Ron Hornaday is picked to be in the mix for the 2008 NCTS title. (Ronda Greer/NASCAR Photo) » More Photos

Storylines change as the season progresses but heading into Friday’s race, future series sponsorship, new teammates and an NFL player-turned-NASCAR-owner take center stage.

“The Craftsman brand of tools from Sears has been the Truck Series sponsor since 1995 when the division began,” Dunlap said. “Who will be the new sponsor? I am very sad to see Craftsman make the move. I have used their tools since I was nine years old and still believe they have a fantastic product. After 13 years, it will be very hard to not say ‘Craftsman’ when talking about the best racing in America. With some big shoes to fill, we are all very anxious to hear which company will take over the rough and tumble racers of trucks.”

Alexander likes what he sees in defending champion team Kevin Harvick Inc. since it added Jack Sprague this season.

“A great story is how smooth the transition has been for Ron Hornaday and that team following a title year,” he said. “They are as confident as ever. Hornaday leads the points with Sprague ninth and surging. They were 1-2 at Kansas, a first-ever for KHI, and it appears Sprague and crew chief Ernie Cope are starting to hit their stride.”

“Not only is Randy Moss the biggest story in the Truck Series, he’s the biggest story in NASCAR,” Voda added. “The NFL superstar is joining NASCAR but if you want to find him, you'll need to pay attention to the trucks. It happens a lot ... the truck series serving as the backdrop for NASCAR's biggest headlines.”

While the NASCAR garage and media discuss these headlines, there are a few flying under the radar with little or no mention.

“In the past few years, Toyota has had a significant horsepower advantage,” Dunlap said. “This year, it appears Pro Motors Engineering has Chevy back on top when it comes to power at the rear wheels. Also, Tundra drivers say they are at an aero-drag disadvantage. The other three manufacturers answer that with, ‘It’s about time!’”

“Road racer rage!,” Voda said. “While other NASCAR series are making headlines for harvesting drivers from the open-wheel ranks, the Truck Series has become a destination for road racers. Colin Braun and Andy Lally are veterans of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. Lally is a former three-time champion. Anyone who follows Grand-Am or American Le Mans Series (ALMS) racing knows that's no easy task and I'm excited to have these two guys and their skills in the Truck Series.”