The No. 18 Fastenal Dodge at California. (Ronda Greer Photo)

Ken Schrader will be making his 11th career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Martinsville on Saturday. Schrader has 10 previous NCTS starts at Martinsville, including the inaugural event in 1995. The Kroger 250 will mark Schrader's 72nd NCTS start. In his previous 71 races Schrader has an average starting position of 14th and a finishing position of 17th.

Schrader will pilot "SLIM" this weekend at Martinsville. This particular chassis last competed at Loudon, NH in September of 2006 and started in the fourth position. In 2004 Bobby Hamilton Sr. ran "SLIM" - his favorite truck - in 19 of the 25 races. He visited victory lane twice in this truck. Bobby Hamilton Racing has set on the pole the past two years for the spring race at Martinsville with "SLIM".

Flying with Schrader: "Right before Atlanta I flew down to Nashville to spend the day with the road guys at the shop and do some work on my seats before the truck race that weekend. I had my pilot, Earl, with me and we all decided to go and eat lunch together. All the No. 18 guys and my Crew Chief Jeff White came with us and it turned into an interesting hour. As soon as we set down I asked the guys if they could come and possibly pit for me at a late model race later in the season. They all agreed and I told them I would come by and pick them up on the plane. It didn't take long till Earl and I begin telling stories about flying together. I told them how I bought my plane from Rusty Wallace and Earl gets ready to take off and doesn't know how to start the thing. He gets off the plane, goes and asks someone at the airport to start it and off we go. I wish you could have seen their eyes. Their surprised faces were priceless. Earl continued to tell them how he has had to make emergency landings in his plane before and I told them how "lucky" I think Earl is on flying. Finally, one of the guys looked at me white faced and said "we will just drive to that race for you." Earl and I looked at him and just laughed."

Schrader on co-driver Joe Ruttman: "I have been joking with the race team about how I am the young development driver now when compared to Joe (Ruttman). Ruttman is a great guy and will do an amazing job for the team when I can't be there. He has had tremendous success in the truck series and at BHR. He was very instrumental in the early success of the truck series. A lot of people think he has not been around the past couple years, but he has kept himself busy with testing for manufacturers. I know BHR took him and tested him for 500 laps at the Nashville Motorplex and their speeds were impressive on old tires. The fact he ran 500 laps, which is like two truck races, on that track on a hot afternoon just proves he can still get the job done."

Ken Schrader Career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Stats

Career NCTS Starts: 71
NCTS Wins: 1
NCTS Pole: 1
NCTS Top five finishes: 6
NCTS Top 10 finishes: 25

2007 No. 18 Fastenal Dodge Team Roster

Crew Member - Race Day/Shop - Hometown
Ken Schrader - Driver - Fenton, MO
Jeff White - Crew Chief/Front Tire Carrier - Goodlettsville, TN
Tony Pinkelton - Front Tire Changer/Truck Chief - Goodlettsville, TN
Dana Ebersole - Front Tire Carrier/ Truck Chief - Apopka, FL
Chris Amos - Rear Tire Carrier/ Gears - Murfreesboro, TN
Jonathan Ellis - Rear Tire Changer/Mechanic - Hixson, TN
Bobby Riddle - Jack Man/Dodge Engineering - Mt. Juliet, TN
Mike Goins - Catch Can Man - Mt. Juliet, TN
David Cain - Hauler Driver - Ashland City, TN
Mark Hancock - Engines - Toledo, Ohio
Lyman Lassiter - Pit Road Sign/Mechanic - Greenbrier, TN
Jeremy Manis - Tire Specialist/Fab Shop - Mt. Juliet, TN