Kerry Earnhardt won the Bud Pole for his first career Craftsman Truck Series race. Credit: Autostock

Earnhardt to pilot No. 13 Chevy for ThorSport

SANDUSKY, Ohio -- Kerry Earnhardt has been signed as driver of the No. 13 ThorSport Racing Chevrolet for the 2006 Craftsman Truck Series season, beginning with Friday's Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona International Speedway.

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Earnhardt made two NCTS starts in 2005, earning the Bud Pole at Daytona in his series debut. He joins current ThorSport Racing driver Matt Crafton, who will continue his duties behind the wheel of the team's No. 88 Menards Chevrolet.

"We're proud to have Kerry as a part of the team for 2006 and beyond," ThorSport Racing owner Duke Thorson said. "We had Kerry up at the shop a couple of weeks ago and he met all of the guys and they all hit it off very well. We're excited to have him on board and we look forward to coming out of the box strong."

Crafton is excited about having Earnhardt as a teammate.

"I'm excited to have him as a teammate," Crafton said. "It's going to be a lot of fun to see what he can do in a good ride for a full season."

Shane Tesch remains as the crew chief of the No. 13 Chevrolet after working during the 2005 season with Tracy Hines. Sponsors for the effort will be announced at a later date.

Earnhardt is the oldest son of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt. He has made 68 starts in the Busch Series, with three top-five and six top-10 finishes. He picked up his best career Busch Series finish, second, at Kansas in 2002.

In addition, he has seven Cup Series starts with a best finish of 17th coming in 2005 at Talladega. His best finish in two Truck Series starts in 2005 was 17th, at Fontana. Both Earnhardt and Crafton will participate in the three-day Preseason Thunder test sessions leading up to the Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona on Feb. 17.