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TrackSideLive!
| Kroger 250
Martinsville Speedway |
April 1, 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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Coverage Starts Friday!
03-26-2006 2:24 pm
TrackSideLive! Presented by Team ASE
coverage of the Kroger 250 with Charles Krall starts Friday, March 31st right here! Stay tuned for all the news, notes, quotes and driver interviews from practice through qualifying and raceday action on Saturday!
In the mean time, check out the
TrackSideLive! Archives
Good Morning from Martinsville
03-31-2006 8:03 am
Good morning everyone and welcome to Martinsville Speedway. For once, the sun is actually out and it looks like we might have a good day on our hands! Most trips to the mountains of southern Virginia in the spring have bought us weather problems, but there is just a slim chance of rain all weekend and temperatures should be in the mid to upper 60s and maybe even the low 70s as we get ready for Round 4 of the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. We have two practice rounds on tap today before we move into Live! Bud Pole Qualifying at noon tomorrow with the Kroger 250 to follow at 3:30. The TrackSideLive! camera is about to make a trip up and down pit lane for some TruckShots! so stick around.
Entry List Updates
03-31-2006 8:41 am
There are some changes to the usual entry list this week here at Martinsville. Of course, as was announced in Atlanta, Bobby Hamilton, Jr. will take the reins of the No. 18 Fastenal Dodge for the first time this week. Other fallout from Atlanta also has Johnny Sauter in the No. 02 Team Copaxone Chevrolet, spelling Kelly Sutton who is recovering from arthriscopic knee surgery to repair injuries sustained in her practice crash at AMS. There are a couple of Cup rookies with no previous Martinsville experience in the Truck lineup, including Clint Bowyer in the No. 07 Jack Daniels Chevrolet and David Stremme in the No. 04 Dodge Hemi Dodge. Butch Miller joins Bowyer on the Green Light Racing roster in the No. 08 ASI Limited Chevrolet. Tam Topham has made his first appearance of 2006 with his usual entry here in Martinsville in the No. 70 Suzuki ATVs Chevrolet.
New Addition to the Lester Family
03-31-2006 8:54 am
It's been a busy couple of weeks for the Lester family. First Bill Lester made his Cup Series debut in Atlanta, and gained the respect of everyone with a trouble free run. Then on Tuesday of this week, Lester and his wife Cheryl welcomed their second son too their family with the arrival Austin Richard Lester. New baby and mom are both doing well, and TruckSeries.com would like to congratulate the Lesters on their new addition.
Earnhardt's First Martinsville Appearance
03-31-2006 8:55 am
While the Earnhardt name has been synonymous with NASCAR racing for three decades, and NASCAR has been racing in Martinsville since 1949, one member of the family is making his first ever start here this week. Kerry Earnhardt has been primarily racing the Busch Series for the past several seasons, and that series has not been to Martinsville since 1993. Earnhardt is looking for a good run this weekend with new crew chief Lance Hooper rejoining the team, which will do well in helping the No. 13 ThorSport Chevrolet stay locked into the starting field at Gateway at the end of the month and beyond.
Short Trackin' for the First Time in 2006
03-31-2006 9:01 am
The fourth race of the 2006 schedule is the first race for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on a track less than a mile in length. And it couldn't be on a tougher short track. While the loads on the driver and the speeds may not be as great as some other short tracks on the circuit, the mechanical demands here are unique and unmatched anyone on the series. Most noticable is the brake work, including massive front rotors and calipers to get the trucks slowed down to make each of the hair pin turns at the end of both dragstrip straightaways.
To keep the brakes cool, the teams have installed massive duct work to channel air on them, hoping not to boil the fluid or warp the rotors. As is the norm every time we come to Martinsville, brakes will be an issue all weekend long, and will likely spoil a good run for one of more teams running up front.
Tech Line Busy
03-31-2006 9:58 am
The infield here at Martinsville Speedways is cramped as it is, and with the tech line rolling behind the pit road, space is definitely at a premium. The teams are busy getting their trucks through tech as we approach the first practice of the day which is scheduled for 1:45 pm ET.
Today's Track Schedule
03-31-2006 10:29 am
7 am ET: Garage Opens
12:45 pm ET: Rookie Meeting & Qualifying Draw
1:45 - 2:40 pm ET: Practice
3:40 pm ET: Cup Series Qualifying, followed by NCTS Final Practice (Time Permitting)
6 pm ET: Garage Closes
Martinsville Track Records
03-31-2006 10:37 am
1-Lap Qualifying Track Record: Rick Crawford, 19.732 seconds/95.966 mph; October 21, 2005
250-Lap Race Track Record: Jimmy Hensley, 1 hours, 46 minutes, 13 seconds/74.294 mph; April 17, 1999
Most Wins: 2, Dennis Setzer
Most Poles: 2, Ted Musgrave, Dennis Setzer
Most Top-5s: 5, Dennis Setzer
Most Top-10s: 7, Dennis Setzer
Most Leaders: 8, Four times
Most Lead Changes: 8, 9/98
Fewest Leaders: 2, 9/97
Most Cautions: 15, 9/96
Most Caution Laps: 83, 4/04
Fewest Cautions: 6, 10/03
Fewest Caution Laps: 32, 10/03
Most Lead Lap Finishers: 27, 10/05
Fewest Lead Lap Finishers: 10, Twice
Most Running at Finish: 34, 4/04
Fewest Running at Finish: 19, 4/01
Most Laps Led by a Winner: 204, Rich Bickle, 9/97
Fewest Laps Led by a Winner: 2, Joe Ruttman, 9/95
Most Wins by Manufacturer: 6, Chevrolet
Closest Margin of Victory: 0.257 seconds, 4/05
Greatest Margin of Victory: 4.978 seconds, 4/99
Martinsville Race History
03-31-2006 10:48 am
There have been 14 previous NCTS races here at Martinsville Speedway since 1995. Since 2003, there have been two races per season here:
1995: Pole, Qual. Rained Out; Race, Joe Ruttman, Started 2nd
1996: Pole, Bobby Hamilton; Race, Mike Skinner, 64.634 mph, Started 16th
1997: Pole, Rich Bickle; Race, Rich Bickle, 75.297 mph, Started 1st
1998: Pole, Greg Biffle; Race, Jay Sauter, 72.154 mph, Started 10th
1999: Pole, Mike Bliss; Race, Jimmy Hensley, 74.282 mph, Started 9th
2000: Pole, Mike Wallace; Race, Bobby Hamilton, 71.836 mph, Started 2nd
2001: Pole, Joe Ruttman; Race, Scott Riggs, 70.638 mph, Started 2nd
2002: Pole, Ted Musgrave; Race, Dennis Setzer, 64.638 mph, Started 33rd
2003 1: Pole, Ted Musgrave; Race, Dennis Setzer, 66.921 mph, Started 5th
2003 2: Pole, Carl Edwards; Race, Jon Wood, 72.069 mph, Started 2nd
2004 1: Pole, Jack Sprague; Race, Rick Crawford, 61.490 mph, Started 3rd
2004 2: Pole, Qual. Rained Out; Race, Jamie McMurray, 60.819, Started 18th
2005 1: Pole, Bobby Hamilton; Race, Bobby Labonte, 66.639 mph, Started 5th
2005 2: Pole, Rick Crawford; Race, Ricky Craven, 64.332 mph, Started 9th
Lester Looks to MIS for Next Cup Start
03-31-2006 11:04 am
Bill Lester is scheduled to make his next attempt to qualify for a Cup Series race for the 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, June 18. Lester, who regularly drives the No. 22 Toyota for Bill Davis Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, became the first African-American driver to compete in NASCAR's premier racing series since Willy T. Ribbs finished 37th at MIS in June of 1986. Lester made his Cup Series debut at Atlanta on March 19 where he started 19th and finished 38th.
Audio!
03-31-2006 11:53 am
We tracked down several drivers before practice rolls off and get their thoughts before we get to work. Dennis Setzer talks about what he has to do to get back on track here at Martinsville, and he also gives us his perspective on 2006 to this point. Erik Darnell talks about coming short track racing for the first time and tries to compare Martinsville to anything on his racing resume. We also met up with newcomer Justin Martz who is making his series debut with the Mittler Bros. team this weekend. David Reutimann tells us a win here at Martinsville will score some big points with the boss, and he gives us his view of 2006 to this point as well. Look to the Sights and Sounds Box to the right side of the TSL page and click on each driver's name to listen.
TruckShots! Too
03-31-2006 11:55 am
While you're listening to our exclusive audio clips, click on the TruckShots link, also in the Sights and Sounds Box, to see what's been going on here at the track today. More pics are in the way, and our photo galleries will be bursting at the seams by the time we're done!
Who's Wearing New Paint?
03-31-2006 12:28 pm
Several teams are here flashing some new colors this week. Clint Bowyer's No. 07 Chevrolet is carrying the Jack Daniels colors he usually wears in the Cup Series, while his Green Light Racing teammate Butch Miller has ASI Limited colors on the No. 08 Chevrolet. Australian V-8 Supercar Series champion Marcos Ambrose is making his series debut with Animal Adoption/petfinder.com on the No. 20 Ford, while his Wood/jtg Racing teammate Bobby East has Edy's Nibs on his white Ford this week. The No. 29 Chevrolet is carrying Ginn Clubs and Resorts as a sponsor, while Ron Hornaday's sponsorless trucks have changed from white to black here this weekend. Steve Park's Harris Trucking ride is back to a red Dodge this weekend after he raced a green Ford in Atlanta. Justin Martz has Superchips and Parts Plus on the No. 63 Mittler Bros. Ford this weekend, while Dennis Setzer is back in the maize and green E85 colors this weekend.
Hornaday III Takes Big Step at Evernham
03-31-2006 1:00 pm
Ronnie Hornaday III has stepped into a big role at Evernham Motorsports as team owner Ray Evernham has converted the structure of Erin Crocker's No. 98 Dodge team to match those employed by his Cup Series teams. Hornaday III now become the Truck Director, one of three positions created by Evernham to replace the traditional crew chief role. Following this weekend's race, Evernham will also add a new team engineer to work side by side with Hornaday. Former crew chief Dan Glauz, who came over when Evernham purchased the team from Jim Smith, has left the team to pursue other options.
Cup Practice Winding Down; Trucks Up Next
03-31-2006 1:14 pm
The first practice for the Cup Series is quickly coming to a close. After this session, next on track for 55 minutes of practice is the Truck Series, one of two scheduled sessions for the day. We'll have all the updates for you as they happen from Martinsville Speedway, so stick around!
Practice is On
03-31-2006 1:45 pm
The first trucks have rolled on the track for practice for the Kroger 250. Mark Martin called it quits early in his Cup car to get the jump in his No. 6 Ford F-150, and he led the charge on to the track, followed by Ron Hornaday, Mike Bliss, Erik Darnell, and Terry Cook. We'll have all the news and notes, including some timing updates, throughout the next hour.
They Said It, Prac 1 No 1
03-31-2006 1:54 pm
Brendan Guaghan, No. 77 Dodge: "We are not even close, not even an inkling, to spinning the tires."
Johnny Benson, No. 23 Toyota: "We're starting to lose some forward bite on the gas pedal."
Prac 1 Rundown 1
03-31-2006 1:59 pm
1. Starr, 93.539
2. Bliss, 93.465
3. Hamilton, Jr., 93.157
4. Sprague, 93.102
5. Skinner, 92.714
6. Martin, 92.678
7. Crawford, 92.660
8. Hornaday, 92.558
9. Benson, 92.592
10. Reutimann, 92.218
11. Crafton, 92.200
12. Bowyer, 92.168
13. Lester, 92.128
14. Cook, 92.070
15. Miller, 92.061
16. Bodine, 91.954
17. Almirola, 91.833
18. Park, 91.815
19. Stremme, 91.731
20. Ragan, 91.403
21. Earnhardt, 91.293
22. East, 91.139
23. Gaughan, 91.135
24. Crocker, 91.135
25. Darnell, 91.062
26. Musgrave, 90.872
27. Kinser, 90.825
28. Richardson, 90.443
29. Topham, 90.430
30. Ambrose, 90.417
31. Peters, 90.223
32. Krisiloff, 89.963
33. Martz, 89.853
34. McCumbee, 89.106
35. Reid, 88.702
36. Miller, 84.194
Benson Loops To Bring Out Red
03-31-2006 2:01 pm
Johnny Benson looped the No. 23 Toyota in turn four to bring out the red flag for the first time in this session. Benson reported the rear tires locked when the brake bias was changed on the last adjustment. He didn't make contact and drove back to the pits. The green is already back out.
Lester Goes Around In Two
03-31-2006 2:07 pm
Bill Lester went around in turn two to bring out the second red of the day, joining his Bill Davis Racing teammate Johnny Benson as spinners. Lester didn't make any contact and drove it back to the pits. Now, all eyes are on teammate Mike Skinner to see if he joins the party and makes it a trifecta.
Prac 1 Rundown 2
03-31-2006 2:15 pm
1. Martin, 93.613
2. Starr, 93.539
3. Bliss, 93.465
4. Crawford, 93.350
5. B. Miller, 93.171
6. Hamilton, Jr., 93.157
7. Sprague, 93.103
8. Setzer, 92.824
9. Hornaday, 92.792
10. Skinner, 92.714
11. Ragan, 92.714
12. Peters, 92.615
13. Crafton, 92.601
14. Benson, 92.592
15. Reutimann, 92.588
16. Stremme, 92.542
17. Sauter, 92.508
18. Musgrave, 92.488
19. Gaughan, 92.281
20. Bowyer, 92.191
21. Lester, 92.154
22. Darnell, 92.146
23. Cook, 92.070
24. Earnhardt, 91.985
25. Ambrose, 91.954
26. Bodine, 91.954
27. Almirola, 91.882
28. Park, 91.815
29. East, 91.789
30. Crocker, 91.328
31. Kinser, 90.825
32. Krisiloff, 90.594
33. Martz, 90.577
34. Chaffin, 90.451
35. Topham, 90.430
36. Reid, 90.193
37. McCumbee, 89.199
38. J. Miller, 84.194
Prac 1 Rundown 3
03-31-2006 2:29 pm
1. Martin, 93.613
2. Starr, 93.539
3. Bliss, 93.465
4. Crawford, 93.350
5. Setzer, 93.304
6. B. Miller, 93.171
7. Hamilton, Jr., 93.157
8. Sprague, 93.102
9. Ragan, 92.864
10. Ambrose, 92.824
11. Hornaday, 92.792
12. Musgrave, 92.760
13. Skinner, 92.714
14. Peters, 92.615
15. Crafton, 92.601
16. Benson, 92.592
17. Reutimann, 92.588
18. Stremme, 92.569
19. Sauter, 92.506
20. Cook, 92.326
21. Darnell, 92.317
22. Bowyer, 92.285
23. Gaughan, 92.281
24. Lester, 92.164
25. Earnhardt, 91.985
26. Bodine, 91.954
27. Almiola, 91.882
28. Park, 91.815
29. East, 91.789
30. Crocker, 91.695
31. J. Miller, 91.235
32. Krisiloff, 91.199
33.Topham, 91.170
34. Kinser, 90.825
35.Martz, 90.577
36. Richardson, 90.443
37. McCumbee, 89.757
Debris Stops Practice, Green Out with Five to Go
03-31-2006 2:39 pm
The green flag has just waved over Martinsville Speedway for the final five minutes of NCTS practice before we break for Cup qualifying. Keep an eye on the Event Box on the main page for complete results. We're anticipating Bobby Hamilton to make an appearance with the members of the media on site, and we'll have a complete report on what he has to say shortly.
Craftsman for a Cure, May 23rd in Concord
03-31-2006 2:51 pm
Bobby Hamilton is here at the track to discuss his cancer treatments, and he is also announcing a benefit event to be held in Concord, NC during race week in Charlotte next month. The event, on May 23rd from 5-9 pm ET, will give fans the opportunity to come and race against and spend time with many of their favorite drivers at the NASCAR SpeedPark at Concord Mills. There will be autograph sessions and a silent auction, with all proceeds to go to the American Cancer Society and the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Tickets go on sale April 17 at 9 am ET, and are available by calling 866-227-3264.
Rookies Rockin'
03-31-2006 3:05 pm
The rookie practice is going on now, with David Ragan leading the charts. Almirola, Richardson, Krisiloff, Bowyer, Darnell, Crocker, Kinser, Martz, Reid, and Miller round out the rookies about 10 minutes into their 30 minute session.
Martz Makes Montana Part of NCTS
03-31-2006 3:07 pm
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has never had the foothold in the southeast that it's Cup and Busch Series cousins have had. While many teams have slowly gravitated towards the Carolinas the past several seasons, the NCTS remains the most geographically diverse series in NASCAR. Now, after 11 full seasons, Justin Martz becomes the first driver in series history to hail from Montana. Martz, who spent a season racing weekly at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as well as some Southwest Series events in the past, is the son of former Montana governor Judy Martz, who served as governor frm 2000-2004.
Crew Chief Musical Chairs
03-31-2006 3:12 pm
There have been several crew chief changes since we last raced at Atlanta Motor Speedway three weeks ago. Lance Hooper has taken over for Kerry Earnhardt's No. 13 ThorSport Racing Chevrolet, leaving the Key Motorsports team. Multi-time NCTS winner and 1989 Cup Series championship crew chief Barry Dodson takes Hooper's place with Chad Chaffin and the No. 40 Chevrolet. Matt Puccia takes over leadership of David Ragan's No. 50 Roush Racing Fords here in Martinsville after numerous years working at Ultra Motorsports.
Rookie Update
03-31-2006 3:19 pm
David Ragan continues to lead with a 93.989 mph lap, with Marcos Ambrose second and Bobby East third. East's 93.079 mph lap would have been good for tenth in the first full-field practice that just concluded.
Aric Almirola is fourth, with Kyle Krisiloff, Joey Miller, Robert Richardson, Erin Crocker, Boston Reid and Clint Bowyer rounding out the top-10 20 minutes into the session.
Raybestos Rookie Kroger 250 Practice Day Quotes: Joey Miller
03-31-2006 4:16 pm
Raybestos Rookie Joey Miller posted the 10th-best speed during the first practice session for the Kroger 250 at Martinsville. He was the only first-year driver in the top-10.
Joey Miller, No. 12 Curb Records Toyota:
You ran well in the first practice session today.
“We are happy with that. First of all we had a gear go bad and that kind of set us behind a little bit, just not being able to get that much practice. I think we had like 30 laps of practice and we’re top-10 in the first practice so you’ve got to be excited about that. I was excited about coming here just because it’s a short track. I love the short tracks, having to use some brake and turning the wheel. I’m pretty keyed up. I think we’re definitely going to have a pretty good run this weekend. The more short tracks that we run on the more it’s going to help me out. I guess people say that I like concrete tracks because I do so well in Nashville and this track kind of reminds me a little bit of home because the banking is pretty similar. I just love short tracks. Hopefully DW doesn’t have to give so many pointers now if I can show him I can run up front. I feel really comfortable here, the most comfortable I’ve felt in a Craftsman Truck yet.”
What would be a good qualifying run and finish on Saturday?
“I just want to qualify top-10. You’re not going to be paid any money if you qualify better. I want a decent qualifying run and keep the fenders on and try to make it to the end. This first half of the year has been really rough. I’ve made mistakes, everybody has made mistakes and we’re trying to turn that around.”
Is team owner Darrell Waltrip going to be on the radio Saturday telling you to take it easy on your brakes?
“Definitely. I’m sure with the amount of wins he had he will always tell you what to do .
More Audio on the Way
03-31-2006 4:41 pm
We have some more audio clips on the way for your listening pleasure. We met up with Bobby Hamilton and talked about how he's feeling and a neat event that Craftsman is putting together during race week in Charlotte. We also talked to Timothy Peters and Bobby East and got their feelings about short track racing here at Martinsville. We also met Marcos Ambrose for the first time and found out what racing below the equator is all about.
Bobby Hamilton, 2004 NCTS champion
: "I give Craftsman 100% of the credit. I was wanting to do something and they called and were wanting to do something. I've been feeling okay, I've had one bad day and it caught me off guard..."
Timothy Peters, driver, No. 4 Dodge
: "I am glad to be back and we get to see a lot of family and friends. We need to be able to cut through the center and get some forward bite to get a good starting position and run all 250 laps..."
Bobby East, driver, No. 21 Ford
: "We're mainly trying to get ourselves good on longer runs. We want to get good on old tires and be good at the end in case we have to do it on one stop. We want to be prepared for anything..."
Marcos Ambrose, driver, No. 20 Ford
: "I was shaking in my boots out there. I have absolutely zip (oval experience). This is my very first oval race. I am a road racer, and I am trying to convert. I am just living a dream right now..."
Click on the drivers name in the Sights and Sounds Box to the right side of the page to listen.
NCTS Practice Up Next
03-31-2006 5:13 pm
The Trucks should be on the track in a matter of moments as Cup Series qualifying has just wrapped up. The garage is scheduled to close at 6 pm ET, so we may not get a full hour in, but we should get some practice in before we get sent to the hills for the evening.
Feeding Time at the Zoo; Trucks on Track
03-31-2006 5:17 pm
The rush to get track time is in full force as the NCTS has just taken to the track. Kyle Krisiloff, David Reutimann, Mike Skinner, Matt Crafton, and the rest of the drivers are ready for the final practice for tomorrow's Kroger 250. We'll have updates throughout, including timing updates, so stick around with us!
Prac 2 Rundown 1
03-31-2006 5:23 pm
1. Hamilton, Jr., 94.458
2. Bowyer, 93.571
3. Sprague, 93.359
4. Earnhardt, 93.322
5. Starr, 93.308
6. Musgrave, 93.244
7. Peters, 93.198
8. Krisiloff, 93.198
9. Hornaday, 93.166
10. Darnell, 93.093
11. Bliss, 93.056
12. Ragan, 93.029
13. Setzer, 93.020
14. Benson, 92.956
15. Reutimann, 92.846
16. 92.846
17. Cook, 92.833
18. Gaughan, 92.783
19. Crafton, 92.651
20. Lester, 92.606
21. Sremme, 92.375
22. Almirola, 92.352
23. Reid, 92.303
24. Park, 92.285
25. Crawford, 92.276
26. Crocker, 91.908
27. Bodine, 91.905
28. East, 91.853
29. Kinser, 91.847
30. Sauter, 91.436
31. Richardson, 91.156
32. McCumbee, 90.707
33. Chaffin, 90.073
34. Topham, 88.156
Prac 2 Rundown 2
03-31-2006 5:32 pm
1. Hamilton, Jr., 94.458
2. Lester, 4.139
3. Martin, 94.073
4. Peters, 93.989
5. Bowyer, 93.971
6. Setzer, 93.585
7. Stremme, 93.488
8. Skinner, 93.437
9. Darnell, 93.414
10. Musgave, 93.400
11. Earnhardt, 93.377
12. Sprague, 93.359
13. Starr, 93.308
14. Benson, 93.230
15. Bliss, 93.217
16. Krisiloff, 93.198
17. Hornaday, 93.156
18. Reutimann, 93.120
19. Gaughan, 93.093
20. Ragan, 93.058
21. Bodine, 92.939
22. Almirola, 92.901
23. B. Miler, 92.810
24. Ambrose, 92.750
25. East, 92.751
26. Reid, 92.733
27. Crawford, 92.655
28. Crafton, 92.651
29. J. Miller, 92.646
30. Park, 92.285
31. Richardson, 92.003
32. Crocker, 91.989
33. Chaffin, 91.927
34. Kinser, 91.847
35. Martz, 91.642
36. McCumbee, 91.267
37. Topham, 89.885
Prac 2 Rundown 3
03-31-2006 5:59 pm
1. Benson, 94.960
2. Crawford, 94.851
3. Bliss, 94.794
4. Skinner, 94.760
5. Starr, 94.723
6. Darnell, 94.699
7. Musgrave , 94.671
8. Hamilton, Jr., 94.458
9. Cook, 94.453
10. Sprague, 94.402
11. Ragan, 94.359
12. Bodine, 94.345
13. Krisiloff, 94.307
14. Hornaday, 94.298
15. Crafton, 94.279
16. Peters, 94.200
17. Lester, 94.139
18. Martin, 94.073
19. Gaughan, 94.059
20. Bowyer, 93.971
21. B. Miller, 93.826
22. Sauter, 93.756
23. Park, 93.747
24. Stremme, 93.488
25. Chaffin, 93.483
26. Earnhardt, 93.322
27. Reid, 93.217
28. Reutimann, 93.120
29. Kinser, 92.983
30. Almirola, 92.901
31. Ambrose, 92.760
32. East, 92.751
33. J. Miller, 92.733
34. McCumbee, 92.687
35. Martz, 92.353
36. Topham, 92.079
37. Richardson, 92.003
38. Crocker, 91.898
Practice Done, We're Getting the Boot!
03-31-2006 6:25 pm
Practice has completed, and the track staff is trying to get everything wrapped up in preparation for tomorrow, so we need to get out of the way and let them get their work done. But there is some post-practice audio on the way from Rick Crawford and Boston Reid. Crawford is a former winner here, and he looks to have a truck that can run to win. Reid is a first-timer here at Martinsville and spent most of the day today looking for the line around the tricky half-mile oval.
Rick Crawford, driver, No. 14 Ford: "You know what you want, you know what it takes to win here. It wasn't a major adjustment that did it, it was a combination of a bunch of little things..."
Boston Reid, driver, No. 25 Dodge: "Right now I really like it. It is a short track, and we brought a good truck. We stepped it up and the end. We weren't high on the speed charts, but all in all, I like it..."
Check out all of our interviews, all of our TruckShots, and we'll rejoin you tomorrow with complete pre-race analysis, Live! Bud Pole Qualifying, and all the post-race coverage you can shake a stick at. Until then, good night everybody!
Good Morning from Martinsville
04-01-2006 8:09 am
Good morning from Martinsville Speedway! We have a lot on the docket today, with Live! Bud Pole Qualifying coming your way at 12 pm ET, which is followed in short succession by the green flag for the Kroger 250 at 3:30 pm ET. The weather is being cooperative again today, with partly cloudy skies and temps ino the 70s after a cloudy and rainy night. There's a lot going on here at the track, and we'll do our very best to bring all the news to you, so stick with us!
Pre-race TruckShots on the Way
04-01-2006 8:38 am
A big batch of pre-race TruckShots! are on the way, so be sure to check out photo galleries shortly. You can access the TruckShots! gallery by following the link on the Sights and Sounds Box to the right side of the TrackSideLive! page. Also don't forget our exclusive audio clips - just click on each driver's name to listen!
Who Feels the Need for Speed?
04-01-2006 8:41 am
Three teams will be loading up and heading for the hills after Live! Bud Pole Qualifying this afternoon, and nine teams are anxiously awaiting their run against the clock to see if they make the field. Here are the drivers that need in on speed and how they stood after each full-field practice yesterday:
Prac 1:
9. Jack Sprague, 20.339
11. David Ragan, 20.384
12. Marcos Ambrose, 20.400
14. Ted Musgrave, 20.414
28. Chad Chaffin, 20.590
31. Bobby East, 20.630
35. Tam Topham, 20.770
37. Chad McCumbee, 20.879
38. Justin Martz, 20.906
Prac 2
2. Sprague, 19.953
9. Musgrave, 20.002
13. Ragan, 20.055
18. Ambrose, 20.089
25. East, 20.174
30. Chaffin, 20.256
36. McCumbee, 20.430
37. Martz, 20.20.504
38. Topham, 20.565
Tech Line Open for Business
04-01-2006 10:09 am
NASCAR officials and the Truck Series teams are hard at work getting the trucks through pre-qualifying inspection. The line is not as crowded as it was yesterday, but with just a couple of hours before qualifying there is still much work left to be done.
Up the Hill
04-01-2006 10:18 am
One of the major challenges the Truck Series teams face each time we come to Martinsville are the cramped quarters that force NASCAR officials to park the team transporters on top of the hill outside of the racetrack above turn four. If the teams need anything from their rigs throughout the weekend, it means a quarter-mile trek up the hill to the truck to get it. To ensure the trips uphill are kept to a minimum, the teams generally unload everything they possibly can into their pit area.
Gaughan to the Bulldogs
04-01-2006 10:19 am
Brendan Gaughan will be made an honorary member of the state champion Martinsville Bulldogs. The local high school team recently picked up its 13th state championship to become the winningest team in state history. Gaughan, a walk-on member of the Georgetown Hoyas basketball squad under legendary coach John Thompson has come to the area several times to shoot around with the team in the past.
"It's really cool to be a part of the team with these guys," Gaughan said. "I have had a lot of fun with them in the past and I am proud to be associated with them. I hope some of their luck runs off on us here this weekend and we can capitalize out on the racetrack."
Mighty Motorsports No More?
04-01-2006 10:54 am
Hearing here in the press box that the No. 24 Mighty Motorsports team owned by Rob Ferguson with driver Wayne Edwards has closed up shop. The team was at the first two races of 2006 but failed to qualify for either. Edwards is here at Martinsville Speedway, but has not been seen in a driver's uniform.
Drivers Meeting Notes
04-01-2006 10:56 am
Due to today's unique on-track schedule, NASCAR conducted the drivers meeting before qualifying. A few notables...
Pit road speed is 30 miles per hour, while pace truck speed is 35 miles per hour. The commitment line juts out on the backstretch before the pit opening, and each driver wishing to enter pit road must cross that line with the left side tires; failure to do so will result in a penalty. The pit road speed limit must be maintained from 106 feet before the first occupied pit box until 85 feet past the last occupied pit box. There are orange boxes painted at the end of a yellow line across the track to indicate where pit road speed is in effect. Minimum speed to remain in competition is 22.86 seconds.
Martinsville Best Finishes
04-01-2006 11:08 am
Here is each driver's previous best finish in a Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway:
Johnny Benson, 3rd
Mike Bliss, 2nd
Todd Bodine, 4th
Chad Chaffin, 5th
Terry Cook, 3rd
Matt Crafton, 6th
Rick Crawford, 1st
Bobby Hamilton, Jr., 9th
Ron Hornaday, 3rd
Bill Lester, 14th
Butch Miller, 2nd
Ted Musgrave, 2nd
Steve Park, 23rd
Timothy Peters, 8th
David Reutimann, 8th
Dennis Setzer, 1st
Mike Skinner, 1st
Jack Sprague, 3rd
David Starr, 8th
Tam Topham, 34th
Here are the drivers attempting to make their first Martinsville Truck Series start:
Mark Martin, Joey Miller, David Ragan, Marcos Ambrose, David Stremme, Johnny Sauter, Erik Darnell, Clint Bowyer, Kerry Earnhardt, Aric Almirola, Bobby East, Erin Crocker, Kyle Krisiloff, Boston Reid, Kraig Kinser, Chad McCumbee, Justin Martz, and Robert Richardson
Martinsville NCTS Races Summary
04-01-2006 11:20 am
Average start of winner: 8.36
Highest start of winner: 1st, once
Lowest start of winner: 33rd, once
Average number of lead lap finishers: 16
Highest number of lead lap finishers: 27, 10/05
Lowest number of lead lap finishers: 10, 9/97
Average number of lead changes: 5.07
Highest number of lead changes: 8, 4 times
Lowest number of lead changes: 2, four times
Average number of lead drivers: 4.29
Highest number of lead drivers: 8, 9/98
Lowest number of lead drivers: 2, 9/97
Average number of caution flags: 9.86
Highest number of caution flags: 15, 9/96
Lowest number of caution flags: 6, 10/03
Average number of caution flag laps: 55.1
Highest number of caution flag laps: 83
Lowest number of caution flag laps: 32
Cumulative average speed: 67.900
2006 Laps Led
04-01-2006 11:29 am
There have been a total of 343 laps in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition to this point in 2006.
Mark Martin, 202 laps led
Todd Bodine, 55
Mike Skinner, 41
Jack Sprague, 9
Rick Crawford, 8
Ted Musgrave, 6
Jon Wood, 6
Bill Lester, 3
David Reutimann, 3
Brad Keselowski, 2
Bobby Hamilton, Jr., 1
Kevin Hamlin, 1
Chad Chaffin, 1
Martin and Bodine are the only drivers to lead all three races.
Skinner, and Sprague led at both Daytona and Atlanta.
Crawford, Musgrave, Lester, Hamilton, Jr., and Hamlin all led at Daytona.
Wood, Reutimann, Keselowski, and Chaffin all led at California.
2006 NCTS Key Race Stats
04-01-2006 11:30 am
Average start of winner: 3rd
Average number of lead changes: 14.3
Average number of lead drivers: 6.3
Average number of caution flags: 5.7
Average number of caution flag laps: 23.3
Average number of drivers running at finish: 30.3
Average number of drivers not running at finish: 5.7
Average number of lead lap finishers: 21.7
2005 vs, 2006 Statistical Summary
04-01-2006 11:32 am
Average start of winner: 2005, 26.3; 2006, 3
Cumulative lead changes: 2005, 46; 2006, 43
Average lead changes per race: 2005, 15.3; 2006, 14.3
Average leaders per race: 2005, 10.3; 2006, 6.33
Total laps under caution: 2005, 70; 2006, 70
Average caution flags per race: 2005, 5.67; 2006, 5.67
Point Standings Movers
04-01-2006 11:34 am
Here are drivers that have moved up in the standings since Daytona:
Johnny Benson
was 15th after Daytona and sits fifth going into Martinsville.
Mike Bliss
was 22nd after Daytona and sits tenth going into Martinsville.
Matt Crafton
was 26th after Daytona and sits 16th going into Martinsville.
Kyle Krisiloff
was 18th after Daytona and sits 18th going into Martinsville.
Aric Almirola
was 32nd after Daytona and sits 20th going into Martinsville.
Here are the drivers that have dropped spots since Daytona:
Kerry Earnhardt
, sits 26th, -8
Robert Richardson
, sits 24th, -7
Timothy Peters
, sits 19th, -7
Mike Skinner
, sits 15th, -11
Bobby Hamilton, Jr
., sits 14th, -8
Trucks Gridded, Racing Up Next
04-01-2006 2:41 pm
The Trucks have been moved on to the grid, and track and NASCAR officials are busily preparing for driver introductions at the top of the hour. We'll count you down to the green flag, so stick with us as we inch closer and closer to the start of the Kroger 250 from Martinsville Speedway.
BHR Trucks Showing Smoke in Qualifying
04-01-2006 2:43 pm
Both Bobby Hamilton Jr.'s pole-winning No. 18 Dodge and Timothy Peters' No. 4 Dodge showed a lot of smoke from the exhaust pipes when leaving pit road during their qualifying runs. From the time the engine was fired until each driver was nearly halfway down the backstretch, the smoke appeared from the pipes. Neither team appears to be overly concerned about it, so hopefully there is no problem developing under the hood of either truck.
NCTS Personalities Spotted
04-01-2006 2:45 pm
A couple of former NCTS drivers were spotted here today. Michael Dokken, who was seriously injured in a practice crash at Michigan International Speedway in 2003, has been spending a lot of time in the pits with David Ragan. Also spotted here at his home track, mingling with the fans under the grandstands is the winner of the 2003 fall race here at Martinsville Jon Wood. Wood's family hails from nearby Stuart, Virginia.
Warm Temps Could Become a Problem
04-01-2006 2:47 pm
The sun has been out virtually all afternoon, with only a couple of brief moments of shade provided by a passing puffy cloud. The temperatures have climbed into the low 80s, which could prove to be a problem on a couple of levels. One, the teams may have to face some overheating problems if they have too much tape on their noses. Heat is always an issue under the hood as it is with brake temps reaching well over 1000 degrees F. Secondarily, the crew members themselves could face dehydration as the sun beats down on them. The entire infield here is blacktop, adding to the heat issues as the sun radiates off the asphalt back towards the drivers.
Great Crowd on Hand
04-01-2006 2:52 pm
As is always the case when the NCTS comes to Martinsville, there is a great crowd on hand to watch all the action. Speedway officials have recently opened an additional sections of grandstands in the turn one and two end of the track and the fans have quickly flooded the aisles to find a good seat to watch the action. Estimates have over 30,000 people on hand to watch the Kroger 250 this afternoon.
Martinsville Qualifying Fast Facts
04-01-2006 2:56 pm
For pole winner Bobby Hamilton, Jr., his pole today is his second career top starting positon, which comes in just his 9th career series start; his only previous series pole came at Nashville in 2004...Hamilton's pole is also the first for the BHR team since his father started from the top spot here one year ago...Hamilton's best series finish is fourth which he has accomplished twice, both at Nashville in 2002 and 2004...Outside front row starter Mark Martin is making his first series start at Martinsville; Martin has 40 career Cup Series starts at Martinsville, including two wins in 1992 and 2000.
Kroger 250 Pit Assignments
04-01-2006 3:02 pm
Here are the pit assignments, starting at pit exit in turn two and ending with pit entrance at turn three.
Martin
Cook
Sprague
Richardson
Park
Hornaday
Krisiloff
Almirola
Bowyer
Open stall
Break in pit wall
Open stall
Open stall
Open stall
Ragan
Benson
Crafton
Bliss
Darnell
Crawford
Open stall/Start-Finish Line
Hamilton, Jr.
Ambrose
Musgrave
Lester
Reutimann
Reid
Starr
Earnhardt
Peters
Setzer
B. Miller
Bodine
Break in pit wall
Skinner
Stremme
Crocker
East
McCumbee
Sauter
Kinser
Gaughan
J. Miller
Sutton Expects to be Back in Gateway
04-01-2006 3:13 pm
Kelly Sutton is here to support her team as Johnny Sauter straps in the No. 02 Team Copaxone Chevrolet here this afternoon, still hobbling from her wicked practice crash at Atlanta three weeks ago. Sutton recently underwent arthriscopic surgery to repair ligament and cartilage damage in her left knee.
"I had a puncture wound and that is that they were concentrating on right after the crash," she said. "I knew when I hit there was something wrong because I felt like I wanted to throw up. I only do that when I break a bone, and I've broken enough of them to know. I could walk on it afterward, but every step was excruciating. We had the surgery on Tuesday to repair it, and I should be back in the truck for Gateway."
Post-qualifying Audio Up
04-01-2006 3:14 pm
Look for some post-qualifying audio clips with Mike Bliss, Kraig Kinser, and David Ragan in the Sights and Sounds Box. Click on each drivers name to listen.
Mike Bliss, driver, No. 16 Chevrolet: "Qualifying could have been a little better. The track changes all the time and it's click. You need to have a truck that's underneath you all the time..."
Kraig Kinser, driver, No. 29 Chevrolet: "In a sprint car, you don't want to touch because you have open wheels. My guys at the shop told me the fenders aren't there to look at, they're there to be used..."
David Ragan, driver, No. 50 Ford: "I am sure that yellow stripe isn't to help me win a lot of friends, but I don't plan on taking any crap from anyone..."
Kroger 250 Race Updates 1-10
04-01-2006 3:22 pm
10. Lap 45 - Bliss and Bodine go side by side for 13th. Bowyer goes outside Crocker as he starts to lap the drivers at the tail of the fiield.
9. Lap 40 - Bowyer is approaching the tail of the field with Crocker, Richardson, Kinser, and sauter in his sights. The field has again stretched out in single file around the speedway.
8.Lap 34 - Bowyer stretches his lead to nearly half a straightaway as Hamilton is stuck behind East who is now back one lap down.
7.Lap 24 - Bowyer leads on the restart with Hamilton and Krisiloff side by side behiind. Krisiloff and Martin are now hard at it with the 15 truck trying to stay in contact with the leaders. Leader Bowyer is trapped behind East who is racing hard to stay on the lead lap.
6. Lap 19 - Bowyer goes inside Hamilton to the lead while Sprague and B. Miller get together in three. Miller spins through the corner and Stremme popped him in the left front. Miller drives away while Stremme's truck is heavily damaged. Steam billows from the No. 04 Dodge as Stremme comes to the garage. East receives the free pass and rejoins the lead lap. Cook comes to pit road to remove tape from the nose.
5. Lap 14 - Richardson, Gaughan, Crocker, and Reid pit. Hamilton leads Bowyer, Martin, Ragan, Crawford, Benson, J. Miller, Musgrave, Skinner, Reutimann, Hornaday, Starr, Bodine, Bliss, Cook, Peters, Darnell, Crafton, Ambrose, Setzer, B. Miller, Sprague, Lester, Almirola, Stremme, Park, Sauter, Earnhardt, McCumbee, Kinser, Gaughan, Crocker, Richardson, Reid, East and Krisiloff. East is the only truck lined up inside as the field comes to the green.
4. Lap 8 - Ambrose shows he's not afriad to mix it up and gets together with Krisiloff off turn two. Krisiloff bounces off the wall and he comes directly to pit road for left side tires. Bobby East gets spun in two and the first caution of the day is out.
3. Lap 4 - Bowyer dips inside Martin to take over the second spot. The field is spread out single file halfway around the distance of the speedway. Crafon and Krisiloff get together in one and the field stacks up behind them.
2. Green is out. Reid slides out of the groove and almost hits the turn two wall., Hamilton leads Martin, Bowyer, Ragan, and Crawford.
1. Engines are cranked and the field is rolling on the first of three pace laps. No reports of any drivers moving to the back for the start.
Kroger 250 Race Updates 11-20
04-01-2006 3:46 pm
20. Lap 82 - Peters loses a left rear tire and spins of turn two for the fifth caution of the day. Ambrose receives the free pass to rejoin the lead lap. There are now 25 trucks on the lead lap.
19. Lap 78 - Bowyer leads Reutimann as Ambrose slides in front of Ragan on the restart. Stremme has rejoined the race with the front bodywork gone from his truck.
18. Lap 76 - Park reports brake failure as the cause of his crash. Ambrose and East lead the inside line as Bowyer, Reutimann, Ragan, Bliss, and Setzer lead the field to the green.
17. Lap 73 - Kinser gets turned sideways a lap after the restart in turn one and the field stacks up behind him. No one else makes contact but he slides to the inside wall and the caution is out for the fourth time today. Reid will pick up the free pass and rejoin the lead lap.
16. Lap 67 - Park climbed out of his wrecked truck and waved to the crowd before climbing into the ambulance for a shirt ride to the care center. Earnhardt receives the free pass and rejoins the lead lap.
15. Lap 66 - Several leaders come to the pits, but leader Bowyer stays out. Martin leads them off with Hamiltin, Crawford, Benson, Lester, Musgrave, Almirola, J. Miller, Skinner, Starr, Cook, Hornaday, Bodine, Crafton, Peters, Darnell, and Sprague following. Bowyer leads Ragan, Reutimann, Bliss, Setzer, Gaughan, Reid, and Ambrose with the trucks that pitted falling in behind.
14. Lap 65 - Park has a problem coming into turn one and backs hard into the SAFER barrier. The No. 59 is heavily damaged in the rear. Park is moving inside the truck as the caution waves for the third time of the afternoon.
13. Lap 58 - East gives Crocker a shot going into three as the pack he leads has now caught the back of the field. East wants to thread through traffic to get in position for the free pass. McCumbee and B. Miller have now been put one lap down as Bowyer continues to walk the dog on the rest of the field.
12. Lap 54 - Bliss dips inside Starr for 11th while Crafton gives the nose to Darnell to take over 16th in turn one.
11. Lap 48 - Bowyer has cleared the four slower trucks and has put nearly six seconds on second place Hamilton.
Kroger 250 Race Updates 21-30
04-01-2006 4:07 pm
30. The NCTS record for cautions is 15, set here at Martinsville in 1997.
29. Lap 136 - Caution 10 is out as Truck 10 spins in turn 2. Cook guns it after getting a tap from behind and slides through a smokey spin, but doesn't make contact. Benson comes to the pits, removing himself from a top-5 spot. Sauter picks up the free pass.
28. Lap 129 - Peters punts Kinser and sends him into the turn two wall. The caution waves for the ninth time of the race. Krisiloff picks up the free pass as the leaders pit. Starr leads Benson, J. Miller, Musgrave and Crafton.
27. Lap 123 - Martin comes to pit road with Bodine, and rejoins the field at the tail. Setzer leads Hamilton Jr., Starr, Crawford, and Bliss on the restart.
26. Lap 117 - Martin gives Setzer a shove but Setzer does not give as he continues to lead back under green. Starr looks to give Crawford a run for fourth. Lester and Peters come together down the backstetch. Bowyer gets a boot and slides into the turn one wall with the left rear. There is slight damage to the rear of his truck which shouldn't be a problem. It doesn't appear he has any mechanical damage to the truck. Richardson receives the free pass.
25. Lap 113 - Crocker spins in turn two. McCumbee receives the free pass. Cook comes to pit road, the only lead lap truck to do so.
24. Lap 109 - Setzer leads with Martin close in tow. Crawford is knocking on McCumbee's back door as he wants to get up front and mix it up for the lead.
23. Lap 102 - East regains his spot on the lead lap as Setzer takes the lead. Setzer, Martin, Hamilton, Crawford, Benson, Starr, J. Miller, Skinner, Bodine, Crafton, Musgrave, Cook, Sprague, Almirola, Lester, Peters, Hornaday, Bowyer, Reutimann, Ragan, Bliss, Gaughan, Darnell, East are the lead lap trucks. Ragan has to come back to the pits for a penalty for leaving his stall with the gas can still attached. Crocker loses a lap on pit road as she does not beat the pace truck to the scoring line.
22. Lap 98 - Darnell and Richardson come together in two, doing some damage to the right side of the 99 truck. Bowyer leads by a couple of seconds on Reutimann, Ragan, Bliss, Setzer, Gaughan, Martin, Hamilton, Crawford, Benson, Starr as Reid gets a tap and slides into the turn one wall. The radiator is broken and Reid will come to the garage. Look for the remainder of the leaders to pit and go the rest of the way.
21. Lap 87 - Restart. Bowyer leads as Krisiloff, crocker, and Benson go three-wide into one behind. Somehow they all continue on. East separates third place Ragan from fourth place Bliss. Crafton's left rear fender is crumpled significantly. Krisiloff boots Richardson out of the way in one.
Kroger 250 Race Updates 31-40
04-01-2006 4:38 pm
40. Lap 195 - Ragan has to get hard on the brakes in turn two and something breaks, losing the drive on the backstretch. He coasts to pit road as Almirola spins off turn two to bring out caution for the 14th time this afternoon.
39. Lap 190 - Ragan loses the race with the pace truck to the end of pit road and loses a lap on pit road. Starr leads Musgrave, Crafton, Reutimann, Bliss, Martin, Bowyer, Setzer, Gaughan, Hamilton, Jr., Crawford, Skinner, Bodine, Almirola, Lester, Darnell, Hornaday, J. Miller, Benson, East, Cook, McCumbee, Sprague, Earnhardt, and Richardson to the flag.
38. Lap 186 - Kinser and Ragan spin in turn four, blocking the track. Caution No. 13 is out.
37. Lap 173 - Martin now sits seventh with Bowyer eighth. Reutimann is knocking on Crafton's back door for fourth. Ragan is giving heavy pressure to Krisiloff, almost ripping the tail panel off the No. 15 truck. Martin now moves outside Ragan to race for sixth.
36. Lap 167 - Starr leads on restart. Musgrave clears lapped traffic as Crafton is forced to race Kinser.
35. Lap 161 - Starr leads to the green, but Musgrave gives him a hard shot going into one. Crafton gives Musgrave a shot, which opens the door for Peters. Peters stuck it inside in three, but lost traction and spins in four. B. Miller makes contact which tears the left side up on his truck, and damages the nose to Peters machine. Caution out for the 12th time as Peters goes to the garage.
34. Lap 159 - The oil from Ambrose's truck has us under a protracted yellow. There is speedy-dry all around the speedway, which should make for treacherous conditions once we go green. There are 27 trucks on the lead lap.
33. Lap 150 - Benson and Cook get together in turn four and Ambrose has no where to go and knocks in the nose of his truck, going to the garage trailing oil and smoke. Caution out for the eleventh time today. Krisiloff receives the free pass. Starr leads Musgrave, Crafton, Peters, Sprague, Reutimann, Bliss, Gaughan, Ragan, Martin, Bowyer, Bodine, Setzer, Hamilton, Jr., Crawford, Skinner, Lester, Darnell, McCumbee, Almirola, Setzer, J. Miller, Benson, Hornaday, East, and Earnhardt.
32. Lap 146 - Martin runs 12th, Bowyer 13th, Bodine 14th, and Setzer 15th. Starr leads by over a second on Miller and Musgracve as Toyota sits 1, 2, and 3.
31. Lap 142 - Crafton is hammering on Krisiloff in turn three. Reid returns to the race minus front bodywork. Ambrose boots Sauter off turn two.
Kroger 250 Race Updates 41 -
04-01-2006 5:11 pm
52. David Starr wins his fourth career NCTS race over Musgrave, Crafton, Martin, and Bliss.
51. Lap 244 - Crawford has a tire going down and is losing spots at each end of the speedway.
50. Lap 242 - Within 10 to go, so we will have a single file restart. Starr leads Musgrave, Crafton, Martin and Bliss.
49. Lap 239 - Reutimann is the unfortunate driver to break the record as he and Setzer get tangled up and Reutimann slides around sideways. Lester gets tagged in the aftermath and he goes around as well as the caution waves for the 16th time.
48. Lap 232 - The battle for third is the best race on the track as Martin is looking for every possible way around Crafton.
47. Lap 228 - Starr starts to stretch it out over Musgrave and Crafton as Martin is giving Crafton all he can handle for third. Bliss lurks just behind in fifth.
46. Lap 221 - Thirty to go as Starr leads to the green. Musgrave hangs tight on the restart as the top five run under a blanket.
45. Lap 215 - Martin shoves Reutimann out of the way off turn two and takes over fourth. Richardson spins into the turn two wall to bring the caution out for the fifteenth time, tying the track and series record for caution flags.
44. Lap 212 - Benson comes to the pits after being black flagged for a loose tail pipe.
43. Lap 204 - The top nine are clear of lapped traffic. There is some heavy contact between J. Miller and East off turn two, all drivers continue on.
42. Lap 199 - The field is rolling after a 7 min 46 sec red flag. NASCAR serviced the drivers with a cool drink under the red flag. Starr leads Musgrave, Crafton, Reutimann, Martin, Bliss, Bowyer, Setzer, Gaughan, Hamilton, Jr., Skinner, Crawford, Bodine, Lester, Darnell, Hornaday, J. Miller, Benson, East, Cook, McCumbee, Sprague, Earnhardt, Sauter, Richardson, and Almirola. Ambrose rejoins the race.
41. Lap 198 - Red flag is out for a major oil down along pit road from Ragan's truck. The trucks are stopped down the backstretch.
Unofficial Results
04-01-2006 5:47 pm
1. Starr
2. Musgrave
3. Crafton
4. Martin
5. Bliss
6. Gaughan
7. Bowyer
8. Skinner
9. Setzer
10. Hamilton
11. Darnell
12. Bodine
13. East
14. Hornaday
15. Reutimann
16. J. Miller
17. Sprague
18. Almirola
19. Cook
20. Earnhardt
21. McCumbee
22. Sauter
23. Krisiloff
24. Lester
25. Crocker
26. Crawford
27. B. Miller
28. Richardson
29. Kinser
30. Benson
31. Reid
32. Stremme
33. Ambrose
34. Ragan
35. Peters
36. Park
Starr Martinsville Stallion
04-01-2006 7:18 pm
David Starr pitted with 175 laps to go, and didn't come back to pit road the rest of the way to pick up his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series short track victory in the No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota. Starr endured a record 16 caution flags and 87 caution laps on his way to his fourth career series victory.
Starr, who started from 15th, had a dominant truck in the closing stages but faced a stiff challenge from 2004 series champion Ted Musgrave on a restart on lap 163. Musgrave stuck the nose of his No. 9 Team ASE Toyota inside Starr's truck going into turn one, sending Starr's truck sideways momentarily. Starr was able to keep control and hold Musgrave at bay the rest of the way.
"I am just excited to be here with Red Horse Racing, I don't want this night to end," Starr said. "I told crew chief Jamie Jones when he told me we were going to go all the way to the end, I said 'I am glad I am not the one who has to make those decisions.' But it paid off and we're here in victory lane. I am just so excited I feel like I might cry!"
For his part, Musgrave was equally enthused to pick up his fourth consecutive top-five result to start the season.
"If someone said we would start off the year with a new team and four straight top five runs, no one would have believed it - including me," Musgrave said. "But everything has gone right for us to start this season. The communication between myself and Tom (Ackerman, crew chief) and Todd and his team has been so good. This is a perfect way to start the season."
While Starr and Musgrave had the top two positions locked down over the last 50 laps, the battle for third was intense as Matt Crafton fought off repeated challenges from Mark Martin over the last 30 laps. Crafton kept his No. 88 Menards Chevrolet on Martinsville's yellow curb over the course of the final laps, forcing Martin to make an uncharacteristic move to take him out or go to the outside.
"There's no one I trust more out there than Mark Martin," Crafton said. "I knew he was wanting to get by, but I also knew he wasn't going to do anything to take me out. I knew if I kept my truck on the bottom, he would give me the bumper but not take me out. It's a great run for my guys, and we'll take this same truck to Gateway and see if we can back this run up there."
For his part, Martin tried all he could to move his No. 6 Scotts Ford past Crafton without taking him out.
"I did all I could to get past him, but he would never come up from the bottom," Martin said. "He did exactly what I would have done in his position and drove a great race. I had a blast out there again, this is the best racing in all of NASCAR."
Mike Bliss rounded out the top five in the No. 16 IWX Motor Freight Chevrolet.
Brendan Gaughan started 32nd, but had a steady day and stayed out of all the trouble to finish sixth, in front of Cup and Busch Series regular Clint Bowyer, making his first series start in the No. 07 Jack Daniels Chevrolet. Bowyer led 84 laps along the way, but lost track position with a late pit stop and spin on lap 121. Bowyer recovered nicely and charged through the pack, missing the rest of the wrecks in front of him and giving Martin all he could handle as they made their way through the field.
Mike Skinner finished eighth in the No. 5 Toyota Tundra Toyota, Dennis Setzer recovered from a late race incident with Terry Cook and Johnny Benson to finish ninth in the No. 85 GM FlexFuel Chevrolet. Pole winner Bobby Hamilton, Jr., making his first start in substitution for his father in the No. 81 Fastenal Dodge rounded out the top ten.
Twenty-five drivers finished on the lead lap, a total bolstered by the record number of cautions. The 16 yellows throughout the day broke the previous series record, 15 - also set here at Martinsville in 1996 - and kept many drivers on the lead lap. Several drivers received the free pass to make up a lost lap two or more times throughout the day.
There were no major accidents along the way, although Steve Park did make heavy contact with the turn one wall on lap 62, eliminating him from competition. Most other incidents were due to minor spins or truck-to-truck contact. Amazingly, only Park, Timothy Peters, and David Ragan were not running at the finish, all due to accidents.
There were three lead changes among four drivers. Hamilton led the opening laps, Bowyer led from lap 19 through lap 102, and Setzer led from laps 103 to 129. Starr led the final 121 laps.
The race took 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 14 seconds to complete at an average speed of just 59.219 miles per hour. A record 43,000 fans were in attendance.
Mark Martin continues to lead the points followed by Ted Musgrave, Todd Bodine, David Reutimann, and David Starr.
Next up for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is the Dodge Ram Tough 200 at Gateway International Raceway on April 29. TruckSeries.com will have complete event coverage, including practice updates, Live! Bud Pole Qualifying, and extensive pre- and post-race analysis.
Post-race Audio Coming Your Way
04-01-2006 7:38 pm
Look for post-race audio in the Sights and Sounds Box, including clips from:
David Starr, race winner, No. 11 Toyota: "I am so excited to be here I hope this night never ends! I feel like I could cry I am so happy..."
Ted Musgrave, finished second, No. 9 Toyota: "If you would have said that (we'd start off with four straight top five finishes), no one would have believed you, including me!"
Matt Crafton, finished third, No. 88 Chevrolet: "I knew with Mark behind me he wasn't going to do anything to take me out. I just kept my truck on the curb and gave him the outside..."
Brendan Gaughan, finished sixh, No. 77 Dodge: "Here we are, the top finishing Dodge, we came from 32nd at the start, and the body isn't completely knocked off it..."
Clint Bowyer, finished seventh, No. 07 Chevrolet: "If we would have had it to do over again, I would have pitted a little earlier to keep track position..."
Bobby Hamilton, Jr., finished 10th, No. 18 Dodge: "This is a good first step for this team, and a good momentum builder going into Gateway..."
Erik Darnell, finished 11th, No. 99 Ford: "This was my first time with these guys racing on a short track, and it sure was rough out there today..."
Joey Miller, finished 16th, No. 12 Toyota: "There was just one guy out there that kept hitting everyone..."
Boston Reid, finished 31st, No. 25 Dodge: "I know they say leave your emotions at the gate, but it's hard to do when someone else makes a mistake and it ruins your day..."
So Long from Martinsville
04-01-2006 7:39 pm
That's going to do it for TrackSideLive! coverage of the Kroger 250 from Martinsville Speedway. It was a rough and tumble 250 laps with a record number of cautions, some hurt feelings, and a ton of bent up sheet metal.
We will pick up coverage from the next event on the schedule from Gateway International Raceway on April 29. We will have complete event coverage, including TrackSideLive! practice updates, Live! Bud Pole Qualifying, and pre- and post-race analysis from the tricky 1.25-mile egg-shaped oval on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Until then, so long every body!
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