1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series


The 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was the fourth season of the Craftsman Truck Series, the third highest stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. Ron Hornaday Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. won the championship.

Teams & Drivers

List of full-time teams at the start of 1998.
TeamTruckDriverListed ownerCrew chief
Addington RacingChevrolet C/K60Andy Houston 'Mike AddingtonRick Ren
Brevak RacingFord F-15031Tony RoperShelly BrevakJoe Shear Jr.
Brewco MotorsportsChevrolet C/K37Scot Walters 'Clarence BrewerTerry Shirley
Charles Hardy MotorsportsChevrolet C/K35Ron BarfieldCharles HardyCal Dooley
Chesrown RacingChevrolet C/K6Rick CarelliMarshall ChesrownGeorge Church
Circle Bar RacingFord F-15014Rick CrawfordTom MitchellRoland Wlodyka
CSG MotorsportsFord F-15057Chuck BownKerry SchererTony Gibson
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet C/K16Ron Hornaday Jr.Dale EarnhardtFred Graves
Gloy/Rahal RacingFord F-15055Dave RezendesTom GloyKevin Caldwell
Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet C/K24Jack SpragueRick HendrickDennis Connor
Impact MotorsportsFord F-15086Stacy ComptonDavid HodsonKevin Cram
Irvan-Simo RacingFord F-15044Boris SaidMark SimoJay Smith
K Automotive RacingDodge Ram29Bob KeselowskiKay KeselowskiRon Keselowski
Ken Schrader RacingChevrolet C/K52Mike WallaceKen SchraderTim Kohuth
L & R RacingDodge Ram18Butch MillerRon NorickDoug Strother
L & R RacingDodge Ram90Lance NorickRon NorickMike Cheek
Liberty RacingFord F-15084Wayne Anderson 'Jim HerrickTroy Selberg
Lucore MotorsportsFord F-15082Randy Nelson 'Steve LucoreDave Nelson
MB MotorsportsFord F-15026Doug GeorgeMike MittlerMike Mittler
McCray RacingChevrolet C/K42Rick McCraySandy McCrayRickey McCray
PacWest S/T MotorsportsDodge Ram78Dominic Dobson 'Dominic DobsonWalter Giles
Phelon MotorsportsFord F-15066Bryan ReffnerDale PhelonLes Back
Richard Childress RacingChevrolet C/K3Jay SauterRichard ChildressTodd Berrier
Petty EnterprisesDodge Ram43Jimmy HensleyRichard PettyFreddy Fryar
Roehrig MotorsportsFord F-15019Tony RainesCarmela RoehrigScott Treichler
Roush RacingFord F-15050Greg Biffle 'Jack RoushRandy Goss
Roush RacingFord F-15099Joe RuttmanJack RoushMatt Chambers
SealMaster RacingChevrolet C/K88Terry CookDuke ThorsonTim Murphy
Spears MotorsportsChevrolet C/K75Kevin HarvickWayne SpearsJohn McQueen
Ultra MotorsportsFord F-1502Mike BlissMarlene SmithBarry Dodson
Wharton RacingChevrolet C/K10Lonnie Rush Jr.Jerry WhartonJim Daly
Xpress MotorsportsChevrolet C/K61Randy TolsmaSteve CoulterDave Fuge

Races

Chevy Trucks Challenge

The Chevy Trucks Challenge was held January 18 at Walt Disney World Speedway. Chuck Bown won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 16-Ron Hornaday Jr.
  2. 50-Joe Ruttman
  3. 6-Rick Carelli
  4. 24-Jack Sprague
  5. 80-Greg Biffle
  6. 87-Joe Nemechek
  7. 3-Jay Sauter
  8. 29-Bob Keselowski
  9. 18-Butch Miller
  10. 78-Rich Bickle
Failed to qualify: Lance Norick, Curtis Markham, David Starr, Dennis Setzer, Freddie Query, Ken Bouchard, Andy Michner, Rick McCray, Billy Bigley, Kirk Shelmerdine, Joe Bush, Dave Goulet, Dave Stacy, Jimmy Davis, Rick Johnson, Randy Nelson, Kelly Denton, Monty Klein, Rob Morgan, Billy Pauch, Michael Dokken, Jay Stewart, Danny Bagwell

Florida Dodge Dealers 400

The Florida Dodge Dealers 400 was held April 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. 14-Rick Crawford
  2. 24-Jack Sprague
  3. 3-Jay Sauter
  4. 50-Greg Biffle
  5. 35-Ron Barfield
  6. 86-Stacy Compton
  7. 29-Bob Keselowski
  8. 16-Ron Hornaday Jr.
  9. 55-Dave Rezendes
  10. 37-Scot Walters
Failed to qualify: Carl Long, Dennis Setzer, Michael Dokken, Mike Garvey, Jamie Skinner, Ken Bouchard, B. A. Wilson, Rick McCray, Tommy Archer, Scott Lagasse, Dominic Dobson, Tim Bolton, Joe Madore, Rob Morgan, Jason Roche, Bobby Myers

Chevy Trucks 150

The Chevy Trucks 150 was held April 19 at Phoenix International Raceway. Stacy Compton won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  2. Jack Sprague
  3. Stacy Compton
  4. Andy Houston
  5. Rick Crawford
  6. Jay Sauter
  7. Joe Ruttman
  8. Bryan Reffner
  9. Tony Raines
  10. Randy Tolsma
Failed to qualify: Milan Garrett and Randy Nelson

Craftsman 200 By NAPA

The Craftsman 200 By NAPA was held April 25 at Portland Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Stacy Compton
  2. Randy Tolsma
  3. Rick Carelli
  4. Jack Sprague
  5. Tony Raines
  6. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  7. Bryan Reffner
  8. Jay Sauter
  9. Joe Ruttman
  10. Tony Roper
Failed to qualify: Jason Roche

NAPACARD 200

The NAPACARD 200 was held May 8 at Evergreen Speedway. Joe Ruttman won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Jack Sprague
  2. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  3. Randy Tolsma
  4. Stacy Compton
  5. Mike Wallace
  6. Tony Roper
  7. Rick Carelli
  8. Bryan Reffner
  9. Ron Barfield
  10. Butch Miller
Failed to qualify: none

Yellow Freight 200

The Yellow Freight 200 was held May 23 at I-70 Speedway. Tony Raines won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Tony Raines
  2. Joe Ruttman
  3. Mike Bliss
  4. Bryan Reffner
  5. Jack Sprague
  6. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  7. Mike Wallace
  8. Tony Roper
  9. Wayne Anderson
  10. Andy Houston
Failed to qualify: Richard Hinds, Rick McCray, Joe Bush, Joe Madore, Randy Nelson, Doug George, Ryan McGlynn

Parts America 150

The Parts America 150 was held May 30 at Watkins Glen International. Ron Fellows won the pole. Race leader Ron Hornaday Jr. was penalized in the closing laps for jumping a restart and pulled into victory lane regardless to protest NASCAR's call.
Top ten results
  1. Joe Ruttman
  2. Jay Sauter
  3. Boris Said
  4. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  5. Jack Sprague
  6. Mark Simo
  7. Mike Bliss
  8. Rob Rizzo
  9. Randy Tolsma
  10. Mike Wallace
Failed to qualify: Randy Nelson, Doug George, Mike Ewanitsko, Lonnie Rush Jr., Mike Hope, Ryan McGlynn

Pronto Auto Parts 400

The Pronto Auto Parts 400 was held June 5 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Tony Raines
  2. Andy Houston
  3. Joe Ruttman
  4. Kevin Harvick
  5. Stacy Compton
  6. Jack Sprague
  7. Ron Fellows
  8. Dave Rezendes
  9. Rick Carelli
  10. Terry Cook
Failed to qualify: Rob Rizzo, Doug George, Joe Gaita, Chris Horn, Jay Stewart
Driver Change: Randy Nelson of the #82 qualified for the race but fell ill and Kenny Allen replaced him in the race.

Loadhandler 200

The Loadhandler 200 was held June 20 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr. won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  2. Jack Sprague
  3. Joe Ruttman
  4. Mike Wallace
  5. Randy Tolsma
  6. Tony Raines
  7. Ron Barfield
  8. Kevin Cywinski
  9. Jimmy Hensley
  10. Bryan Reffner
Failed to qualify: Danny Bagwell, Tim Bolton, Ed Berrier, Ryan McGlynn, Joe Gaita, Rob Morgan

DieHard 200

The DieHard 200 was held July 4 at The Milwaukee Mile. Jack Sprague won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Mike Bliss
  2. Jimmy Hensley
  3. Jack Sprague
  4. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  5. Greg Biffle
  6. Joe Ruttman
  7. Mike Wallace
  8. Ron Barfield
  9. Butch Miller
Failed to qualify: Tammy Jo Kirk, Ken Bouchard, B. A. Wilson, Rob Rizzo, Terry Fisher, Barry Bodine, Joe Bush, Jerry Glanville, Danny Bagwell, Chris Horn, Tim Bolton, Randy Nelson

NAPA Autocare 200

The NAPA Autocare 200 was held July 11 at Nazareth Speedway. Mike Bliss won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  2. Stacy Compton
  3. Jay Sauter
  4. Butch Miller
  5. Joe Ruttman
  6. Jimmy Hensley
  7. Tony Raines
  8. Bryan Reffner
  9. Rick Carelli
  10. Jack Sprague
Failed to qualify: none

The No Fear Challenge

was held July 18 at California Speedway. Andy Houston won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Jack Sprague
  2. Ernie Irvan
  3. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  4. Andy Houston
  5. Mike Skinner
  6. Randy Tolsma
  7. Greg Biffle
  8. Boris Said
  9. Mike Bliss
  10. Butch Miller
Failed to qualify: Rick McCray, Randy Nelson, Milan Garrett

Tempus Resorts 300K

The inaugural Tempus Resorts 300K was held July 25 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Mike Bliss won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  2. Tony Raines
  3. Joe Ruttman
  4. Rick Carelli
  5. Jimmy Hensley
  6. Mike Bliss
  7. Stacy Compton
  8. Dennis Setzer
  9. Randy Tolsma
  10. Tony Roper
Failed to qualify: none

Cummins 200 by Dodge

The Cummins 200 by Dodge was held July 30 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Randy Tolsma won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Jack Sprague
  2. Tony Roper
  3. Joe Ruttman
  4. Tony Raines
  5. Lonnie Rush Jr.
  6. Randy Tolsma
  7. Greg Biffle
  8. Dennis Setzer
  9. Ron Barfield
  10. Jay Sauter
Failed to qualify: Shayne Lockhart, David Starr, Robbie Pyle

Pennzoil/VIP Discount Tripleheader

The Pennzoil/VIP Discount Tripleheader was held August 2 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Mike Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Andy Houston
  2. Greg Biffle
  3. Joe Ruttman
  4. Ron Barfield
  5. Tony Raines
  6. Jimmy Hensley
  7. Kevin Harvick
  8. Jack Sprague
  9. Stacy Compton
  10. Ron Hornaday Jr.
Failed to qualify: none

Stevens Beil/Genuine Car Parts 200

The Stevens Beil/Genuine Car Parts 200 was held August 8 at Flemington Speedway. Stacy Compton won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Terry Cook
  2. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  3. Bryan Reffner
  4. Joe Ruttman
  5. Jimmy Hensley
  6. Billy Pauch*
  7. Ron Barfield
  8. Randy MacDonald
  9. Kevin Harvick
  10. Mike Wallace
Failed to qualify: John Blewett III, George Brunnhoelzl, Lance Norick, Randy Renfrow, Ryan McGlynn
The Federated Auto Parts 250 was held August 15 at Nashville Speedway USA. Mike Bliss won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Jimmy Hensley
  2. Tony Raines
  3. Rick Crawford
  4. Greg Biffle
  5. Mike Wallace
  6. Randy Tolsma
  7. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  8. Scot Walters
  9. Stacy Compton
  10. Ron Barfield
Failed to qualify: Brandon Butler, Tom Hubert, Cindy Peterson, Ryan McGlynn, Jerry Glanville

Lund Look 275K

The Lund Look 275K was held August 23 at Heartland Park Topeka. Boris Said won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Stacy Compton
  2. Terry Cook
  3. Jimmy Hensley
  4. Jack Sprague
  5. Kevin Harvick
  6. Butch Miller
  7. Jay Sauter
  8. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  9. Joe Ruttman
  10. Bob Keselowski
Failed to qualify: none

Kroger 225

The Kroger 225 was held August 29 at Louisville Motor Speedway. Terry Cook won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Tony Raines
  2. Mike Bliss
  3. Andy Houston
  4. Stacy Compton
  5. Terry Cook
  6. Tony Roper
  7. Jimmy Hensley
  8. Greg Biffle
  9. Jack Sprague
  10. Mike Wallace
Failed to qualify: none

Virginia Is For Lovers 200

The Virginia Is For Lovers 200 was held September 10 at Richmond International Raceway. Joe Ruttman won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Jack Sprague
  2. Ernie Irvan
  3. Greg Biffle
  4. Joe Ruttman
  5. Butch Miller
  6. Rich Bickle
  7. Randy Tolsma
  8. Rick Carelli
  9. Terry Cook
  10. Mike Wallace
Failed to qualify: Carl Long, Joe Gaita, Tammy Jo Kirk, Shayne Lockhart, Blake Bainbridge, Billy Pauch, Rick Wilson, Terry Fisher, Mike Ewanitsko, Brian Sockwell, Tommy Baldwin Jr.

Memphis 200

The Memphis 200 was held September 13 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  2. Jay Sauter
  3. Jimmy Hensley
  4. Joe Ruttman
  5. Rick Crawford
  6. Ron Barfield
  7. Mike Wallace
  8. Terry Cook
  9. Jack Sprague
  10. Wayne Anderson
Failed to qualify: Ryan McGlynn

Ram Tough 200

The Ram Tough 200 was held September 19 at Gateway International Raceway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Rick Carelli
  2. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  3. Jay Sauter
  4. Jack Sprague
  5. Tom Hubert
  6. Jimmy Hensley
  7. Rick Crawford
  8. Mike Wallace
  9. Scot Walters
  10. Bryan Reffner
Failed to qualify: none

NAPA 250

The NAPA 250 was held September 26 at Martinsville Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Jay Sauter
  2. Jimmy Hensley
  3. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  4. Stacy Compton
  5. Rich Bickle
  6. Dennis Setzer
  7. Tony Raines
  8. Greg Biffle
  9. Randy Renfrow
  10. Jack Sprague
Failed to qualify: Greg Marlowe, Carl Long, Nipper Alsup, Mike Olsen, Donny Ling Jr., Ronnie Newman, Jeff Spraker, Ryan McGlynn

Kragen/Exide 151

The Kragen/Exide 151 was held October 11 at Sears Point International Raceway. Tom Hubert won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Boris Said
  2. Mike Bliss
  3. Tony Raines
  4. Joe Ruttman
  5. Jimmy Hensley
  6. Andy Houston
  7. Lance Norick
  8. Jay Sauter
  9. Jack Sprague
  10. Doug George
Failed to qualify: none

Dodge California Truck Stop 300

The Dodge California Truck Stop 300 was held October 18 at Mesa Marin Raceway. Ron Hornaday Jr. won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Dennis Setzer
  2. Jack Sprague
  3. Stacy Compton
  4. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  5. Kevin Harvick
  6. Rick Carelli
  7. Butch Miller
  8. Jay Sauter
  9. Andy Houston
  10. Tony Raines
Failed to qualify: none

GM Goodwrench Service/AC Delco 300

The GM Goodwrench Service/AC Delco 300 was held October 24 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mike Bliss won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Mike Bliss
  2. Greg Biffle
  3. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  4. Joe Ruttman
  5. Andy Houston
  6. Dennis Setzer
  7. Boris Said
  8. Stacy Compton
  9. Jimmy Hensley
  10. Tony Raines
Failed to qualify: Bill Sedgwick, Brandon Sperling, Mike Clark

Sam's Town 250

The Sam's Town 250 was held November 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. Jack Sprague
  2. Ron Hornaday Jr.
  3. Jimmy Hensley
  4. Jay Sauter
  5. Greg Biffle
  6. Mike Bliss
  7. Joe Ruttman
  8. Mike Stefanik
  9. Ron Barfield
  10. Butch Miller
Failed to qualify: Rob Morgan, Danny Bagwell, Chris Horn, Austin Cameron, David Starr, Jerry Robertson, Ricky Logan, Mike Clark, Richard Hinds, Milan Garrett

Final points standings

  1. Ron Hornaday Jr. – 4072
  2. Jack Sprague – 4069
  3. Joe Ruttman – 3874
  4. Jay Sauter – 3672
  5. Tony Raines – 3596
  6. Jimmy Hensley – 3570
  7. Stacy Compton – 3542
  8. Greg Biffle – 3276
  9. Ron Barfield – 3227
  10. Mike Bliss – 3216
  11. Rick Carelli – 3195
  12. Andy Houston – 3188
  13. Mike Wallace – 3152
  14. Randy Tolsma – 3121
  15. Butch Miller – 3034
  16. Tony Roper – 3016
  17. Kevin Harvick – 3004
  18. Rick Crawford – 2956
  19. Scot Walters – 2859
  20. Terry Cook – 2845
  21. Boris Said – 2813
  22. Bryan Reffner – 2770
  23. Lance Norick – 2539
  24. Lonnie Rush Jr. – 2333
  25. Wayne Anderson – 2070
  26. Bob Keselowski – 1731
  27. Dennis Setzer – 1728
  28. Kevin Cywinski – 1726
  29. Tammy Jo Kirk – 1296
  30. Randy Renfrow – 1074
  31. Barry Bodine – 1017
  32. Randy MacDonald – 964
  33. Chuck Bown – 927
  34. Doug George – 924
  35. Dominic Dobson – 842
  36. B. A. Wilson – 820
  37. Rob Morgan – 711
  38. Rick McCray – 710
  39. Dave Rezendes – 662
  40. Tom Hubert – 653
  41. Randy Nelson – 634
  42. David Starr – 566
  43. Rich Bickle – 551
  44. Ryan McGlynn – 471
  45. Ron Fellows – 408
  46. Curtis Markham 404
  47. Chris Horn – 375
  48. Ken Bouchard – 350
  49. Milan Garrett – 348
  50. Ernie Irvan – 340

    Rookie of the Year

In his first year of NASCAR competition, Greg Biffle won four poles and had twelve top-tens, earning him Rookie of the Year honors over Andy Houston, who had one win and a twelfth-place points finish. Scot Walters, driving for Brewco Motorsports's truck team, was the last contender to run a full schedule, posting three top-tens. Wayne Anderson was released during the season from his ride Liberty Racing, while Kevin Cywinski and Dominic Dobson were late entrants. Billy Pauch, Mike Cope, Joe Bush and Tommy Archer did not run enough races to qualify for the honor.