Robert Richardson (PR Photo)

Robert Richardson plans to tackle the competitive 2006 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule and contend for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors throughout the 25-race schedule. Richardson, a 24-year old native of McKinney, Texas competed in three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events at the end of the 2005 season behind the wheel of a Chevrolet fielded by Billy Ballew Motorsports. With his focus set on the complete 2006 season and sponsorship already secured, Richardson Racing has enlisted veteran support to help the rookie make the most of his inaugural NCTS season.

Buddy 'Red Dog' Barnes has been brought into the Richardson Racing organization for 2006 to serve as crew chief on Richardson's No. 35 Dodge trucks.  The first obstacle for the team comes with the two-day test session at the Daytona International Speedway on January 13 and 14 where Richardson must prove to NASCAR that he is ready to compete with 35 other drivers in the tight draft pack of trucks at the Daytona International Speedway.  Richardson will take his laps at the Daytona test under the observance of NASCAR officials and barring any incidents expects to be able to compete in the entire 2006 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season.

"We really have a lot riding on this Daytona test session," said Richardson.  "We have secured sponsorship for the entire season which we plan to announce later this month, but of course that means we need to start the season at Daytona.  We have been working hard to build a quality organization in Mooresville, North Carolina with team members that can not only build the highest quality trucks, but also work with me to make me a better NCTS driver.  I think we have found that with 'Reddog'.  He has seen a lot of success in his career, has earned a lot of respect in the garage area and worked on winning Dodge trucks last season at Ultra Motorsports making him very valuable to Richardson Racing."

The focus for Richardson Racing at this week's Daytona test session is simple, they plan to enable Richardson to learn the 2.5-mile superspeedway both in the race truck as well as in the draft and get clearance from NASCAR to compete in the February 17 event.  Crew chief Barnes feels like these goals will be achieved and his team will be ready for the challenges that are before them.

"We have been working real hard to get this truck ready for the test," said Barnes.  "Although we still have a lot of work to do on the truck before the race, I think we are ready to get Rob some experience in the truck drafts at Daytona and get this truck shaken down to see where we need to improve before the race weekend.  Rob did a good job last season in the races he ran with the trucks and I think he will be real good at Daytona."

Richardson will be competing in a Dodge Ram race truck purchased from Ultra Motorsports along with Arrington Engines under the hood.  Following the unfortunate closing of Ultra Motorsports last week, Richardson Racing has also been able to employ some valuable personnel from the 2005 championship team.  With quality equipment and veteran knowledge Richardson is sure to add some spice to the impressive class of rookie drivers in the 2006 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series class.