Kyle Busch to Drive Trucks for Billy Ballew Motorsports

January 17, 2008


Billy Ballew Motorsports has announced the that NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Kyle Busch will run the majority of the companion 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the #51 Toyota Tundra, including the season opener February 15 at the Daytona International Speedway. 

Busch will be joined by another NASCAR Sprint Cup and 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. 

Coming off a successful 2007 race 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,” 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 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener February 15, 2008 at the Daytona International Speedway. Although times on single runs weren’t as strong on day one 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 Car of Tomorrow NASCAR 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, (NASCAR Sprint Cup car/ Craftsman Truck),” Busch said. “Yet they have some similarities, too. The grip level with the race track between here 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.”
 
Billy Ballew Motorsports is still actively seeking sponsorship for the No. 51 Toyota Tundra team driven by Kyle Busch and David Stremme for 2008.
 
The season opener if for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is slated for Friday, February 15, 2008 at the Daytona International Speedway. 

For more information on Billy Ballew Motorsports, Kyle Busch and David Stremme visit www.BillyBallewMotorsports.com, www.KyleBuch.com and www.DavidStremme.com.