 wins, 2 poles, 12 top-5, 21 top-10, 311 laps led
Ford: 0 wins, 1 pole, 8 top-5, 17 top-10, 109 laps led
Toyota: 0 wins, 3 poles, 8 top-5, 18 top-10, 360 laps led
2005 Best Finish, Top-25 Drivers
06-18-2005 1:37 pm
Musgrave, 1st, Gateway
Craven, 2nd, Martinsville
Hamilton, 1st, Daytona and Mansfield
Hornaday, 1st, Atlanta
Setzer, 2nd, Gateway
Spencer, 2nd, Daytona
Crafton, 5th, Texas
Cook, 2nd, Charlotte
Benson, 2nd, Texas
Sprague, 1st, Texas
Starr, 5th, Atlanta
Reutimann, 5th, Dover
Skinner, 4th, Texas
Bodine, 3rd, Daytona
Crawford, 5th, Gateway
Park, 1st, Fontana
Chaffin, 5th, Martinsville
Lester, 6th, Charlotte
Keselowski, 7th, Daytona
Kluever, 4th, Mansfield
Pressley, 8th, Gateway
Hines, 13th, Martinsville
Huffman, 9th, Fontana
Montgomery, 13th, Charlotte
Whitt, 15th, Texas
Bud Pole Qualifying Fast Facts
06-18-2005 1:46 pm
With today's pole, Kyle Busch ousts his brother Kurt as the youngest pole winner in NCTS history. He is 20 years, one month, and 16 days. Kurt was 21 years, 10 months, and 27 days when he won the pole at Milwaukee in June 2000.
Busch is now the youngest pole winner in two NASCAR National Touring Series. He won the Cup pole at California Speedway at 19 years, nine months, and 24 days of age. Casey Atwood is the youngest pole winner in the Busch Series.
This is the second Bud Pole of 2005 for Billy Ballew Motorsports. The team was also on the pole in Daytona with Kerry Earnhardt driving.
The last Bud Pole winner to win the race was Ted Musgrave, who turned the trick at Gateway in April. The Craftsman Win from the Pole Bonus is $10,000. A Bud Pole winner has never won the race at Michigan.
Busch is seeking to become the fourth driver to win three consecutive NCTS starts. The last to do so was Greg Biffle in 2000.
Mike Skinner starts from the front row for the third time in four races. He won the pole for the races in Charlotte and Texas.
Todd Kluever is the highest qualified Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate; he will line up 11th.
The top 30 starters all broke the existing track record in qualifying - 40.411 second - set by Jason Leffler in 2003.
Kelly Sutton failed to qualify for the race today for what would have been her 33rd career start; she continues to hold the record for most career starts by a female with Tammy Jo Kirk.
Pit Road Assignments
06-18-2005 2:35 pm
Here are the pit assignments for the Paramount Health Insurance 200, starting at pit exit in turn one and ending at pit entrance in turn four:
Busch
Hines
Chaffin
Hattori
Craven
Park
Lester
Opening in pit wall
Skinner
Harvick
Sprague
Murphy
Hornaday
Chapman
Rogers
Starr
Opening in pit wall
Schrader
Cook
Pressley
Setzer
Open stall/Start-Finish/Scoring Camera
Reutimann
Gaughan
Huffman
Opening in pit wall
Crawford
Renshaw
Whitt
Hamilton
Musgrave
Keselowski
Spencer
Kluever
Opening in pit wall
Benson
Crafton
Labonte
Montgomery
Peters
Bodine
Chevrolet
Dodge
Ford
Toyota
Race Updates 1-10
06-18-2005 2:48 pm
10. Lap 15 - Skinner starts to narrow the gap as Busch reports a "loose/tight" condition.
9. Lap 10 - Busch leads by a second over Skinner while Benson and Crawford race side by side for third. Craven is fifth, with Harvick, Setzerm and Reutimann before a large gap back to Cook. Hamilton then leads Musgrave and Park as a huge pack of trucks race for position.
8.Lap 6 - Reutimann is on the move, chasing Starr for fifth. That battle now has 10 trucks running two and three wide for fifth. Craven has moved to fifth with Harvick sixth, reutimann, Setzer, Huffman, and Musgrave rounding out the top-10.
7. Lap 2 - Busch leads Skinner, Crawford, and Benson. The top-4 have broken away from Starr in fifth. Benson dips inside Crawford going into turn one and runs side by side before falling back into fourth. Skinner and leader Busch pull away. Crafton is up to 20th after starting last.
6. Busch darts out to the lead on the start. The field is stacked two and three deep through the field. Busch leads by 10 lengths to complete lap one.
5. Trucks are rolling behind the two pace trucks setting pit road speed (55 mph). All trucks have cleared the grid. MIS officials and NASCAR estimate 50,000 in the grandstand and another 10,000 fans in the infield. Sprague and Pressley come to pit road. Both teams have lifted the hood and appear to be making front suspension adjustments.
4. The anthems have been sung and the drivers are strapping in. We are in a slight hurry up mode. Weather doesn't appear to be an issue, but NASCAR is playing it very prudently and moving the start ahead by a few moments.
3. To the back...Matt Crafton's team found a broken rear end as they were making their final adjustments and will go to the back of the field after making repairs....Bobby Labonte will move to the back after changing a transmission.
2. The pit road speed is 55 miles per hour. The pace truck will circulate the speedway at 65 miles per hour. The pit road speed limit begins 210 before the first pit box and ends 80 feet past the last pit box. The restart point is the double red lines on the wall outside of turn four. Minimum speed here this afternoon is 44.78 seconds.
1. The drivers have all been introduced to the largest NCTS in history at MIS. The invocation and anthem are next on the docket, and then the command to start engines.
Paramount Health Insurance 200 Race Updates, 11-20
06-18-2005 3:23 pm
20. Lap 43 - Craven is tucked in the draft behind Cook and they have opened up a gap in front of Setzer. Craven dips inside to lead lap 44, but Cook powers back around on the outside to regain the top spot going in to turn one and officially regains the lead at lap 45. Rogers follow's Benson's lead and takes a smokey slide through turn four to bring out the third caution.
19. Lap 40 - Setzer peeks to the inside of Skinner to take over second, but loses the draft and the position to Craven who moves to third. Park stays fifth. Craven and Skinner hook up to draft past Skinner to move into second and third. Craven closes in on Cook.
18. Lap 38 - Cook inches away from Skinner as Craven moves to fourth past Park.
17. Lap 35 - Cook leads as Harvick comes to pit road. Hornaday, Reutimann, Hamilton, Musgrave, Pressley, Sprague, Chaffin, Lester, Gaughan, Huffman, Chapman, Renshaw, Hattori, Busch, Spencer, Keselowski, Kluever, Peters, and Montgomery also pit. Cook leads Skinner, Setzer, Park, Craven, Schraderm Crawford and Labonte to the green.
16. Lap 33 - Benson goes into a long smokey slide coming off turn four as Busch comes to pit road with a suspected soft tire on the right side. Caution 2 is out. Busch and Benson will both start at the back after pitting too soon.
15. Lap 28 - Harvick to the lead. Cook moves into third and starts chasing down the leaders. Setzer is up to fourth. Hamilton is fifth.
14. Lap 24 - Musgrave leads and the line before Skinner foes three wide into turn one to go from third to first. Harvick moves up to second. The front 17 trucks are running in a pack two, three, and at times four wide.
13. Lap 22 - Restart, Busch takes over the lead coming into turn one while Musgrave and Skinner pressure Benson for second. Musgrave moves into second going into turn one.
12. Lap 18 - Pit stops. Only Chapman stays on the speedway. Benson nips Busch off pit road, followed by Musgrave, Reutimann, Skinner, Spencer, Harvick, Setzer, Crawford, Craven, Cook, Hornaday, Park, Hamilton, Gaughan, Schrader, Whitt, Starr, Montgomery, Keselowski, Labonte, Bodine, Huffman, Kluever, Lester, Renshaw, Crafton, Peters, Rogers, Pressley, Murphy, Hattori, and Sprague. Chaffin comes back down pit road while Hines comes to the garage. Chapman leads lap 20 before bitting and Benson takes over the top spot when Chapman pits on lap 21.
11. Lap 17 - Hines erupts in smoke after cutting down a tire. The first caution of the day is out for tire debris.
Paramount Health Insurance 200 Race Updates 21-30
06-18-2005 3:51 pm
30. Lap 68 - Restart. Park leads Craven as the front four pull away from Rogers and Crafton who battle for fifth.
29. Lap 66 - Park stays out in front of Craven, Bodine, Whitt, Crafton, Smith, Kluever, Guaghan, Petersm and Hattori. Reutomann wins the race off pit road followed by Setzerm Harvick, Musgrave Starr, Spencer, Skinner, Busch, Murphy, Hamilton, Sprague, Crawford, Benson, Hornaday, Cook, Lester, Schrader, Montgomery, Huffman, Chaffin, Labonte, and Chapman. Pressley comes to pit road with Hattori on lap 67.
28. Lap 65 - Keselowski pops and engine and takes it directly to the garage. Caution is out for the fifth time of the day. Anyone chosing to pit now should be able to make it the rest of the way on fuel. Renshaw receives the free pass and rejoins the lead lap.
27. Lap 61 - Ultra Motorsports is one and two with Musgrave now in second after riding the rim around the outside to pass Harvick. Hamilton makes it a Dodge party up front to take third. Musgrave powers to the lead down the backstretch and Spencer falls to third to complete lap 63.
26. Lap 58 -Renshaw makes an unscheduled dtop for tires and falls off the lead lap. She falls back to 35th, the only truck running not on the lead lap. Benson slips and drops to seventh as Harvick closes on Spencer. Musgrave, Hamilton, and Busch are the top-5.
25. Lap 56 - Benson dives towards the lead but gets loose and jumbles up the top-5. Spencer pulls away over Harvick, Benson, Busch and Park. Cook was trapped behind another truck on the restart and has dipped to tenth.
24. Lap 54 - Fuel strategy comes into play as Bodine, Reutimann, Setzer, Craven, Crafton, Peters, Kluever, Starr, Chaffin, Whitt, Murphy, and Gaughan all come to pit road for fuel. They will likely try to stretch it to the end. Spencer leads as we go green.
23. Lap 52 - Turn four strikes again as Huffman slides down to the grass to bring out the fourth caution of the race. Huffman pits early and will start from the back of the pack on the restart.
22. Lap 50 - Spencer leads at halfway. Gaughan off the pace down the backstretch.
21. Lap 46 - Pits are open. Hornaday was lucky to escape without damage as Rogers was sucked around into a spin as Hornaday passed to the outside. Cook leads off pit road, followed by Busch, Labonte, Park, Crafton, Harvick, Sprague, Musgrave, Setzer, Skinner, Peters, Montgomery, craven, Kluever, Starr, Hornaday, Chaffin, Schrader, Crawford, Pressley, Gaughan, Huffman, Chapman, Hamilton, Lester, Rogers, Murphy, and Hattori. Whitt comes back to pit road to tighten a missing lugnut. Bodine leads Spencer, benson, Reutimann, Keselowski, Renshaw, and Cook.
Paramount Health Insurance 200 Race Updates 31-40
06-18-2005 4:16 pm
40. Lap 96 - Green is expected on lap 98 for a two-lap shootout. Setzer leads Musgrave, Harvick, Busch, Skinner, Hamilton, Crawford, Bodine, Chaffin, and Reutimann.
39. Lap 91 - Hornaday and Park make contact coming off turn two and it sends Park head long into the outside wall down the backstretch. Labonte cannot avoid Park and makes contact as he ricochets down the track. Contact between Bodine and Hornaday exiting turn two initiated the incident. Park and Labonte have climbed from their wrecked trucks and walked to the ambulance. Hornaday has driven back to the pits.
38. Lap 89 - Busch moves into fourth past Skinner and starts to chase down the lead draft. Schrader comes to pit road for right side tires.
37. Lap 85 - Busch moves into fifth passing Hamilton going into turn one. He is pressuring Skinner for fourth.
36. Lap 82 - Setzer leads over Musgrave and Harvick as Hamilton falls to fourth. Busch pressures Bodine for sixth.
35. Lap 81 - Hamilton leads over Setzer, Musgrave, Harvick and Bodine.
34. Lap 78 - Top-10: Harvick, Hamilton, Setzer, Musgrave, Bodine, Crafton, Skinner, Cook, Kluever, Rogers
33. Lap 75 - Craven and Whitt make contact racing for position in calamity corner and Craven socks the wall in turn four. Craven has serious damage to the right side of his machine and Whitt has caved in the nose of his machine. Replays show Craven got loose with Whitt having no where to go and making contact, sending Craven up the banking and into the wall. Whitt has gone to the garage with Craven going to his pit stall. That may be optimistic, as the damage visually appears to be terminal. Park pits to hand the lead over to Harvick, who was ahead of Hamilton on the speedway when the caution waved.
32. Lap 74 - Hamilton continues his charge taking second with a daring pass around Craven in turn two. Harvick is hanging tough, follwing Hamilton's every move down on the bottom. They race side by side for second.
31. Lap 70 - Hamilton is on the move in the upper groove, moving all the way up to seventh by blowing past the competition around the outside. Hamitlon is now fifth after passing Crafton to complete lap 72.
Final Updates, Paramount Health Insurance 200
06-18-2005 4:47 pm
Musgrave blows up coming out of turn two after the restart and the caution waves after the field passed the flag, freezing the field and ending the race with Setzer the leader. Busch is second with Harvick third. More to follow....
Unofficial Results, Paramount Health Care 200
06-18-2005 3:37 pm
Results
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Driver Points
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Owner Points
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Lap Summary
Revised Unofficial Results...
06-18-2005 7:06 pm
NASCAR has made some changes to the unofficial results after looking at all of the information at their disposal, and moved Bobby Hamilton into third and Kevin Harvick back into fourth. Brendan Gaughan is now credited with 11th from 13th, David Starr 12th from 13th, Terry Cook falls from 11th to 13th, Jimmy Spencer jumps from 16th to 14th, swapping spots with Bill Lester.
Race Stats
06-18-2005 7:09 pm
There were 17 lead changes among 14 drivers. The race took 1 hour, 38 minutes, and 3 seconds and was run at an average speed of 122.387 miles per hour. There were 7 cautions for 25 laps, and the margin of victory was under caution. Estimated attendance today was 60,000.
Unofficial Owners Points: Who's In, Who's Not?
06-18-2005 7:11 pm
In:
25. Orleans Racing No. 77, 960
26. Darrell Waltrip Motorsports No. 12, 949
27. Green Light Racing No. 08, 938
28. ThorSport Racing No. 13, 907
29. Bobby Hamilton Racing No. 18, 901
30. BHR2 No. 8, 859
Out:
31. Red Horse Racing No. 38, 844
32. Sutton Motorsports No. 02, 829
No other team has attempted to run all 10 races to this point to be eligible for a guaranteed starting position.
Putting a wrap on Setzer's win...
06-18-2005 7:22 pm
Setzer's win here today is the 13th of his career and first in 28 races, since he won last spring at Texas; Setzer has now won a race in 8 different seasons, tying the record set by Jack Sprague last week when he won in Texas...Setzer now has five top-10 finishes at MIS in six attempts; his previous best finish was fifth...Setzer now has four top-5 finishes and seven top-10 finishes in 2005...the win today marks the first win for Chevrolet at MIS...Eric Phillips now has two consecutive wins as a crew chief at MIS; he was Travis Kvapil's winning crew chief here last year...Kyle Busch was trying to win three consecutive NCTS starts, but did rack up his third consecutive top-2 finish when he came home in second...Bobby Hamilton finished third, his first top-5 since winning at Mansfield in May; he retakes the points lead by five over Setzer and 24 points over Musgrave...the 25 laps run under caution are a record for the NCTS at Michigan; the previous record was 23 in 1999.
That's all folks!
06-18-2005 7:26 pm
Don't forget everyone, we'll be back with you from Milwaukee this Friday, June 24. They are literally turning off the lights in the media center at MIS, so we gotta pack it up and hit the road. Thanks for sticking with us, and don't forget to check out the Sights and Sounds box to the right of this page for some exclusive post-race audio clips and a post-race audio feature breaking down the Paramount Health Insurance 200. There were some tempers in the garage following the race, and our microphones were in the right place at the right time to catch it! We're calling it a night and heading for the house, good night everybody!
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