The NASCAR Truck Series’ new name isn’t the only old-school change on the way.

The NASCAR Truck Series will return to its roots in more ways than one, with longtime and original series sponsor Craftsman returning as the circuit’s flagship sponsor.

In 1995, NASCAR launched what was initially called as the Craftsman SuperTruck Series. From 1996 through 2008, the Craftsman Truck Series was the title sponsor, before Camping World took over in 2009. Craftsman, as well as certain classic courses, will return as title sponsors in 2023.

The NASCAR Truck Series began as a distinct short-track series from the Cup Series.

Ken Schrader won the 1995 Scott Irvin Chevrolet/Craftsman 200 at the 1/3 mile Saugus Speedway.

It was the first and only SuperTruck Series race at the track.

With his victory, Ken became the first driver to win a race in the Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck Series. pic.twitter.com/wHjw8ynqti

— NASCAR Memories (@NASCARMemories) November 23, 2021

The Truck Series launched mostly on small tracks and traveled extensively outside of the Cup and Xfinity Series schedules. The 1995 season included 18 races on tracks one mile in length or less, and majority of those tracks were west of the Mississippi River, a side of the country largely unexplored by NASCAR at the time. The series, however, is currently held on tracks in Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, California, and Kansas.

The 1995 Cup Series calendar, on the other hand, had only two events in the country’s western half. Sonoma Raceway in northern California held a Cup Series race in May, while Phoenix Raceway in Arizona was the season’s concluding stop in late October.

Because of the nature of competition on small tracks, the Truck Series began to establish its identity in the sport with races on unique courses that featured close, violent racing. For years, the series visited North Wilkesboro Speedway, the Milwaukee Mile, and Indianapolis Raceway Park (later called Lucas Oil Raceway), until they all faded away.

The Truck Series evolved become mostly a support series for Cup Series racing weekends.

The Truck Series raced only twice at North Wilkesboro, which had hosted NASCAR races since 1949, until the whole sport withdrew the 0.625-mile North Carolina racetrack from its schedules after the 1996 season and went to intermediate facilities in major media centers such as Los Angeles and Dallas.

The 0.686-mile Indianapolis Raceway Park track had been a staple in the Xfinity Series since its inception in 1982, and the Truck Series had joined from 1995 to 2011 until the Xfinity Series moved to the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway across town to create a tandem weekend with the Cup Series at the massive facility. The Truck Series merely cut the race date, dropping from 25 to 22 races every season.

The Milwaukee Mile, one of the country’s oldest race tracks, was built in 1903 and previously held Xfinity Series events from 1984 to 1985 and again beginning in 1993. Beginning in 1995, the Truck Series joined in, and both ran at the historic track until 2009.

Every weekend, the Truck Series began to race at the same circuits as the Cup and Xfinity series. By 2014, the trucks have only competed in four events at tracks other than the Cup Series.

Since stock car racing originated predominantly on dirt tracks in the early days, the inclusion of a race at the Eldora Speedway dirt track in Ohio in 2013 attempted to help fill the hole. Eldora was off the Truck Series schedule from 2013 until 2019, despite the fact that the track has never run on dirt before. Knoxville Raceway in Iowa, which held a Truck Series race each of the last two seasons, is not on the calendar for 2023.

The Truck Series is pleased to welcome back IRP, North Wilkesboro, and the Milwaukee Mile.

Tough as they come. 👊

The 2023 Craftsman Truck Series schedule is here. pic.twitter.com/TBwL8IUISH

— NASCAR Camping World Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 14, 2022

Instead, the Truck Series has reclaimed a little portion of its former character. After kicking off the 2022 playoffs with a spectacular race at IRP, the series will return to the track in 2023. It will also compete the day before the Cup Series All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro in May.

In another unusual decision, the series will return to the Milwaukee Mile in late August to headline a weekend of racing alongside the ARCA Menards Series, which won a race there in 2021.

NASCAR has lost much of its heritage over the last two decades, and the closure of tracks like IRP and the Milwaukee Mile were clear indicators of the situation. Sure, there was more money in greater markets on larger circuits, but it also diluted what was previously unique and entertaining about the Truck Series, turning it into simply one of three races at the same venue as the other two series, which mainly had better famous drivers.

Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina is another track that NASCAR has abandoned and is now being repaved. The Truck Series raced there twice between 2012 and 2013, so “The Rock” could be the next old track to return to the NASCAR schedule.

If not, fans will be able to see racing at tracks they either remember from a long time ago or have heard about and will finally be able to see for themselves. In any case, it is a step in the right direction.

The best Fantasy Football 2022 additions for Week 13

Aaron Judge must sign somewhere. See a good analysis here

Aaron Rodgers provides a terrifying update on his rib injury.

The 76ers defeated the Hawks thanks to Joel Embiid’s decisive performance.

Rodgers & Love and their Financial Futures

Nascar News: Daniel Suarez Promises ‘Payback’ After Darlington Incident

NASCAR: Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez isn’t happy with another post-cup season racer. After making contact with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell on the South 500 schedule at Darlington, he promised to pay him back.

“I’ll bring him back whenever I need him,” Suarez said after the game when he was free. “I’m not saying it’s going to be Kansas or Bristol. But he certainly owes it to me, and I’ll save it for later.”

Suarez went on to say that he would decide when to repay and that contact should not happen. He said he was lucky to be able to continue after hitting the wall “very, very hard” and losing several positions at the end of the stage.

CONTACT!

Joey Logano passes multiple cars as Christopher Bell, William Byron and Daniel Suarez battle for position! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/iZLkT9V93l

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 5, 2022

The incident occurred with 5 laps remaining in Stage 2. Suarez and Bale rode side by side, with William Byron and Joey Logano behind them. Bell pinched #99 outside and let it hit the wall. That contact damaged Suarez’s original car and cost him the positions of Bale, Logano, Byron and Alex Bowman.

Suarez was still able to score three points in the second period, but less than he had hoped. He’s also concerned about the extent of damage #99 will do to the rest of the South 500.

Suarez criticises behaviour of some drivers

Suarez is only making his first playoff appearance in the cup series, but he avoided some “rookie mistakes” in the South 500. He didn’t try too hard to get stage points or fight for the win, and he left South Carolina with extra points.

Suarez noted that different drivers take different approaches to the lights. He pointed to their aggressiveness and explained that the South 500 was only the first game of the Cup playoffs. There are still two races to go before the field shrinks to just 12 drivers qualified for the championship.

“How smart are some drivers?” Suarez asked in a video shot by TSJ Sports’ Noah Lewis. “It’s just the first lap — the first race — we’re already racing like this. We’re not even in stage three. But it’s what it is. I can only drive 99 cars.”

Suarez gets some points in playoffs

While Suarez suffered some injuries in the playoffs, he was able to make some moves and move up the top 16. He now sits above the divide with two games remaining in the round of 16. Although he does have a slight edge over Team Penske’s Austin Cinderick.

Suarez was at a disadvantage heading into the playoffs weekend as he was below the original cut line. He had to do something to avoid early elimination from the playoffs, but he first had to take another major setback.

Trackhouse Racing’s No. 99 Chevrolet failed inspection three times at Darlington. That means Suarez will lose a crew member, his pit stop selection and the opportunity to drive the qualifying lap. He had to start in the backcourt before taking a free throw on the first lap of the Southern 500.

Although he fell in an early lap, Suarez received an early gift. Rain forced NASAR officials to set up a warning sign on lap 6, giving No. 99 a chance to avoid the waves and get back into the lead lap.

Learn more

NFL world reacts to ‘Amazon’s Prime Football’

Erling Haaland’s hat-trick suggests the Manchester City star is on track to break any goalscoring record

Serena Williams’ 2022 US Open has all the flair and magic of her champions of past years

Notable NFL cuts in 2022: Josh Rosen, Josh Gordon, O.J. Howard and the biggest cuts in the league

2022 NFL roster final cuts: 32 takeaways including pressure on Trey Lance, Eagles upgrades, and more

How to Plan Your Racing Schedule – NASCAR

There are only two series in the racing world this weekend, and only NASCAR and NHRA have events. With IndyCar suspended until next weekend, Formula 1 is in the middle of its annual summer break.

NASCAR competes in Cup and Truck Series races at Richmond Speedway. It’s a two-day show with practice and qualifying on Saturday, followed by the Worldwide Express 250 truck race at 8 p.m. EDT on FS1.

Bringing the Federal Auto Parts 400 on Sunday, with just three races before the NASCAR Cup playoffs begin, Richmond could be a key game for the regular season as it heads to Watkins Glen Street Stadium next week. The season finale for the remaining sprint races at Daytona Super Speedway.

There are many routes to the playoffs, and as No. 16 in the playoff lineup, Ryan Blaney knew this could be a great opportunity to move No. 12 to No. 1 Richmond. Tune in on Sunday at 3:00pm. EDT on US Network to see how it all happened.

The NHRA is fast approaching the championship countdown, and this weekend, speed racers will take part in the Menard Nationals presented by PetAmour at Heartland Park-Topeka. The Midwest is hot, and Kansas could reach 100 degrees this weekend, making traction a key factor.

There are three games remaining on the NHRA’s regular-season schedule before the six-game countdown to the playoffs. In Top Fuel, Brittany Force leads the Top Fuel racing scene after securing her spot in the countdown in Seattle two weeks ago. Robert Hight and purser Jimmy Prock appear to have a firm grip on the hilarious shift and have taken their place in the countdown.

And in Pro Stock, Erica Enders and Aaron Stanfield each took their place in the countdown, leading all opponents in the ultra-fast gear jamming category.

The green light will flash on NHRA.TV at 11:30 a.m. ET and 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. EDT on FS1.

Stay healthy and have a great race weekend!

Learn more

Rangers are tired of being the underdog

Game 5 of NBA Finals: Stephen Curry scores, Draymond Green confident in top 5 Warriors vs Celtics

Blue Jays 2022 draft to watch: Ryan Leitch of Canada’s Marshall University

Pirates vs. Cardinals Prediction and Odds for Monday, June 13 (Mitch Keller Revival Is Real).

Chelsea vs Club America – Result and News

NASCAR officially announces 2023 Chicago Cup Series road race