Tracy Hines' best Busch finish in three 2005 starts was 19th, at Milwaukee. Credit: Autostock

Hines, Contreras to share No. 14 Busch ride

Mooresville, N.C. -- Tracy Hines will share driving duties in the No. 14 Dodge Charger with Carlos Contreras during the 2006 Busch Series.

Hines, a native of New Castle, Ind., has spent the past three years running in the Craftsman Truck Series. The 33-year-old Hines ran three Busch races in each of the past two years, with a career-best 17th-place finish at the Cabela's 250 at Michigan International Speedway in August '05.

"We are excited to have Tracy driving for us this year," FitzBradshaw co-owner Armando Fitz said. "He is a talented driver and will bring a wealth of experience from the Truck Series to FitzBradshaw."

Hines and teammate Joel Kauffman will both run for Busch Series rooke of the year honors in '06.

Prior to joining the NASCAR ranks, Hines spent six years in the United States Auto Club Series. From 1993-98, Hines had 14 victories, 57 top-fives, 88 top-10s and five poles.

In 1996, Hines was awarded the Most Improved Driver Award and finished second in the point standings. Three years in a row, Hines qualified for the Jack's Tool Rental Race of Champions.

Carlos Contreras has eight career Busch Series starts. Credit: Autostock

In '98, Hines was the only driver in the USAC Series to finish in the top-10 point standings for all three divisions: USAC National Midgets (fifth); USAC Sprint Car (10th); and USAC Silver Crown (10th). Hines was also named rookie of the year in the USAC Sprint Car Division in '98.

Contreras, a native of Mexico City, ran a limited schedule for FitzBradshaw Racing in 2005. In six starts for FBR, Contreras earned a season-best finish of 25th at the season-ending Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Contreras also earned an eighth-place starting spot during the inaugural Telcel Motorola 200 in Mexico City.