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DUNLAP: Picking The 2007 Craftsman Truck Series Champion
Written by: Ray Dunlap   
02/01/2007
Mooresville, NC
 
Will Toyota continue to dominate the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2007, or will the domestic manufacturers raise their games sufficiently to contend for the title? (Photo: Getty Images/Darrell Ingham) » More Photos

Last season race fans witnessed one of the craziest championship battles ever in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In a few days we will begin the lucky 13th season for the series. Our broadcast team welcomes Adam Alexander to the SPEED television crew.

As I began packing my bags for Daytona, a few questions came to mind about the upcoming 25-race season. While we will have to wait until almost Thanksgiving to find out the answers, here are a few things I would like to know�.

1. Will the Toyota brand dominate AGAIN in 2007? The development of their 2007 Camry and new Nextel Cup teams has definitely pulled resources away from the Truck teams. The driver line-up for Toyota is still hard to beat. Can the Detroit three step up to the battle?

2. Along the same lines: Will Todd Bodine become the first driver ever to successfully defend his title? The No. 30 team ripped off five wins in '05 and came out of the box with three victories early in '06. However, the second half saw a much less productive team. Was that a result of points racing, or the competition catching up to their level? The Germain Racing team put up a goose egg in the win column for 2005 champ Ted Musgrave. His wins per season since 2001 are 7-3-3-2-1-0. That is not a good trend.

3. Dennis Setzer joins the No. 75 Spears Manufacturing team. Both had a truly miserable 2006.
Setzer saw his eight-season winning streak come to an end, while the 75 Truck struggled with rookie Aric Almirola. Will the series' most veteran team benefit from a veteran driver?

The combination of Travis Kvapil and Roush Racing could be a potent force throughout the 2007 season. (Photo: Fastlines) » More Photos
4. Many pundits have proclaimed Roush Racing's hiring of Travis Kvapil the
greatest thing since pickles in a jar. The 2003 champion brings a "Steady Eddie" approach to a team that won six races with Mark Martin last year. That combination should be hard to beat. My next question is: Will Erik Darnell have a breakout year? The 2006 Raybestos Rookie of the Year may just be the next "first-time winner".

5. Circle Bar Racing becomes a two-truck team. Rick Crawford fell like a rock in the point standings the final three races of '06. Will the late addition of David Starr and Dennis Conner (26 career wins) be the right combination to take this team to the next level? Starr was outstanding on the short tracks last year and Crawford took over Mike Skinner's role as the king of flat tires.

6. Bill Davis Racing came very close to the title with Johnny Benson last year. However, crew chief Rick Ren left the team over the winter. Will JB and Trip Bruce pick up where the team left off? Mike Skinner's team is virtually unchanged and could be a contender. The No. 5 Truck seems to encounter a lot of bad luck. If the BDR teams don't break driveshafts, don't have flat tires and don't beat themselves, 2007 may be their year.

7. Now back to Rick Ren�my pick for the 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion is Ron Hornaday. Kevin Harvick Incorporated is finally going to be a contender. This, I believe, is partially due to an increase in funding from Chevrolet, partially because it takes time to build a team to championship form and partially because the addition of the No. 2 team will bring valuable information and support. I predict KHI will challenge Roush Racing for the most team victories in 2007.

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