Star search: Todd Kleuver won his ride in Roush Racing's version of a talent show, but he won't be satisfied if that's his only victory

Sporting News, The, April 22, 2005 by Lee Spencer

Four races into his NASCAR career, the most impressive entry on Todd Kleuver's resume is this one: Winner, Roush Racing Gong Show. Kleuver was plucked by Roush from 400 applicants to be one of 27 aspiring drivers to test at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He then became one of 10 finalists for a shootout at Darlington last fall.

Kleuver, 26, won the grand prize--an opportunity to drive in the Craftsman Truck Series. But competing in a division with so many former Nextel Cup drivers has been a challenge.

"Our season has been a roller coaster," says Kleuver, who has only a fourth-place finish at California, a 16th last week at Martinsville and two DNFs with what he says has been a top 10 truck at every track.

Though he's not winning races, Kleuver is working hard to win the veterans' respect. He believes that a little luck could turn his season around but had only bad luck last week when he was swept up in a four-car wreck on the third lap. Still, he found a way to battle back to 16th.

"He has a lot of desire to be the best," says Brad Parrott, a Roush crew chief on the Busch series. "He's at the shop every day and has worked closely with (teammate) Ricky (Craven) to learn as much as he can."

Kleuver also has taken advantage of other Roush resources--Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch and fellow Wisconsin driver Matt Kenseth--to accelerate his learning curve.

"Everything I can pick up and everything I can learn will only make this team stronger," Kleuver says. "Me and my guys have an excellent relationship. I feel I need to be at the shop. The crew will respect me more for that."

INSIDE DISH

When the Craftsman Truck Series rolls into St. Louis for an April 30 race, the top 30 drivers will be guaranteed starting positions. Although that's great for series regulars, the final six drivers must qualify for the race based strictly on time. "I think it hurts some of the new guys coming in," says David Starr, who understands the challenge of breaking into a series driving inferior equipment. The first four races relied on last year's owners points in determining the 30 guaranteed spots. > A fresh start at Darrell Waltrip Motorsports has given Robert Huffman an opportunity to shine. Huffman, 37, jumped in the No. 12 Toyota truck after Innovative Motorsports went under last year. With David Reutimann as a teammate and Glenn Funderburk as his crew chief, Huffman is 13th in points after finishing 23rd last season. He's positioning himself to move up Toyota's motorsports ladder. > Say it isn't so, Bobby! Defending truck champ Bobby Hamilton says next year will be his last--if he can find the fight driver to replace him. That will be tough considering Hamilton's performance: The 47-year-old owner-driver is leading in points and won his fifth career CTS pole last weekend. > Three-time series champ Jack Sprague has been gimping around on crutches since February 23 after falling from a ladder and breaking his heel. He's still ninth in points, and the cast is expected to come off later this month. > Matt Crafton admits Kevin Harvick provided him with competitive equipment last year, but having a full-time teammate in USAC champ Tracy Hines is a bigger advantage. Two drivers give Crafton's new team, ThorSport Racing, twice the information Crafton had last season.

TSN's POWER POLL

             1. Bobby Hamilton The
                champ maintains the points lead,
                but Craven, Hornaday and
                Musgrave are coming up fast in
                his rearview mirror.
             2. Ricky Craven
             3. Ron Hornaday
             4. Ted Musgrave
  [up arrow] 5. Todd Bodine
[down arrow] 6. Jimmy Spencer
             7. Jack Sprague
             8. Matt Crafton
             9. Johnny Benson
            10. Terry Cook