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2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

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The 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season began February 15 and ended November 15. Mike Bliss of Xpress Motorsports was crowned the champion at season's end.

Contents

See also: 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 2002 NASCAR Busch Series

Florida Dodge Dealers 250

The Florida Dodge Dealers 250 was held February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Ted Musgrave won the pole. Terry Cook suffered a 100-point penalty for a cylinder head infraction found in his truck after the race.

Top ten results

  1. 18-Robert Pressley*
  2. 1-Ted Musgrave
  3. 4-Brian Rose
  4. 79-Joe Ruttman
  5. 6-Rick Carelli
  6. 29-Terry Cook
  7. 75-David Starr
  8. 43-Carlos Contreras
  9. 07-Jason Small
  10. 90-Lance Norick
  • This was Pressley's first truck series victory. This race was also Pressley's truck series debut. There was a multiple truck wreck when Travis kvapil got turned hard into the wall in which Matt Crafton nearly flipped on his roof.

    • Failed to qualify: Mike Swaim, Jr. (#56), Jim Inglebright (#02), Trent Owens (#15), Ryan McGlynn (#00), Michael Dokken (#51), Ken Allen (#28), Ron Barfield (#97), Stan Boyd (#89), Morgan Shepherd (#21), Jake Hobgood (#31), Jerry Hill (#41)

    Craftsman Anniversary 200

    The Craftsman Anniversary 200 was March 15 at Darlington Raceway. Jason Leffler won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 1-Ted Musgrave
    2. 18-Robert Pressley
    3. 16-Mike Bliss
    4. 6-Kevin Harvick
    5. 14-Rick Crawford
    6. 75-David Starr
    7. 60-Travis Kvapil
    8. 4-Brian Rose
    9. 50-Jon Wood
    10. 52-Ken Schrader

    Failed to qualify: Mike Swaim, Jr. (#56), Ron Barfield (#97), Rodney Sawyers (#68), Mike Harmon (#93), Ricky Sanders (#19), Phil Bonifield (#86)

    Advance Auto Parts 250

    The Advance Auto Parts 250 was held April 13 at Martinsville Speedway. Ted Musgrave won the pole. The race is best known for a caution: Kevin Harvick intentionally turned Coy Gibbs around for previous contact and NASCAR instantly parked him. In the post-race interview Harvick lied that he did not intentionally crash Gibbs even though it was heard on the radio; he was banned from the cup race the next day.

    Top ten results

    1. 46-Dennis Setzer
    2. 16-Mike Bliss
    3. 14-Rick Crawford
    4. 08-Bobby Dotter
    5. 29-Terry Cook
    6. 2-Jason Leffler
    7. 60-Travis Kvapil
    8. 75-David Starr
    9. 62-Brendan Gaughan
    10. 50-Jon Wood

    Failed to qualify: Steve Portenga (#39), L.W. Miller (#28), Brian Sockwell (#54), Dana White (#86), Tommy Pistone (#59), Jody McCormick (#77), Jerry Allec, Jr. (#93), Vince Whitmire (#40), James Stephenson (#36), Bobby Coffey (#74), R. D. Smith (#41)

    Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200

    The Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Ram Tough 200 was held May 5 at Gateway International Raceway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 29-Terry Cook*
    2. 2-Jason Leffler
    3. 16-Mike Bliss
    4. 14-Rick Crawford
    5. 75-David Starr
    6. 46-Dennis Setzer
    7. 50-Jon Wood
    8. 4-Brian Rose
    9. 90-Lance Norick
    10. 88-Matt Crafton

    Failed to qualify: R.D. Smith (#41), Aaron Daniel (#11), Phil Bonifield (#23), Scott Kuhn (#49)

  • This race was Terry Cook's first truck series win since 1998.

    • Rocky Mountain 200 Presented by Dodge

    The Rocky Mountain 200 Presented by Dodge was held May 19 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Jason Leffler won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 16-Mike Bliss
    2. 2-Jason Leffler
    3. 60-Travis Kvapil
    4. 29-Terry Cook
    5. 75-David Starr
    6. 14-Rick Crawford
    7. 46-Dennis Setzer
    8. 39-Steve Portenga
    9. 20-Coy Gibbs
    10. 4-Brian Rose

    Failed to qualify: Ricky Sanders (#19), Bobby Coffey (#74)

    MBNA America 200

    The MBNA America 200 was held May 31 at Dover International Speedway. Rick Crawford won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 1-Ted Musgrave
    2. 18-Robert Pressley
    3. 14-Rick Crawford
    4. 75-David Starr
    5. 16-Mike Bliss
    6. 20-Coy Gibbs
    7. 62-Brendan Gaughan
    8. 03-Tom Carey
    9. 2-Jason Leffler
    10. 29-Terry Cook

    Failed to qualify: Donnie Neuenberger (#86), Phil Bonifield (#23), Loni Richardson (#73), Bobby Coffey (#74)

    O'Reilly 400K

    The O'Reilly 400K was held June 7 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jason Leffler won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 62-Brendan Gaughan
    2. 60-Travis Kvapil
    3. 75-David Starr
    4. 14-Rick Crawford
    5. 1-Ted Musgrave
    6. 18-Robert Pressley
    7. 88-Matt Crafton
    8. 20-Coy Gibbs
    9. 50-Jon Wood
    10. 90-Lance Norick

    Failed to qualify: none

    O'Reilly Auto Parts 200

    The O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 was held June 22 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Jason Leffler won the pole. Carl Edwards, the 2007 Nationwide Series champion, makes his first truck series start. Edwards started 16th and finished in the 23rd position, 2 laps down. This was his first of seven truck races he made in the 2002 season.

    Top ten results

    1. 60-Travis Kvapil
    2. 29-Terry Cook
    3. 1-Ted Musgrave
    4. 2-Jason Leffler
    5. 46-Dennis Setzer
    6. 15-Rich Bickle
    7. 75-David Starr
    8. 20-Coy Gibbs
    9. 14-Rick Crawford
    10. 4-Brian Rose

    Failed to qualify: Aaron Daniel (#11), Joe Cooksey (#59), Jody McCormick (#77), Eric Jones (#34), Nathan Wulff (#65), Loni Richardson (#0), Bobby Coffey (#74), David Hall (#73), James Stephenson (#36)

    GNC Live Well 200

    The GNC Live Well 200 was held June 29 at The Milwaukee Mile. Terry Cook won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 29-Terry Cook
    2. 2-Jason Leffler
    3. 20-Coy Gibbs
    4. 62-Brendan Gaughan
    5. 1-Ted Musgrave
    6. 75-David Starr
    7. 18-Robert Pressley
    8. 16-Mike Bliss
    9. 50-Jon Wood
    10. 60-Travis Kvapil

    Failed to qualify: Loni Richardson (#0), Aaron Daniel (#11)

    O'Reilly Auto Parts 250

    The O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 was held July 6 at Kansas Speedway. Jason Leffler won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 16-Mike Bliss
    2. 46-Dennis Setzer
    3. 20-Coy Gibbs
    4. 2-Jason Leffler
    5. 1-Ted Musgrave
    6. 29-Terry Cook
    7. 18-Robert Pressley
    8. 63-Carl Edwards
    9. 50-Jon Wood
    10. 88-Matt Crafton

    Failed to qualify: Lonnie Cox (#66), Loni Richardson (#0), David Hall (#73)

    Kroger 225

    The Kroger 225 was held July 13 at Kentucky Speedway. Jason Leffler won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 16-Mike Bliss
    2. 46-Dennis Setzer
    3. 18-Robert Pressley
    4. 14-Rick Crawford
    5. 2-Jason Leffler
    6. 29-Terry Cook
    7. 20-Coy Gibbs
    8. 1-Ted Musgrave
    9. 39-Steve Portenga

    Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#21), Rodney Sawyers (#68), Vince Whitmire (#40), Dana White (#86), Lonnie Cox (#66), Ricky Sanders (#19), Tom Powers (#55), David Hall (#73), Loni Richardson (#0)

    New England 200

    The New England 200 was held July 20 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Jason Leffler won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 29-Terry Cook
    2. 46-Dennis Setzer
    3. 75-David Starr
    4. 1-Ted Musgrave
    5. 62-Brendan Gaughan
    6. 20-Coy Gibbs
    7. 60-Travis Kvapil
    8. 6-Kevin Harvick
    9. 18-Robert Pressley
    10. 16-Mike Bliss

    Failed to qualify: none

    Michigan 200

    The Michigan 200 was held July 27 at Michigan International Speedway. Ted Musgrave won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 18-Robert Pressley
    2. 2-Jason Leffler
    3. 60-Travis Kvapil
    4. 16-Mike Bliss
    5. 75-David Starr
    6. 29-Terry Cook
    7. 20-Coy Gibbs
    8. 90-Lance Norick
    9. 14-Rick Crawford
    10. 50-Jon Wood

    Failed to qualify: none

    Power Stroke Diesel 200

    The Power Stroke Diesel 200 was held August 2 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Terry Cook won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 29-Terry Cook
    2. 2-Jason Leffler
    3. 60-Travis Kvapil
    4. 52-Mike Wallace
    5. 18-Robert Pressley
    6. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    7. 90-Lance Norick
    8. 50-Jon Wood
    9. 08-Bobby Dotter
    10. 88-Matt Crafton

    Failed to qualify: Dude Teate (#31), Clay Collier (#41), Jay Sherston (#30), Bobby Coffey (#74), Tom Powers (#55)

    Federated Auto Parts 200

    The Federated Auto Parts 200 was held August 10 at Nashville Superspeedway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 16-Mike Bliss
    2. 14-Rick Crawford
    3. 1-Ted Musgrave
    4. 4-Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
    5. 46-Dennis Setzer
    6. 62-Brendan Gaughan
    7. 29-Terry Cook
    8. 50-Jon Wood
    9. 18-Robert Pressley
    10. 2-Mike Wallace

    Failed to qualify: Tom Powers (#55)

    Richmond Is For Lovers 200

    The Richmond Is For Lovers 200 was held September 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Jason Leffler won the pole. Bobby Hamilton sustained injuries in this race that caused him to miss several races of the 2002 Winston Cup season.

    Top ten results

    1. 33-Tony Stewart
    2. 6-Kevin Harvick
    3. 16-Mike Bliss
    4. 14-Rick Crawford
    5. 29-Terry Cook
    6. 20-Coy Gibbs
    7. 1-Ted Musgrave
    8. 17-Stacy Compton
    9. 08-Bobby Dotter
    10. 52-Ken Schrader

    Failed to qualify: Stan Boyd (#89), Brad Bennett (#40), Dana White (#23), Clay Collier (#41), Loni Richardson (#73), Tommy Pistone (#59), James Stephenson (#36), Conrad Burr (#28), Bobby Coffey (#74), Jody McCormick (#77)

    Silverado 350

    The Silverado 350 was held September 13 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 62-Brendan Gaughan
    2. 20-Coy Gibbs
    3. 75-David Starr
    4. 14-Rick Crawford
    5. 60-Travis Kvapil
    6. 1-Ted Musgrave
    7. 18-Robert Pressley
    8. 2-Jason Leffler
    9. 16-Mike Bliss
    10. 46-Dennis Setzer

    Failed to qualify: none

    John Boy & Billy's Hardee's 250

    The John Boy & Billy's Hardee's 250 was held September 21 at South Boston Speedway. Ted Musgrave won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 16-Mike Bliss
    2. 46-Dennis Setzer
    3. 14-Rick Crawford
    4. 20-Coy Gibbs
    5. 60-Travis Kvapil
    6. 50-Jon Wood
    7. 75-David Starr
    8. 08-Bobby Dotter
    9. 2-Jason Leffler
    10. 4-Ryan Hemphill

    Failed to qualify: Jeremy Thompson (#92), Dude Teate (#31), Jay Sherston (#30), Bobby Coffey (#74), James Stephenson (#36)

    Las Vegas 350

    The Las Vegas 350 was held October 13 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. David Starr won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 75-David Starr
    2. 16-Mike Bliss
    3. 46-Dennis Setzer
    4. 60-Travis Kvapail
    5. 2-Jason Leffler
    6. 14-Rick Crawford
    7. 18-Robert Pressley
    8. 62-Brendan Gaughan
    9. 1-Ted Musgrave
    10. 07-Jason Small

    Failed to qualify: Jerry Allec, Jr. (#93), Tom Powers (#55)

    American Racing Wheels 200

    The American Racing Wheels 200 was held November 2 at California Speedway. David Starr won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 1-Ted Musgrave
    2. 2-Jason Leffler
    3. 62-Brendan Gaughan
    4. 60-Travis Kvapil
    5. 14-Rick Crawford
    6. 20-Coy Gibbs
    7. 18-Robert Pressley
    8. 46-Dennis Setzer
    9. 16-Mike Bliss
    10. 29-Terry Cook

    Failed to qualify: Bobby Hillis (#05)

    Chevy Silverado 150

    The Chevy Silverado 150 was held November 8 at Phoenix International Raceway. Rick Crawford won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 6-Kevin Harvick
    2. 1-Ted Musgrave
    3. 14-Rick Crawford
    4. 60-Travis Kvapil
    5. 29-Terry Cook
    6. 20-Coy Gibbs
    7. 52-Ken Schrader
    8. 46-Dennis Setzer
    9. 88-Matt Crafton
    10. 16-Mike Bliss

    Failed to qualify: Clay Collier (#41), Lonnie Cox (#66), Ricky Sanders (#19), Loni Richardson (#0), John Mickel (#09), Bobby Hillis (#05)

    Ford 200

    The Ford 200 was held November 15 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

    Top ten results

    1. 11-Ron Hornaday
    2. 1-Ted Musgrave
    3. 2-Jason Leffler
    4. 18-Robert Pressley
    5. 16-Mike Bliss
    6. 46-Dennis Setzer
    7. 14-Rick Crawford
    8. 75-David Starr
    9. 88-Matt Crafton
    10. 29-Terry Cook

    Failed to qualify: Bobby Benton (#36), Adam Clarke (#45), Cory Kruseman (#98), Phil Bonifield (#25), Loni Richardson (#0), John Mickel (#09), Dana White (#23)

  • This was the last NASCAR broadcast on ESPN in any of NASCAR's top three series until 2007.

    • Final points standings

    1. Mike Bliss - 3359
    2. Rick Crawford - 3313
    3. Ted Musgrave - 3308
    4. Jason Leffler - 3156
    5. David Starr - 3144
    6. Dennis Setzer - 3132
    7. Robert Pressley - 3097
    8. Terry Cook - 3070
    9. Travis Kvapil - 3039
    10. Coy Gibbs - 3010
    11. Brendan Gaughan - 2893
    12. Jon Wood - 2782
    13. Lance Norick - 2574
    14. Bobby Dotter - 2534
    15. Matt Crafton - 2424
    16. Carlos Contreras - 2334
    17. Bill Lester - 2320
    18. Steve Portenga - 2167
    19. Randy MacDonald - 2128
    20. Lance Hooper - 2121
    21. Jason Small - 2116
    22. Brian Rose - 2110
    23. Jerry Hill - 1992
    24. Morgan Shepherd - 974
    25. Stan Boyd - 915
    26. Tom Powers - 853
    27. Ken Schrader - 809
    28. Rich Bickle - 776
    29. Eric Jones - 750
    30. Kevin Harvick - 748
    31. Phil Bonifield - 704
    32. Dana White - 681
    33. Carl Edwards - 676
    34. Trent Owens - 657
    35. Ryan Hemphill - 624
    36. Michael Dokken - 605
    37. Rodney Sawyers - 597
    38. Andy Houston - 578
    39. Chris Horn - 489
    40. Joe Ruttman - 465
    41. Doug Keller - 455
    42. Loni Richardson - 454
    43. Aaron Daniel - 431
    44. Mike Wallace - 430
    45. Randy Briggs - 416
    46. Conrad Burr - 410
    47. Brian Sockwell - 391
    48. Michael Ritch - 370
    49. David Hall - 368
    50. Stacy Compton - 333

    Rookie of the Year

    Brendan Gaughan captured two wins and the Rookie of the Year title in 2002, driving for his family-owned Orleans Racing team. Bill Lester came in second followed by Jason Small. Loni Richardson also declared for the award, but did not compete in enough races to be eligible for rookie points.

    References

    2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA