SPEED Channel continues to deliver the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to more fans beginning with the network's first airing in February 2003.  This season looks to continue the strong climb as SPEED's Nielsen household ratings increase nearly 29% each year since the partnership began.

In 2003, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series was heading into its ninth season when it found a new home at SPEED Channel.  SPEED's 2003 Daytona debut of the Series grabbed an audience larger than any of the previous Daytona truck races. This year's Daytona race was more than double the 2003 race with a Nielsen rating of 2.10 reaching 1.33 million households.

"It is extremely gratifying to see the continuing increase in ratings for the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks.  Clearly our dedication and concentration on the trucks as the premier racing series on SPEED Channel is paying off," said Rick Miner, Senior VP of Programming/Production & Executive Producer.  "The extended telecasts, the features, the heavy promotion, the whole concept of bringing the fans more than flag-to-flag coverage has gotten us where we want to be."

This season's first four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races have provided an average Nielsen rating of 1.28, which equals 811,000 households.

"Before SPEED Channel, the Series was like a lost soul wandering around without a home you could count on," said Kenny Schrader, driver of the No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet.  "The general enthusiasm for the trucks from the manufacturers, to the people in the grandstands, to the TV ratings you can see the Series has had a major growth spurt on SPEED.

"My hats off to NASCAR, Craftsman and SPEED ... it takes a packaged deal to do this and NASCAR has taken it to the right channel and SPEED has made the trucks a priority since day one," commented Ron Hornaday Jr., NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion 1996 & 1998 and current driver of the No. 6 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet.

Since coming to SPEED, all NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races have aired live with pre- and post-race coverage and multiple re-airs following race weekends, currently Monday's at 12:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. ET.  An analysis of the race also can be seen on SPEED's NASCAR Fast Forward on Wednesday's at 5 p.m. ET.