Musgrave, a high-profile competitor in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Ultra Motorsports since 2001, has swapped rides in 2005. The 15-time winner has vacated the No. 1 Mopar Dodge, which carried 49-year-old Musgrave to four consecutive finishes among the top three in championship standings.

New Ultra driver Jimmy Spencer goes into the Mopar truck while Musgrave takes a seat in what was an all-star entry for much of 2004 – winding up in victory circle at Martinsville Speedway with Jamie McMurray and Darlington Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway with Kasey Kahne.

So far anyway, the change in numbers hasn’t rattled Musgrave.

“I’ve practiced that in the shop. I haven’t made a mistake yet,” said Musgrave, the 2002 Bud Pole winner at Daytona International Speedway, host of the Feb. 18 Florida Dodge Dealers 250. “but after four years, it’ll be a little different.”

Musgrave, who takes crew chief Gene Nead to the No. 2 Dodge, believes the move will provide a valuable one-two punch for Ultra owner Jimmy Smith – the only owner with starts in all 242 series races and victories in each of the first 10 seasons of NASCAR Craftsman Truck competition.

“We’re both going to be contending for the win and we figure to have two trucks up front all the time,” he said.

Musgrave, who competed against his new teammate on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series for many years, just smiles when asked about racing with and alongside Spencer.

“I can’t add anything else to what’s already been said about Jimmy,” said Musgrave.

Spencer, winner of the 2003 series race at New Hampshire International Speedway – in the No. 2 Dodge – rejoins Smith, for whom he drove in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in 2003.

And the Pennsylvanian couldn’t be happier.

“The sport’s really evolved and it’s great to be driving something that you can win in,” said Spencer, who’ll celebrate his 46th birthday next month. “Ted and I will have the opportunity to win every week. That’s what it’s all about.”

While Spencer knew about the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since its beginnings 10 years ago he never gave it much thought – until recently.

“It didn’t take off originally but talk to the fans now,” said Spencer, a two-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion. “They like it as well as any series. I’m just proud to be a part of it.

“It’s what I’ve always enjoyed about NASCAR – intense, side by side racing. Every time you watch the trucks you know the race is going to go right down to the end. It makes my blood rush just knowing I can be in there.”

Spencer would like nothing better than to give owner Smith his first title. Smith, owner of a custom wheel manufacturing business, is one of four off-road racers who brought the truck racing concept to NASCAR in 1994.

“He hasn’t won the championship but he’s been close,” said Spencer of his owner, who finished runnerup with Musgrave in 2001. “It really would be cool if we could win the championship for him.”

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wrapped up a two-day test session in preparation for the season-opening Florida Dodge Dealers 250 on Friday night, Feb. 18 at historic Daytona International Speedway.

1.  David Starr, Chevrolet, 187.594 mph
2.  Ron Hornaday, Chevrolet, 187.278
3.  Kerry Earnhardt, Chevrolet, 187.025
4.  Ted Musgrave, Dodge, 186.966
5.  Chad Chaffin, Toyota, 186.862
6.  Matt Crafton, Chevrolet, 186.416
7.  Jimmy Spencer, Dodge, 186.413
8.  Ricky Craven, Ford, 186.289
9.  Todd Kluever, Ford, 186.204
10. Robert Huffman, Toyota, 185.843
11. Mike Wallace, Dodge, 185.793
12. Tracy Hines, Chevrolet, 185.468
13. David Reutimann, Toyota, 185.395
14. Brendan Gaughan, Dodge, 185.292
15. Brad Keselowski, Ford, 185.204
16. Chase Montgomery, Dodge, 184.725
17. Bobby Hamilton, Dodge, 184.555
18. Casey Atwood, Dodge, 184.158
19. Rick Crawford, Ford, 184.155
20. Sigeaki Hattori, Toyota, 183.993
21. Steve Park, Dodge, 183.857
22. Deborah Renshaw, Dodge, 182.109
23. Jason Rudd, Dodge, 181.631
24. Billy Venturini, Chevrolet, 180.086
25. Kelly Sutton, Chevrolet, 179.101
26. David Ragan, Chevrolet, 175.326

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