NATIONWIDE TOYOTACARE 250

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES – TOYOTACARE 250, FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 7:30 P.M. EDT ON ESPN NEWS

Points Race Tightens After Texas

After NASCAR Nationwide Series points leader Sam Hornish got collected in an on-track incident last week at Texas Motor Speedway, Regan Smith was able to capitalize and trim Hornish’s 28-point advantage down to two points by finishing seventh. After an off week this weekend, third in the past four weeks, the series will begin a marathon stretch of 21 consecutive races. Teams need to be ready for the long haul after using the first five races of the season to get warmed up. This stretch could determine what drivers will be contenders for the 2013 championship.  

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES – SFP 250, SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2 P.M. EDT ON SPEED

Parity At Kansas Speedway For Trucks

Although no driver in the history of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has won multiple races in the previous 12 events at the track, four drivers can become the first repeat winner at the track this weekend. Johnny Sauter, who has already picked up a pair of wins this season, won there in 2010, as did Ron Hornaday Jr. (2008), Todd Bodine (2005) and defending champion James Buescher (2012). The track is one of the most popular stops on the schedule and the big question this year is: can one of the veterans pick up a second win or will one of the young guns pick up their first career win at the track and keep the streak alive?

Buescher Ready To Break Out

After collecting three finishes out of the top-10 to open the season, defending NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion James Buescher is ready to return to Kansas Speedway. Buescher used his success at 1.5-mile tracks last season to help him win the title and now couldn’t be a better time to return to an intermediate track. All four of his 2012 victories came on 1.5-mile tracks.

Team Continues To Show Improvement

When Brad Keselowski created his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team the growing pains were evident. After a full season under its belt and a win by its youngest driver, Ryan Blaney, the team has shown great improvement during the season’s first three races. Joey Logano’s second-place finish and Blaney’s eighth-place showing at The Rock prove that their team should be contenders this season.