Kyle Busch, Stremme to share No. 51 truck in 2008

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Billy Ballew Motorsports officially announced the 2008 driver lineup for the No. 51 Toyota Tundra in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Kyle Busch will run the majority of the Cup Series / Truck Series companion races, including the season opener Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Busch will be joined by Nationwide Series driver David Stremme, who will pilot the No. 51 in several events. Another driver will be announced later for the events that are possible conflicts with both Busch and Stremme's schedules.

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Coming off a successful 2007 season where Busch posted two wins and a close second after a green-white-checkered finish at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, the team heads into 2008 with high expectations for a championship run.

"We are really excited to have Kyle Busch with us again," team owner Billy Ballew said. "Kyle has been a part of this team since 2005 and continues to be a major part of this team. We are looking forward to the addition of a new member to the Billy Ballew Motorsports family -- David Stremme will also be driving the No. 51. With both drivers we know we will be a factor week in and week out.

"We had a sponsor contract that did not materialize, but we are even more committed to our goal which is to win the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series owner championship. With the talent of the drivers we have slated behind the wheel, I am confident we will rebound and be able to lock in a sponsor."

Busch just finished two full days of testing for the Craftsman Truck Series at Daytona International Speedway. Although times on single runs weren't as strong on Day 1 of the test, the team was able to gain momentum in the draft both Friday and Saturday at the famed 2.66-mile tri-oval. Crew chief Richie Wauters and Busch worked on the truck to gain speed on the track.

"We struggled at first," Busch said. "But we are doing pretty well in drafting. We'll head back to the shop, look at the data and make the adjustments we need for the race."

Busch, who was fastest in the first round of testing in the Sprint Cup Series car in his new ride for Joe Gibbs Racing, noted some differences and similarities in the two machines.

"They're quite a bit different," Busch said. "Yet they have some similarities, too. The grip level with the racetrack between [Daytona] and Talladega is a lot different, and the Cup Series car and the truck both slide around here. You don't want to be too loose, because you can get sucked around and spun out. You also want to have a good-handling truck, though."