Trucks return to the track at Darlington

CONCORD, N.C. -- After almost a month off, it’s time to get trucking again in NASCAR.

			Robert Pressley

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will crank it up for the first time since the season opener in Daytona on Friday. The Craftsman Anniversary 200 at Darlington Raceway is the second of 23 races this season.

Daytona winner Robert Pressley said the teams are indeed ready to race.

“I know every time I call the guys at the shop they’re working hard,” Pressley said. “But I can tell in their voices that they are ready to get back after it. I’ll be ready to get back racing.

“It’s been a long break since we raced at Daytona. I know the guys have enjoyed the extra time to work on the trucks, but I think they’re ready to get back to the race track, too.”

This will be the second time the pickups will race at Darlington. In addition to Darlington’s history and lore, there's the tire-chewing asphalt of the 1.366-mile, egg-shaped oval for the drivers to tame.

Jack Sprague, the 2001 champion, set the qualifying mark of 162.878 mph (30.192 sec) last year. Bobby Hamilton won the rain-shortened race.

Pressley has two Darlington wins from his Busch Series days. He knows all too well what it takes to get to Victory Lane at that type of track.

“I like that place,” Pressley said. “It’s a driver’s type of track where you have to take care of your tires and drive the track, not the other guys out there with you. If you do a good job at it, then you have a chance to win.

“It’s that simple.”

One noteworthy addition to the field is Winston Cup regular Kevin Harvick. He’ll be racing in an unsponsored, self-owned No. 6 Chevy.

Former Winston Cup driver Jason Leffler's new home is behind the wheel of the No. 2 Team ASE/CARQUEST Dodge this year.

			Jason Leffler

"I'm really looking forward to racing at Darlington again," said Leffler. "I've competed at Darlington in NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series cars, so I have quite a bit of experience there. It's a totally unique racetrack.

“The tires wear out quickly, so you slide around a lot. I like Darlington because it's a driver's racetrack. It's going to be a lot of fun racing the truck there.

“I'm hoping my previous experience will help us be there at the finish."

Friday's race starts at 4:30 p.m. ET with live radio coverage on MRN. ESPN2 will show a taped broadcast Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.