Five teams from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series turned up for a two-day test session at the newly reopened Rockingham Speedway.
Johnny Benson, driver of the No. 23 Exide Batteries Toyota Tundra was the most experienced driver at Rockingham Speedway participating in the test. The 2002 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rockingham race winner was back at the speedway to test new engine components for his truck and to work on different set-ups that are more time consuming to try during a race weekend.
Four time Truck Series race winner, David Starr tested his Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra at Rockingham to help reacquaint himself with his old team – the team he also raced for during the 2006 season.
Three Truck Series rookies also joined the two veterans during over the two day period. Justin Marks attended the test driving for Germain Racing, Phillip McGilton driving the No. 22 for Bill Davis Racing and Donny Lia driving the No. 59 Harris Trucking entry all turned numerous laps in their Toyotas. All three drivers were excited to get the opportunity to run laps at the fast, one-mile track.
Donny Lia – No. 59 Harris Trucking Toyota
Driver Quotes
“I really like Rockingham; it’s a lot of fun. I like the bumps and the speed and the banking – I am really enjoying it.”
“We’re just making changes set-up wise so I can get a feel of what different things do to the feel of the truck and so I can get accustomed to the way these things drive.”
“We are running really good but everybody is trying different things I know some are running with next year’s power packages and everyone’s got different tires so I don’t think you can really compare the times here today. But throwing the times away and just looking at how the truck feels and what we’ve learned I am really happy with today and it is really valuable for me to come and run laps, this place is so cool I’m really enjoying it.”
Lia tests the #59 Toyota at The Rock. (Rockingham Speedway Photo)
