October 21st, 2008 
Journo If you’re not watching the Craftsman Truck Series, you’re not alone. Despite recent increases in television ratings, the series remains the most underrated, under-promoted series in NASCAR.
In recent years as the Nationwide Series became another place for Sprint Cup stars to show off their talents, the truck series picked up the role as the development series. The large number of small truck teams has allowed more young drivers the opportunity to get seat time competing with veterans like Ron Hornaday, Johnny Benson and Todd Bodine.
Likewise as the other series’ have become increasingly politically correct, the truck series remains a place where passions run deep, and where fireworks can and often do occur. For instance Loudon earlier this season saw a large brawl between the Germain Racing teams and the #11 of David Starr. Several guys were suspended and fined. While this does not happen every week, this is certainly not an isolated incident.
Despite the series’ defined role, it has become the ‘red-headed stepchild’ of NASCAR, relegated to SPEED Channel and forced to make due with the leftovers of the other series. What’s more, support has been scaled back or completely removed by two manufacturers. Dodge announced earlier this season that they would be pulling their money out of their one remaining team, BHR-VA. Perhaps more significant then this was Ford’s announcement that they would be pulling back some of their truck series support from Roush Fenway.
Despite the setback, Circle Bar Racing, one of three Ford truck teams, announced they would be back with the automaker next year. While there is current speculation that RFR might scale back its operation to one team, with the existence of a driver and sponsorship money, I find it hard to believe they would do that. Even if they do, it is likely they were planning on it before the announcement (Darnell is a possible to Nationwide, and the rent-a-ride status of the #09 makes it a strong candidate for removal). As far as the Dodge loss goes, not a big deal considering most teams had pulled out of their program prior to this season.
The question of a title sponsor still remains for the series. Since Craftsman announced they would not be returning in 2009, Camping World has emerged as the leading candidate to replace the company. While little has come out from NASCAR since Camping World initially said they were interested, it does not mean they aren’t working on this deal or another. As they say, no news is good news.
Today I read an article about how it was not likely the truck series would return after 2009. While an interesting idea, I would say the outlook for the truck series is not quite that bad. I realize this is an isolated story but it is things like this that make sponsors skittish. I have seen potential sponsors call their suitor ready to end a deal because of something they read online. Needless to say, I think, despite its problems, the truck series will be back after this season.
This weekend the truck series welcomes sixish (if you count Scott Speed and Chad McCumbee) Cup Series regulars; and they are certainly not the first to try their hand in the series this season. While I certainly hope it does not become the Nationwide Series, increased attention from Cup regulars means better ratings and better competition, and no one can say that is a bad thing.
In a series where truly anyone can win on any given Friday (or Saturday), and where there is a points battle still in full swing, the season is still not over. So If you’re looking for the best show this weekend don’t look to the main event on Sunday. Check out the truck series, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
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I know a lot of people don’t like the bushwackers, But at this point in time with the economy the way it is, it is healty for the truck and nationwide series to have the Cup stars drop in for a race or two. In todays market place it will bring revenue and possible sponsors to the series and drivers along with one hell of a race. Look at the attension kyle Bush brought to the series earlier this year. I don’t agree that Cup drivers should invade any series, but right now all of the series need a bit of a jump start.
Is Chevy still providing much factory support for truck teams? It seems like they have been pulling back over the last few seasons.
Trucks are the best racing of the top 3 They do not have to throw a caution to get a great finish.they need better prize money and more races.it seems like month between race harder to follow .they could run more small tracks in south and red states.people like to see crashes and truck do let you down.some of the cookie cutter tracks races are less them great but cup races at same tracks put you to sleep and if you want spice up the trucks put a diesel in them sweet!!!! I can dream can’t I
Forgot to add thanks for this great site I enjoy reading it
Been to all of the truck races at Daytona Speedweeks, starting w/ the inaugural Geoff Bodine Fireball Special, and I can tell you that w/o a doubt the trucks put on “the” best race in February year-in-year-out!!!
You are right when you say that the Craftsman Truck Series is the “Red-Headed Stepchild” of NASCAR. I really enjoy watching this series. I hope that it’s fan base grows in the coming years. Thanks for your info. I think that you are right on the money!
The trucks were started to mainly become the “short-track” series of NASCAR if I remember right, raced mainly on short tracks that had lost Busch races and featured races with no pit stops but a halfway break to keep costs down. Needless to say NASCAR moved it to bigger tracks in order to drain fans pockets more on CUP weekends.. Throw in Toyota coming in and throwing huge dollars around and the truck series was doomed to come down a few levels, I personally quit watching due to toyota being the main force and also the fact it’s no longer a short track series. I can’t see the truck series surviving past 2010-2011 even with a new sponsor unless they make some changes to make it cheaper for the teams. There is very little as far as major sponsors, mainly manufacturers and they are leaving or scaling back due to the economy, sooner or later even Toyota will scale back. The sad fact is there isn’t enough money to support 2 major series now, never really has been but worse recently. I look for the trucks to disappear like the old Grand American series unless they take some drastic steps including going back to more of a short track format AND putting together a better TV deal. NASCAR has another series, the modifieds, that they have neglected for years that puts on a GREAT show on the short tracks but you never see them except 2-3 times a year. With the push for so much NASCAR based TV wouldn’t it be better to show good racing rather than a bunch of guys discussing last weeks/this weeks race for hours on end……