Nothing keeps Showalter away from the Truck Series

DOVER, Del. -- Not a blown knee, a wedding or thoughts of greener pastures have kept Chris Showalter from missing a single Craftsman Truck Series race.

Sure you hear race fans and team members say, "I've never missed a race," but typically what that means is they've been to a lot of races.

When 34-year-old Showalter says he's never missed a race, the Ohio native means he has worked every single Craftsman Truck race in the history of the series -- 300 to be exact and it's a feat held by no other in the garage.

By the Numbers

The Craftsman Truck Series is celebrating its 300th birthday this weekend at Dover.

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Owen Kearns, senior manager of communications for the Truck Series, almost tied Showalter's milestone this weekend at the Dover International Speedway, however a heart attack prevented that from happening last year in October. He missed the Truck race in Atlanta.

"I wanted to go but the doctors wouldn't let me," Kearns said.

Every September, Showalter, a long-time crew chief, questions his tolerance and ability to toil through another strenuous season.

"I'll think about it and by the time Jan. 1 rolls around I'm ready to go back to the racetrack," he said. "Six to eight weeks and I'm ready to go back out."

The now crew chief for driver Kraig Kinser of the No. 47 Chevrolet says his loyalty stems from the love of the sport, great teams and the down-to-earth nature of the Truck Series, but more than that, racing is all he knows.

"I explored the Cup Series when I was with Joe Gibbs Racing and it just seemed like it was way too political so I stayed in the Truck Series plus my family is involved in the Truck Series."

And when Showalter says his family is involved in the Truck Series, the NASCAR die-hard means every member of his immediate family is employed by a Truck team, even his new wife of two years, Shannen Showalter. She keeps score.

Father Gary Showalter, 52, is the crew chief for the No. 40 Chevy at Key Motorsports, mother Cindy Showalter is also a score keeper for the team and younger brother Bobby Showalter, 26, is a shock manger.

"I love the Truck Series, because it's more family oriented. You can go to any team in the Truck Series and ask for something and get it," he said.

Although Showalter, whose start in racing began with a championship team in the American Speed Association division, has a built-in support group at the track every weekend, a few obstacles have threatened his perfect attendance. (Continued)