Joe Ruttman made his first start in the No. 18 Fastenal Dodge for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race this weekend at Kansas Speedway and found many challenges along the way. Rain forced the NCTS officials to cancel one of the scheduled two practices on Friday allowing Ruttman only one hour of practice.

Ruttman qualified in the 27th position for the fifth event of the season and battled a tight race truck in the opening laps. A long green flag run forced Ruttman to pit under green flag conditions and the veteran was issued a pass-through penalty for speeding on pit road, putting the team two laps down. The Fastenal Racing Team continued to adjust on the No. 18 Dodge during the race and Ruttman was able to score a 25th place finish.

Ruttman qualified the Fastenal Dodge in the 27th position Saturday morning before the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250. It was Ruttman's first NCTS start since 2002.

"It's a little on the tight side," said Ruttman in the opening laps of the event who had moved into the 22nd position by lap 10. Ruttman continued to slowly gain positions during a long green flag run. "We are close to pitting," said Crew Chief Jeff White on lap 55. "On a scale from one to 10, how tight are you?" Ruttman responded he was about a one.

Ruttman came down pit road two laps later under green flag conditions. The No. 18 Fastenal Racing Team cranked out a fast pit stop changing all four tires, added fuel and made a wedge adjustment to help the tight condition. Ruttman was issued a pass-through penalty for speeding exiting pit road. He would return to the track in 28th position, two laps down to the leader.

The third caution waved on lap 73 for an accident on the back stretch. Ruttman came down pit road for fuel only along with a track bar adjustment and wedge adjustment. He restarted in the 28th position, two laps down to the leader.

On lap 83 Ruttman radioed in, "Its snappy loose now." By lap 88 he fell another lap down.

The fourth caution waved on lap 111 for an accident in turn one. White made the call to bring Ruttman down pit road for four tires, fuel, another wedge adjustment and an air pressure adjustment to help the loose condition. He restarted in the 27th position. In the final laps, he managed to pick up two more spots and finish the event in the 25th position.

Erik Darnell won the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 before an estimated crowd of 81,687. Rick Crawford, Jack Sprague, Johnny Benson and Mike Skinner rounded out the top five finishers. The next event for the NCTS will be the Quaker Steak and Lube 300 at Lowes Motor Speedway on May 18, 2007 with Ken Schrader driving the Fastenal Dodge.