By: Joe Heller
Source: http://www.doverspeedway.com/track/news/article.php?dir=200808&id=2154
August 5, 2008 - Much has changed since the checkered flag fell on the NASCAR Busch East Series season last September at Dover. The series has a new name, its defending champion has gone on to be an instant success in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and a few new faces have emerged as real contenders for this year’s championship title.
The series unveiled a new name and logo at their annual awards banquet in December 2007. Long-time sponsor Busch ended its partnership with NASCAR and the East Series at the end of the season, paving the way for Camping World to step up and sponsor both of NASCAR’s regional series – the NASCAR Camping World Series East and West.
The NASCAR Camping World Series is the top step in NASCAR’s developmental series before drivers make the jump to the three national series. Joey Logano, 2007 East Series champion, made a giant leap from the series to the NASCAR Nationwide Series at the end of last season, and has been able to continue much of the success that he saw in the East Series, including his first career victory in only his third start in NASCAR’s No. 2 series.
But while Logano has moved on to the national level, several new young guns have stepped up to the plate and have established themselves as real contenders.
Austin Dillon, grandson of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Richard Childress, will be easily spotted on the track in his black No. 3 Chevrolet with Andy Santerre Motorsports.
Brian Ickler has been following Dillon closely in the early stages of the season. The former NASCAR Camping World West Series competitor has now made a permanent move to the East Series with his own team, and has gotten off to a flying start.
Likewise, Ricky Carmichael has shown to be lightning fast from the get-go. Considered to be the greatest AMA motocross racer of all-time, Carmichael has gone from two wheels to four, and will race the full East Series schedule with Ken Schrader Racing.
Series veterans Steve Park, Matt Kobyluck and second-year East Series sensations Jeffrey Earnhardt and Peyton Sellers will no doubt give the young guns a run for their money, and will be in hot pursuit of the “Sunoco 150” monster trophy.
To purchase tickets for the Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 "Sunoco 150" NASCAR Camping World Series race click here.
