Trucks change bodies hoping to improve style

All four Craftsman Truck Series manufacturers -- Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota -- will debut revised versions of their popular vehicles when the 2007 season begins with the Chevrolet Silverado HD 250 on Feb. 16 at Daytona International Speedway.

The new models got their first workouts Friday as Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder testing continued at the 2.5-mile tri-oval.

So far, it appears the new trucks are passing the test.

"On the track [Friday], things are looking pretty good as far as parity," said Craftsman Truck Series director Wayne Auton, who explained that "the aerodynamics are closer, and the downforce is closer which will make for better competition on the racetrack."

All four models are identical from the windshield back, enabling NASCAR inspectors to use a single template to measure each one. Each manufacturer submitted a revised nose piece which is 1.5 inches higher than a year ago.

Several crew chiefs applauded the changes.

"I think that everybody's improved on it," said Mike Beam, crew chief of the No. 6 Roush Racing Ford that will be driven this season by 2003 Craftsman Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil. "I think this is the first year I've seen NASCAR really work hard to make the trucks equal and put it back on the team for hard work [and] get rewarded for it."

Beam will build on last year's success that included six victories by Mark Martin -- one in the season opener at Daytona.

Rick Ren, newly appointed crew chief for Ron Hornaday Jr., likes the trucks' potential. He was a five-time winner in 2006 with Johnny Benson.

"You're going to have to do some chassis tuning for the aero package," said Ren, a winner in the series with four different drivers. "This package is quite different on the front aero than what any of us are used to. This is a deal where I think whoever strikes up on a combination the quickest is going to get a jump on the field."

The new trucks also appear quicker.

"So far we're faster this year than we were last year at the same time," said Jeff Hensley, crew chief for Mike Skinner's No. 5 Toyota. "Things seem to react real good out there, too. It's different but it's different for everybody. I think we should be fine."

You can't tell the players without a program

Many teams will be the same as a year ago but in several cases their numbers won't.

Red Horse Racing will make its third switch in three seasons as series rookie Aaron Fike will carry the No. 1. The team's Toyota was No. 11 in 2006 and No. 38 in 2005.

Other number changes include Darrell Waltrip Motorsports, from No. 17 to 00; Wood Brothers/JTG, from No. 20 to 09; Bill Davis Racing, from No. 22 to 36; Morgan-Dollar Motorsports, from No. 85 to 47 and MRD Motorsports, from No. 06 to 8.

Bobby Hamilton Racing down but not out

Shortly before he died on Jan. 7, the 2004 series champion Bobby Hamilton told his race teams they should move forward regardless of the outcome of his battle with cancer. Both Chase Miller and Ken Schrader were among the first drivers on the track Friday.

Schrader's crew chief, Jeff White, said the past few days have been tough and coming to the track "is the best medicine we could have asked for. He would want us to be here and be competitive. I think several of us felt him kicking us in the rear during the first practice. It's our job to carry on the dream he built for us."

Said Todd Bodine: "There's definitely an empty spot in the garage but he was one of those racers that would kick us all in the butt if we didn't come down here and have fun and go racing -- and go to the bar and just raise a toast for him one more time. That's what we're going to do."