43 guys, 43 teams

Sporting News, The, Oct 7, 2005 by Lee Spencer

BUSCH DISH

After Jason Leffler's dismissal from his Joe Gibbs Racing Nextel Cup ride, Braun Racing wasted no time picking him up for the No. 32 Busch ride. "Leffler is a veteran who has been around a long time and communicates well with crew chief Todd Lohse," team owner Todd Braun says. "I am confident we will compete for wins this year and lay the groundwork for a championship run next year." Leffler's third-place finish at Dover was his best in nine starts with Braun.

Ellliott Sadler will gel additional Busch Series seat time at Kansas, Charlotte, Texas and Homestead in the No. 90 CitiFinancial Ford operated by Robert Yates Racing. In last week's reorganization at RYR, Raymond Fox III was appointed crew chief for the No. 90 car. Sadler is expected to run additional Busch companion races in 2006. * Erin Crocker will compete full time next year in the No. 6 Evernham Motorsports Dodge in the Busch Series. Crocker made her NBS debut earlier this month at Richmond. She qualified 42nd and finished 39th. She also will race at Charlotte, Texas and Homestead this season. * Todd Kluever, 27, the leading rookie in the Craftsman Truck Series, will graduate to one of Roush Racing's Fords in the Busch Series next year. The sponsor and car number have yet to be determined. * Steve Darne will remain interim crew chief for owner Rusty Wallace's No. 64 Dodge. If all goes well, Dame could secure the job full time next season. Jamie McMnrray is expected to drive 22 to 25 races in the car next year unless he is released by Chip Ganassi Racing and moves to Roush Racing. Wallace's son Stephen will drive the remainder of the races. * Dale Earnhardt Jr. has found a home in Mooresville, N.C., for JR Motorsports, where he will field cars for driver Mark McFarland with sponsorship from the Navy.

TRUCKS DISH

Bobby East shouldn't be disappointed about missing the first two trucks races he attempted to qualify for. East, the 2004 U.S. Auto Club national midget champion, and Cup points leader Tony Stewart were two of the drivers who didn't make the 36-driver field at Richmond. East has a bright future and is one of the latest additions to Ford Racing's development program. East, 20, will continue working with Roush Racing in the CTS. * Back-to-back victories in the No. 5 Toyota at Bristol and Richmond gave Mike Skinner 18 career Craftsman Truck Series wins and the first series victories for team owner Bill Davis and crew chief Jeff Hensley. More important, Skinner jumped from eighth to fourth in points. * Veteran crew chief Tony Furr already is working his magic with Chad Chaffin at Jeff Wyler Racing. The No. 60 Toyota made its debut in June at Milwaukee, and Chaffin posted his first top 10 with the team this month at New Hampshire. Chaffin had four top 10s in the No. 30 Germain Racing Toyota earlier this year. * Shawn Parker has taken over as crew chief for Deborah Renshaw on the No. 8 Dodge. * Robert Pressley tested the No. 59 HT Motorsports truck earlier this month at Atlanta in preparation for the race on October 29. Pressley says the track hasn't changed despite the damage done by a July 6 tornado. * Stephen Wallace, who's 18 and the son of Rusty, is expected to make his trucks debut later this year at Phoenix in a Dodge prepared by Ultra Motorsports.