Etc. ...
Rick Crawford (No. 14 Circle Bar/International Truck Ford) went to Martinsville Speedway in danger of failing to post a top-10 finish in the season’s first four races for only the third time in eight campaigns. Crawford, however, finished a solid fifth after claiming his sixth Keystone Light Pole. Crawford also slipped into the top 10 in points — a ranking he’s held after four races in all but three seasons since joining the series in 1997. “This is really special for us because we’ve taken a bruising the first part of the year,” he said. Crawford’s rebound also gave Ford a spot in the top 10 for the first time since Daytona’s opening race in February.
Crawford wasn’t the only member of the Circle Bar team enjoying a Martinsville finish. Teammate James Buescher (No. 10 International Maxx Force Diesel Ford), who celebrated his 19th birthday on March 26, was 11th and the highest-finishing Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender. “I think we should run better the next time we come back and see if we can get a top five or even a win,” said Buescher, who ran as high as second. J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 7 TRG Motorsports Chevrolet) finished two laps off the pace in 21st but maintains a four-point rookie lead over Buescher and Tayler Malsam (No. 81 One Eighty Toyota).
Mike Bliss (No. 40 Westerman Companies/StopRepairBills.com Chevrolet) became the eighth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver to compete in 200 races when he took the green flag at Martinsville. Bliss, who competed in the track’s first race in 1995, finished 15th.
The Kroger 250 marked the third time a Martinsville truck race has been run on a Monday due to inclement weather. Joe Ruttman won the first in 1995. The late Bobby Hamilton was the winner in 2000.
Chevrolet’s Martinsville victory snapped a four-race Toyota win streak dating to last year’s finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Toyota remains the Manufacturers’ Championship leader by six over Chevrolet. Ford is winless since Erik Darnell’s Michigan victory in June 2008. Dodge last went to Victory Lane one year ago in Martinsville. Chevrolet, Toyota and Ford occupied at least one spot in the Kroger 250’s top five.
In most seasons, Ken Schrader (No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Toyota) likely would be closing on double-digit racing starts. Monday’s race was the veteran’s first NASCAR appearance of 2009 and Schrader celebrated with a 10th-place finish.
Raybestos Rookie Standings after four races of the 2009 season:
1. J.R. Fitzpatrick 42
2. Tayler Malsam 38
3. James Buescher 38
4. Ricky Carmichael 37
5. Johnny Sauter 32
6. Chase Austin 16
7. Brent Raymer 12
8. Chris Jones 5
Up Next
Midwestern fans get their first close-up of the 2009 season when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series swings back into action on Saturday, April 25 at Kansas Speedway.
The race annually draws a huge crowd to the 1.5-mile Kansas City, Kan., facility which has crowned eight consecutive different winners. Ron Hornaday Jr. is the defending winner of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250.
Manufacturer Battle
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 2009 Manufacturers’ Championship Standings following race 4 of 25 at Martinsville Speedway:
Toyota 33
Chevrolet 27
Ford 16
Dodge 12
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