Ted Musgrave grew up racing on short tracks in Wisconsin. Credit: Autostock

Musgrave excited about Wisconsin homecoming

Truck Series champion's worst finish at Milwaukee Mile is fifth

Wisconsin native Ted Musgrave is looking for another happy homecoming when the Craftsman Truck Series visits the Milwaukee Mile for Friday night's Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200 (9 p.m. ET, SPEED).

	Ted Musgrave has led laps in three of his five visits to the Milwaukee Mile. Credit: Autostock
	Inside the Numbers Ted Musgrave at Milwaukee Race Start Finish Led 2001 3 1 30 2002 2 5 0 2003 8 4 13 2004 1 1 109 2005 5 3 0 NASCAR 24/7A day's worth of news in 90 seconds

In addition to being the only two-time winner at the historic mile at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Musgrave returns to his home state for the first time as series champion.

"I guess my home track would have to be the Milwaukee Mile," Musgrave said. "I raced up there quite often when I was 'cutting my teeth' in racing, more or less. I ran a lot in the Wisconsin area and when I go back to Milwaukee, there are a lot of fans, a lot of friends and some family that come out to the races."

How good has Musgrave been in the town known best for its beer and brats? In five career starts at the Milwaukee Mile, Musgrave has never started worse than eighth -- and never finished lower than fifth. With two victories and a pole position, Musgrave's success at Milwaukee is exceeded only by his runs at California, where he has three wins, and Gateway, where he's won twice.

"When I go to Milwaukee, I try to put a little extra effort into that race," Musgrave said. "I have won there a few times and sat on the pole there as well. Actually, I've run really decent there each and every year, so I'd have to say that it's definitely my 'home' track."

Musgrave's short-track career took him in and around Milwaukee. His father, Elmer, was a top driver for several decades, beginning in the 1950s. Musgrave credits his dad for instilling the need to understand his equipment by working on the cars in the garage area.

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On Saturday night, Musgrave will honor his father as Illiana Speedway in Schererville, Ind., hosts the Elmer Musgrave Memorial for the Champion Racing Association Late Models.

Milwaukee has also been kind to Jack Sprague. In 10 starts, Sprague has four poles -- including one last season -- a victory in 1996 and eight top-10 finishes.

Ron Hornaday has a win and six top-10 finishes there, while Brendan Gaughan, another former winner, has never finished worse than fifth in three starts.

Six drivers will attempt to pull double-duty at Milwaukee this weekend, running both the Truck and Busch race: Hornaday, Johnny Sauter, Mike Bliss, Mike Wallace, Erin Crocker and David Reutimann.