Roush Racing announced today that Mexico City native Michel Jourdain, Jr. will drive the No. 50 Roush Racing Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for nine events in 2006.

"We're really happy to have Michel driving for us at Roush Racing," said team owner Jack Roush.  "He is an outstanding talent with an equally impressive resume.  He's a veteran of the Champ Car Series, and he's had some success over there, getting a couple of wins.  We're looking forward to helping him make his transition to full-time NASCAR competition."

Jourdain has been competing in select NASCAR Busch Series races with PPC Racing since 2005.  He will continue to make select starts with PPC in addition to his schedule with Roush.  Jourdain, Jr. will make his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at the Mansfield Motorsports Park on May 27.

"I'm looking forward to racing in the Craftsman Truck Series and driving the Ford F-150," said Jourdain.  "To have this opportunity to drive for Roush Racing is a dream come true. Jack Roush has built one of the best racing organizations in the world and to be able to join them is a great accomplishment in my career. I want to thank everyone that helped to make this happen." 

Jourdain will drive Roush Racing's third entry when David Ragan fills in for Mark Martin in the No. 6 Scotts Miracle-Gro Ford.  Both Jourdain and Ragan will be entered in selected events in the No. 50 truck, beginning with the May 19 event at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., with Ragan at the wheel.  Jourdain will have his first opportunity in the truck on May 27 at Mansfield.

"I'm confident that Michel and David will have some strong runs in the No. 50.  We've got a lot of good things going on in the trucks right now, and this will afford us to gain on what has already been a great year for us," said Roush.

"Jourdain will compliment the execution of our diversity efforts and give us a strong presence in the growing Hispanic marketplace," said NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owner Designate and Chief Diversity Officer, Sam Belnavis."

No. 50 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Schedule
Date                Track                                                Driver
5/19/2006 Lowe's Motor Speedway  David Ragan
5/19/2006 Mansfield Motorsports Park Michel Jourdain, Jr.
6/2/2006   Dover International Speedway David Ragan
6/9/2006   Texas Motor Speedway  Michel Jourdain, Jr.
6/17/2006 Michigan International Speedway David Ragan
6/23/06     Milwaukee Mile   Michel Jourdain, Jr.
7/1/2006   Kansas Speedway   Michel Jourdain, Jr.
7/8/2006   Kentucky Speedway  Michel Jourdain, Jr.
7/15/2006 Memphis Motorsports Park Michel Jourdain, Jr.
8/4/2006   Indianapolis Raceway Park Michel Jourdain, Jr.
8/12/2006 Nashville Superspeedway  TBD
8/23/2006 Bristol Motor Speedway  David Ragan 
9/16/2006 New Hampshire Int'l Speedway    David Ragan
9/23/2006 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Michel Jourdain, Jr.
10/7/2006 Talladega Superspeedway  David Ragan
10/21/2006 Martinsville Speedway  David Ragan
10/28/2006 Atlanta Motor Speedway  David Ragan
11/3/2006   Texas Motor Speedway  Michel Jourdain, Jr.
11/10/2006 Phoenix International Raceway David Ragan
11/17/2006 Homestead-Miami Speedway David Ragan