Milwaukee: Mike Bliss preview

Bliss Behind Wheel for Ballew

Mike Bliss will be back in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this weekend behind the wheel of the No. 51 Miccosukee Resorts Toyota Tundra for the running of the Milwaukee 200 at the famed Milwaukee Mile. Bliss, who is the 2002 Craftsman Truck Series Champion, has eight starts at the Milwaukee Mile with one win, four top-five and six top-10 finishes. Billy Ballew Motorsports best finish in eight starts was 11th in 2002 with Rich Bickle. Together Bliss and Ballew would like to change that and bring home a win at the historic one-mile track.

"I'm excited to race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series again," Bliss said. "I really enjoy driving in the truck series; there is a lot of competition out there and they are a lot of fun to drive. The No. 51 Miccosukee Resorts Billy Ballew Motorsports team looks to have the truck to beat this season and I'm really looking forward to seeing what we can do this week in Milwaukee. I like Milwaukee, I've had some success at the track and hope to bring home a strong finish for Billy Ballew and keep him up there in the Owners Points Championship standings. Milwaukee is a very flat track and produces some great races. It has long corners and it's really important to get your truck turning through the corners."

Bliss currently drives for James Finch in the No. 1 Miccosukee Resorts and Gaming NASCAR Nationwide Series car.

"Mike (Bliss) is a former Champion in the Craftsman Truck Series," team owner Ballew said. "His success in the truck series is phenomenal and we are very fortunate to have him behind the wheel this weekend. I have to thank James Finch who has become a big part of the program this year and Miccosukee Resorts to allow their NASCAR Nationwide Series driver to come and compete with us in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race."

Ballew sits just eight points out of the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owner's points Championship lead with the No. 51 Toyota Tundra behind Gail Davis with the No. 23 Craftsman Truck.

-credit: bbm