Spotlight on trucks

Truck Series prepares for Daytona debut

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Posted: Tuesday February 15, 2000 01:24 PM

Ron Hornaday is one of several Truck Series drivers who switched to the Busch Series. Jamie Squire/Allsport

By Ryan Smithson, CNNSI.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- For two brief hours on Tuesday morning, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was the talk of Speedweeks.

The Truck Series, entering its sixth year, appeared to lose ground in 1999 -- several of its top stars elected to try NASCAR's more lucrative waters. Two-time series champion Ron Hornaday will drive Dale Earnhardt's Busch Series entry this season, and Stacy Compton and Mike Bliss landed decent Winston Cup rides. Exciting young gun Kevin Harvick and two-time 1999 winner Jay Sauter will also try to make waves in the Busch Series.

Over the winter, NASCAR decided to race the trucks on the high banks of Daytona for the first time, hoping that a typical six-figure Daytona crowd would help put some life in the series.

Truck Series drivers made their first appearance at Speedweeks on Tuesday morning. They tested from 8-10 a.m. They will take the track again late in the afternoon for their final test before Wednesday's qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 250, which will be held Friday.

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Small budget, big problems Greg Sacks' bid to put the Petty-Huggins Motorsports No. 96 Chevrolet in the Daytona 500 field suffered a serious setback Monday when he tangled with rookie Jeff Fuller in Turn 3. Sacks' team, which is running selected Winston Cup events this season, had no backup car. They were forced to purchase a car from Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Fuller suffered a sore neck in the crash - and he also severely bit his tongue (ouch!). His status for Thursday's Twin 125 races will be determined sometime Tuesday. Fuller drives for Eel River Racing, which turned heads over the winter by landing Viagra as a sponsor. The team is forced to use a backup for the Twin 125s, and one wonders what will happen if the backup "can't get up" to speed for Thursday's qualifier. Tall order Anticipation is quickly building for the first Twin 125 -- that race includes Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, Ken Schrader, Jeff Gordon and Sterling Marlin. Earnhardt is trying to keep his streak of 10 straight Twin 125. The winner of the first Twin 125-miler will start third in Sunday's Daytona 500, while the winner of the second 125-miler will start fourth.

Our New Favorite Drivers

Dave Marcis He races with a limited budget, but with unlimited racing knowledge. The 58-year-old independent driver from Wisconsin will try to make his 33rd Daytona 500 field, which would break Richard Petty's record. Marcis' streak has been in serious jeopardy in recent years, but he has always found a way to finish in the top 15 of one of the Twin 125-milles, which ensures a place in the race.

Bandwagon

Dale Jarrett No slippage Jeff Gordon Couldn't hold Shootout lead David Green Jackie-Joyner-Kersee-owned team withdrew 500 entry Joe Nemechek Fastest in Monday practice Monday speeds Up significantly from last week The Bottom Line Tension, tension Some of the most tense moments of the week will come on Tuesday. Teams begin to realize that only two short practices separate themselves from Thursday's Twin 125s, which determines who hangs around for the weekend and who makes the long trip up I-95.   Related information Stats Truck Schedule Multimedia Visit Multimedia Central for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV. Copyright © 2000 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.