Truck Series undergoes change

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series may seem somewhat different in 2001 with drivers leaving the series, new drivers coming in, and visits to new tracks in store for next season.

There will be spots left open in the top-five in the points race with at least three and possibly four of the 2000 top-five finishers moving to other another series. This year's champion Greg Biffle will be off to run int he Busch Series for owner Jack Roush while his teammate, 2000 Truck Series Rookie of the Year and 2nd place finisher, Kurt Bush will make the move to Winston Cup. Andy Houston will also make the move to Winston Cup, and there is a possibility Mike Wallace may make a move also.

The Roush duo of Biffle and Busch dominated the 2000 season, enabling Roush to claim his first title in any NASCAR division, while also claiming second spot. Aside from Roush dominance, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series appeared to provide stiff and equal competition in the 2000 season. Two-time champion Jack Sprague and Joe Ruttman were able to find victory lane three times each during the season, and Houston and Wallace each claimed victory twice. Five other driver also had wins in 2000 with 24 drivers having top-five finishes.

"I think it's been a good season," said NASCAR Director of Operations Kevin Triplett. "I think the competition was raised a level." Biffle was expected to have a somewhate dominant season, but Busch's phenominal rookie season was more of a surprise. After witnessing Busch's success, many teams are looking to young, unproven drivers to fill voids. Case in point: Addington Racing. Travis Kvapil, a 24-year-old racer from Janesville, Wis., has been named as the primary driver of the #60 CAT Rental Store Chevrolet. Kvapil has been impressive so far, especially by turning in the fastest lap on the first day of a two-day test at Darlington earlier this month.

Personnel at other shops has also been shaken up in the midst of "silly season." Dennis Setzer has been named the driver of the #46 Acxiom ride of Morgan/Dollar Motorsports as the team makes another change by switching to Chevrolet for the 2001 season. Also, enter another young driver. Rob Morgan will run at least 10 races next season in a second truck fielded by Morgan/Dollar.

Rick Carelli may be looking for a ride next season as team owner Dale Phelon may close up shop due to lack of sponsorship.

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