(AP Photo/Jon Pierre Lasseigne)
As someone who was introduced to Ron Hornaday on the flat 1/3 mile Saugus Speedway, it is hard to believe that he has yet to win at Martinsville. Hornaday is known for his touch on the short, flat tracks on the Camping World Truck Series circuit, yet he hasn’t taken the checkers at the ‘Paperclip’, where the straights have no banking and the turns have a meager twelve degrees.
In March, Hornaday came as close as a driver could to winning, without taking the checkers. His owner and sometime competition, Kevin Harvick, won the first race of the 2009 season at Martinsville.
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for fans who enjoy mano-y-mano racing, Harvick is once again racing in the Martinsville truck race this Saturday afternoon. Hornaday will have a chance to make up for March’s second place finish. The real question is whether Harvick has gotten over the dramas associated with Gateway, Loudon, and rival Matt Crafton. Harvick hasn’t run a truck since issuing payback and tearing up his own driver for going for the best finish possible.
Hornaday returns to action in the Camping World Truck Series with a comfortable 197 point lead over Matt Crafton. Mike Skinner sits in third, back by 255, and Brian Scott and leading rookie contender, Johnny Sauter round out the top five. Sauter jumped up two positions after his win in Vegas last month.
If there ever was a track that showcases truck racing, Martinsville has to be it. This track provides a gladiatoresque setting - possibly topped only by Bristol - for the trucks to roar back to life after a three-week break. With a wide variety of truck veterans, regulars, newbies, and Cup visitors, Martinsville should shape up to be an exciting fan-friendly way to full Saturday afternoon.
Coverage of the Kroger 200 from Martinsville starts at 12:30 ET on SPEED.
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Janelle is a native of Southern California who follows a variety of racing formats. She finds the competition between hard-driving veterans and rising stars in the NASCAR Truck Series some of the best in the top tiers of racing. Janelle has been published in print and online, covering topics in both sports and academics. She also serves as the Southern California Motorsports Examiner. Send Janelle an e-mail, and follow her on Twitter. Join the discussion at the NASCAR Truck Series Examiner Facebook page as well.
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