Kvapil reverts to form in Truck Series testing

If initial speeds are any indication, Travis Kvapil will have a successful return to the Craftsman Truck Series in 2007.

Kvapil, the 2003 NCTS champion who left the series after the 2004 season for Cup, posted the top-two speeds during the morning session of Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder on Friday, the first of three days of Truck testing.

Kvapil was the only driver to speed around Daytona International Speedway at 178 mph, with a top mark of 178.681 in the No. 6 Ford, the same Roush Racing truck Mark Martin took to Victory Lanes six times in 2006.

Kvapil had the fastest speed in the afternoon session, too, topping out at 186.521.

Fords posted the top-four speeds, with Roush Racing teammates Peter Shepherd and Erik Darnell coming in ahead of the first Toyota, which completed the top 10. Mike Skinner had a speed of 176.835.

Defending Truck champion Todd Bodine posted the 10th-fastest speed at 175.422 mph, which happened to be the top Dodge speed (Chase Miller).

Ron Hornaday Jr. topped Chevrolet at 175.165, at 14th-fastest one of only two Silverados in the top 20.

Toyotas held the 2-5 spots in the afternoon session, with rookie A.J. Allmendinger leading the way at 185.954, the only driver other than Kvapil to eclipse the 185 mph mark.

Mike Skinner posted his second top-five finish, while Kraig Kinser (sixth) and Chase Miller (seventh), signified an improved showing for Chevrolet and Dodge, respectively.

Ken Schrader, driving Bobby Hamilton Racing's No. 18 Dodge, recorded a speed of 183.064, ninth in the afternoon session.