1994–95 NASCAR SuperTruck Series exhibition races

In 1994 and early 1995, seven non-championship demonstration races for the newly-born NASCAR SuperTruck Series were held. The races were broadcast during coverage of the Winter Heat Series[1] and were held on tracks primarily based on the West Coast of the United States, featuring four to five trucks each.[2] The series helped begin the careers of future NASCAR drivers like Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Matt Crafton, and Ron Hornaday Jr.[3]

Another exhibition race was held at the Homestead Motorsports Complex at the end of the 1995 season called the NASCAR Supertruck 25, though not as a Winter Heat race.[4]

Supertruck Mesa Marin 20

1994 Supertruck Mesa Marin 20
Race details
DateJuly 30, 1994 (1994-07-30)
LocationMesa Marin Raceway, Bakersfield, California
CoursePermanent racing facility
.5 mi (.8 km)
Distance20 laps, 10 mi (16.09 km)
Average speed81.818 mph (131.673 km/h)
Pole position
Driver
  • Craig Huartson
Bruce Huartson Race Team
Most laps led
DriverP. J. Jones
Dave Ashley
Vestar Motorsports
Dick Landfield Enduro Racing
Laps7
Winner
No. 1P. J. JonesVestar Motorsports

The race was run as a support event to the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour.[5]

Craig Huartson, a NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series driver,[6] won the pole for the race with a lap speed of 91.227 miles per hour (146.816 km/h). After leading the first lap, he lost the lead to offroad racer Dave Ashley,[7] who led for seven laps before relinquishing it to Rob MacCachren. MacCachren would lead until lap 13, when P. J. Jones claimed first, and led for the remainder of the race, beating Gary Collins by 15 seconds.[8] Jones won the race in a Ford, though the team switched to Chevrolet for the next race after General Motors offered the team a technical package.[9]

Race results

Race results
PosGridCarDriverTeamManufacturerLaps RunLaps Led
141P. J. JonesVestar MotorsportsFord207
2512Gary CollinsVenable RacingFord200
3321Rob MacCachrenVenable RacingFord205
418Craig HuartsonBunce Huartson Race TeamChevrolet201
522Dave AshleyDick Lanfield Enduro RacingFord207
Source:[8]

Supertruck Portland 20

1994 Supertruck Portland 20
Race details
DateAugust 19, 1994 (1994-08-19)
LocationPortland Speedway, Portland, Oregon
CoursePermanent racing facility
.5 mi (.8 km)
Distance20 laps, 10 mi (16.09 km)
Average speed81.818 mph (131.673 km/h)
Pole position
Driver
  • Craig Huartson
Bruce Huartson Race Team
Most laps led
DriverRob MacCachrenVenable Racing
Laps20
Winner
No. 21Rob MacCachrenVenable Racing

The race, run as an undercard to the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series, was sold out.[5][10]

After starting second, Rob MacCachren led all 20 laps of the race.[11]

Race results

Race results
PosGridCarDriverTeamManufacturerLaps RunLaps Led
1221Rob MacCachrenVenable RacingFord2020
2512Gary CollinsVenable RacingFord200
361P. J. JonesVestar MotorsportsFord200
438Craig HuartsonBunce Huartson Race TeamChevrolet200
512Dave AshleyDick Lanfield Enduro RacingFord200
6411Mike HurlbertRPM RacingFord200
Source:[11]

Supertruck Saugus 20

1994 Supertruck Saugus 20
Race details
DateSeptember 10, 1994 (1994-09-10)
LocationSaugus Speedway, Saugus, California
CoursePermanent racing facility
.33 mi (.53 km)
Distance20 laps, 6.7 mi (10.78 km)
Average speed54.38 mph (87.52 km/h)
Pole position
DriverVenable Racing
Most laps led
DriverGary CollinsVenable Racing
Laps15
Winner
No. 12Gary CollinsVenable Racing

The race, held as part of a Featherlite Southwest Tour race weekend,[7] featured a sellout crowd of 6,308.[12]

Gary Collins led the entire race. Originally scheduled for 20 laps, the race was cut by five laps after an incident on lap 14 and after the caution started to rain;[13] P. J. Jones, who was in second, backed his Ford into the wall between turns 3 and 4.[12] At the same time, it began raining at the track which led the race to be the first ever Truck series event shortened due to rain. As a result, the race ended under caution. Craig Huartson did not finish the race when his engine failed after completing four laps.[13]

Race results

Race results
PosGridCarDriverTeamManufacturerLaps RunLaps Led
1112Gary CollinsVenable RacingFord1515
2311Mike HurlbertRPM RacingFord150
321P. J. JonesVestar MotorsportsFord150
448Craig HuartsonBunce Huartson Race TeamChevrolet40
Source:[13]

Supertruck Tucson 20

1994 Supertruck Tucson 20
Race details
DateSeptember 24, 1994 (1994-09-24)
LocationTucson Raceway Park, Tucson, Arizona
CoursePermanent racing facility
.375 mi (.604 km)
Distance25 laps, 9.4 mi (15.13 km)
Pole position
DriverSpears Motorsports
Most laps led
DriverRon Hornaday Jr.Spears Motorsports
Laps14
Winner
No. 75Ron Hornaday Jr.Spears Motorsports

Mike Hurlbert failed to start the race. After Gary Collins led the first lap, P. J. Jones, Ron Hornaday Jr. and Rick Carelli each led for one lap until Jones inherited the lead on lap 5. Craig Huartson led lap 6 before Jones reclaimed first, leading for three laps. Huartson retook the lead on lap 10, but relinquished it to Rob MacCachren on lap 11, who led two laps before Hornaday passed him for first. Hornaday led the final 13 laps to win the race.[14]

Race results

Race results
PosGridCarDriverTeamManufacturerLaps RunLaps Led
1175Ron Hornaday Jr.Spears MotorsportsChevrolet2514
231P. J. JonesVestar MotorsportsFord255
3212Gary CollinsVenable RacingFord251
456Rick CarelliChesrown RacingChevrolet251
548Craig HuartsonBunce Huartson Race TeamFord252
6621Rob MacCachrenVenable RacingFord252
7711Mike HurlbertRPM RacingChevrolet00
Source:[14]

Supertruck Winter Heat 200 No. 1

1994 Supertruck Winter Heat 200 No. 1
Race details
DateNovember 20, 1994 (1994-11-20)
LocationTucson Raceway Park, Tucson, Arizona
CoursePermanent racing facility
.375 mi (.604 km)
Distance200 laps, 75 mi (120.7 km)
Average speed74.324 mph (119.613 km/h)
Pole position
DriverChesrown Racing
Most laps led
DriverRick CarelliChesrown Racing
Laps107
Winner
No. 6Rick CarelliChesrown Racing
Television in the United States
NetworkTNN

The race, along with the next two, were broadcast nationally by The Nashville Network[15] as part of the Winter Heat program, an eight-week series featuring both the SuperTrucks and the Winston West Series.[16] Former San Francisco 49ers kicker Mike Cofer, who had won on the regional Southwest Tour, was initially scheduled to run the race but did not.[17]

Mike Skinner led the first 62 laps of the race; halfway through his run, a caution for debris was called on lap 32. Rick Carelli and Skinner traded the lead on laps 64 and 65 before the former led 79 straight laps. The No. 54 of Steve McEachern spun on the frontstretch on lap 86, bringing out the second caution of the day. On lap 137, T. J. Clark crashed in turn two to force a third caution. Shortly after the green flag wove on lap 143, Ron Hornaday Jr. took the lead, leading for 24 laps before relinquishing it to Carelli. The two battled for first until lap 176, when Carelli held on to the position for the final 25 laps to win.[18]

Dave Ashley failed to start the race. Off-road racer Robby Gordon suffered an engine failure on lap 53, while Mike Hurlbert and T. J. Clark had rear end and suspension problems on laps 86 and 127, respectively.[18]

Race results

Race results
PosGridCarDriverTeamManufacturerLaps RunLaps Led
166Rick CarelliChesrown RacingChevrolet200107
281P. J. JonesVestar MotorsportsFord2000
3575Ron Hornaday Jr.Spears MotorsportsChevrolet20030
449Dirk StephensButch StevensChevrolet2000
5318Johnny BensonRoehrig MotorsportsChevrolet1990
61421Gary CollinsVenable RacingFord1990
7938Sammy SwindellAkins-Sutton MotorsportsFord1990
813Mike SkinnerRichard Childress RacingChevrolet19963
928Craig HuartsonBunce Huartson Race TeamChevrolet1980
10712Rob MacCachrenVenable RacingFord1970
111054Steve McEachernMcEachern RacingChevrolet1970
121220Walker EvansWalker Evans RacingDodge1970
131123T. J. ClarkClark RacingFord1960
141311Mike HurlbertRPM RacingFord1270
151506Robby GordonUltra MotorsportsFord860
16162Dave AshleyUltra MotorsportsFord00
Source:[18]

Supertruck Winter Heat 200 No. 2

1994 Supertruck Winter Heat 200 No. 2
Race details
DateDecember 11, 1994 (1994-12-11)
LocationTucson Raceway Park, Tucson, Arizona
CoursePermanent racing facility
.375 mi (.604 km)
Distance200 laps, 75 mi (120.7 km)
Average speed76.444 mph (123.025 km/h)
Pole position
DriverSpears Motorsports
Most laps led
DriverMike SkinnerRichard Childress Racing
Laps106
Winner
No. 1P. J. JonesVestar Motorsports
Television in the United States
NetworkTNN

The second of the Winter Heat races, a competition caution was implemented to be flown at the race's halfway point on lap 100. Pole-sitter Ron Hornaday Jr. led the first 71 laps of the event. During his run, a caution was flown on lap 38 for Ken Schrader's slow truck. Hornaday gave up the lead to Mike Skinner on lap 72. Steve McEachern spun in turn 4 on lap 131 to force another caution, while the third and final yellow flag of the day occurred on lap 141 for debris. Skinner continued to lead until lap 177 when P. J. Jones passed him. Jones led the final 23 laps to win.[19]

Two drivers failed to finish the race: Kerry Teague's engine failed on lap 38, while Johnny Benson failed to start.[19]

Race results

Race results
PosGridCarDriverTeamManufacturerLaps RunLaps Led
151P. J. JonesVestar MotorsportsFord20023
2175Ron Hornaday Jr.Spears MotorsportsChevrolet20071
323Mike SkinnerRichard Childress RacingChevrolet200106
4116Rick CarelliChesrown RacingChevrolet2000
5621Mike ChaseVenable RacingFord2000
61312Tobey ButlerVenable RacingFord1990
7923T. J. ClarkClark RacingFord1980
8102Dave AshleyUltra MotorsportsFord1970
91520Walker EvansWalker Evans RacingDodge1970
10324Ken SchraderHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet1970
11806Mike BlissUltra MotorsportsFord1950
1248Craig HuartsonBunce Huartson Race TeamChevrolet1930
131231Gary BaloughGriffin RacingChevrolet1880
141611Mike HurlbertRPM RacingFord1820
15754Steve McEachernMcEachern RacingChevrolet1750
161451Kerry TeagueRosenblum RacingChevrolet380
17N/A18Johnny BensonRoehrig MotorsportsChevrolet00
Source:[19]

Supertruck Winter Heat No. 3 (1995)

1994 Supertruck Winter Heat 200 No. 3
Race details
DateJanuary 8, 1995 (1995-01-08)
LocationTucson Raceway Park, Tucson, Arizona
CoursePermanent racing facility
.375 mi (.604 km)
Distance200 laps, 75 mi (120.7 km)
Average speed66.043 mph (106.286 km/h)
Pole position
DriverUltra Motorsports
Most laps led
DriverRon Hornaday Jr.Spears Motorsports
Laps128
Winner
No. 3Mike SkinnerRichard Childress Racing
Television in the United States
NetworkTNN

In comparison to the first two Winter Heat races, the third was marred by cautions; six accidents occurred during the race. Butch Gilliland led the first ten laps of the race before Ron Hornaday Jr. took the lead, holding on for 91 laps. During Hornaday's run from laps 11–101, two cautions were flown: Bob Strait and Steve McEachern crashed in turn three on lap 39, while Craig Huartson spun in turn one on lap 59. The third caution, a result of Kerry Teague's truck spilling oil on the track, resulted in Hornaday losing the lead to Rick Carelli. He led until lap 149, when Mike Skinner took first. Two laps later, the Nos. 2 and 23 trucks of Dave Ashley and T. J. Clark were involved in a crash in turn one. The final caution period of the day came on lap 197 when Gilliland spun in turn four, forcing a green–white–checker finish and extending the race by four laps. Skinner led those laps to win the race.[20]

Of the 18 drivers competing, seven did not finish the race: T. J. Clark retired on lap 187 for overheating issues, P. J. Jones' brakes failed on lap 165, Tobey Butler and Teague both suffered engine problems on laps 100 and 99, respectively, Walker Evans' truck overheated on lap 73 and Strait and McEachern's crash forced both of them out of the race.[20]

Race results

Race results
PosGridCarDriverTeamManufacturerLaps RunLaps Led
133Mike SkinnerRichard Childress RacingChevrolet20455
2475Ron Hornaday Jr.Spears MotorsportsChevrolet204128
326Rick CarelliChesrown RacingChevrolet20411
4518Johnny BensonRoehrig MotorsportsChevrolet2040
5931Gary BaloughGriffin RacingChevrolet2030
61838Sammy SwindellAkins-Sutton MotorsportsFord2020
7612Scott LagasseVenable RacingFord2020
8106Butch GillilandUltra MotorsportsFord20210
9172Dave AshleyUltra MotorsportsFord1980
101611Mike HurlbertRPM RacingFord1940
111123T. J. ClarkClark RacingFord1870
1278Craig HuartsonBunce Huartson Race TeamChevrolet1740
13101P. J. JonesVestar MotorsportsFord1650
14821Tobey ButlerVenable racingFord1000
151451Kerry TeagueRosenblum RacingChevrolet990
161520Walker EvansWalker Evans RacingDodge730
171237Bob StraitStrait RacingFord380
181354Steve McEachernMcEachern RacingChevrolet380
Source:[20]

NASCAR Supertruck 25 (1995)

1995 NASCAR Supertruck 25
Race details
DateNovember 4, 1995 (1995-11-04)
LocationHomestead Motorsports Complex, Homestead, Florida
CoursePermanent racing facility
1.5 mi (2.41 km)
Distance25 laps, 37.5 mi (60.35 km)
Pole position
DriverGrandaddy Racing
Most laps led
DriverMike SkinnerRichard Childress Racing
Laps12
Winner
No. 7Geoff BodineGeoff Bodine Racing

Following the end of the 1995 NASCAR SuperTruck Series season, the series held a 25-lap exhibition race at the newly-opened Homestead Motorsports Complex. At the time, the track resembled a smaller Indianapolis Motor Speedway and was praised by series champion Mike Skinner. As trucks weren't as aerodynamic as regular stock cars, he commented, drivers had to be more cautious entering the turns.[21]

Pole-sitter Jimmy Hensley led the first two laps before Skinner took the lead. Skinner led until lap 12, when the competition caution was waved, and Geoff Bodine claimed first. Bodine led for three laps, followed by Skinner leading for a lap, then Butch Miller for two laps. Bodine took the lead from Miller on lap 19, and led all but one of the final seven laps (Skinner led lap 22) to beat Skinner by 0.1 seconds.[4] Ernie Irvan, who had failed to qualify for the Busch Series race, finished third.[22]

The track was added to the 1996 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule as the opening race.[21]

Race results

Race results
PosGridCarDriverTeamManufacturerLaps RunLaps Led
147Geoff BodineGeoff Bodine RacingFord259
293Mike SkinnerRichard Childress RacingChevrolet2512
3228Ernie IrvanIrvan-Simo RacingFord250
4898Butch MillerLiberty RacingFord252
5130Jimmy HensleyGrandaddy RacingDodge252
676Rick CarelliChesrown RacingChevrolet250
7587John NemechekNEMCO MotorsportsChevrolet250
831Mike ChaseVestar MotorsportsChevrolet250
91063Ron EsauBunce EngineeringChevrolet250
10664Michael DokkenDokken RacingChevrolet200
Source:[4]

See also

References