Mopar Speed news 2005-02-21

Mopar Speed
Monday, February 21, 2005

NCTS

Musgrave Battles Back for Fifth-Place Finish in Dodge Dealers 250 at Daytona

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season got off to a wild start last Friday night, but when the dirt settled (yes, dirt) a Dodge Ram sat in the winner's circle and Ted Musgrave and the No. 1 Ultra Motorsports Mopar team had earned a fifth-place finish in the Dodge Dealers 250. Musgrave battled through several close calls, a blown tire and a last lap crash to earn his second best finish in an NCTS start at Daytona International Speedway. The race also marked Musgrave's 100th NCTS start.

Musgrave qualified 35th and lay low all night in an attempt to avoid the proverbial "big one" that Daytona International Speedway is known for. A last lap crash narrowly missed taking Musgrave out of contention, but the veteran was able to go low and avoid the melee. Musgrave's strong fifth-place finish marks the first time in several years that the team isn't facing a deficit early on in the season.

Jimmy Spencer, Musgrave's Ultra Motorsports teammate, and the No. 2 Team ASE Dodge Ram team claimed what they thought was their first victory of the season. Spencer and fellow Dodge driver Bobby Hamilton were battling on the last lap when an accident froze the field. Spencer was directed into the winner's circle when NASCAR, upon further review of the caution flag, awarded the victory to Hamilton. Spencer was credited with a second-place finish.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will return to action this weekend with the Auto Club 200 at the California Speedway in Fontana. Live coverage of the event will begin on Speed Channel at 9 p.m. EST.

"Wow. It's like the WWF. Every time the Craftsman Truck Series shows up here in Daytona the fans get their money's worth, that's for sure. But, it sure takes a toll on equipment. I was ready to go behind Jimmy [Spencer] with about 40 [laps] to go. Unfortunately, I blew a tire and couldn't keep up. So, I got a lap down, got my lap back and got a top-five finish out of it. That's pretty good for Ultra Motorsports. I'm really happy. It's a good points day for us."

NHRA

Richie Stevens will attempt to put his Team Mopar Dodge Stratus R/T in victory lane as NHRA Pro Stock competition resumes this weekend in Arizona.

Team Mopar's NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Series triple threat will be back in action this coming weekend at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Ariz. J&J Racing's Allen Johnson, alongside Don Schumacher Racing's Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Richie Stevens will return to the cockpit of their respective machines as they make a run at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals title. The three drivers will enter the event fresh off strong performances in the series' opener at Pomona Raceway in California just two weeks ago.

NHRAFC

Scelzi, Bazemore, Capps Shoot for Wins at Upcoming Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals

Team Mopar and Don Schumacher Racing's NHRA POWERade Funny Car pilots will be gunning for a chance at the event title at this weekend's Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals. After posting three strong qualifying efforts in Pomona, Calif., Gary Scelzi, Whit Bazemore and Ron Capps will look to advance through the brackets to pick up the event win. Scelzi, who posted his best career ET and speed during eliminations in Pomona, will also be looking to muscle his way to a new record at Firebird Raceway. Bazemore will look to add to his strong showing at Pomona, where he advanced to the semifinals.

Whit Bazemore, who advanced to the semifinal round of NHRA Funny Car competition at the Winternationals in Pomoma, Calif., will join teammates Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps as they set their sights on victory in Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals this weekend.

WOO-LN

Steve Francis was impressive in competition early last week at Volusia Speedway Park, but encountered trouble on Thursday and Friday in the WoO Late Model season-opening event.

Steve Francis and the No. 15 team headed into Florida's Volusia Speedway Park on quite a roll, looking to capture the World of Outlaws Stacker 2 Late Model Series season opener. The team was carrying the momentum of three event titles with them as they approached the six-day-long event. While the first three days of action proved to be great for the No. 15 team, the final three saw them fall victim to hard racing luck.

Francis was fast from the start, picking up three top-five finishes in the first three nights of action. The No. 15 finished third, fourth and fourth in UMP Late Model action held Feb. 14-16. "The Kentucky Colonel" won a heat race and started second in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-main feature event on Feb. 17, where he was spun in an altercation with another car and relegated to a 17th-place finish. The team's luck continued to deteriorate in UMP Late Model competition on Feb. 18, as the No. 15 lost a rear end to end their night with a 15th-place finish in the A-main. The final night of racing saw Francis earn a 14th-place finish in World of Outlaws Late Model Series action, after an engine fire.

Francis and the No. 15 World of Outlaws Stacker 2 Late Model Series will resume action on April 8-9, as the series heads north. The series will compete at Allengheny County Speedway in Maryland on April 8, and at the Virginia Motor Speedway near Richmond on April 9.

WOO

Lasoski Ready to Kick Up Some Dirt as WoO Sprint Competition Resumes

Danny "The Dude" Lasoski and the No. 20 Tony Stewart Motorsports team will continue its hunt for the 2005 World of Outlaws Sprint Series Championship this coming weekend in California. The series is set for action at the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., on Friday, and the Bakersfield Speedway in Bakersfield, Calif., on Saturday.

World of Outlaws Sprint racing action from the Tulare Thunderbowl and Bakersfield Speedway can be seen on The Outdoor Channel on March 9 and March 16. Both races will be shown at 8 p.m. EST.

Danny Lasoski looks to claim his first win of the season in the World Of Outlaws Sprint Series, when action resumes this Friday at Tulare, Calif., and Saturday at Bakersfield, Calif.

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