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NASCAR Pronto Auto Parts 400k Supertruck Race Preview -- #16, Ron Hornaday

5 June 1997

 #16 Ron Hornaday, NAPA Brakes Chevrolet
 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
 Pronto Auto Parts 400K
 Texas Motor Speedway
 
                 HORNADAY HOPES FOR LUCK IN TEXAS


  
ROANOKE, TX - NAPA Brakes driver Ron Hornaday is looking forward to competing
at the new Texas Motor Speedway. He is hoping that the new track will turn
around his run of bad luck. Hornaday has had a tough time in the last two
events. At I-70 Speedway in Odessa, MO, he developed engine problems, and then
was involved in an accident. He finished 22nd. This past weekend at New
Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, NH, he crashed the NAPA Brakes
Chevy truck in the final practice session. The team switched to a backup truck
and started last in the field of 40. He progressed up to 15th position by lap
25. Then on lap 71 the bad luck continued. The truck began to overheat. The
team replaced the heat exchanger (part of the cooling system) that had split
open, and Hornaday returned to the event many laps behind. He finished 29th.
 
 - By starting the Pronto Auto Parts 400K this Friday at Texas Motor
Speedway, Ron Hornaday will become the all-time NASCAR Truck Series money
winner. Currently, 1995 Truck Series Champion Mike Skinner holds the record
(Hornaday, by being the 1996 series champion is guaranteed a starting
position in the event).
 
 - Dale Earnhardt, Inc. announced last week that Fred Graves has been named
crew chief for the No. 16 NAPA Brakes team. He replaces John Monsam.
 
 - Hornaday tested two Chevy trucks at Texas Motor Speedway the week of May
19. The test was plagued by rain. Hornaday was able to get some track time
in and was satisfied with the test.
 
QUOTES:
 
NAPA Brakes driver Ron Hornaday on Texas:
 
"I am glad we tested there. We got the NAPA truck running pretty good. This
will be the fastest track we have run on. You will have to be patient. There
will need to be some give and take between us drivers. I think you will see
a good race. I know Texas is a big market for Chevy trucks. I hope the truck
owners all come out and watch us."
 
1996 NASCAR Truck Series champion Hornaday on becoming money leader:
 
"The NASCAR Truck Series has been good to me and my family. Earlier this
year we surpassed the million dollar mark in winnings and now this...it's
great. I owe a lot to Dale and Teresa Earnhardt, and an awesome NAPA team.
Without their continued support this could not have been accomplished. It's
a good record to have (being the all-time money winner), but I would rather
be the first two-time champion."
 
Ron Hornaday is currently ninth in NASCAR Truck Series points.

By: Champion Sports Group