Truckin', "Bama"-style

Looks like Brian Vickers isn't the only wheel-man on the #83 crew. The team's quick start to the 08 season is even happening outside of NASCAR Sprint Cup races.

Hauler driver Mike "Bama" Williams recently participated in Round 1 the "Freightliner 2008 Run Smart Challenge" in Las Vegas - and won! The race was open to all NASCAR Sprint Cup hauler drivers, of which 32 participated. The drivers manuevered around a course of cones set up on the front stretch of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, gaining (and losing) points along the way. They were tested on skills such as parallel parking and backing up around curves, losing points for knocking down cones, gaining points for skill and speed.

In case you are wondering, they did not use the actual race haulers - since that could really cause some problems for the team! Instead, each hauler driver demonstrated their skills using Freightliner’s Coronado model.

The challenge is not over yet, though. The drivers will compete in four other races throughout the year - twice at Lowe's Motor Speedway, once at Chicagoland Speedway and once at Kansas Speedway. The ultimate goal - win the 1st place prize of $35,000.00 - plus bragging rights throughout the Cup garage for a year. Bama won Round 1 with a time of 4:13, and secured 490 points.

We will keep you posted on his progress throughout the season.