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TrackSideLive!
| Ford 200
Homestead-Miami Speedway | November 19, 2005
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TrackSideLive! from Homestead-Miami Speedway
11-14-2005 7:51 pm
TrackSideLive! Presented by Team ASE with Charles Krall
race coverage of the
Ford 200
from
Homestead-Miami Speedway
, the final race of the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season!
AUDIO
- The drivers arrived at the racetrack today and we sat down with Ted Musgrave, Dennis Setzer, Terry Cook, Rick Crawford and Timothy Peters to get their thoughts going into the final race of the 2005 season.
Check out the Sights and Sounds box in the right column.
Check out Bud Pole Qualifying this Friday at 5:10 pm ET.
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Good Morning from Homestead
11-18-2005 7:57 am
Good morning from Homestead-Miami Speedway! Today we will decide the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, and we will also look to break the record for number of race winners in a season. We have several drivers looking to break into victory lane either for the first time or the first time in a long time, and there's just one more chance in 2005 to get it done. We will be here all day long to bring you all of the action from the two practice sessions, we'll scour the garage between practice and qualifying for all the news of the day, and we'll also have Live! Bud Pole Qualifying coming your way at 5:10 pm ET. Stick around for updates throughout tonight's Ford Championship 200 and then we'll take you into the night with post-race coverage galore as we bring the curtain down on one of the most entertaining and enjoyable seasons we've seen in the Truck Series in it's 11-year history.
Homestead Weather
11-18-2005 8:02 am
We would have welcomed you to sunny Homestead, Florida this morning, except that it's not sunny! It is plenty warm and humid, but there is an overcast in the area and there are heavy showers to the north in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. However, the radar only shows one small area of rain in the area and nothing imminent for the Homestead area. We should be good to go for all on-track activity today. We are looking at a high temperature in the low 80s and there is just a 30 percent chance of a brief shower passing through the area. If there are any changes to the weather, we'll let you know right here.
Weather.com
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Today's Track Schedule
11-18-2005 8:09 am
There is a ton of activity scheduled for the Homestead-Miami Speedway today. Here is the track schedule:
7 am ET: NCTS Garage Opens
8 am ET: NCTS Rookie Meeting and Draw for Qualifying Order
9 - 10:20 am ET: NCTS Practice
10:50 - 11: 50 am ET: NCTS Final Practice
5:10 pm ET: Live! Bud Pole Qualifying (2 Laps, All Positions)
8 pm ET: NCTS Driver Introductions
8:15 pm ET: Command to Start Engines
8:25 pm ET: Green Flag, Ford 200 (134 laps, 201 miles)
Entry List Oddities
11-18-2005 8:15 am
Here are the changes and additions to our weekly entry list for today's Ford Championship 200:
Erin Crocker is back for the second consecutive week as she prepares for her run for 2006 NCTS Rookie of the Year. She is in the No. 05 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge today.
Regan Smith is in the No. 06 MRD Motorsports Chevrolet. Smith finished eighth here last season in this ride.
Chris Wimmer is in the No. 07 ASI Limited Chevy for Green Light Racing, while Jack Bailey is in the team's No. 08 Century 21 Chevy.
Justin Hobgood is back in the No. 9 Germain Racing Toyota.
Johnny Sauter will take a one-race ride in the No. 13 ThorSport Racing Chevy.
Bobby East is back after a tough hit last week in Phoenix, this week in the No. 21 Ford he is rumored to be driving all season long in 2006.
Mark Martin is back in the NCTS for the first time since he went to victory lane at North Wilkesboro in 1996. He is in the No. 33 Stonebridge Life Insurance Ford for Roush Racing.
Robert Richardson is in the No. 35 Richardson Racing Chevy.
Justin Allgaier is here with the No. 63 Mittler Bros./Dave Porter Truck Sales Ford.
Homestead Track Analysis
11-18-2005 8:25 am
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a 1.5-mile highbanked traditional oval. It does not have a dog-leg tri-oval area as several other speedways do. It was reconfigured in time for the 2003 season finales, but in one of it's three incarnations has been a part of the NASCAR world since it opened in the fall of 1995.
The banking in the corners ranges from 16 degrees at the very bottom to 20 degrees at the top, so there are three distinct lines and grooves here. You will often see drivers running right around the rim to keep as much momentum as possible for the long straightaways. The chutes are 1,760 feet long and are banked at just four degrees, enough to let any moisture run down.
Homestead Track Records
11-18-2005 8:35 am
Here are the Homestead-Miami Speedway track records, for both qualifying and the race:
Qualifying: David Reutimann, 31.532 seconds/171.255 miles per hour, November 19, 2004
Race: Ron Hornaday, 1 hour, 30 minutes, 30 seconds/133.260 miles per hour, November 15, 2002
Ironically, Hornaday's record setting speed took place on the track before it was reconfigured. The increase in nearly 25 miles per hour also brought increased numbers of caution flags which has kept the average speed down in race conditions.
Homestead Race and Pole Winners
11-18-2005 8:41 am
Here are the previous pole and race winners at Homestead. In the previous nine NCTS races here, there has never been a repeat winner:
1996: Pole, Geoffrey Bodine, 135.598 mph; Race, Dave Rezendes, 102.000 mph
1997: Pole, Joe Ruttman, 140.221 mph; Race, Kenny Irwin, 98.565 mph
1998: Pole, Jack Spraggue, 149.283 mph; Race, Rick Crawford, 114.475 mph
1999: Pole, Randy Tolsma, 149.813 mph; Race, Mike Wallace, 109.813 mph
2000: Pole, Joe Ruttman, 146.727 mph; Race, Andy Houston, 129.755 mph
2001: Pole, Scott Riggs, 146.017 mph; Race, Ted Musgrave, 118.176 mph
2002: Pole, Mike Bliss, 147.111 mph; Race, Ron Hornaday, 133.260 mph
2003: Pole, Bobby Hamilton, 169.252 mph; Race, Bobby Hamilton, 120.439 mph
2004: Pole, David Reutimann, 171.255; Race, Kasey Kahne, 114.930 mph
Light Sprinkle Keeping Trucks off Track
11-18-2005 8:54 am
There is a slight drizzle falling here at Homestead-Miami Speedway that is keeping the trucks off the track for the moment. The track is by no means wet, but NASCAR and track officials are going to wait about five minutes to allow this brief little light shower to pass.
Jet Dryers Called to Track
11-18-2005 8:58 am
Not wanting to put anyone at risk, NASCAR has called for the jet dryers to come on to the speedway and make a couple of passes around the speedway to make sure everything is good to go with the high speeds here at HMS.
Light Drizzle Moving in Off the Ocean; Will be Gone Soon
11-18-2005 9:11 am
Former NCTS team co-owner and Florida resident Don Arnold looked at the weather radar and saw the light sprinkles moving in off the Atlantic Ocean and says whatever precipitation we have will be out of here in a matter of minutes.
"It's coming in off the Stream," he said. "It'll be out of here in a couple of minutes. Just the normal morning shower."
Practice About to Fire Off; No Timing and Scoring
11-18-2005 9:17 am
Practice is about to fire off as the jet dryers have just shut down and are heading for home base. We are working on getting timing and scoring working here in the luxurious infield media tent at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but we will do our best to bring you the rundown and speed reports you are accustomed to here at TrackSideLive! Keep it locked here, Truck Series practice is up next!
Trucks Rolling
11-18-2005 9:20 am
The Trucks are on track rolling around at reduced speed to make sure the track is dry. We should be green shortly.
We are Green, Still no Timing
11-18-2005 9:26 am
The pace truck just pulled in and the thunderous sound of truck series engines is reverberating throughout the Homestead-Miami Speedway. We still don't have timing and scoring here in the media tent, but well track down some times for you shortly.
After a Hike, Here are Some Times
11-18-2005 9:40 am
We just made a quarter of a mile hike there and back to the Cup garage to get timing and scoring...here is how they ran just a few moments ago:
1. Hamilton, 32.010
2. Martin, 32.090
3. Benson, 32.101
4. Crafton, 32.145
5. Skinner, 32.153
6. Kluever, 32.167
7. Montgomery, 32.176
8. Crawford, 32.289
9. Spencer, 32.297
10. Musgave, 32.302
11. Lester, 32.303
12. Setzer, 32.370
13. Bodine, 32.459
14. Hornaday, 32.464
15. Starr, 32.480
16. Bliss, 32.497
17. Peters, 32.499
18. Busch, 32.589
19. Keselowski, 32.644
20. Fedewa, 32.692
21. Reutimann, 32.707
22. Smith, 32.711
23. Gaughan, 32.866
24. Bailey, 32.869
25. Pressley, 32.871
26. Cook, 32.882
27. Allgaier, 32.885
28. Craven, 32.904
29. Miller, 33.019
30. Sutton, 33.054
31. Crocker, 33.063
32. Richardson, 33.104
33. Lynch, 33.247
34. East, 35.783
35. Wimmer, 36.672
36. Hobgood, 39.959
They Said It, Prac 1 No 1
11-18-2005 9:46 am
Todd Bodine, No. 30 Toyota: "It is a little tight in the center."
Ted Musgrave, No. 1 Dodge: "Let's go out and follow someone and see if we get tight in traffic."
Deborah Renshaw, No. 8 Dodge: "It is a little bit snug."
Looks like everyone is fighting a tight conditon. We're also hearing a lot of drivers report the noses of their trucks are banging off the track surface entering the corners.
Red Flag for Rain
11-18-2005 9:58 am
The little shower in the area is pesky and persistent and it has brought NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice to a stop. Here is a full field run down as the trucks have fallen silent just moments ago:
1. Sprague, 31.960
2. Crafton, 31.965
3. Kluever, 31.990
4. Hamilton, 32.010
5. Bliss, 32.081
6. Benson, 32.084
7. Whitt, 32.32.088
8. Martin, 32.090
9. Spencer, 32.092
10. Musgrave, 32.096
11. Peters, 32.111
12. Lester, 32.130
13. Skinner, 32.153
14. Montgomery, 32.176
15. Bodine, 32.187
16. Busch, 32.265
17. Crawford, 32.289
18. Craven, 32.317
19. Setzer, 32.333
20. Gaughan, 32.338
21. Starr, 32.342
22. Miller, 32.367
23. Keselowski, 32.368
24. Cook, 32.396
25. Renshaw, 32.430
26. Hornaday, 32.464
27. Hobgood, 32.468
28. Reutimann, 32.558
29. Fedewa, 32.612
30. Pressley, 32.658
31. Smith, 32.711
32. Crocker, 32.735
33. Lynch, 32.784
34. Sauter, 32.811
35. Allgaier, 32.838
36. Bailey, 32.841
37. Richardson, 32.902
38. Sutton, 33.054
39. East, 34.223
40. Wimmer, 34.442
They Said It, Prac 1 No 2
11-18-2005 10:08 am
Jack Sprague, No. 60 Toyota: "That was fast, but it wasn't a lot of fun. It was pretty scary."
"I think we've lost it"
11-18-2005 10:14 am
That was the call over the NASCAR radios just a few moments ago as the rain started to come down harder. The track surface is now totally wet and we will be down for a considerable amount of time while the shower passes and we get the track blown dry.
Showers Cleared Out; Track Drying Underway
11-18-2005 11:04 am
We've endured the last (we hope!) of the rain, and the track crews are busy with the drying process. We've yet to hear any update on the status of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice, but it would appear that the Trucks are going to be done with on-track action until we roll for the pole at 5:10 pm ET this afternoon. We'll update you as far as schedule changes are concerned as we hear them. Time to head to the garage for some interviews, we'll return to the media tent shortly...
Track 99.9% Dry...
11-18-2005 11:39 am
The track is very dry, and we have just a few moments remaining until we resume practice for the Ford Championship 200. NASCAR has condensed the schedule, eliminating the second practice and the final moments of practice we do have will conclude the one and only session of the day. We will let you know as soon as they shut the dryers down and the track goes hot.
Everything Looks Good
11-18-2005 11:41 am
Everything is progressing here very nicely and track drying work is just about finished. NASCAR is sending the jets alongside the backstretch wall for one final pass and we should be good to go. Some spotters are joking about a dryer that apparently spewed some flame as it was circulating the racetrack, giving everyone a chuckle.
Practice Will End at 12:20 pm ET
11-18-2005 11:49 am
NASCAR officials will open the track shortly for another 20 minutes or so of practice for the Truck Series teams and drivers. The day's one and only session is now scheduled to end at 12:20 pm ET. We should be back on track within moments.
We're rolling!
11-18-2005 11:58 am
The Trucks have just rolled back on to the speedway and the drivers will follow the pace truck for several laps to ensure everything is dry before we go back to high speeds on the newly dried track. We should be back to full speed racing speeds momentarily.
Green Flag
11-18-2005 12:01 am
The pace has just picked up and the drivers are back at full song as we conclude practice for the Ford Championship 200. We'll have the action from the final moments of practice right here.
Quick Red and Back to Green
11-18-2005 12:05 am
We had a brief red flag for an incident on the speedway reportedly involving Robert Richardson. We are back to green, and we will follow up on that incident as soon as the session ends and we can make the trek to turns three and four and the NCTS paddock.
Session over
11-18-2005 12:14 am
The one and only practice for the Ford Championship 200 has just drawn to a close. With the quick turnover to the Busch Series, we can't even give you a quick look at the top ten because NASCAR cleared the scoring monitors immediately as the red and black flags waved. We will, however, have a full report posted to the event box on the main page within moments, so stick around...
More Rain at HMS
11-18-2005 1:26 pm
Rain is again coming down here at Homestead-Miami Speedway, interrupting Busch Series practice. With the schedule being as tight as it is, any time lost out of any practice session for any series is just lost and will not be made up. Weather permitting, we are still on schedule for a 5:10 pm ET start for Live! Bud Pole Qualifying.
Practice Results
11-18-2005 1:31 pm
Apparently NASCAR decided to break the practice into two sessions, with the first session ending at the red flag for rain and the second session taking place after the track was dried.
Here are the results of the second 20-minute session:
1 Bill Lester 31.387 172.046
2 Brandon Whitt 31.511 171.369
3 * Jack Sprague 31.749 170.084
4 Ted Musgrave 31.8 169.811
5 Todd Kluever # 31.85 169.545
6 Matt Crafton 31.862 169.481
7 * Justin Hobgood 31.879 169.391
8 Johnny Benson 31.91 169.226
9 Brendan Gaughan 31.924 169.152
10 Chase Montgomery31.929 169.125
11 * Mark Martin 31.975 168.882
12 Bobby Hamilton 32.01 168.697
13 Mike Skinner 32.033 168.576
14 Todd Bodine 32.059 168.439
15 Mike Bliss 32.061 168.429
16 Jimmy Spencer 32.092 168.266
17 David Reutimann 32.106 168.193
18 Timothy Peters #32.111 168.167
19 Ron Hornaday Jr.32.165 167.884
20 Terry Cook 32.207 167.665
21 Joey Miller 32.23 167.546
22 David Starr 32.237 167.509
23 * Erin Crocker 32.261 167.385
24 Kyle Busch 32.265 167.364
25 Rick Crawford 32.289 167.24
26 Ricky Craven 32.317 167.095
27 Dennis Setzer 32.333 167.012
28 * Regan Smith 32.351 166.919
29 Brad Keselowski 32.368 166.831
30 * Justin Allgaier 32.372 166.811
31 Deborah Renshaw 32.43 166.512
32 Johnny Sauter 32.434 166.492
33 Robert Pressley 32.546 165.919
34 * Tim Fedewa 32.612 165.583
35 Jack Bailey 32.704 165.117
36 * Robt Richardson 32.775 164.76
37 Scott Lynch 32.784 164.714
38 Chris Wimmer 32.979 163.741
39 * Kelly Sutton 33.054 163.369
40 * Wayne Edwards 33.455 161.411
41 * Bobby East 34.223 157.789
Richardson's Team Working on Repairs
11-18-2005 1:35 pm
Robert Richardson's crew is hard at work smoothing out some rumpled sheet metal on the right side of his machine after he brushed the wall in turns one at two. While the sheet metal was a little bent and the paint scuffed, it did not appear the damage was severe. The team was also looking at right side suspension components ensuring the toe-in was still set and the rear end was not knocked out of position. They will have the truck ready to roll for qualifying.
East's Crew Making an Engine Swap
11-18-2005 1:39 pm
Bobby East's ST Motorsports team is busy swapping engines on his No. 21 Ford. East was never able to make it up to speed in the second session, which was crucial as he has no prior experience here and as he told us as we wandered the garage during the rain delay, every lap he can get here prior to qualifying is important. They are plugging the second bullet in now and they too should have their truck ready to roll through inspection shortly.
Audio!!!
11-18-2005 2:43 pm
Hey folks, don't forget to to check out the Sights and Sounds Box to the right side of the TrackSideLive! page to listen to our exclusive garage interviews and look at dozens of exclusive images in the TruckShots! gallery.
We met up with Ted Musgrave and Dennis Setzer yesterday, and both are extremely cool customers and insist the nerves are getting to them, and both are loaded and ready to go for 134 laps here this evening. We also met up with Terry Cook and talked a little bit about what the future has in store for the series new Iron Man, and he told us what 2006 is shaping up like for him and his team. Rick Crawford talked about the changes in the Homestead track thoughout the years, and Timothy Peters tells us how he will look back at his rookie season in the NASCAR Crafstman Truck Series.
You can also hear Erin Crocker talk about how the weather earlier today has affected her task of qualifying in on time here this weekend, as well as the thoughts of Tim Fedewa and Regan Smith on the same subject. Matt Crafton was second quick in the first part of practice and third quick in the second, and he says that's just the tip of the iceburg here today. And you can read the story on the front page and hear the interview right here, Mike Bliss talks about what he has going on for 2006, a story you will only see right here on TruckSeries.com.
Finally, we met up with one of the founding fathers of the Truck Series, Jimmy Smith as he is on the verge of his first ever series title. He gives us a candid interview on his nerves heading into tonight's race, his thoughts on his driver Ted Musgrave, and even his thoughts on what will happen if Lady Luck intercedes and Musgrave drops out of the top spot after the race.
We're working on getting some more audio up right now. Brandon Whitt tells us what's shakin' in the DW Boogity Grill camp, and David Reutimann tries his best to tell us what the weather is going to do. David Starr says he's looking forward to the weekend, and he's stll working on his deal for 2006. Johnny Benson tells us he's fast, he's wearing blue this weekend, and he expect to break that streak of third place runs with an even better finish here this weekend.
New Series Logo
11-18-2005 3:51 pm
NASCAR has released a new series logo for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The sleek new look now incorporates the traditional red Craftsman bar logo within NASCAR's oval shaped logo that they use for the Nextel Cup and Busch Series as well.
Truck Schedule Unchanged by Weather at HMS
11-18-2005 4:02 pm
After all of the showers throughout the day here at HMS, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series remains on schedule for a 5:10 pm ET start for Live! Bud Pole Qualifying. The track was supposed to be silent after qualifying through the start of the Ford 200, but we will now have a final session for both the Cup and Busch series leading into the 8:15 pm ET green flag.
HMS Best Finish
11-18-2005 4:12 pm
Here is each drivers' best previous finish here at Homestead-Miami Speedway:
Rick Crawford, 1st
Bobby Hamilton, 1st
Ronm Hornaday, 1st
Ted Musgrave, 1st
Mike Bliss, 2nd
Jack Sprague, 2nd
David Reutimann, 4th
Matt Crafton, 5th
Dennis Setzer, 6th
Terry Cook, 8th
Regan Smith, 9th
Johnny Benson, 11th
Brendan Gaughan, 11th
Scott Lynch, 12th
Bill Lester, 18th
Kelly Sutton, 19th
Deborah Renshaw, 20th
Chase Montgomery, 21st
Brandon Whitt, 26th
Wayne Edwards, 27th
Johnny Sauter, 33rd
Here are the drivers attempting to make their first start in the NCTS at Homestead: Jimmy Spencer, Tim Peters, Erin Crocker, Chris Wimmer, Jack Bailey, Justin Hobgood, Joey Miller, Kyle Busch, Bobby East, Brad Keselowski, Todd Bodine, Mark Martin, Robert Richardson, Todd Kluever, Justin Allgaier and Tim Fedewa. No one is making their actual series debut here this weekend.
No repeat winners; one repeat pole sitter
11-18-2005 4:27 pm
As the saying goes, we've had nine races and nine faces in victory lane here at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Rick Crawford, Andy Houston, Ron Hornaday, Ted Musgrave, Mike Wallace, Dave Rezendes, Bobby Hamilton, Kasey Kahne, and Kenny Irwin have all won in the previous runnings here at HMS.
Only one man has ruined that streak in qualifying as Joe Ruttman has picked up two Bud Pole Awards here at Homestead. Other pole winners include Jack Sprague, Mike Bliss, Randy Tolsma, Bobby Hamilton, Scott Riggs, David Reutimann, and Geoffrey Bodine.
HMS Races Summary
11-18-2005 4:40 pm
There have been nine previous NCTS races here. In those nine races, the average start of the winner is 6.89. The pole sitter has only won once (Bobby Hamilton in 2003) while tenth has won twice (Rezendes 1996 and Wallace 1999); 12th has won once (Crawford 1998) and 13th has won once (Kahne, 2004).
There are an average of 11 lead lap finishers, with a high of 18 in 1998 and 2004 and a low of 6 in 2001 and 2002.
There are an average of 11.6 lead changes, with the record set in 1997 and 1999 as the lead changed hands 17 times. The record low was set in 2002 as the lead changed hands just 6 times.
There are an average of 6.33 lead drivers, with the most leaders in a single race being 9 in 2004 and the fewest being 5 in 1996, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
The caution waves an average of 6.78 times per race, with the record being 11 cautions in the 1996 and 1997 races on the old quadrangle layout. The fewest number of cautions is an NCTS record one (also shared with Milwaukee set in June 2005) set in 2002.
The pace truck leads the field for an average 27.2 laps, with the record being 52 laps in 1997 and the fewest being just four caution laps in 2002.
The cumulative average speed is 115.712 miles per hour, although the track has been reconfigured here twice. The current layout is nearly 25 miles per hour faster than the older layout, but the average speeds have been down to the increased number of caution flags.
Progression of the Pole
11-18-2005 6:05 pm
Todd Bodine, went out first, 31.719, starts 10th
Brandon Whitt, went out 13th, 31.489, starts fourth
Bill Lester, went out 20th, 31.278, starts second
David Reutimann, went out 22nd, starts first
If It's Not a Record...
11-18-2005 6:33 pm
I haven't found anything that would back up my claims, but the absolutely amazing performance by the Toyota brigade in qualifying here at Homestead has to be some sort of record. I cannot recall any time in recent memory when one manufacturer sweeps the the top five qualifiers, much less the top seven and eight of the top nine. With the first hurdle of the day in the bag, the next quest for the Toyota fleet is to repeat that type of dominant performance in the race.
Trucks Gridded; Covers On
11-18-2005 6:38 pm
The trucks have been moved into position on the grid, but there is a shower in the area and the trucks have been covered. The National Anthem has been performed and all we are waiting for is a break in the weather to get the command and go racing. We'll be here all night long, so stick with us for the blow by blow from Homestead...
Rain Rain Go Away
11-18-2005 8:07 pm
The rain has driven the drivers, teams, and officials on pit road to take cover and many of the hearty souls in the grandstand have headed for cover down below as well. Weather radar shows some rain moving in off the ocean, but it is not a significant shower. What rain we do have should blow through with some blustery winds and be out of here very soon. Track drying equipment is in place and ready to go as soon as the rain subsides.
2005 Key Race Statistics
11-18-2005 8:14 pm
Here are the key race stats heading into the final race of 2005:
Average start of winner: 9.0
Average lead changes per race: 9.3
Average lead drivers per race: 6.2
Average caution flags per race: 7.7
Average caution laps per race: 35.2
Average number running at finish: 28.8
Average number not running at finish: 7.2
Average number on lead lap at finish: 18.0
Statistical Summary, 2004 vs. 2005
Average Start of Winner: 2004 - 7.67; 2005 - 8.96
Cumulative Lead Changes: 2004 - 220; 2005 - 223
Average Lead Changes per Race: 2004 - 9.17; 2005 - 9.29
Average Number of Leaders per Race: 2004 - 5.54; 2005 - 6.21
Total Laps Under Caution: 2004 - 1027; 2005 - 844
Average Number of Caution Flags per Race: 2004 - 7.83; 2005 - 7.67
Current Year MFR Performance
11-18-2005 8:21 pm
Chevrolet - 10 wins, 6 poles, 44 top-5, 80 top-10, 1532 laps led
Dodge - 4 wins, 2 poles, 25 top-5, 55 top-10, 441 laps led
Ford - 2 wins, 2 poles, 15 top-5, 40 top-10, 359 laps led
Toyota - 8 wins, 12 poles, 36 top-5, 65 top-10, 1723 laps led
Top Groove Looking Good; Bottom Next to Dry
11-18-2005 8:29 pm
NASCAR has just swapped lanes with the jet blowers, moving them from the high groove to the low groove. The top of the track dried quickly within just one pass of the jet dryers. At this pace we could be on the track much quicker than was anticipated.
Martin Looks to Make it Back-to-Back Wins in NCTS
11-18-2005 8:35 pm
Mark Martin has gone 3,358 days since his last NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win, but he is looking to make it back to back wins in the NCTS here tonight. If he is able to pull it off here, he may set an unbreakable record in pulling off back to back wins with the most elapsed time between them. His first win - which came in just his second series start - was on September 28, 1996 at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Track Drying Continues
11-18-2005 8:49 pm
The sprinkles have seemingly tapered off and hopefully moved away, and track drying operations have been quite successful as the jet dryers are now concentrating on a few nagging wet spots rather than blasting around the entire mile and a half Homestead-Miami Speedway. The turns look good, with just a few wet spots up high in turns one and two getting some attention. Three and four look totally dry as does the entire frontstretch. The backstretch is out of view, but no jet dryers can be seen so it's a solid guess that it is dry at this point as well. The trucks have been uncovered and we are apparently nearing the command as the safety vehicles are being called to report to their positions around the track.
Crank 'Em Up Guys!
11-18-2005 9:18 pm
There is a huge roar from the crowd on hand as the engines have been fired and we are ready to scrap for 134 hard fought laps to decide the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. We'll have all the updates from the action here in the Ford 200 NEXT...
Kinser Looking at NCTS in 2006
11-18-2005 9:38 pm
Kraig Kinser, son of perennial sprint car champion Steve Kinser, is close to signing a deal that would put him in the No. 47 Chevrolet for Morgan-Dollar Motorsports in 2006 on a full-time basis. Kinser is a developmental driver for the MB2 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team, and the effort will be a co-op between MB2 and MDM.
TruckSeries.com expects an official announcement regarding the future of the Morgan-Dollar team's No. 47 Chevrolet would be made in the near future.
So Long Wendy V.
11-18-2005 9:41 pm
At the conclusion of the Ford 200, Speed Channel's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series broadcast team will lose a familar face. Wendy Venturini will step aside to join the network's ARCA broadcast team, while Totally NASCAR vet Krista Voda will join the Truck Series coverage. We here at TruckSeries.com wish Wendy all the best in her new endeavors for 2006 and we look forward to seeing her during the several combination weekends the Truck Series has with the ARCA Re/MAX Series in 2006.
Roush to Three Full Time Teams in 2006
11-18-2005 9:46 pm
Jack Roush confirmed on the Speed Channel broadcast that Roush Racing will field three full-time teams in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2006. One truck will be filled by the winner of the Racer X competition that can be seen weekly on the Discovery Channel. The second ride will be filled by Mark Martin, who will run 7 races while preparing to move into the series full-time in 2007, and the runner-up of the "Gong Show". So that still leaves one ride still open in the Roush fleet.
Ford 200 Race Updates 1-10
11-18-2005 9:20 pm
10. Lap 6 - Pace truck driver Randy Kiser reports that the rain has come to almost a complete stop. NCTS director Wayne Auton is busy checking all outposts around the speedway and there are high hopes that we're going to get started soon. The jets are going to make a quick pass on the frontstretch, as that is the only part of the track that seems to be questionable right now.
9. Lap 4 - Lights back on the pace truck as rain is again falling.
8. None of the drivers reported they were not comfortable with going green in two laps. One to go signal this time by and we should be racing within two minutes.
7. Start. We are now counting laps. Reutimann starts the race from the pole so he is being credited as the leader. The field will receive the two-to-go signal at the stripe at the completion of lap one.
6. We only need to reach lap 67 here this evening to ensure an official race. The last time a NASCAR championship was decided in an event that did not go the full distance was 1998 as the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series ended in Atlanta short of the full distance. We will start counting laps but remain under the caution flag the next time past the flag stand.
5. NASCAR has given the command to refire the engines and the Trucks should be rolling back on to the track momentarily. The track remains in fairly good condition as the sprinkles that were coming down were extremely light.
4. A light sprinkle has again moved over the speedway and the trucks have been brought down pit road. One crew member will be allowed to clean the windshield but no other work can be done. The blowers are back in the track to make a few laps and keep the speedway in racing condition.
3. How dominant is the Toyota fleet here today? There are 9 Tundras in the field, and the deepest any of them is starting is 12th. NASCAR is saying three laps to go at the line this time by.
2. The field is in single file behind the pace truck trying to build as much heat in the track as possible. We have two drivers moving to the back for the start. Chase Montgomery (post-qualifying adjustments) and Rick Crawford (backup truck) will start from the tail of the field. Pit speed is 45 miles per hour. Pace truck speed is 55 miles per hour.
1. The field is rolling off the pit lane and will circulate for several laps behind the pace truck. NASCAR is going to bring the jet dryers down pit road for a pass to make sure it is as dry as possible once we go green flag racing. All trucks have rolled from the grid.
Ford 200 Race Updates 11-20
11-18-2005 10:12 pm
20. Lap 5 - Restart. Reutimann leads Lester, Sprague, Whitt, Miller, Skinner, Benson, Crafton, Musgrave, Bodine, Hornaday, Kluever, Busch, Starr, Martin, Cook, Spencer, Hamilton, Crocker, Gaughan, and Setzer. Hobgood will restart at the tail after repairs and he stays on the lead lap.
19. Lap 1 - Reutimann leads as Hobgood gets loose off turn four and backs his truck into the wall doing damage to the right rear of his truck. Caution is out for the first time.
18. One to go. Reutimann, Lester, Sprague, Whitt, Skinner, Miller, Benson, Musgrave, Bodine and Crafton are the top ten. Setzer comes from 23rd. The delay is 12 hours and ten minutes from last night's scheduled start.
17. The field is rolling and we will go green in two more caution flag laps.
16. Engines have been fired. The sun is being shielded by a light layer of high clouds and there is a breeze blowing in off turn four directly towards turn one. It's 70 degrees and we're about to roll off the grid.
15. Teams have been able to top off the trucks with fuel, set tire pressure, add or remove tape, and they could change the air filter if necessary. The trucks have been started to build some temperature in the fluids and the drivers are being called to the trucks in anticipation of the 8:30 am ET start.
14. Good morning from Homestead-Miami Speedway. The sun is out and we are going to be racing here in very short order. Everything that happened here yesterday, the 12 laps run behind the pace truck, are going to be erased and we're going to have 134 laps of action here this morning. Stick around, we're going to decide a champion today!
13. We are rained out here at Homestead. We are scheduled to be on track tomorrow at 8:30 am ET. See you then!
12. Lap 11 - Bad news as NASCAR reports rain has caught up to the track in turns three and four. Weather radar shows one more blast and we should be clear of heavy precip.
11. Lap 9 - Jets still working the frontstretch at turns one and two. Reutimann still credited with leading. Trucks are NOT allowed to come to pit road for service until the green flag flies to actually start competition.
Ford 20 Race Updates 21-30
11-19-2005 8:39 am
30. Lap 42 - Hobgood to the garage. Crocker still on pitr road. Sauter pits for fuel and a chassis adjustment. Bodine leads Sprague, Hornaday, Crafton, Whitt, Bensin, Lester, Busch, Martin and Spencer.
29. Lap 37 - Bodine jumps into the lead in the restart. Crafton is riding a rocketship and is giving Hornaday a run for the money. Hobgood again loses his truck in a carbon copy incident of his first lap spin, and Skinner narrowly avoids making contact as Hobgood slides down the track. Third caution is out.
28. Lap 34 - Leaders pit. Sprague wins race off pit road ahead of Bodine, Hornaday, Crafton, Whitt, Skinner, Benson, Busch, Martin, Lester, Spencer, Starr, Kluever, Setzer, Miller, Musgrave, Craven, Cook, Bliss, Hobgood, Lynch, Hamilton, Gaughan, Peyers, Renshaw, Montgomery, Bailey, Pressley, Crawford, Sauter, and Keselowski. Wimmer will rejoin the lead lap with the free pass. Smith and Richardson are lapped, and Crocker sits on pit road with right front suspension damage.
27. Lap 32 - Crocker and Renshaw come together in turn one and Crocker bounces into the turn two wall with the right front. She has damage to the nose of her machine and comes to pit road with a flat right front.
26. Lap 27 - Reutimann is behind the wall. Sprague is now catching lapped traffic. Whitt is second but Bodine has closed the gap. Skinner is fourth and Crafton fifth. Hornaday, Lester, Benson, Busch, and Miller are the rest of the top ten. Martin is eleventh, then Kluever, Musgrave, Spencer, Starr, Bliss, and Setzer.
25. Lap 21 - Bodine has moved past Crafton and Lester to take third. Reutimann falls off the pace and drops to the inside from the lead. The engine in Reutimann's truck sounds off key. Crafton, Lester, and Skinner fight for fourth.
24. Lap 17 - Sprague is starting to chop into Reutimann's lead, bringing down from 2.1 seconds to 1.7 seconds. Whitt is third, Lester fourth, Crafton fifth. Musgrave is 12th and Setzer 18th.
23. Lap 13 - Sprague and Lester fight for second allowing Crafton to close in from fifth. Bodine is on a charge and sits seventh just off Skinner's rear deck.
22. Lap 10 - Reutimann stretches the lead as Skinner, Miller, Crafton, Benson, Bodine, and Hornaday are in a hard battle for position.
21. Lap 6 - Sprague looks for second as Musgrave challenges Crafton 8th. Benson looks inside Miller for fifth.
Ford 200 Race Updates 31-40
11-19-2005 9:08 am
40. Lap 87 - Crawford comes to pit road as green flag pit stop window has opened.
39. Lap 82 - Martin sweeps into third and brings Benson with him to fourth, pushing Hornaday back to fifth. Bodine leads by half a straightaway, with Martin a full straightaway behind second place Sprague.
38. Lap 75 - Bodine leads Sprague by a second. Hornaday is third with Martin now fourth. Crafton and Benson locked in side by side combat for fifth.
37. Lap 69 - Crafton, Martin, and Benson now fighting hard for fourth. Lester dusts off Kluever for seventh. Setzer falls back to 14th with Musgrave in 16th.
36. Lap 63 - Crafton, Hornaday and Martin are still fighting hard for third. Martin is under Hornaday off four for fourth. Bodine leads at halfway and we are official.
35. Lap 58 - Benson and Lester have to whoa up in turn two and Busch gets a run and blasts to the inside three wide to take the spot. Hornaday and Crafton are racing hard side by side for third with Martin knocking on the foor in fifth.
34. Lap 55 - One to go. Bodine, Sprague, Hornaday, Crafton and Benson are the top five. Lester, Martin, Busch, Miller and Starr are the second five. Musgrave is 13th, Setzer is just in front in 12th.
33. Lap 52 - Wimmer spins in turn one and collects Richardson as they both bounce into the wall between one and two. Heavy damage to both trucks. Fifth caution of the day is out.
32. Lap 49 - Musgrave reports the track is extremely slick this morning. Coming to the green. Bodine leads Sprague, Hornaday, Crafton, and Benson. Sprague looks inside but Bodine holds server in the restart. Benson looking inside Crafton for fourth.
31. Lap 44 - Whitt dives underneath Crafton on the restart and loses the air off the spoiler and takes a ride in turn two. He doesn't make contact and everyone avoids. Setzer reports a lack of grip on this set of tires. Musgrave says he is working on the high side and planning on sticking to it.
Ford 200 Race Updates 41-50
11-19-2005 9:42 am
50. Bodine wins his fifth as a crash breaks out on the backstretch. Miller spun coming off turn two. Musgrave is your champion.
49. Lap 127 - Musgrave narrowly averts disaster as Renshaw spins directly in front of him in turn two. Seventh caution of the day is out.
48. Lap 124 - Leaders all pit. Bodine leads off pit road. Sprague second with Martin third, Bliss fourth, Lester fifth, Skinner sixth, Miller seventh, Busch eighth, Hornaday ninth, Kluever tenth.
47. Lap 122 - Starr hauls off into one and loses grip and brushes the wall. Bailey comes in behind and loses traction and spins. NASCAR officials throw the sixth caution of the day for a track inspection.
46. Lap 117 - Miller brushes the wall after dicing with Skinner and Crafton for 10th.
45. Lap 113 - One wasn't enough. Whitt again busted for speeding and will serve a pass thru.
44. Lap 109 - Whitt busted for speeding and will make a pass thru penalty. Only Gaughan and Pressley have yet to make their stop on put road.
43. Lap 103 - Bliss leads Coo,, Gaughan, Whitt and Pressley as those drivers are off the pit schedule of the others. They probably will not try to stretch it to the end as they are looking to be about 15 laps short of making it to the end.
42. Lap 97 - Hamilton takes his truck behind the wall with right front damage after losing a tire. The field is still cycling through green flag stops.
41. Lap 92 - Skinner is on fire as he has picked up a half dozen positions in recent laps. He's into seventh pushing Crafton back to eighth. Bodine is on pit road with Sprague following. Green flag stops are underway.
Unofficial Results
11-19-2005 10:13 am
1. Bodine
2. Sprague
3. Benson
4. Bliss
5. Lester
6. Busch
7. Kluever
8. Martin
9. Hornaday
10. Miller
11. Starr
12. Crafton
13. Skinner
14. Spencer
15. Peters
16. Gaughan
17. Cook
18. Setzer
19. Lynch
20. Musgrave
21. Sauter
22. Craven
23. Keselowski
24. Pressley
25. Montgomery
26. Renshaw
27. Crawford
28. Bailey
29. Whitt
30. Crocker
31. Hamilton
32. Smith
33. Wimmer
34. Richardson
35. Hobgood
36. Reutimann
That's a Wrap!
11-19-2005 12:38 am
What an exciting finish to the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season!
A streaking Todd Bodine gets his fifth career victory, Ted Musgrave wins the championship and all of it is available to listen to first hand with our free TrackSide audio.
Check out the Sights and Sounds box to your right for comments from Bodine, Musgrave, Rookie of the Year Todd Kluever and many more. Come back early next week for our complete race recap and look ahead to 2006.
Also check out the race notes:
Ford
Chevrolet
Toyota
Rookie Race Notes
And special thanks to all of you, our fans, who come back each and every race and support us here at TruckSeries.com.
It's been a great year and we'll see you all again for what will be a great 2006!
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