(VPS Motorimages Photo)

While Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race (8 p.m. ET on SPEED; NCTS Setup at 7:30 p.m. ET) may not mathematically mark the midpoint of the season, Lowe's Motor Speedway historically has been the point where teams pause to take stock of their season and focus with renewed vigor on the challenges that lie ahead.

The 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season has been one full of surprises, disappointments, shocking performances and an overdue, emotional win.

Hands down, Chad McCumbee appears to be the unanimous vote for biggest surprise of the season.

"Many people believe Chad McCumbee is a very talented driver, including Petty Enterprises, but the results have not been there," said Ray Dunlap, veteran SPEED reporter. "Now after five events, he has posted three top 10s and looked very impressive on the mile-and-a-half tracks. It seems certain a win is very near."

NCTS Setup host Krista Voda throws Matt Crafton into that mix.

"Seeing McCumbee and Matt Crafton do well is not a huge surprise - they're both talented drivers," Voda said. "But they are holding their own against the 'super teams.' Both drivers are still looking for their first win in the series and both are knocking on the door."

On the not-so-favorable end of the surprise spectrum, the biggest disappointments have come as quite a shock to some in the garage area.

"Is it really possible Mike Skinner is not in the top 10 in points?" Dunlap questioned. "It is very strange to walk into the garage and not see the team parked right beside Ron Hornaday. It is a long season but Bill Davis' crew had better start reeling off some victories fast to get back in the hunt."

"With a little racing luck, Mike Skinner would be at the top of the standings," said Adam Alexander, SPEED reporter. "However, 11th in points after five races is no doubt a disappointment to them. They were so dominant a year ago. I feel like they have definitely had to work harder for their success this season."
Voda points out Erik Darnell having a less-than-stellar year.

"Currently 13th in points with one top 10, it's not like Erik Darnell is having a terrible year," she said. "But I had pretty high expectations for him this year. So, until he's back in the top ten, he claims the dubious disappointment award."

Never disappointing is winning the championship or simply being on the short list of contenders capable of achieving every team's goal.

(VPS Motorimages Photo)

"It looks like a battle between Ron Hornaday, Johnny Benson and Todd Bodine for the 2008 NCTS title," Dunlap listed. "The biggest question for me is whether Skinner and Sprague can overcome shaky starts and get back into contention. Rick Crawford is always a top-five driver but has not shown the stamina to fight for the crown. It is still way too early to guess, but the Rick Ren-led No. 33 Chevy looks very hard to beat."

"Hornaday has set the pace but I think the 2008 season will mirror 2007 in that Kevin Harvick Inc. will have to out-duel a Bill Davis-owned truck," Voda stated. "The difference this year will be Johnny Benson clawing at Hornaday down the stretch."

Every rookie aspires to one day be labeled a threat for the championship and claiming rookie-of-the-year honors is a solid stepping stone toward that goal.

"If history plays out, Colin Braun should be a lock for Raybestos Rookie of the Year this season," Dunlap predicted. "The 'Roushkateers' have won five of these awards (Biffle, Busch, Edwards, Kluever and Darnell). Braun hasn't had great finishes yet but continues to run up front and that will pay off eventually."

"Not only do I think Colin Braun will contend for rookie-of-the-year honors, I think he could win a race," Alexander stated. "He has a great deal of talent and crew chief Mike Beam's leadership is big for him."

Storylines change as the season progresses but heading into Friday's race, future series sponsorship, new teammates and an NFL player-turned-NASCAR-owner take center stage.

"The Craftsman brand of tools from Sears has been the Truck Series sponsor since 1995 when the division began," Dunlap said. "Who will be the new sponsor? I am very sad to see Craftsman make the move. I have used their tools since I was nine years old and still believe they have a fantastic product. After 13 years, it will be very hard to not say 'Craftsman' when talking about the best racing in America. With some big shoes to fill, we are all very anxious to hear which company will take over the rough and tumble racers of trucks."

Alexander likes what he sees in defending champion team Kevin Harvick Inc. since it added Jack Sprague this season.

"A great story is how smooth the transition has been for Ron Hornaday and that team following a title year," he said. "They are as confident as ever. Hornaday leads the points with Sprague ninth and surging. They were 1-2 at Kansas, a first-ever for KHI, and it appears Sprague and crew chief Ernie Cope are starting to hit their stride."

"Not only is Randy Moss the biggest story in the Truck Series, he's the biggest story in NASCAR," Voda added. "The NFL superstar is joining NASCAR but if you want to find him, you'll need to pay attention to the trucks. It happens a lot ... the truck series serving as the backdrop for NASCAR's biggest headlines."

While the NASCAR garage and media discuss these headlines, there are a few flying under the radar with little or no mention.

"In the past few years, Toyota has had a significant horsepower advantage," Dunlap said. "This year, it appears Pro Motors Engineering has Chevy back on top when it comes to power at the rear wheels. Also, Tundra drivers say they are at an aero-drag disadvantage. The other three manufacturers answer that with, 'It's about time!'"

"Road racer rage!," Voda said. "While other NASCAR series are making headlines for harvesting drivers from the open-wheel ranks, the Truck Series has become a destination for road racers. Colin Braun and Andy Lally are veterans of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. Lally is a former three-time champion. Anyone who follows Grand-Am or American Le Mans Series (ALMS) racing knows that's no easy task and I'm excited to have these two guys and their skills in the Truck Series."

Despite the variance of opinion on any single topic, there is a true consensus on the surprise performance of the season … Bobby Hamilton Racing visiting Victory Lane at Martinsville for the first time since their leader's death from head-and-neck cancer.

"Watching the No.18 BHR-VA team win at Martinsville was a great joy for me, partly for the honor it brought to the memory of my lost friend Bobby Hamilton and partly because Dennis Setzer is one of the most underrated drivers in NASCAR," Dunlap said. "His ability to save fuel is amazing and his mastery of short tracks even more impressive. Many people had relegated this team to back burner status and thankfully, nobody in the new shop in Martinsville was listening."

"Bobby Hamilton Racing, without a doubt," Voda said. "Dennis Setzer is fourth in points and one of only four drivers to win a race this year. That win in Martinsville was so much more than a checkered flag and a trophy. It was a symbol of determination and resilience...everything owner Bobby Hamilton represented. As I stood in Victory Lane interviewing Setzer that day, I looked around...and I don't think there was a dry eye to be found. It was one of the feel-good moments of the year."

SPEED, now in nearly 78 million homes in North America, is the exclusive home of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Gatorade Duel at Daytona, NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The only network delivering live, at-track programming all season long, SPEED offers the definitive pre- and post-race NASCAR Sprint Cup Series programs - NASCAR RaceDay and NASCAR Victory Lane, as well as other popular NASCAR programs including Trackside Live, Tradin' Paint, NASCAR Performance, NASCAR Live!, This Week in NASCAR, NCTS Setup, Go or Go Home and The Chase is On.