Roush names new truck driver

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 6, 2000) After sifting through hundreds of resumes and hosting three rounds of tryouts, Roush Racing has selected its newest member to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2001.

Chuck Hossfeld, 23 of Ransomville, N.Y., will succeed Greg Biffle, 2000 NCTS Championship points leader, and Kurt Busch, 2000 NCTS Rookie of the Year and runner-up points position contender, in one of the Roush Racing Ford F-150's.

Biffle and Busch will be moving to the NASCAR Busch Series and Winston Cup Series, respectively, in 2001, creating the opportunity for Hossfeld and one other "Gong Show" standout, yet to be named, to drive for one of the most dominant teams in all of NASCAR racing.

Hossfeld began his career behind the wheel at age 12 racing go-karts at Lancaster Speedway in suburban Buffalo, N.Y. At 17, Hossfeld made his stock car debut in the 1994 season-ending U.S. Open Street Stock race at Lancaster. He finished second in just his first race and since then has experienced a great deal of on track success.

Over the course of his career, Hossfeld has been crowned 1999 Spencer Speedway NASCAR Modified Champion, 1999 Lancaster Motorsports Park Modified Champion, 1999 Sunoco Race of Champions Winner, 1999 FOAR Score Asphalt Driver of the Year and 1997 New York State Modified Series Champion.

In 2000, Hossfeld has competed in two Hooter's Pro Cup events driving for owner and NASCAR Busch Series driver Randy Lajoie and 10 NASCAR Modified events. Hossfeld is anxious to move into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ranks and show the racing world just what is behind the nickname "Hotshoe."

"Getting the opportunity to tryout for Roush Racing was an honor in itself," said Hossfeld. "To actually get an offer to drive full-time is a dream come true. There is a lot of experience on the Roush Racing truck teams, and I'm really looking forward to working with and learning from everyone involved. Roush is by far the strongest team in the series and I hope to help keep it that way.

"I know I'm going to have the best equipment out there, so it's going to be up to me to get the job done. The guys have already set high goals for next year, but I set mine high as well so I believe this is going to be a great combination."

"We're excited to have Chuck joining our team," said Jack Roush. "He's proven he can drive a race car with the results he's had in the NASCAR modified series and the tryout he had with us. We put the drivers through a pretty rigorous test when we audition them, and the driver selected definitely has the skills to drive at the Craftsman Truck Series level. I believe Chuck is going to have a highlighted career with Roush Racing and I look forward to matching him up with a team, crew chief and sponsor that will win some championships."