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.

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 (#90), Curtis Markham (#32), David Starr (#9), Dennis Setzer (#04), Freddie Query (#20), Ken Bouchard (#77), Andy Michner (#46), Rick McCray (#42), Billy Bigley (#26), Kirk Shelmerdine (#03), Joe Bush (#67), Dave Goulet (#70), Dave Stacy (#12), Jimmy Davis (#13), Rick Johnson (#63), Randy Nelson (#82), Kelly Denton (#30), Monty Klein (#47), Rob Morgan (#46), Billy Pauch (#06), Michael Dokken (#64), Jay Stewart (#33), Danny Bagwell (#28)

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 (#91), Dennis Setzer (#04), Michael Dokken (#64), Mike Garvey (#68), Jamie Skinner (#5), Ken Bouchard (#77), B. A. Wilson (#85), Rick McCray (#42), Tommy Archer (#4), Scott Lagasse (#81), Dominic Dobson (#78), Tim Bolton (#97), Joe Madore (#93), Rob Morgan (#46), Jason Roche (#21), Bobby Myers (#63)

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 (#85) and Randy Nelson (#82)

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 (#21)

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 (#81), Rick McCray (#42), Joe Bush (#67), Joe Madore (#93), Randy Nelson (#82), Doug George (#26), Ryan McGlynn (#00)

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 (#82), Doug George (#26), Mike Ewanitsko (#40), Lonnie Rush, Jr. (#10), Mike Hope (#13), Ryan McGlynn (#00)

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 (#98), Doug George (#93), Joe Gaita (#83), Chris Horn (#58), Jay Stewart (#33)

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 (#28), Tim Bolton (#97), Ed Berrier (#92), Ryan McGlynn (#00), Joe Gaita (#83), Rob Morgan (#57)

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 (#51), Ken Bouchard (#11), B. A. Wilson (#85), Rob Rizzo (#98), Terry Fisher (#41), Barry Bodine (#7), Joe Bush (#67), Jerry Glanville (#81), Danny Bagwell (#28), Chris Horn (#58), Tim Bolton (#97), Randy Nelson (#82)

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
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 (#42), Randy Nelson (#82), Milan Garrett (#85)

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


 * This race is mostly known for the infamous white glove inccident that involved race winner Sprague and Ron Hornaday, Jr. as they head into turn 1 and Hornaday was shoved into the wall.

Failed to qualify: Shayne Lockhart (#33), David Starr (#49), Robbie Pyle (#56)

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 (#05), George Brunnhoelzl (#40), Lance Norick (#90), Randy Renfrow (#78), Ryan McGlynn (#00)


 * John Blewett III, drove Pauch's truck for the remainder of the race when Pauch, had heat exhaustion.

Federated Auto Parts 250
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 (#22), Tom Hubert (#77), Cindy Peterson (#36), Ryan McGlynn (#00), Jerry Glanville (#81)

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 (#91), Joe Gaita (#83), Tammy Jo Kirk (#51), Shayne Lockhart (#33), Blake Bainbridge (#9), Billy Pauch (#06), Rick Wilson (#04), Terry Fisher (#41), Mike Ewanitsko (#42), Brian Sockwell (#30), Tommy Baldwin, Jr. (#48)

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 (#00)

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 (#30), Carl Long (#91), Nipper Alsup (#92), Mike Olsen (#62), Donny Ling, Jr. (#68), Ronnie Newman (#11), Jeff Spraker (#69), Ryan McGlynn (#00)

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 (#4), Brandon Sperling (#42), Mike Clark (#38)

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 (#46), Danny Bagwell (#28), Chris Horn (#58), Austin Cameron (#4), David Starr (#9), Jerry Robertson (#12), Ricky Logan (#36), Mike Clark (#38), Richard Hinds (#81), Milan Garrett (#85)

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.