2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The 2000 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was the sixth season of the Craftsman Truck Series, the third highest stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. Greg Biffle of Roush Racing was crowned the series champion.
The season was marred by the death of Tony Roper in the penultimate race of the season at Texas Motor Speedway. His death was the third of three driver fatalities across the nationwide NASCAR circuits in 2000 that included Kenny Irwin Jr. and Adam Petty.
Teams & Drivers
Complete schedule
Partial schedule
Schedule
Races
Daytona 250
The inaugural Daytona 250 was held on February 18 at Daytona International Speedway. Joe Ruttman won the pole.
Top ten results
| Pos | Driver | No. | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Wallace | 2 | Ford |
| 2 | Kurt Busch | 99 | Ford |
| 3 | Andy Houston | 60 | Chevrolet |
| 4 | Terry Cook | 88 | Chevrolet |
| 5 | Kenny Martin | 98 | Ford |
| 6 | Randy MacDonald | 72 | Chevrolet |
| 7 | Rick Carelli | 66 | Ford |
| 8 | Dennis Setzer | 1 | Dodge |
| 9 | Donnie Neuenberger | 84 | Ford |
| 10 | Steve Grissom | 43 | Dodge |
Failed to qualify: Brad Teague (#04), Lance Hooper (#9), Rick Ware (#51), Peter Gibbons (#01), Carl Long (#91), Ricky Sanders (#19), Brian Sockwell (#54), Matt Mullins (#09), Kenny Allen (#28), Wayne Edwards (#93), Jeff Spraker (#69), Gary Bradberry (#80), Tom Powers (#5), Tommy Croft (#71), Joe Buford (#11), Phil Bonifield (#23)
- During this race, Geoff Bodine was involved in a serious accident that collected many trucks and damaged the fence, causing his truck to flip over several times and become engulfed in flames. He survived the accident.
- Also, in this race, Kurt Busch makes his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut, and ended up finishing second to Mike Wallace.
Florida Dodge Dealers 400K
The Florida Dodge Dealers 400K was held February 26 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Joe Ruttman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60-Andy Houston
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 14-Rick Crawford
- 88-Terry Cook
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 75-Marty Houston
Failed to qualify: none
Chevy Trucks NASCAR 150
The Chevy Trucks NASCAR 150 was held March 18 at Phoenix International Raceway. Joe Ruttman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 60-Andy Houston
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 43-Steve Grissom
- 41-Randy Renfrow
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 14-Rick Crawford
Failed to qualify: Milan Garrett (#85), Bobby Hillis (#05)
Dodge California 250
The Dodge California 250 was held March 26 at Mesa Marin Raceway. Mike Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 43-Steve Grissom
- 41-Randy Renfrow
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 88-Terry Cook
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 14-Rick Crawford
- 60-Andy Houston
Failed to qualify: Rick Ware (#51), Milan Garrett (#85)
NAPA 250
The NAPA 250 was held April 10 at Martinsville Speedway. Mike Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
- 4-Bobby Hamilton
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 43-Steve Grissom
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 84-Scott Riggs
- 16-Jimmy Hensley
Failed to qualify: Wayne Edwards (#91), Carl Long (#91), Andy Genzman (#27), Billy Venturini (#83), Rick Ware (#51), Tom Bambard (#30), Paul Carman (#08), Bobby Norfleet (#34)
Line-X 225
The Line-X 225 was held April 22 at Portland International Raceway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60-Andy Houston
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 14-Rick Crawford
- 16-Jimmy Hensley
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 43-Steve Grissom
- 75-Marty Houston
- 31-John Young
Failed to qualify: none
- Thirty-three drivers qualified for this race, 1 short of the usual 34.
- Two African-American drivers ran in this race, the only time in a national series: Bobby Norfleet and Bill Lester. Lester ran the entire race and finished 24th. Norfleet, who qualified 11 miles per hour slower than the pole and was black flagged three times for failing to maintain a reasonable pace, was credited with a 32nd-place finish.
Ram Tough 200
The Ram Tough 200 was held May 7 at Gateway International Raceway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 16-Jimmy Hensley
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 43-Steve Grissom
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 88-Terry Cook
- 41-Randy Renfrow
Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#23), Wayne Edwards (#93), Rick Ware (#51) Stan Boyd (#89), Steve Stevenson (#11)
Quaker State 200
The Quaker State 200 was held May 13 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Bobby Hamilton won the pole.
Top ten results
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 43-Steve Grissom
- 14-Rick Crawford
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 98-Kenny Martin
- 16-Jimmy Hensley
Failed to qualify: Stan Boyd (#89), R. D. Smith (#79), Patrick Lawler (#38), Tom Powers (#5), Ricky Sanders (#19), Thomas Boston (#81), Phil Bonifield (#23), Paul Carman (#08)
Grainger.com 200
The Grainger.com 200 was held May 21 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Andy Houston won the pole.
Top ten results
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 60-Andy Houston
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 17-Ricky Hendrick
- 41-Randy Renfrow
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 86-Scott Riggs
- 75-Marty Houston
Failed to qualify: Bobby Norfleet (#34)
Sears 200
The Sears 200 was held June 3 at Evergreen Speedway. Joe Ruttman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 66-Rick Carelli
- 60-Andy Houston
- 86-Scott Riggs
- 3-Bryan Reffner
Failed to qualify: Jason Roche (#04), Bobby Hillis (#05), Bobby Norfleet (#34)
Pronto Auto Parts 400K
The Pronto Auto Parts 400K was held June 9 at Texas Motor Speedway. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 60-Andy Houston
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 75-Marty Houston
- 14-Rick Crawford
- 73-B. A. Wilson
- 86-Scott Riggs
Failed to qualify: none
Kroger 225
The inaugural Kroger 225 was held June 17 at Kentucky Speedway. Bryan Reffner won the pole.
Top ten results
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 75-Marty Houston
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 66-Rick Carelli
- 46-Rob Morgan
- 60-Andy Houston
- 14-Rick Crawford
Failed to qualify: Michael Dokken (#17)
Bully Hill Vineyards 150
The Bully Hill Vineyards 150 was held June 24 at Watkins Glen International. Greg Biffle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 7-Ron Fellows
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 60-Andy Houston
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 12-Carlos Contreras
- 14-Rick Crawford
- 25-Randy Tolsma
Failed to qualify: Donny Morelock (#4), Jason Thom (#37)
- The race was the last Truck race on a road course until 2013, when the Chevrolet Silverado 250 was held at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.[1]
- The Truck Series would not return to Watkins Glen for twenty one years.
Sears DieHard 200
The Sears DieHard 200 was held July 1 at The Milwaukee Mile. Kurt Busch won the pole.
Top ten results
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 43-Steve Grissom
- 2-Andy Houston
- 75-Marty Houston
- 90-Lance Norick
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 86-Scott Riggs
- 3-Bryan Reffner
Failed to qualify: none
thatlook.com 200
The thatlook.com 200 was held July 8 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Joe Ruttman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 60-Andy Houston
- 86-Scott Riggs
- 17-Ricky Hendrick
- 51-Michael Dokken
- 52-Ken Schrader
- 75-Marty Houston
Failed to qualify: none
Chevy Silverado 200
The Chevy Silverado 200 was held July 15 at Nazareth Speedway. Joe Ruttman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 43-Steve Grissom
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 88-Terry Cook
- 16-Jimmy Hensley
- 66-Rick Carelli
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 2-Mike Wallace
Failed to qualify: none
Michigan 200
The Michigan 200 was held July 22 at Michigan International Speedway. Jamie McMurray won the pole.
Top ten results
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 60-Andy Houston
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 41-Jamie McMurray
- 14-Rick Crawford
- 75-Marty Houston
- 29-Terry Cook
- 25-Randy Tolsma
Failed to qualify: Ricky Sanders (#19)
Power Stroke Diesel 200
The Power Stroke Diesel 200 was held August 3 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Joe Ruttman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 52-Lyndon Amick
- 41-Jamie McMurray
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 16-Jimmy Hensley
- 25-Randy Tolsma
Failed to qualify: Steve Prescott (#03), Coy Gibbs (#20), Phil Bonifield (#23), Morgan Shepherd (#7), Ronnie Hornaday (#92), Donny Morelock (#4), Ryan McGlynn (#00), Wes Russell (#47), Wayne Edwards (#93), Tony Ave (#31), Jason Thom (#37), Loni Richardson (#0)
Federated Auto Parts 250
The Federated Auto Parts 250 was held August 12 at Nashville Speedway USA. Jamie McMurray won the pole.
Top ten results
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 84-Chad Chaffin
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 43-Steve Grissom
- 60-Andy Houston
- 86-Scott Riggs
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 17-Ricky Hendrick
- 14-Rick Crawford
Failed to qualify: Brian Rose (#31), Ryan McGlynn (#00), Bobby Gill (#15), Ricky Sanders (#19), Wayne Edwards (#93), Jeff Beck (#27), Conrad Burr (#28), R. D. Smith (#79), Phil Bonifield (#23), Loni Richardson (#0), Tim Martin (#04)
- This was Randy Tolsma's last Truck Series victory.
Sears Craftsman 175
The inaugural Sears Craftsman 175 was held August 27 at Chicago Motor Speedway. Joe Ruttman won the pole.
Top ten results
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 2-Mike Wallace
- 60-Andy Houston
- 66-Rick Carelli
- 41-Jamie McMurray
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 88-Terry Cook
- 73-B.A. Wilson
- 25-Randy Tolsma
Failed to qualify: Wayne Edwards (#93), Stan Boyd (#89), Brad Payne (#33), Donnie Neuenberger (#21), Jay Stewart (#30), Phil Bonifield (#23), Brendan Gaughan (#62)
Kroger 200
The Kroger 200 was held September 7 at Richmond International Raceway. Kurt Busch won the pole.
Top ten results
- 66-Rick Carelli
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 86-Scott Riggs
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 52-Ken Schrader
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 43-Steve Grissom
- 4-Bobby Hamilton
Failed to qualify: Coy Gibbs (#20), Ricky Hendrick (#17), Morgan Shepherd (#80), Darren Shaw (#11), J. D. Gibbs (#48), Steve Prescott (#03), Brian Sockwell (#54), Brian Rose (#98), Wayne Edwards (#93), Bill Lester (#23), Jim Mills (#30), Loni Richardson (#0), Scotty Sands (#47)
MBNA e-commerce 200
The inaugural MBNA e-commerce 200 was held September 22 at Dover International Speedway. Kurt Busch won the pole.
Top ten results
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 14-Rick Crawford
- 60-Andy Houston
- 52-Ken Schrader
- 41-Jamie McMurray
- 75-Marty Houston
- 66-Rick Carelli
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 43-Carlos Contreras
Failed to qualify: Ron Barfield Jr. (#97), Kenny Martin (#98), Morgan Shepherd (#80), Larry Gunselman (#31), Tony Roper (#26), Ricky Sanders (#19), Ryan McGlynn (#00), Jerry Miller (#32), Michael Hamby (#0), Donnie Neuenbeger (#84), Jim Mills (#30)
O'Reilly 400
The O'Reilly 400 was held October 13 at Texas Motor Speedway. Bryan Reffner won the pole.
Top ten results
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 60-Andy Houston
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 16-Jimmy Hensley
- 1-Dennis Setzer
- 14-Rick Crawford
- 25-Randy Tolsma
- 17-Ricky Hendrick
- 66-Rick Carelli
- 44-Mark Petty
Failed to qualify: Morgan Shepherd (#80), Bobby Dotter (#45), Wayne Edwards (#93), Ron Barfield Jr. (#97), Carl Long (#32), Jay Stewart (#33), Richie Hearn (#23), Gene Christensen (#92)
- On lap 31 of 167, Tony Roper was racing for position when he collided with another truck and struck the front straightaway wall head-on. He died the next day from the injuries suffered in that wreck.
- On a happier note, Greg Biffle even by finishing 25th due to an accident, clinched the championship with 1 race remaining. It was Jack Roush's first NASCAR championship of any kind.
- This was Bryan Reffner's only Truck Series victory.
Motorola 200
The Motorola 200 was held October 28 at California Speedway. Kurt Busch won the pole.
Top ten results
- 99-Kurt Busch
- 60-Andy Houston
- 18-Joe Ruttman
- 24-Jack Sprague
- 50-Greg Biffle
- 3-Bryan Reffner
- 29-Terry Cook
- 75-Marty Houston
- 88-Matt Crafton
- 16-Jimmy Hensley
Failed to qualify: Tom Powers (#5), Rick Ware (#51), Michael Hamby (#0)
- First career start for eventual three-time series champion Matt Crafton.
Final points standings
- Greg Biffle – 3826
- Kurt Busch – 3596
- Andy Houston – 3566
- Mike Wallace – 3450
- Jack Sprague – 3316
- Joe Ruttman – 3278
- Dennis Setzer – 3214
- Randy Tolsma – 3157
- Bryan Reffner – 3153
- Steve Grissom – 3113
- Rick Crawford – 3053
- Marty Houston – 2942
- Jimmy Hensley – 2933
- Terry Cook – 2805
- Rick Carelli – 2606
- Lance Norick – 2430
- Carlos Contreras – 2414
- Rob Morgan – 2353
- Randy MacDonald – 2321
- Scott Riggs – 2078
- B. A. Wilson – 2047
- Jamie McMurray – 1679
- Randy Renfrow – 1610
- Rick Ware – 1585
- Ryan McGlynn – 1581
- Wayne Edwards – 1391
- Coy Gibbs – 1226
- Lance Hooper – 1199
- David Starr – 1163
- Ricky Hendrick – 846
- Andy Genzman – 780
- Jim Inglebright – 742
- John Young – 720
- Mark Petty – 719
- Ken Schrader – 688
- Ricky Sanders – 667
- Kenny Martin – 652
- Tom Carey – 652
- Phil Bonifield – 617
- Brendan Gaughan – 615
- Mike Cope – 594
- Bobby Hamilton – 586
- Michael Dokken – 532
- Ron Barfield Jr. – 501
- Brad Bennett – 473
- Jeff Beck – 467
- Morgan Shepherd – 465
- Donny Morelock – 459
- J. D. Gibbs – 444
- Brian Sockwell – 435
Rookie of the Year
Kurt Busch, winner of Roush Racing's first Gong Show, took home Rookie of the Year honors in 2000, winning four races and finishing second in points. The top runner-up was Carlos Contreras, the first Mexican to compete full-time in the Truck Series. Scott Riggs started the year with several underfunded teams, before becoming Contreras' teammate at Impact Motorsports. Rick Ware, Wayne Edwards, Kenny Martin, and Coy Gibbs all declared for ROTY but struggled in qualifying, while Mark Petty made a delayed attempt at the award. Businessman Donny Morelock and Coy's brother J. D. rounded out the rookie class of 2000.
References
- Associated Press (September 1, 2013). "Chase Elliott wrecks Ty Dillon to win truck race; Richard Childress furious". Sporting News. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2013.