Bliss scores Kansas trifecta…Mike Bliss took the lead when the rear end gear failed on Rick Crawford’s truck with less than five laps to go.  Bliss becomes the only driver in CTS history to win races at all three Kansas City area venues (I-70 and Topeka).  Bliss had to come back down pit road on his last pit stop because a lug nut was left off the left front.  “It wasn’t as hard as it was when we had to come back from five laps down (at Memphis).  It is a lot easier when you have a good truck.”

Rick Crawford’s misfortunes were a product of the filters coming loose on the rear end gear.  Without proper lubrication, the gear ultimately failed.

Jason Leffler was in line to capitalize on Crawford’s misfortune, but had his windshield coated in oil and could not see. 

David Starr’s blown engine was the product of a broken valve spring.  Starr looked to solidify his streak of 13 consecutive top-10 finishes, dating back to Daytona in 2001.  The DNF was costly for Starr in the NCTS point standings, dropping him to third.  

Terry Cook looked to capitalize on the last restart, but he also slipped in Crawford’s oil and slipped back to sixth.  Cook went from highest of the highs, winning last week, to the lowest of the lows, being caught up in Bill Lester’s spin in turn one bringing out the first caution of the race.

Coy Gibbs did have good fortune over the last few laps and moved from sixth to third when Crawford’s problems stirred up the field.  This matches Coy’s best career finish, set just last week at Milwaukee.

Carl Edwards finished eighth, making him the highest finishing rookie.  Not an officially registered Raybestos Rookie candidate, the top finishing honors actually went to Aaron Daniel, who finished 26^th.

Before the race started, Lester’s crew chief Kip McCord reminded him several times, ‘in order to finish first, first you must finish.”

Bobby Dotter continued to have a string of rotten luck, being caught up in Brian Rose’s accident to bring out the final caution of the race.  The team repaired the damage enough to secure Dotter a 15^th place in the final run down.

Stan Boyd only ran 4 laps in the #89 US Securities Chevy, but that was not the end of his day.  Drenched in sweat and still in his uniform after the race, Boyd was put to work on Randy McDonald’s pit crew as the jackman.

Rich Bickle was happy to see the day end.  A frustrating weekend saw the #15 team struggle with aero problems and handling difficulties, but he was happy to salvage 13^th in the rundown.

Matt Crafton spent much of the day fighting near the 15^th position, but capitalized on others’ misfortunes to snare tenth at the finish.  Fellow former Southwest Tour champion Steve Portenga finished right behind him in 11^th.

Robert Pressley had a long afternoon, fighting a loose condition combined with too much downforce.  At one point in the race, he said “it is so aero dependent that when we get up to someone and we lose the air, it just stops.”

Good morning from the Kansas Speedway.  The weather is warm and humid, and there is a slight chance of PM showers and storms rolling in.  Whatever shower activity is predicted is expected to roll in long after the conclusion of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250.  Keep your browser bookmarked to TruckSeries.com for news, notes, and quotes from Trackside Live! right here at TruckSeries.com. (8:04 am ET)

Kansas Pre-Race Notes – Friday, July 5, 2002 <PRACTICE & QUALIFYING>

THIS CONCLUDES TRACKSIDE LIVE! UPDATES FROM THE O’REILLY 200 PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING SESSIONS AT THE KANSAS SPEEDWAY.  KEEP IT LOCKED AT TRUCKSERIES.COM FOR MORE UPDATES FROM THE GARAGE AREA STARTING TOMORROW 9:30 AM ET.

The Green Light Racing team had a horrendous day, with two trucks heading back to North Carolina with some serious damage done to them.  Bobby Dotter shook off the bad luck of the day and ran the 23^rd fastest time of the final practice.  Jason Small did not practice in happy hour.  Both share row 17 on the grid for tomorrow’s race.

The #63 of Carl Edwards  had another solid day, timing in 12^th in Happy Hour.  The team was fighting an aero push in happy hour, but feel like they can get the truck to handle in traffic for tomorrow’s race. 

Bill Lester, #8 Dodge Motorsports Dodge: “In a perfect world, we’d be a little snugger in entry and a little looser on exit.”

The pole sitting Dodge of Jason Leffler felt good in the final practice, the adjustments made by Tim Kohuth made the truck much more comfortable.  However, as with many changes that add comfort, it took away a little speed.

The #60 of Travis Kvapil was one of the trucks fighting both a loose and right condition.  Travis said the tires would chatter on his last set of shocks, giving Rick Ren and team some things to think about over night. 

Brian Rose, #4 Perry Connection Dodge:            “The last set of shocks made the truck progressively tighter.  Bot as tight as the previous set, but as the run progressed, we would slowly lose front end grip. (9:47 pm ET)

As with many other teams, the #50 US Navy Ford team of Jon Wood had a hard time fighting a tight condition from the center of Kansas Speedway’s sweeping turns to their exits.  Early in the final session, Wood requested to be “a little freer off”, but by the time the practice was over, Wood and team still had a sense of frustration.  (9:14 pm ET) 

The #75 Spears Motorsports team of David Starr spent much of the Happy Hour session chasing setups for the varying weather conditions.  With varying clouds and sun in the final hour of practice before the race, a curveball was thrown that many teams were struggling to hit.  Starr’s crew chief Dave McCarty calmed Starr, telling him what is tight in today’s cloudy weather will likely be looser tomorrow. (9:11 pm ET)

Lance Norick, #90 Express Personnel Services Chevrolet: “We picked up a little bit from practice, so that's good. We qualified 12th. I think right now our truck is a way better race truck than qualifying truck.  12th is not a bad starting spot; I think we can finish in the top-five. I think we have a good enough truck to at least do that." (7:12 pm ET)

Several Chevrolet drivers have complained about their aero package possibly making their trucks squirrelly at high speeds, even on the straightaways.  Both incidents today involving wall contact involved Chevrolets. (6:41 pm ET)

Carlos Contreras and his brother, Enrique, are developing a series in Mexico for racing trucks.  As a part of the development program, they are also developing oval tracks, in the hopes that they can assist other Hispanic drivers to make it to NASCAR racing in the US.  (6:37 pm ET)

Others missing the field were Lonnie Cox and Loni Richardson.  Not a good day to be a driver named Lonnie/Loni.  However, Lonnie Troxell’s truck with Randy Briggs at the wheel did qualify. (5:34 pm ET)

David “Frog” Hall did not attempt a qualifying run after an engine problem was diagnosed in his #73 Intensitee Racewear Chevrolet.  Unfortunately, the team was not high enough in owner points and missed the field. (6:30 pm ET)

An interesting site in the #8 Dodge Motorsports transporter was seen earlier today.  Robert Pressley and Brian Rose were seen debriefing Bill Lester on his setups, which is the opposite of the norm.  “The drivers tend to gravitate towards Robert to get information since he has so much experience,” said team spokesman David Pepper.  “It was an interesting site to see them going to Bill for once.  He has really had it here this week.  He is in ‘Trix’, the truck he had at Texas.  He had his best career start and his best career finish there (7^th and 11^th, respectively).  He has already bettered his career start, so that first career top-10 is right around the corner.” (6:13 pm ET)

With a serious depletion in inventory over the past several weeks, the crash in qualifying has forced Jason Small into one of teammate Bobby Dotter’s backup trucks.  (6:08 pm ET)

Brendan Gaughan, #62 NAPA Dodge:      “This place is so like Vegas, I was sure we were going to have a shot at the pole.  I thought we could have run a 32.5 easily.  But, we found a very small oil leak in the engine, and rather than risk it, we changed it.  We had to go to the back anyhow, so having the lap we did is no big deal.  We don’t concentrate on getting poles, but when you are that close like we were in practice, it is frustrating not to have that shot at it. But, we have an awesome truck for the race.  We will use Happy Hour to get it fine tuned back to the way it was in the first practice and get ready for the race tomorrow.” (6:05 pm ET)

Mike Bliss, #16 IWX Motor Freight Chevrolet:   ““It was a good lap, the track tightened up for everybody, I think, including us and a lot of guys I saw slowed down a little bit.  I think that we had a run for the pole when I saw the laps to compete with.  We have a little to work on, but overall I’m real happy with the lap that we ran.  I think that we will be good on race set-up and hopefully battling for the lead.” (5:57 pm ET)

Bliss is attempting to become the first driver in CTS history to win at all three venues in Kansas City area.  He is the only driver in series history to have wins at both previous Kansas City venues, I-70 Speedway and Heartland Park Topeka. (5:59 pm ET)

Terry Cook, #29 Power Stroke Diesel Ford:        “Earlier we made some changes that really didn't do anything for us and it made the truck really bad. I have to give credit to Bob Keselowski who made some great changes and great calls between final practice and our qualifying run. Matter of fact, we couldn't get it into the corner all day. The Power Stroke Diesel Ford was just loose getting in the corners and we made some adjustments to fix that. We've got the truck a lot better. We were a little tight from the center off, but I think we've figured that out for race mode. We'll be real good.” (5:54 pm ET)

Jason Small has crashed hard into the turn three wall on his qualifying run.  He backed it into the fence and rolled down the banking and came to rest on the apron.  Safety crews are on the scene and Small has gotten out of the truck under his own power.  (5:09 pm ET)

Jon Wood has also been excused to the end of the line.  The team has been fighting handling difficulties all day.  (4:31 pm ET)

Bobby Dotter has been excused to the end of the qualifying order following his crash in the early laps of the PM Session.  (4:28 pm ET)

Weather could be a factor as qualifying continues.  Dark clouds have been slowly moving into the area and the temperature has started to drop.  (4:26 pm ET)

PM Practice is over.  Top 5 drivers are Leffler, Bill Lester, Ted Musgrave, Rick Crawford, and Mike Bliss.  Times to be posted shortly.  (3:15 pm ET)

Bobby Dotter, #08 People Against Drugs/Lucas Oil Chevrolet:         “I just wanted to find out what the problem was.  We were struggling in the first session and wanted to see if it was the truck or me.  Either it was going to stick or we were going to have to do something different.  Well, we’re doing something different.”  (3:05 pm ET)

Bobby Dotter has crashed the #08 People Against Drugs/Lucas Oil Chevrolet in turn 2 here at Kansas Speedway.  More details to follow as they develop.  (2:12 pm ET) 

Notes and Quotes seen and heard after the AM Practice Session for the O’Reilly 250 at Kansas Speedway

Matt Crafton, #88 Menards/ColorPave Chevrolet:       “We started the first practice really loose.  The guys made some good adjustments.  By the end of the session, we were pretty close.  We're making some more changes.  We'll make some qualifying runs in this next session and see if we can get into the top 10.” (2:00 pm ET)

Between practice sessions, Kansas Speedway hosted an autograph session featuring NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers in their unique Fan Walk area.  Drivers spotted signing for the fans that braved the sun and heat include David Starr, Terry Cook, Mike Bliss, Brendan Gaughan, Travis Kvapil, Jason Small, and Coy Gibbs. (1:59 pm ET)

Donnie Morelock is with the Ware Racing Enterprises team for this week and next week at Kentucky Speedway.  “I have a lot of experience at Kentucky, and we are here in Kansas to do a shake down and get ready for Kentucky.”  In a related note, Morgan Shepherd is also working with Ware Racing on a program for the upcoming Michigan race.  Shepherd had engine troubles at Memphis with his own truck and has not had the opportunity to have it fixed.  (1:56 pm ET)

Carlos Contreras, #43 Hot Wheels Dodge:         “It is very loose off.  We are working hard to get it fixed.  We had a great time at the soccer game the other night.  I got to kick the first ball and we stayed to watch the first half.  It was a lot of fun.”  (1:51 pm ET)

David Dollar, team owner, #46 Acxiom Chevrolet:     “Dennis (Setzer) says it is a little tight from the center off.  The teams is just going to need to make some small tweaks to get it fixed.  We aren’t in the same neighborhood as those Dodges yet, but we are working hard on it.”  (1:46 pm ET)

Jason Small, #07 Sunbelt Rentals Chevrolet:                “The guys haven’t been home since before Memphis.  They spent this week here in Kansas City working out of the back of the truck in the hotel parking lot.  We figured some stuff out in the morning session.  We actually found something with the line in turn three while I was passing someone that really helped.” (1:44 pm ET)

Rick Ren, Crew Chief, #60 CAT Rental Store Chevrolet:           “Travis says the truck is real skaty.  We are going to have to make some major changes.  It might not help, but it sure will be different.” (1:42 pm ET)

Jerry Hill, #79 RDS Dodge:             “It’s just not handling.  We are going to change three shocks, a sway bar, and shocks.  I think we have more in it.  We are 24^th on the chart right now, and we have a lot of horsepower, so we’ll see what its like when we get the handling fixed.” (1:41 pm ET)

Rick Crawford, #14 Circle Bar Racing Ford:        “We have been good off the trailer.  Not going to make many changes between practice sessions.  We are fast, but not as fast as we need to be to keep up with the Dodges.”  (1:38 pm ET)

Jon Wood, #50 US Navy Ford:       “The truck is rolling over on the right front tire.  It’s so bad that we can’t stay down on the white line (in the turns).  We are going to make some serious changes and see what we can come up with in the next session.” (1:35 pm ET)

AM practice is over.  So far, it is a Dodge day as the Rams have snared the top 3 times on the charts with Mugrave, Leffler, and Gaughan showing the way.  Crawford and Starr round out the top-5.  Two trucks, the #55 of Tom Powers and the #66 of Lonnie Cox did not make an appearance on the track in AM practice. (12:30 pm ET)

Veteran NCTS PR ace and spotter John Close is on the sidelines this weekend recovering from surgery.  Close has been involved with many of the series most recognizable names, and will be sorely missed at the track this weekend. Hearing he will be back at the track by Michigan. (12:17 pm ET)

The #88 Menards/ColorPave Chevrolet of Matt Crafton will have a Peter Guild Engineering engine under the hood this weekend.  Crafton’s Menard sponsored effort is one of three Team Menard entries participating at the Kansas Speedway this weekend.  Mark Dismore is in entered in the Indy Racing League event, while Ed Carpenter is scheduled to compete in the inaugural Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series event. (12:10 pm ET)

Ware Racing Enterprises welcomes two new drivers to their lineup this week.  In the 51 OOIDA Dodge is Donnie Morelock, while former NASCAR Winston Cup Series veteran and NCTS regular Morgan Shepherd has the reigns of the #81 Dodge this weekend.  (12:08 pm ET)

Speaking of I-70 Speedway, that venue was where the NCTS competed in the Kansas City area from 1995-1999.  Race winners include Mike Skinner (95), Mike Bliss (96), Tony Raines (97 and 98, the first being the first-ever NCTS for Dodge), and Jack Sprague (99).  Other KC area races were held at the road course at Heartland Park Topeka, just 90 minutes from here.  Winners there include Ron Hornaday (95), Skinner (96), Joe Ruttman (97), Stacy Compton (98) and Bliss (99).  (12:07 pm ET)

Lonnie Cox is entered and will attempt to qualify for his first series start since 1999 at Pikes Peak International Raceway.  Cox has 13 career NCTS starts, with a best finish of 18^th at I-70 Speedway in 1996.  (11:59 am ET)

The new paint job on the #1 Mopar Dodge of Ted Musgrave is very reminiscent of the paint jobs on the early Mopar-sponsored entries in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, most notably when Jimmy Hensley was driving the #30 for owner Grier Lackey in 1996.  The white-to-black scheme also was used on a second K-Automotive truck for several races in 1999. (11:58 am ET)

The #2 Team ASE Dodge of Jason Leffler gave his team a slight scare early in the AM practice session when smoke billowed out of the left front tire on is first few practice laps.  No worries, however, it was merely the body touching the left front tire when Leffler got off the gas entering the first turn. (11:52 am ET)

Weather at Kansas Speedway is reminiscent to the weather at the Milwaukee Mile.  It is hazy, hot, and humid, with high temps expected to be near 90 and high humidity all day.  Showers and storms are not in the immediate forecast, but with the conditions what they are, scattered showers could come into play.  Trackside Live! here are TruckSeries.com will keep you updated as conditions change.  (9:50 am ET)