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Bill Lester begins sixth full season with new ride ... The Californian turned Atlanta-area resident joins Billy Ballew Motorsports in 2007 after three seasons at Bill Davis Racing and another pair of campaigns with Bobby Hamilton Racing. The campaign marks the first in which Lester, 45, will drive a team's primary truck. Ballew, who also resides in Atlanta and crew chief Richie Wauters have scored victories during the past three seasons - most recently with Kyle Busch at Lowe¡¦s Motor Speedway last May. They believe Lester's potential is yet to be fully unlocked. The University of California-Berkeley engineering graduate has a best finish of fifth along with three Budweiser Poles in 127 series appearances and $1,417,904 in career winnings.

"Bill is a very intelligent driver," said Wauters. "He understands what it takes and what we need for him to keep the team upfront. This is a racers team and Bill fits right into that."

Lester, who made his first NASCAR Nextel Cup start last March in Atlanta, said, "The chemistry with Richie is already there. It's as if we've worked together for years. He is one of the most, if not the most, knowledgeable crew chiefs that I've worked with."

Kvapil, Roush top every practice segment ... Travis Kvapil (No. 6 Roush Racing Ford) wore an ear-to-ear smile as he left the garage Sunday afternoon as NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder came to a close. "These guys are awesome; they could go (NEXTEL) Cup racing tomorrow," said Kvapil, who produced the top speed in every segment of the three-day test. Kvapil, driving for the team that won the Budweiser Pole in 2006, recorded the quickest single truck lap at 50.180 seconds/179.354 mph. In the draft, the Wisconsin native posted a fast lap of 48.252 seconds/186.521 mph during Friday's afternoon session. AJ Almendinger (No. 00 Toyota) was next fastest, also on Friday; at 48.399 seconds/185.954 mph followed by three-time series champion Jack Sprague (No. 60 Con-way Freight Toyota) at 184.691 seconds/184.691 mph.

Roush 'Gong Show' Participant Shepherd Crossing His Fingers ... Canadian Peter Shepherd (No. 50 Roush Racing Ford) consistently has logged some this week's quickest laps but still has no idea if he'll be competing in next month's race. If performance counts, however, Shepherd, 20, should count on getting some action in the team's F-150 truck. "It's unbelievable; a couple of years ago I was racing on short tracks in Canada," he said. "It's always like one day I want to make it. I'm so happy to be associated with a team like Roush and getting the opportunities I'm getting." Shepherd competed in three races for Roush in 2006 with a best finish of 18th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Cook May Be Ready For Daytona Breakthrough ... With six top-10 finishes and a Budweiser Pole in seven appearances at Daytona, Terry Cook (No. 59 Harris Trucking Toyota) will be among pre-race favorites to win the season opener. Cook is another series driver with a new ride in 2007 and Jim Harris' equipment has been able to run at the front at Daytona. Robert Pressley was third in 2003's closest, three-way series finish in which he wound up third alongside Rick Crawford (No. 14 Power Stroke Diesel Ford) and Kvapil.

"You just have to be smart and put yourself in a position in those final 10 laps to be around at the end to have a shot at winning it," said Cook, whose best Daytona finish is fourth in 2000. "I've seen Bobby Hamilton win this thing from 15th with two (laps) to go. It can be done; you can pass a boat load of trucks in one lap here."

Around The Garage ... Sunday's final day of testing - all drafting practice - was shortened by morning showers. Drivers took to the track a few minutes past noon after a delay of about three hours. ... Several teams called an early end to testing following the conclusion of Saturday's afternoon round. Among them was Kevin Harvick Inc.'s pair of trucks. Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 AES HR Solutions Chevrolet) clocked the ninth fastest single-truck lap with teammate Cale Gale 15th in the No. 2 Chevrolet. Hornaday was the quickest Chevrolet at 51.168 seconds/175.891 mph. ... The Darrell Waltrip Motorsports crew actually called it quits on Saturday with 2-1/2 hours remaining, obviously pleased with Almendinger's performance. ... There were only two Dodges in the garage - both fielded by Bobby Hamilton Racing - but Chase Miller (No. 4 Dodge) showed among the top half of 33 drivers on the single-lap chart. His 13th-best lap was 51.299 seconds/175.442 mph.

Series Director Wayne Auton Gives Test Thumbs Up ... NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Director Wayne Auton termed the three days of testing successful on several fronts. "The trucks definitely, as far as aerodynamics, have done exactly what we felt like we could accomplish with four new trucks in the garage area, which is to keep the speeds where we were before (or) maybe a little less," he said. A number of drivers told Auton the package shouldn't diminish passing opportunities. "I've heard most of them say that with a little bit of help, you can get out and pass somebody but you can still pull out and go around a line of trucks even if they are lined up in front of you," said Auton.

Testing Continues At Homestead-Miami Speedway ... The second of the 2007 season's three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series tests will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 17-18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 1.5-mile track hosts the Ford 200, the season finale, on Nov. 16. Testing will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on both days with Friday, Jan. 19 reserved in event of inclement weather. The year's final test is scheduled for May 10-11 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.