Kerry Earnhardt after winning the pole at Daytona, 2005 (High Sierra Photo)

Kerry Earnhardt has been signed on as driver of the No. 13 ThorSport Racing Chevrolet for the 2006 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season.  Earnhardt made two NCTS starts in 2005, earning the pole at Daytona in his series debut.  He will join current ThorSport Racing driver Matt Crafton, who will continue his duties behind the wheel of the team's No. 88 Menards Chevrolet.

Earnhardt will start his duties immediately, as he joins the team in time this weekend's Preseason Thunder test sessions at Daytona International Speedway.

"We're proud to have Kerry as a part of the team for 2006 and beyond," said ThorSport Racing team owner Duke Thorson.  "We had Kerry up at the shop a couple of weeks ago and he met all of the guys and they all hit it off very well.  We're excited to have him on board and we look forward to coming out of the box strong."

"I'm excited to have him as a teammate," said Earnhardt's ThorSport teammate Matt Crafton.  "It's going to be a lot of fun to see what he can do in a good ride for a full season."

Shane Tesch will remain as the crew chief of the No. 13 Chevrolet.  Sponsors for the effort will be announced at a later date.

Earnhardt is the oldest son of seven-time NASCAR Nextel Cup series champion Dale Earnhardt.  He has made 68 starts in the NASCAR Busch Series, with three top-5 and six top-10 finishes.  His he picked up his best career Busch Series finish, second, at Kansas in 2002.  In addition, he has seven Nextel Cup Series starts with a best finish of 17th coming in 2005 at Talladega.  His best finish in two NCTS starts in 2005 was 17th coming at Fontana.

Both Earnhardt and Crafton will be participating in the three-day Preseason Thunder test sessions leading up to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season opener at Daytona on February 17th.  Speed Channel will televise the highlights from the test sessions on Sunday January 15 at 7 P.M. Eastern.