Testing in Atlanta was originally scheduled for Monday but seeping water on the race track kept the race teams off the track until Tuesday. The Atlanta test would be the first outing for the new Ford D-3 engine package and it was impressive.  The Circle Bar Motel and RV Park Ford F-150 was the fastest truck off the trailer and led the blue oval contingent in the single day test.

The Atlanta test would be a milestone for the Circle Bar Team, testing the first new engine package for the Ford trucks in some time. Other manufacturers have been quicker in getting new motor combinations to the track but the new Ford D-3 will raise the bar for all makes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. While a new herd of race trucks are being rounded up at the Circle Bar shop, the team culled out last years Homestead chassis for the Atlanta test (The Homestead chassis was in the top 5 when motor problems ended the race early).  Crew chief Kevin "Cowboy" Starland had the following comments. "I watched this truck last year in Homestead and it had all the other Fords covered, including the one I was working on. We are building all new trucks for 2005 but I was so impressed with this one I wanted a truck I knew could run up front for our first D-3 test. She was good off the trailer and we spent all day working on different setups and we feel really good about going back to Atlanta in March."

Rick Crawford's thoughts on the test: "The new D-3 was worth the wait. I felt like we were off a little on horsepower last year and the new package puts us back on par with the other manufacturers. Once again Cowboy and the crew gave me a fast truck off the trailer. Last years race in Atlanta I had one of the worst wrecks of my career.  While I was going through physical therapy I circled 2 race dates in my mind, the first race after Atlanta, Martinsville, we won that one, the other was Atlanta.  With the team, the new power plant and the trucks we have now I'm looking forward to Atlanta in March."

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will return to Atlanta Motor Speedway on March the 18th for the World Financial Group 200.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will open its 2005 season under the lights at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 18th in the Florida Dodge Dealers 250 at 8:00 PM EST. Live coverage provided by Speed Channel, MRN and XM Radio.  Live qualifying results on Thursday, February 17th can be found at www.truckseries.com at 6:30 EST.