Going into his rookie season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Todd Kluever has big shoes to fill.  Kluever will be a contender for the 2005 Raybestos Rookie of the Year title, an award that Roush drivers have already won three times in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Greg Biffle was the first to capture the title in 1998, followed by Kurt Busch in 2000 and Carl Edwards in 2003.  All three drivers have since gone on to successful Nextel Cup careers.  Kluever is ready for the challenge and intends to add his name to the list.

"Certainly one of our goals going into the season is to win the rookie title," said Kluever, driver of the No. 50 Ford F-150.  "Our plan is to run as many laps as possible, both in practice and in the races.  I know there will be a big learning curve and patience will be very important.  I've heard the stories about how many trucks Greg and Carl tore up early in their careers, and I'd like to avoid that if possible.

"I've only tested once so far at Talladega last month, but I think that went really well.  We're gearing up for our Daytona test next weekend and our team is really starting to come together.  I know John Monsam (crew
chief) has worked with several young drivers and he helped Jon Wood get his first win.  I think we communicate pretty well and that is a big first step.

I'm excited for our next test so we can continue to build on what we learned at Talladega last month."

Roush Racing is a subsidiary of Livonia, Mich., based Roush Industries that operates nine motorsports teams; five in NASCAR Nextel Cup with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards, two in the Busch Series with Martin, Kenseth and Edwards, and two in the Craftsman Truck Series with drivers Ricky Craven and Todd Kluever.