|
TrackSideLive!
| GM FlexFuel 250
Daytona International Speedway |
February
15 - 17,
2006
TrackSideLive! Presented by
Team ASE with TrackSide Editor Charles Krall...
Exclusive online coverage - from start to
finish - of the tough trucks and even tougher drivers of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
including Practice Times, Notes, Quotes, Photos, Audio interviews and more!
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TrackSide Coverage from Daytona
02-15-2006 12:00 pm
Join TrackSideLive! for coverage of the GM FlexFuel 250 at Daytona International Speedway starting Wednesday February 15th with the first practice and ends Friday February17th after the last lap has been run.
Get ready for a great season of racing with complete coverage of the first race of 2006!
Welcome to Daytona!
02-14-2006 3:57 pm
Good afternoon from Daytona International Speedway! We're here to kick off the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season with Friday's GM Flex Fuel 250, and the teams are already here on the grounds going through tech inspection leading up to tomorrow's first practice. We wandered the garage this afternoon to bring you the first look at some of the new paint jobs and bring you some of the scoop from the garage, so stick around for a while and get caught up with what's happening here at the World Center of Speed.
Entry List Updates
02-14-2006 4:02 pm
Here is the latest updated entry list for the GM Flex Fuel 250:
1 - Robert Richardson
02 - Kelly Sutton
04 - Kevin Hamlin
4 - Timothy Peters
5 - Mike Skinner
6 - Mark Martin
06 - Chad McCumbee
07 - Sean Murphy
08 - Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
8 - Chase Montgomery
9 - Ted Musgrave
10 - Terry Cook
11 - David Starr
12 - Joey Miller
13 - Kerry Earnhardt
14 - Rick Crawford
15 - Kyle Krisiloff
16 - Mike Bliss
17 - David Reutimann
18 - Bobby Hamilton
20 - Jon Wood
21 - Stacy Compton
22 - Bill Lester
23 - Johnny Benson
24 - Wayne Edwards
25 - Boston Reid
28 - Carl Long
29 - Brad Keselowski
30 - Todd Bodine
33 - Ron Hornaday
40 - Chad Chaffin
47 - Kraig Kinser
59 - Mike Wallace
60 - Jack Sprague
63 - J.R. Patton
75 - Aric Almirola
77 - Brendan Gaughan
85 - Dennis Setzer
88 - Matt Crafton
89 - Norm Benning
98 - Erin Crocker
99 - Eric Darnell
Who Needs to Qualify on Time?
02-14-2006 4:07 pm
Per NASCAR rules, the top 30 eligible drivers from 2005 NCTS points are locked into the GM Flex Fuel 250. With 42 entries, that means 12 drivers are fighting for the remaining six qualifying spots:
02 - Kelly Sutton
06 - Chad McCumbee
9 - Ted Musgrave
20 - Jon Wood
21 - Stacy Compton
24 - Wayne Edwards
28 - Carl Long
40 - Chad Chaffin
47 - Kraig Kinser
60 - Jack Sprague
63 - J.R. Patton
98 - Erin Crocker
As the most recent past champion, 2005, Ted Musgrave is automatically locked into the field regardless of his qualifying time. If he is among the five fastest of the above drivers and does not need the provisional, that would allow Jack Sprague to use it, if needed. If both drivers are among the top five fastest of these 12, then the sixth and final open position would revert back to the next fastest driver.
Raybestos Rookie Class Swells
02-14-2006 4:11 pm
There is an incredible number of drivers registered to compete for the 2006 NCTS Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award. As we kick off the season, 11 drivers have filled out the paperwork declaring their intentions:
Robert Richardson
Chad McCumbee
Sean Murphy
Joey Miller
Kerry Earnhardt
Kyle Krisiloff
Boston Reid
Kraig Kinser
Aric Almirola
Erin Crocker
Eric Darnell
K- Auto "Thrilled to be here"
02-14-2006 4:13 pm
After announcing last week that the team would not attend the season opener here at Daytona, K-Automotive is here with the team's No. 29 Fords for driver Brad Keselowski. According to team owner Kay Keselowski, they cut it as close as possible to still make it here.
"Thanks to an incredibly selfless act, we were able to make it," Keselowski said. "Mark Melling got a hold of us and offered us enough sponsorship to get here. We are all thrilled to be here. It was as last minute as it could get, but we're here and that's what's important."
The younger Keselowski finished seventh here in 2005, and with Robert Yates horsepower, he has a shot to repeat that performance in 2005.
"We were able to get him a Yates engine," his mother said. "We think with that power underneath him, he can go out there an run up front. We didn't get to come and test, but we cranked the engine just a while ago, and it sounded big and bad. We can't wait to see what he can do with it out on the track."
Deion Sanders on the No. 24 Chevy
02-14-2006 4:18 pm
Wayne Edwards is another driver happy to be here. After running 2005 basically unsponsored, Mighty Motorsports has picked up some backing from Liquid Nitro Energy Drink and looks for an improved 2006.
"It's not the biggest deal in the world, but it's let us put together a real engine program and I don't have to drive the hauler anymore either," Edwards said. "And Liquid Nitro has Deion Sanders as a spokesman, which is really cool. He's supposed to be here on Friday. Hopefully we'll get in and put on a good show for "Primetime"."
Lots of Changes...
02-14-2006 4:35 pm
There have been wholesale changes in the NCTS garage area since the end of the 2005 season at Homestead back in November. Of the 42 teams on hand here in Daytona, only 15 of them are the same owner-driver combination from that final race of 2005. Some of those 17 teams have still seen changes, either with a crew chief change, number change, sponsor change, or any combination of the above.
Here are the teams that remained intact:
Sutton Motorsports, Kelly Sutton
Bobby Hamilton Racing, Timothy Peters
Bill Davis Racing, Mike Skinner
ppc Racing, Terry Cook
Darrell Waltrip Motorsports, Joey Miller
Circle Bar Racing, Rick Crawford
Xpress Motorsports, Mike Bliss
Darrell Waltrip Motorsports, David Reutimann
Bill Davis Racing, Bill Lester
Bill Davis Racing, Johnny Benson
K-Automotive, Brad Keselowski
Germain Racing, Todd Bodine
Kevin Harvick, Inc., Ron Hornaday
Wyler Racing, Jack Sprague
Orleans Racing, Brendan Gaughan
Morgan-Dollar Motorsports, Dennis Setzer
ThorSport Racing, Matt Crafton
Of those teams, KHI (Hornaday) and Morgan-Dollar Motorsports (Setzer) have changed their numbers to the 33 and 85 respectively.
Tech Going Smoothly for Some...
02-14-2006 4:46 pm
Tech day at Daytona has been very smooth for many of the teams in the garage. After passing inspection early in the day, many teams have loaded their trucks in the transporters and have called it a day early. ppc Racing, Green Light Racing, and Roush Racing all had their trucks in the trailer very early in the day. As one team said, if the truck was right when we left here after Preseason Thunder in January and it hasn't been touched since, it should roll right through the templates and height sticks.
Tech Not So Smooth for Others...
02-14-2006 4:49 pm
While some were able to call it an early day, many more are making some tweaks to the aerodynamics of their machines in an effort to pass inspection yet today.
Many teams had the bondo out trying to beef up the body work, while others still had the sanders out trying to buff down any excess they may have on to make NASCAR officials happy. Tech will be open until 6 pm ET, and those teams that don't get their sticker yet today will be here bright and early tomorrow and pick up where they left off here today.
That's it for Tech Day
02-14-2006 4:52 pm
We're going to call it an early day here from Daytona International Speedway as we bring you a little bonus coverage from tech day leading up to tomorrow's opening practice for the season opening GM FlexFuel 250 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. While we were here, we did snap many images of the new looks in the garage for '06, so be sure to check out the TruckShots! gallery for those. We'll be back here tomorrow morning to kick off yet another season of coverage of the Truck Series, with all of the audio clips, images, and updates you have come to expect from TruckSeries.com. We're all excited to be here, it looks like Mother Nature is going to smile on us all week, and we should have an awesome week of superspeedway action ahead of us. Thanks for being here with us, we can't wait to get after it full force tomorrow. Until then, good night everybody!
Good Morning from Daytona - Wednesday
02-15-2006 8:43 am
Good morning from Daytona International Speedway! It is cool, but with clear skies it is expected to warm up to the low 70s this afternoon, which will give the teams near perfect conditions for practice later today. The NCTS teams have practice from 4 pm ET through 5:35 pm ET, the first 'official' on track action of the 2006 season. We'll have complete coverage of all the action here today, including a lot more images, exclusive TrackSideLive! audio, and much more so keep your browser locked here to TruckSeries.com.
Daytona Track Facts
02-15-2006 9:53 am
Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959, replacing the famed 4.1-mile beach course on Highway A1A. The 2.5-mile tri-oval has 31-degree banking in the turns, 18 degrees of banking in the tri-oval along the frontstretch, and the backstretch is tilted at 6 degrees. The length of the backstretch - dubbed "The Superstretch" - is 3,600 feet, while the two short chutes leading into and out of the tri-oval are 1,600 feet.
Daytona Track Records
02-15-2006 9:59 am
Here are the NCTS track records for qualifying and the race here at Daytona:
Qualifying - Joe Ruttman, 47.964 seconds/187.563 mph
Race (250 miles) - Robert Pressley, 1 hour, 47 minutes, 3 seconds/140.121 mph
Daytona Pole and Race Winners
02-15-2006 10:01 am
Here are the NCTS pole and race winners at Daytona International Speedway:
2000: Pole, Joe Ruttman; Race, Mike Wallace
2001: Pole, Joe Ruttman; Race, Joe Ruttman
2002: Pole, Ted Musgrave; Race, Robert Pressley
2003: Pole, Jason Leffler; Race, Rick Crawford
2004: Pole, Terry Cook; Race, Carl Edwards
2005: Pole, Kerry Earnhardt; Race, Bobby Hamilton
Assorted DIS Track Facts
02-15-2006 10:13 am
Most NCTS wins: 1 - 6 drivers
Most NCTS poles: 2, Joe Ruttman
Most top-5 finishes: 2 - 9 drivers
Most top-10 finishes: 5, Terry Cook
Most race leaders: 17, 2005
Fewest race leaders: 9, 2003
Most cautions: 8 - twice, most recently 2005
Fewest cautions: 6 - twice, most recently 2002
Most caution laps: 42, 2004
Fewest caution laps: 21, 2001
Most lead lap finishers: 17, 2004
Fewest lead lap finishers: 7, 2000
Most running at finish: 24, 2002
Fewest running at finish: 13, 2000
Most laps led by a race winner: 59, Mike Wallace, 2000
Fewest laps led by a race winner: 1, Bobby Hamilton, 2005
Most wins by a manufacturer: 3 - Dodge, Ford
Closest margin of victory: 0.027 seconds, Rick Crawford over Travis Kvapil, 2003
Greatest margin of victory: 0.318 seconds, Joe Ruttman over Ricky Hendrick, 2001
DIS NCTS Races Summary
02-15-2006 10:18 am
Average start of winner: 12.3
Lowest start by winner: 36th, Bobby Hamilton, 2005
Highest start by winner: 1st, Joe Ruttman, 2001
Average number of lead lap finishers: 12
Lowest number of lead lap finishers: 7, 2000
Highest number of lead lap finishers: 17, 2004
Average number of lead changes: 24.3
Lowest number of lead changes: 13, 2003
Highest number of lead changes: 31, 2000
Average number of lead drivers: 12.2
Lowest number of lead drivers: 9, 2003
Highest number of lead drivers: 17, 2005
Average number of caution flags: 7
Lowest number of caution flags:6, 2000 and 2002
Highest number of caution flags: 8, 2001 and 2005
Average number of caution flag laps: 29.5
Lowest number of caution flag laps: 21, 2002
Highest number of caution flag laps: 42, 2004
Cumulative average speed: 127.470
Lowest average speed: 112.570
Highest average speed: 140.121
Number Mojo Working for Wallace?
02-15-2006 10:26 am
After Darrell Walltrip won the Daytona 500 in car 17 on Febraury 17 in his 17th attempt in 1989, there are always people looking to see what numerology is working somewhere in the garage. It looks like Mike Wallace might have some numbers working in his favor in 2006 as he tries to win his second NCTS race here at Daytona. Mike Wallace holds the record for most laps led by a leader, 59. This year, Wallace is entered in the No. 59. If he wins on Friday night, you heard it here first.
NCTS Best Finishes - Daytona
02-15-2006 10:30 am
Here are the best finishes for each driver entered here at Daytona:
Johnny Benson, 10th
Mike Bliss, 33rd
Todd Bodine, 3rd
Chad Chaffin, 13th
Terry Cook, 4th
Matt Crafton, 11th
Rick Crawford, 1st
Kerry Earnhardt, 35th
Wayne Edwards, 9th
Brendan Gaughan, 10th
Bobby Hamilton, 1st
Ron Hornaday, 12th
Brad Keselowski, 7th
Bill Lester, 16th
Chase Montgomery, 31st
Sean Murphy, 24th
Ted Musgrave, 2nd
David Reutimann, 9th
Dennis Setzer, 6th
Mike Skinner, 25th
Jack Sprague, 12th
David Starr, 7th
Kelly Sutton, 17th
Mike Wallace, 1st
Drivers making their first Daytona NCTS attempt: Aric Almirola, Norm Benning, Stacy Compton, Erin Crocker, Eric Darnell, Bobby Hamilton, Jr., Kevin Hamlin, Kraig Kinser, Kyle Krisiloff, Carl Long, Mark Martin, Chad McCumbee, Joey Miller, JR Patton, Timothy Peters, Boston Reid, Robert Richardson
Images and Audio Coming
02-15-2006 1:03 pm
We're constantly scouring the garage for the latest news, and we took along our microphone to get the word from several of the drivers before we kick off practice this afternoon. We hooked up with David Starr, Brendan Gaughan, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Hamlin as we move closer and closer to the first on-track action of 2006. Starr is extremely excited about his possibilities in 2006 with Red Horse Racing, while Brendan Gaughan tells us a return to the basics should bring improved performance for the Orleans Racing team. Keselowski talks about the last minute reprieve his team received to make it here to Daytona, while Hamlin tells us that he's no stranger to being tossed to the wolves out on the racetrack, and Daytona should be no different.
The TruckShots! gallery is quickly filling up as we're approaching 150 images, and it's just Wednesday! Keep checking back often for the latest views from the garage.
Teams Still Hard at Work
02-15-2006 1:09 pm
While many teams are looking at their trucks sitting under their covers and relaxing waiting for practice to start, some are still hard at work making the final adjustments hoping to get that inspection sticker in time to make it out on the track for practice. Bobby Hamilton's No. 18 Fastenal Dodge has been up on jacks for a long time as the team takes the grinder to it, hoping to get the clearances just right for NASCAR. John Monsam took the filing upon himself as he was working on the spoiler of the No. 20 Air Force Ford, shaving it down to the minimim allowable height for practice. Other teams have been touching up bodywork , adding or sanding down the body filler. Robert Richardson's R3 team added some bondo to the right front fender, while other teams such as Key Motorsports were forced to sand down some of the excess off the rear bumpers.
Observation Decks Crowded with Cup Practice Underway
02-15-2006 2:52 pm
With the Cup cars on track and the Trucks scheduled to be out next, the observation decks on the transporters werre crowded during both practices. The track surface in Daytona is one of the more weather sensitive on the schedule, and crew chiefs, drivers, and spotters were all seen on top trying to get as much information as they could for the start of practice at 4 pm ET.
What is a "Spacer Plate"?
02-15-2006 2:59 pm
With NASCAR's mandated spacer plates between the intake manifold and the carburetor here at Daytona for the first time, it has raised a lot of eyebrows. And it has raised one question for a lot of fans: what is a spacer plate?
Well, here is what one looks like:
The four holes are 1 and 11/16th of and inch around the top, and 1 and 1/16 of an inch at the bottom. The belief is that this process will retain some throttle response while cutting horsepower enough to keep speeds under control. Lap times in testing were around a second slower than 2005.
NCTS Practice to Be Delayed by 10 Minutes
02-15-2006 4:05 pm
Practice is scheduled to start at 4 pm ET, but will likely be delayed by about 10 minutes after a multi-car crash in Busch Series practice stopped the action for that division. NASCAR has extended their practice, which pushes by back Truck practice by a couple of minutes. As always, we'll have all the action for you as it happens, including timing and scoring updates throughout, exclusively here at TruckSeries.com.
Trucks up Next!
02-15-2006 4:11 pm
The Busch Series cars are pulling in, and after a quick change over, the Tough Trucks are next up on the 2.5-mile world center of speed. Keep it locked here for updates!
Trucks are On Track
02-15-2006 4:12 pm
The first trucks have taken to the speedway. The first group onto the speedway includes Jack Sprague in a solo run, Aric Almirola, Ron Hornaday, Mike Bliss, Mike Wallace, Rick Crawford, Mike Skinner, and Mark Martin.
If You're Near a TV...
02-15-2006 4:20 pm
There's no reason for you to leave your computer, but if you have the TV on in the background, be sure to click on Speed Channel, which is carrying live coverage of practice. For a full TV schedule of all NCTS action on Speed,
click here
.
Prac 1 Rundown 1
02-15-2006 4:28 pm
Here is the early rundown:
1. Earnhardt, 188.719
2. Crafton, 188.474
3. Crawford, 188.127
4. Martin, 188.115
5. Almirola, 187.825
6. Wallace, 187.570
7. Skinner, 187.477
8. Benson, 187.274
9. Lester, 187.200
10. Cook, 186.797
11. Setzer, 185.044
12. Starr, 184.287
13. Reutimann, 184.283
14. Bodine, 183.378
15. Richardson, 183.109
16. Musgrave, 183.020
17. Darnell, 181.594
18. Sutton, 181.153
19. Sprague, 180.285
20. Keselowski, 178.855
21. Kinser, 178.674
22. Wood, 178.635
23. Reid, 178.232
24. Miller, 177.792
25. Crocker, 177.729
26.Patton, 176.675
27. Bliss, 176.633
28. Krisiloff, 176.568
29. Hornaday, 176.115
30. Montgomery, 175.754
31. Peters, 175.456
32. McCumbee, 175.333
33. Edwards, 173.517
29.
No Guarantees No. 1
02-15-2006 4:35 pm
Here are the drivers that need to race in on speed:
16. Musgrave, 183.020
18. Sutton, 181.153
19. Sprague, 180.285
22. Kinser, 178.674
23. Wood, 178.635
27. Compton, 177.336
28. Patton, 176.675
30. Long, 176.446
35. McCumbee, 175.333
36. Chaffin, 174.818
37. Edwards, 173.517
Prac 1 Rundown 2
02-15-2006 4:42 pm
After 30 minutes, here is the running order:
1. Earnhardt, 188.719
2. Crafton, 188.474
3. Crawford, 188.127
4. Martin, 188.115
5. Almirola, 187.825
6. Wallace, 187.570
7. Skinner, 187.477
8. Benson, 187.274
9. Lester, 187.200
10. Cook, 185.797
11. Bodine, 185.716
12. Setzer, 185.044
13. Starr, 184.287
14. Reutimann, 184.283
15. Richardson, 183.109
16. Musgrave, 183.102
17. Krisiloff, 183.061
18. Bliss, 183.020
19. Sprague, 182.767
20. Darnell, 181.594
21. Sutton, 181.163
22. Reid, 179.247
23. Keselowski, 178.855
24. Kinser, 178,764
25. Wood, 178.635
26. Crocker, 177.971
27. Miller, 177.792
28. Patton, 177.675
29. Long, 177.446
30. Hornaday, 176.115
31. Gaughan, 176.022
32. Montgomery, 175.754
33. Peters, 175.456
34. McCumbee, 175.333
35. Chaffin, 174.818
36. Murphy, 174.816
37. Edwards, 173.517
38. Hamlin, 172.765
No Guarantees No. 2
02-15-2006 4:58 pm
15. Kinser, 183.449
17. Musgrave, 183.120
21. Sprague, 182.767
22. Sutton, 181.163
25. Wood, 178.635
29. Compton, 177.336
30. Patton, 176.675
31. Long, 176.446
36. Chaffin, 174.818
39. Edwards, 173.517
Green means the driver would be in the field based upon the time. Red means the driver would miss the field based upon the time.
Almirola Spins Off Two
02-15-2006 5:13 pm
Aric Almirola has slid sideways off turn two and took a long smokey slide to the inside of the skid pad on the backstretch to bring out the red flag. He was inside Jack Sprague and lost the air on the spoiler and kicked sideways. He did not hit anything, but the long slide has flatted his tires and he has come to a stop on the backstretch.
Earnhardt still sits atop the charts with Crafton, Crawford, Martin, Almirola, Wallace, Skinner, Benson, Lester, and Bodine the rest of the top ten.
No Guarantees No. 3
02-15-2006 5:21 pm
14. Musgrave, 184.661
17. Kinser, 183.449
21. Sprague, 183.046
24. Sutton, 182.912
29. Wood, 178.635
32. Compton, 177.336
33. Patton, 176.675
34. Long, 176.446
35. McCumbee, 175.743
37. Chaffin, 174.818
40. Edwards, 173.517
Once again, the drivers listed in green would make the race based upon their speeds, the drivers listed in red would miss the field.
Red and Black Flags Out
02-15-2006 5:43 pm
The session has come to an end, with Kerry Earnhardt still on top of the scoring pylon. His ThorSport teammate Matt Crafton was second, followed by Rick Crawford, Mark Martin, Aric Almirola, Mike Wallace, Mike Skinner, Johnny Benson, Bill Lester, and Erik Darnell. We'll have a complete timing and scoring report posted shortly. Meanwhile, it's time to take a hike back to the garage to get some end of the day interviews with the drivers. Stick around, we'll have much more before they turn off the lights!
More Audio Coming Your Way
02-15-2006 6:34 pm
The final batch of audio from Wednesday here at Daytona is on its way. We got with Mike Wallace and talked about good omens which may lead to him running up front here on Friday night. We also talked to Kerry Earnhardt about his hot lap in practice, while we chatted with Bobby Hamilton about his conspicuous absence from most of the day's on track action. Kelly Sutton tells us she's feeling confident going into qualifying tomorrow, and finally Aric Almirola told us how he learned a big lesson on the highbanks here this afternoon. Check out all the Sights and Sounds on the right side of the TrackSideLive! page.
That's all for Wednesday
02-15-2006 6:43 pm
They're turning off the lights so we need to make a run for it. But don't sweat it! We'll be back bright and early tomorrow morning as the NCTS rookies have a 9 am ET practice followed by a 9:30 am ET practice for the full field on hand, and we'll have all the action from both sessions as it happens. Until tomorrow, good night everybody!
Good Thursday Morning from Daytona
02-16-2006 8:14 am
Good morning from Daytona International Speedway! We woke up this morning to a cool morning with some spots of thin fog, but that is expected to burn off as the sun climbs higher into the sky. Temperatures are expected to climb into the mid 70s, a couple of degrees warmer than it was yesterday, but all on track action for the Truck Series will be either this morning or this evening, when it is expected to be much cooler. We have a 9 am ET practice for the rookies, followed by a 9:30 am ET practice for the full field, and then we move into qualifying mode with Live! Bud Pole Qualifing scheduled to come your way at 6:30 pm ET. Keep it locked here to TruckSeries.com for all the news and notes from Daytona throughout the day.
Jet Dryers on Track
02-16-2006 8:31 am
When we rolled in this morning, the sound of jet dryers was heard around the speedway. No, it had not rained overnight or early this morning, but the air was very heavy and the early morning dew definitely had the track in a damp state. A couple of quick laps around the speedway has the track ready for on-track action in just a few short moments.
Rookies Strapped in and Ready to Go
02-16-2006 8:56 am
The rookie drivers participating in the 30-minute session first thing this morning are strapped in and ready to rock and roll. They have moved to pit road and are awaiting the call to move out onto the speedway. We'll have all the action from both sessions here this morning right here, and don't forget that Speed Channel is also carrying the NCTS action this morning live as well. Aric Almirola has just taken to the track to kick off the session, and we are underway...stick with us everyone!
Qualifying Runs the Name of the Game
02-16-2006 9:04 am
So far, we've seen the rookies go out and find space on the track to run by themselves and do a mock qualifying run. Joey Miller is currently fastest at 177.242 mph, just a tick ahead of Erik Darnell at 177.075 mph. Kyle Krisiloff is third at 176.654, with J.R. Patton fourth with a lap at 175.142 mph. Erin Crocker is fifth at 174.744, while Boston Reid is sixth, 174.578, Kevin Hamlin is seventh, 173.974, and Aric Almirola is eighth at 173.849. Those are the only drivers to make a lap yet this morning.
MRD Motorsports Here Late Last Night
02-16-2006 9:07 am
The MRD Motorsports team were here late into the evening last night making an engine change on Chad McCumbee's ride. No word on what the reason was behind the change yet, but we will check with the team after practice this morning and get the full report for you. McCumbee just made his first run of the morning and turned a lap of 174.849 mph, seventh fastest of the rookies so far but slowest of the three that needs to time into the field based upon qualifying speed.
Krisiloff First to Make a Second Run
02-16-2006 9:15 am
Kyle Krisiloff is the first rookie to make it back out onto the speedway for a second mock qualifying run. He currently sits third on the charts, and it will be interesting to see if he can improve at all on his second run.
Miller Still Leads
02-16-2006 9:20 am
Joey Miller still sits on top of the charts with just a few moments left in the rookie-only session. Erik Darnell made a second run, as has Kyle Krisiloff, but neither was able to make a move up the charts. Kraig Kinser is fourth, with Kerry Earnhardt fifth. J.R. Patton is sixth, with Chad McCumbee seventh, Erin Crocker eighth, Boston Reid ninth, and Kevin Hamlin tenth. Aric Almirola rounds out the 11 rookie field.
Rookies Joined by the Rest
02-16-2006 9:33 am
The rookie session just concluded, and now the air in Daytona is filled with the sound of packs of trucks thundering around the highbanks in packs as the drivers and teams now start their final practice session before tomorrow night's GM Flex Fuel 250. Ron Hornaday and Todd Bodine are among the first out, as are Johnny Benson, David Starr, Robert Richardson, Mike Skinner, Mark Martin, and Mike Bliss. It should be an intense session, and we'll have all the news and notes as it happens. Keep it locked here for all the action.
Keselowski Leads the Speeds
02-16-2006 9:42 am
Brad Keselowski's No. 29 Melling Ford has reached the top of the speed charts here early in practice with a lap of 184.676 mph. Ron Hornaday is second, with Todd Bodine, Johnny Benson, and Mike Wallace rounding out the top five.
A full rundown to follow.
Practice 2 Rundown 1
02-16-2006 9:48 am
1. Keselowski, 184.676
2. Hornaday, 184.147
3. Bodine, 184.090
4. Benson, 184.045
5. Wallace, 183.820
6. Starr, 183.135
7. Gaughan, 183.050
8. Crocker, 181.789
9. Edwards, 181.646
10. Cook, 180.894
11. Richardson, 180.567
12. Skinner, 179.712
13. Bliss, 179.426
14. Martin, 179.183
15. Reutimann, 177.336
16. Almirola, 176.998
17. Compton, 176.838
18. Crawford, 176.779
19. Wood, 176.724
20. Darnell, 176.654
21. Musgrave, 175.702
22. Setzer, 175.009
23. Chaffin, 174.713
24. Long, 172.414
25. Crafton, 143.577
Practice 2 Rundown 2
02-16-2006 10:01 am
1. Keselowski, 184.676
2. Hornaday, 184.147
3. Bodine, 184.090
4. Benson, 184.045
5. Reid, 183.861
6. Compton, 183.857
7. Wallace, 183.820
8. Hamlin, 183.816
9. Peters, 183.662
10. Gaughan, 183.572
11. Krisiloff, 183.464
12. Starr, 183.135
13. Crocker, 181.789
14. Edwards, 181.646
15. Crafton, 181.580
16. Miller, 180.930
17. Cook, 180.894
18. Bliss, 180.770
19. Richardson, 180.567
20. Skinner, 179.712
21. Martin, 179.183
22. Sprague, 177.799
23. Reutimann, 177.338
24. Lester, 177.117
25. Almirola, 176.998
26. Crawford, 176.779
27. Wood, 176.724
28. Darnell, 176.654
29. Patton, 176.360
30. Sutton, 176.239
31. Musgrave, 175.702
32. McCumbee, 175.264
33. Hamilton, Jr., 175.213
34. Setzer, 175.009
35. Chaffin, 174.713
36. Long, 172.414
Debris in Turn Two Brings out Red
02-16-2006 10:20 am
NASCAR officials have spotted some debris at the bottom of turn two and have put out the red flag to retrieve it. The trucks have come to pit road while the track crew is out making a quick check of the track. We should be back at it shortly. Keselowski still leads, with Hornaday, Bodine, Benson, and Reid the top five.
No Guarantees Prac 2 No 1
02-16-2006 10:22 am
Here are the 11 drivers trying to fight their way into the field:
6. Compton, 183.857
19. Edwards, 181.646
21. Sutton, 181.141
28. Sprague, 177.799
30. Wood, 177.550
31. Kinser, 177.054
33. Patton, 176.360
34. Musgrave, 175.712
36. McCumbee, 175.264
38. Chaffin, 174.750
39. Long, 172.602
40. Benning, 166.362
Still Clean and Green
02-16-2006 10:48 am
While we did have one stoppage for debris earlier on, we have been clean and green throughout practice with no major incidents. Most of the large drafting packs have broken up and for the most part the track has been fairly quiet for the past 20 minutes or so as several teams have been out working on qualifying setups. Matt Crafton, Todd Bodine, and Chase Montgomery are out on the track now working on a drafting pack, while Mike Bliss is out on his own.
No Guarantees Prac 2 No 2
02-16-2006 10:50 am
It's difficult to tell who looks good to make the field and who doesn't because so many of the times were draft aided. But, here is the rundown of those not guaranteed to make the field for the GM FlexFuel 250:
6. Compton, 183.857
14. Wood, 183.292
21. Edwards, 181.646
22. Sutton, 181.141
29. Sprague, 178.020
31. Kinser, 177.413
33. Patton, 176.380
34.
Musgrave, 175.702
36. McCumbee, 175.264
40. Chaffin, 174.750
41. Long, 172.855
42. Benning, 166.382
Drivers listed in green would make the field based on time. The drivers listed in red would miss the field. The driver listed in purple would make the field based upon a champion's
provisional.
Trucks Going Thru Inspection
02-16-2006 4:36 pm
The NCTS teams are busy at work getting their trucks through the inspection line for qualifying, which we will have for you right here at 6:30 pm ET. Some of the teams that are already through the line include the No. 08 Green Light Racing Dodge for Bobby Hamilton, Jr., the No. 1 R3 Dodge for Robert Richardson, and the ppc Racing No. 10 Ford for Terry Cook. The inspection process is much more rigorous here at Daytona than the majority of the races on the schedule, with the templates being a huge focus here due to the dependence on aerodynamics. While it may not take the teams three hours to make it through the line like it did for the Cup teams last Sunday, it is still a time consuming and arduous process.
Papa Kes Nursing a Sore Left Eye
02-16-2006 4:47 pm
When we wandered into the No. 29 transporter looking for Brad Keselowski earlier this afternoon, we found him up in the lounge talking with his father Bob, who was laying on the sofa with an ice bag covering his left eye.
"I got to telling Brad he needed to drive that thing a little harder and he popped me one," the elder Keselowski joked upon being asked what happened.
"No, what happened was he was underneath the truck when I was getting out and I unlcipped the HANS device and it dropped down and got him," the younger Keselowski said.
After taking some time to chill and relax, Bob returned to work to get the No. 29 Melling Ford ready to qualify.
Craftsman Autograph Session a Huge Success
02-16-2006 4:50 pm
Every year on Thursday afternoon, Craftsman hosts an autograph session across the street from the speedway at the Sears store inside the Volusia Mall. This year the event was attended by nearly 20 NCTS drivers, including Johnny Benson, Kyle Krisiloff, Terry Cook, Dennis Setzer, Robert Richardson, Mike Bliss, Bill Lester, David Starr, Jack Sprague, and Ted Musgrave. Over 800 fans attended, and at time the line stretched all the way down the corridor and even around the corner.
Pop-up Showers Going to be an Issue
02-16-2006 5:00 pm
While the weatherman promised us clear skies and mid 70s today, in reality we have a cool afternoon with scattered showers throughout the area. There is nothing that shows us we will be socked in by rain the rest of the night, but we may have some hit and miss showers blow over the speedway from here on out the rest of the evening. The first of the Twin 150 qualifying races for the Daytona 500 was delayed by nearly 90 minutes and had a 10 minute red flag for rain. With the second 60-lap race yet to come, it is very optimistic that we'll get the first truck on track for NCTS qualifying by 6:30 pm ET. Whenever that first truck does roll, we'll be here to bring you Live! Bud Pole Qualifying so stay right here at TruckSeries.com.
Right Front Tires an Issue?
02-16-2006 5:41 pm
Right front tires may be an issue here this weekend after three drivers have experience tire failures that have caused accidents, and several more have had blistering problems in the Cup Twin 150s. Look for the NCTS teams to closely monitor their tires early in the race tomorrow night to keep ahead of any problems before they cause an accident on the track.
Tons of pics in the galleries
02-16-2006 5:45 pm
There are upwards of 200 images in the TruckShots! photo gallery, and more on the way. There are some great shots of the drivers at the autograph session at the Volusia Mall, and many more of what's going on here in the garage area. Check them out by clicking the link on the right side of the page in the Sights and Sounds box.
Audio!
02-16-2006 5:51 pm
We have a several audio clips for you to listen to as we get ready for Live! Bud Pole Qualifying as well. We caught up with each driver that was in the top five in NCTS points last season, and spoke with each of them about the increasingly controversial practice of bump drafting here at Daytona. We also spoke with Brad Keselowski about being fastest in practice this morning, got with Bill Lester and spoke with him about coming back to Daytona after such a strong run here in 2005. Robert Richardson talked to us about the pressures of being a rookie at Daytona, and we wind it up with Joey Miller talking about the differences in racing an ARCA car here versus racing a Truck here at Daytona. Click on each driver's name in the Sights and Sounds box and enjoy.
Live! Bud Pole Qualifying
02-16-2006 6:25 pm
Coming your way next...the first Live! Bud Pole Qualifying session of the 2006 season from Daytona International Speedway! Sit back, flip on the Speed Channel and do not move away from your computer as we get ready to bring you each of the 42 drivers entered attempting to make the 36 truck starting field here for the GM FlexFuel 250. Keep it locked on afterward as we bring you the post-qualifying story, including audio clips with each of the pertinent drivers in tonight's session.
Progression of the Pole
02-16-2006 9:56 pm
Bobby Hamilton, Jr., out first, 51.262, starts 18th
Eric Darnell, out second, 51.211, starts 15th
Johnny Benson, out third, 51.045, starts 10th
Bill Lester, out fourth, 50.557, starts second
Mark Martin, out 19th, 50.384, starts first
Heavy Air Slows Late Runners
02-16-2006 9:58 pm
With the heavy air descending as the night wore on, it hindered the drivers that had a late draw in the qualifying order. The last driver to crack into the top ten was Todd Bodine, who went out 36th out of the 41 drivers who took time. Prior to Bodine's 8th-place run, the last driver to crack into the top-10 was Joey Miller who went out 21st, and just before him was Mark Martin who went out 19th. Bill Lester went out 5th, Stacy Compton went out 7th, Jon Wood 13th, Mike Skinner 9th, David Starr 15th, Jack Sprague 6th, and Johnny Benson was the fourth man out. Several strong contenders went out late, including 2004 pole sitter Terry Cook who wound up a disappointing 35th in qualifying.
Sutton Squeaks In
02-16-2006 10:03 pm
Kelly Sutton had problems making the starting field late in the 2005 season, but it appears those problems are behind her as she raced her way in to the field for the GM FlexFuel 250 here at Daytona. She nudged out Chad McCumbee by just 0.006 second on her first timed lap to cement her place in the field. Her official lap time was 51.310 seconds, while McCumbee's time was 51.331.
Problems on Out Lap Slow Edwards
02-16-2006 10:04 pm
Wayne Edwards knew he needed to race his way into the starting field, but had high hopes he could do just that and match his top-10 performance in this race last season. Unfortunately for him, he spun the tires just after leaving pit road and the truck jumped out from underneath him, swerving into the outside wall with the right rear of the truck before sliding out of control into the infield. Edwards' team made quick repairs to the rear fascia and the spoiler and got him back out, but the best he could do was 52.226 seconds, just about nine-tenths of a second off the time needed to break into the field.
Notables Scattered Throughout Field
02-16-2006 10:07 pm
There are contenders to win the GM FlexFuel 250 scattered throughout the field. Rick Crawford, the 2003 winner, will start 12th, while David Reutimann will go 13th. After missing the test in January and not thinking he was going to be here to race as late as last week, Brad Keselowski qualified an impressive 14th. The inaugural winner, Mike Wallace, will go from 16th, with 2002 series champion Mike Bliss in 19th. Kerry Earnhardt will go from 22nd, Erin Crocker from 25th, Dennis Setzer from 26th, and Bobby Hamilton from 27th. Aric Almirola, Chase Montgomery, and Robert Richardson took the owners provisionals. Richardson will go from 33rd, Almirola 34th, and Montgomery will round out the provisionals in 35th. With no champions provisional the last remaining position will go to Brendan Gaughan in 36th.
That's It! See You on Friday
02-16-2006 10:13 pm
That's going to be it for tonight from Daytona International Speedway. We'll pick up our pre-race coverage from Daytona tomorrow afternoon when they crack open the gates to the garage area. Until then, good night everybody!
Good Afternoon! Race Day IS HERE!
02-17-2006 2:00 pm
After nearly 12 weeks of off season, it is time to crank the engines and feel the thunder as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is again ready to kick off it's 12th season here at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. The weather is picture perfect, with a few puffy clouds floating overhead and temperatures warming into the low 80s here this afternoon. The NCTS garage doesn't open until 4 pm ET, with the driver/crew chief meeting scheduled for 4:15 pm ET. Ted Musgrave will take on 11 other world-class drivers in the International Race of Champions 100-miler at 6 pm ET, and we go green for 250 of the most intense, nerve wracking miles of the entire racing season with the GM FlexFuel 250 at 8:15 pm ET. Please stick around for all of our pre-race coverage and analysis right here at TrackSideLive!, exclusively at TruckSeries.com.
Pit Road Map
02-17-2006 2:07 pm
Here are today's pit assignments, with the drivers listed from the exit of pit road at the end of the tri-oval to the entrance of the pit lane at the entrance to the tri-oval:
Wood
Wallace
Richardson
Hornaday
Sutton
Setzer
Montgomery
Earnhardt
Crafton
Bliss
Almirola
Hamilton, Jr.
Gaughan
Musgave
Cook
Reutimann
Murphy
Compton
Break in pit wall
Lester
Sprague
Darnell
Hamlin
Martin
Scoring Camera/Start-Finish Line
Starr
Krisiloff
Benson
Reid
Crawford
Crocker
Skinner
Break in pit wall
Bodine
Peters
Kinser
Keselowski
Hamilton
Miller
Key:
Chevy
Dodge
Ford
Toyota
Manufacturer Breakdown
02-17-2006 2:23 pm
Dodge: 10
Chevy: 9
Toyota: 9
Ford: 7
Twenty Years Ago Yesterday...
02-17-2006 2:32 pm
Todd Bodine is looking to make NCTS history by winning four consecutive races should he take the checkered flag here this evening. If he does so, he will also join his brother Geoffrey in the record books as race winners here in Daytona. Bodine may have a little mojo working in his favor as it was twenty years ago yesterday that Geoff picked up the checkered flag in the Daytona 500.
2005 Key Race Stats
02-17-2006 2:38 pm
With no 2006 races to compare, let's take a statistical look back at 2005:
Averages -
Start position of winner: 9.0
Lead changes: 9.3
Lead drivers: 6.3
Caution flags: 7.6
Caution laps: 34.7
Drivers running at finish: 28.8
Drivers not running at finish: 7.2
Lead lap finishers: 17.7
Daytona race stats -
Start position of winner: 36
Lead changes: 26
Leaders: 17
Cautions: 8
Caution laps: 30
Running at finish: 12
Did not finish: 24
Lead lap finishers: 10
Last Win by Manufacturer
02-17-2006 2:44 pm
Chevrolet: Kyle Busch, 10/29/05, Atlanta
Dodge: Bobby Hamilton, 5/15/05, Mansfield
Ford: Ricky Craven, 10/22/05, Martinsville
Toyota: Todd Bodine, 11/19/05, Homestead
2005 Winning Makes
02-17-2006 2:47 pm
Chevrolet: 10
Ford: 2
Dodge: 4
Toyota: 9
Laps Led at Daytona
02-17-2006 2:49 pm
Drivers with at least one previous NCTS start at Daytona:
Johnny Benson, 5
Todd Bodine, 16
Terry Cook, 45
Matt Crafton, 0
Rick Crawford, 45
Kerry Earnhardt, 1
Brendan Gaughan, 17
Bobby Hamilton, 38
Ron Hornaday, 9
Brad Keselowski, 1
Bill Lester, 13
Chase Montgomery, 0
Sean Murphy, 0
Ted Musgrave, 30
David Reutimann, 8
Dennis Setzer, 36
Mike Skinner, 9
Jack Sprague, 1
David Starr, 8
Kelly Sutton, 0
Mike Wallace, 68
Jon Wood, 0
Teams Waiting for Garage to Open
02-17-2006 3:55 pm
The teams are lined up outside the gates to the NCTS garages waiting for the 4 pm ET opening gun. As you can see, a lot of it means more hurry up and wait.
Almirola's Team Changes Engines
02-17-2006 6:05 pm
Rookie contender Aric Almirola has found the going rough here at Daytona this week. First he got sucked around in the draft and took a wild spin down the backstretch in practice on Wednesday, and then yesterday he had a very slow qualifying run that has him at the back of the grid for the start here tonight. The Spears Motorsports team was the first in the garage area this afternoon - let in early by NASCAR officials - so they could start making an engine change. The team just completed the work on the change and cranked the engine for the very first time. Almirola, by rule, will be forced to start at the back of the pack, but was back there anyhow so it's not a big loss of track position.
Driver's Meeting Notes
02-17-2006 6:08 pm
Here are the notes from the NCTS drivers meeting, which wrapped up just moments ago:
Pit road speed begins 187 feet before the first pit box and ends 75 feet after the last pit box...pit road speed is 55 miles per hour, while the pace truck will run at 70 miles per hour...the restart point is the double red line on the exit of turn four...minimum speed is 52.46 seconds...drivers are instructed to stay below the yellow line until the road course turn in, then keep the left sides on the yellow line until the exit of turn two...there will be three pace laps on the initial roll-off...the pit road paddle has been replaced by a light system; if the green is flashing the drivers are able to exit the pits and drive directly on to the track, while if the light is red the drivers must stop and wait for the field to pass.
Wayne Auton cautioned the drivers to keep cool, remind themselves of their surroundings, and they are the ones controlling their steering wheels and and the pedals.
Mike Helton: "We are watching for aggressive driving. Tell yourself that here tonight because we are watching. We will have extra officials in the zones marked by the orange boxes around the race track, but we will be watching all around the speedway. The drivers in this series have done a great job of being respectful, and we know you will be again here tonight."
Martin Unhurt in IROC Crash
02-17-2006 6:16 pm
GM FlexFuel 250 pole sitter Mark Martin went on a wild ride in the IROC race after a tap to the right rear fender while leading turned him sideways through the tri-oval and sent him bouncing hard into the outside wall. Martin was checked and released from the infield care center, and will be ready to join the NCTS field as scheduled at 8:15 pm ET.
Chassis Dyno Up for Top Finishers
02-17-2006 6:47 pm
A top finishing truck from each of the four manufacturers will be put on the chassis dyno following the end of the GM FlexFuel 250 here this evening. In addition, the engine from two other trucks from each of the four manufacturers will be placed in the back of a truck and taken back to NASCAR's R&D Center for more inspection and testing. NASCAR is being very cautious with the engines this evening, and no team will be allowed to even open the hood of their truck following the race without a NASCAR official being present first.
Audio Coming
02-17-2006 6:50 pm
There is a ton of pre-race audio heading your way as we near the start of the GM FlexFuel 250. We caught up with tonight's Grand Marshall Tom Stephens and the Honorary Starter Beth Lowery from GM and talked ethanol and racing with both. We also caught up with Todd Bodine and talked to him about what it would mean to follow in his brother Geoff's footsteps 20 years after he won the Daytona 500. Matt Crafton tells us about his need for redemption after crashing coming to the white flag while running third last year. Bill Lester has been fast all week and talk about his frame of mind entering tonight's 250-miler. Rick Crawford went upside down here last year, and he talks about his hopes that the drivers will heed Mike Helton's warnings to keep from being overly agressive. Kraig Kinser is a Daytona rookie, but he tells us how much input his father Steve has given him after running several IROC races and one Daytona 500 here in the past. Those clips - and hundreds of TruckShots! images - can be accessed by clicking on the links in the Sights and Sounds box to the right hand side of the page.
Musgrave Wrecked in IROC
02-17-2006 6:58 pm
Another wreck with a couple laps to go took out three drivers, including 2005 NCTS champion Ted Musgave, 2005 Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, and Steve Kinser, father of NCTS rookie Kraig Kinser. Musgrave hopped out of his car under his own power, while Kinser's extrication has taken longer because he ended his long slide down the backstretch on his roof.
Heading Across; We'll Rejoin from the Press Box
02-17-2006 7:02 pm
Just an hour remains before the drop of the green flag on the GM FlexFuel 250. We're going to pack up and move across the speedway to the press box. We'll rejoin you shortly!
Trucks Gridded, Drivers Buckled, We're Ready
02-17-2006 8:12 pm
We are just a few short moments away from cranking the engines and getting the GM FlexFuel 250 underway here at Daytona. Keep it locked on to TrackSideLive! for continuing race updates throughout.
It's Daytona!
02-17-2006 8:15 pm
Does it get any better than this??? Sit down, kick back and get ready for the wildest, most intense, and most nerve wracking 100 laps of the season as we are about to kick it all off with the GM FlexFuel 250. The Fords and Toyotas dominated practice and qualifying earlier in the week, but we're about to even it all out with 36 hungry drivers on the track all at once for the first time all week long. Look for the Toyotas to work together, and look for unfamiliar faces at the front of the pack everywhere else we run to have some time in the sun leading here in Daytona. Todd Bodine has to be a favorite, as does Ted Musgrave. Mark Martin is starting from pole and has a lot of eyes on him, while Jon Wood and Stacy Compton make guest appearances in the NCTS and both go from the top-10. Darkhorses Kraig Kinser and Brad Keselowski have up front starting positions and favorites Brendan Gaughan and Terry Cook are coming from the back. Anything can happen, so keep it right here and follow all of tonight's action.
Record Purse for the GM FlexFuel 250
02-17-2006 8:25 pm
The drivers are battling for a series record $835,651 here tonight.
GM FlexFuel 250 Race Updates
02-17-2006 8:28 pm
10. Lap 6 - bobby Hamilton comes to pit road to remove tape as he was reporting an overheating problem. He rejoins the race a lap off the pace.
9. Lap 5 - Skinner leads as Lester has tucked in behind his teammate. The front seven are now single file. The second pack has dropped the lenghth of the backstretch behind the leaders.
8. Lap 3 - Mike Skinner powers around the outside and takes the lead from Martin as the field is stacked two deep among the top 20.
7. Martin leads into three and the field spreads out. The top 20 are breaking away as the lower third of the field is running single file half a strightaway behind.
6. Green is out!
5. All trucks are rolling. The field has set pit road speed and is now in one big pack taking the one to go signal. We are 2.5 miles from the first green flag of the season.
4. The field is rolling from the grid. There will be three pace laps, and then we are rockin' and rollin' for 100 laps here in Daytona.
3. The command has been given and 36 race engines roar to life on pit road.
2. Four drivers are going to the back of the pack for various infractions: Chase Montgomery, Bobby Hamilton, Jr., Kraig Kinser, and Aric Almirola will take the green from shotgun on the field. Hamilton's team made a radiator change, while Almirola spun the engine backwards during his spin on Wednesday necessitating an engine change. Montgomery's team worked on his machine to fix an oiling system problem. Kinser's team made unapproved adjustments.
1. The stage is being rolled off pit road after the invocation and National Anthem have been given and performed. It is a beautiful night here for racing, and there is an electric buzz in the air as we approach the command to start engines.
GM FlexFuel 250 Race Updates 11-20
02-17-2006 8:51 pm
20. Lap 20 - Lester, Skinner, Musgrave, Martin, Crawford, Bodine, Starr, Kinser, Cook, Reutimann, Krisiloff, Crafton, Bliss, Benson, and Hornaday are the top 15.
19. Lap 18 - Lester leads as Skinner and Musgrave follow him past Martin who drops to fourth.
18. Lap 16 - Martin leads at the line. Kinser and Cook have climbed to 11th and 12th respectively after starting deep in the field.
17. Lap 15 - Compton's teammate Jon Wood now comes down pit road for an unscheduled stop. Crawford, Martin, and Lester run alone with Skinner, Musgrave, and Bodine in a second draft . Crafton leads the big pack nearly a second behind the leaders.
16. Lap 14 - As the top three run single file and pull away, Darnell comes to the pits for right side tires.
15. lap 13 - Compton returns to pit road for a stop and go.
14. Lap 12 - Darnell and Earnhardt have lost the lead draft as the top 19 are now in a big pack.
13. Lap 10 - Crawford goes to the lead going into three pulling mark Martin with him. Crawford leads at the line to complete lap 11.
12. Lap 9 - Stacy Compton comes to the pits with an overheating problem as well. He too rejoins a lap off the pace.
11. Lap 8 - Mike Bliss is the first driver out of line as he races with Rick Crawford for fifth. Skinner leads Lester, Starr, Crawford, and Bliss.
GM FlexFuel 250 Race Updates 21-30
02-17-2006 9:02 pm
30. Lap 37 - Setzer cracks the top-10 for the first time all night.
29. Lap 35 - Skinner leads Bodine, Martin, Musgrave, and Crawford. Benson, Wood, Reutimann, Hornaday and Bliss are next, though Wood is a lap down looking for the free pass should the caution come out.
28. Lap 31 - Skinner leads as the front 8 are single file. Cook blasts around the outside to try to make up ground, the first driver out of line.
27. Lap 29 - All lapped drivers will restart from the inside lane. The lights are off, Skinner leads to the green flag.
26. Lap 28 - Routine service. Skinner leads Bodine, Martin, Musgrave, Reutimann, Crawford, Lester, Cook, Benson, Krisiloff, Hornaday, Bliss, Richardson, Setzer, Reid, Wallace, Almirola, Starr, Crafton, Peters, Gaughan, Sutton and Keselowski off pit road.
25. Lap 27 - NASCAR calls Musgrave as the leader. The field comes to pit road.
24. Lap 26 - Joey Miller slides off turn four and makes slight contact with the inside wall with the right side of his truck. The caution is out for the first time tonight. Miller takes his truck to the pits for quick repairs as the field comes to the line to pick up the pace truck. Musgave and Skinner run side by side disputing who is leading. Hamilton, Jr., comes to the pits before they have opened for right side tires.
23. Lap 24 - Bodine and Martin fight for third as the front of the field is mainly single file. Crocker is two laps off the pace as she retrurns to the track. The second pack has caught the lead five and we have 11 trucks fighting for the lead.
22. Lap 23 - Crocker comes to the pits for right side tires. Musgrave picks up five points for leading at the stripe.
21. Lap 22 - Skinner leads lap 21 before Musgrave takes the lead down the backstretch. He can't hold it as Skinner leads at the stripe.
GM FlexFuel 250 Race Updates 31-40
02-17-2006 9:20 pm
40. Lap 50 - Halfway. Skinner leads Bodine, Musgrave, and Crawford as the front four have pulled away by a second over the side by side pack from fifth on back.
39. Lap 48 - Martin blasts around the ourside to take the lead going into three, but gets beat to the line by Skinner. Martin stuck in the middle and drops to the back of the lead pack.
38. Lap 47 - Restart. Wood was the free pass truck. Compton restarts alongside leader Crawford.
37. Lap 45 - Hamilton, Jr. leads with Hamlin, Murphy, and Crawford behind. Benson returned to pit road to tighten loose lugnuts and tangled with Erin Crocker who was leaving her pit stall and slid sideways. Crawford credited with the lead at lap 46 and the three in front of him come to pit road.
36. Lap 44 - Musgrave credited with leading lap 44. Martin leads off pit road with Skinner, Bodine, Musgrave, Reutimann, Sprague, Richardson, Hornaday, Setzer, Starr, Krisiloff, Darnell, Gaughan, Crafton, Wallace, Almirola, Sutton, Cook, Earnhardt, Montgomery, Miller, and Keselowski off pit road.
35. Lap 42 - Mike Bliss clips the apron and shoots up the track in turn one and takes Reid, Lester, and Kinser with him. Caution is out for the second time tonight. Almirola and Crafton narrowly miss being caught up in it. Tough break for Lester who again had a truck to run up front but is again taken out in a crash not of his doing. Replays show the air taken off Bliss spoiler by a truck on the outside. Bliss has driven his truck to the pits with right side damage. The field comes to pit road.
34. Lap 41 - Martin leads this time past the flagstand.
33. Lap 40 - Bodine dips under Skinner coming to the tri-oval to lead lap 40. Martin follows him through as Skinner drops through the field,
32. Lap 39 - Reid comes to the pits for right side tires.
31. Lap 38 - Cook and Setzer fight for tenth, the only side by side race in the top 20 as the field is remarkably calm.
GM FlexFuel 250 Race Updates 41-50
02-17-2006 9:36 pm
50. Lap 67 - Martin is a sitting duck. Although he's led longer than anyone else tonight for 12 consecutive laps, he is the lone Ford with five Toyotas knocking on his tailgate. Bodine, Musgrave, Reutimann, and Sprague make up the rest of the lead draft.
49. Lap 66 - Benson and Kinser are drafting together about 1500 feet ahead of the leaders. They should be caught by the leaders within the next few laps.
48. Lap 65 - Sutton is up to 13th and she's knocking on the door for a spot in the top ten.
47. Bill Lester and Boston Reid have been examined and released from the infield care center following their lap 42 crash.
46. Lap 62 - The front six have pulled away by nearly three seconds as the race from second on back is an intense side by side battle. Skinner leads the second pack with Crawford, Setzer, Hornaday, and Gaughan working on getting in single file to make up ground on the leaders.
45. Lap 60 - The top 21 are in the lead draft. Martin leads Wallace, Bodine, Sprague, and Musgrave.
44. Lap 57 - Sprague goes from high to low to high to blast past Compton and fight for the lead. Wallace moves to third, then slided under Sprague to fight for second.
43. Lap 55 - Martin is in the outside lane with Compton - a lapped truck - behind. Compton pushes Martin to the lead out of turn four. Sprague crosses in second position as the field is again bunched up side by side through the top 20.
42. Lap 53 - Sutton makes her first appearance in the top-15 after starting at the back of the field. Martin again goes to the outside to challenge for the lead.
41. Lap 52 - crafton and Starr are side by side for the 12th position, the first battle for position.
GM FlexFuel 250 Race Updates 51-60
02-17-2006 9:52 pm
60. Lap 84 - Bodine is in the sucker hole in the middle and falls out of the top ten.
59. Lap 82 - Skinner leads as Martin is shuffled back to 7th. Toyotas are the top three as Hornaday is fourth.
58. Lap 81 - Martin goes back to the front.
57. Lap 78 - Restart. Bodine leads as the racing is getting very instense as the finish is in sight.
56. Lap 77 - Crafton continues to make stops to repair damage to the rear of his machine. Flagman Dennis James gives the one to go signal. We'll have 22 laps to settle it as Bodine, Martin, Musgrave, Reutimann, and Sprague are the top five.
55. Lap 76 - Bodine takes the lead, the 17th lead change of the day, as Hamlin pits. That matches last year's total for lead changes.
54. Lap 74 - Bodine wins the race off pit road. Martin follows with Musgrave, Reutimann, Sprague, Skinner, Crawford, Setzer, Hornaday, Darnell, Gaughan, Richardson, Montgomery, Hamilton, Jr., Murphy, Cook, Peters, and Wood. Hamlin leads by staying out, while those who pitted fall in behind.
53. Lap 73 - Kinser pops a tire and makes hard contact with the wall. A chain reaction breaks out behind in the aftermath as Crafton, Wallace, Almirola, Miller, Krisiloff, and Keselowski all crash behind. Third caution of the night is out.
52. Lap 72 - Benson has latched on to the back of the lead draft as it is now five Toyotas behind the leader Martin's Ford.
51. Lap 70 - Martin continues to lead. Crafton drops from 11th to 14th through the tri-oval.
GM FlexFuel 250 Race Updates 61-66
02-17-2006 10:10 pm
66. Lap 97 - Brendan Gaughan and David Reutimann get tangled up exiting turn four to bring out the forth yellow of the day. Green white checker to follow.
65. Lap 94 - Chase Montgomery gets nudged and goes thru the dirt going into one but maintains control.
64 - Lap 92 - The front three have broken away. Martin leads Bodine and Sprague as Musgrave and Reutimann lead the second group a half second back.
63. Lap 88 - Sutton drops off the pace as her engine sounds sour.
62. Lap 87 - Martin retakes the lead from Darnell.
61. Lap 85 - Sprague noses into the lead going into three. The field is stacked two wide through the top 20 as Hornaday comes to the pits.
GM FlexFuel 250 Unofficial Results
02-17-2006 10:19 pm
Click here for Unofficial Results
Audio!!!
02-18-2006 12:05 am
It's late into the night here in Daytona, but boy do we have post race coverage for you! We tracked down 15 drivers as well as the winning team owner, which totals up to nearly 45 minutes of pure unadulterated post-race listening. Stick around for the most comprehensive post-race "show" you'll see anywhere from tonight's GM FlexFuel 250 at Daytona.
GM FlexFuel 250 Quick Facts
02-18-2006 12:07 am
Mark Martin's win is the second of his NCTS career; the first came in 1996 at North Wilkesboro Speedway...this is Mark Martin's first-ever NASCAR points win here at Daytona; he's won here in the past in the Bud Shootout and has three class victories in the Rolex 24 as well...Martin picks up the Craftsman Win from the Pole Bonus after starting in the top spot, worth $2,000...Roush Racing extends its record for most wins by a team in the NCTS with the organization's 38th checkered flag...Roush picks up two top-ten finishes here this evening as Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender Erik Darnell came home in the sixth position...Martin was the lone Ford among three Toyotas in the top-five; Todd Bodine, second, Ted Musgrave, third, and Mike Skinner, fourth, and Jack Sprague in fifth, were all on Martin's bumper at the end.
Highest Finish by Manufacturer
02-18-2006 12:12 am
1. Mark Martin, Ford
2. Todd Bodine, Toyota
7. Bobby Hamilton, Jr., Dodge
13. Dennis Setzer, Chevrolet
Lap Leaders
02-18-2006 12:13 am
There were 21 lead changes among 9 drivers.
Mark Martin, pole
Mike Skinner, 1
Martin, 2
Skinner, 3-10
Rick Crawford, 11-16
Martin, 17
Bill Lester, 18-20
Skinner, 21-22
Ted Musgrave, 23-28
Skinner, 29-39
Todd Bodine, 40
Martin, 41-44
Bobby Hamilton, Jr., 45
Crawford, 46-47
Skinner, 48-55
Martin, 56-74
Kevin Hamlin, 75
Bodine, 76-80
Martin, 81
Skinner, 82-85
Jack Sprague, 86
Martin, 87-102
Winner's Purse a Record
02-18-2006 12:19 am
Mark Martin's take home pay here tonight in as NCTS record. In all, he and the No. 6 Scotts Ford team earned $88,850. The previous record was held by his Roush Racing teammate Carl Edwards after his win in 2004.
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