Impact Motorsports
Encyclopedia
Impact Motorsports is a former NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series
team. It was owned by David Hodson and Russell Kersh from 1997
until 2001
, when it was sold to Phil Bonifield
.
Impact debuted in 1997 at the Chevy Trucks Challenge at Walt Disney World Speedway
. Stacy Compton
drove the #86 Valvoline Ford F-150 to a tenth place finish. Compton and Impact ran the entire season, and finished third behind Kenny Irwin Jr. and Rick Crawford
for Rookie of the Year
. The next season, R.C. Cola
jumped on board to sponsor, and Compton won twice that season, at Portland
and Kansas
. He also was named Most Popular Driver as the team finished seventh in points. At that time, rumors began spreading that the team might run a Winston Cup race at Martinsville Speedway
that year with Compton driving, but those plans never materialized. In 1999, Impact switched to Dodge and started a new team, the #25 Superguard
truck driven by Randy Tolsma
. Compton did not win, but collected six poles and finished fourth in points, while Tolsma had ten top-tens and finished 11th in points.
In 2000, Compton left for Melling Racing
, and he was replaced by Mike Cope
. Despite Cope putting together three top-twenty finishes, he was released from his ride. He was originally replaced by Doug George
, then by rookie Scott Riggs
. Riggs immediately clicked with the team, posting eight top-ten finishes during his tenure with the team, who finished 15th in owner's points that season. Tolsma, meanwhile, picked up a win at Nashville Speedway USA and finished eighth in points. The team added a third truck to its stable, the #12 Dodge driven by Carlos Contreras
and sponsored by Hot Wheels
. In his rookie season, Contreras had a pair of top-tens and finished 17th in points.
After the season, RC Cola, Supergard, Tolsma, Contreras, and Riggs all left the team. Miccosukee Gambling Group and the National Wild Turkey Federation
originally signed to sponsor the 25 and 86 respectively trucks at the beginning of the season, as well as the team switching back to Ford, with Barry Bodine
and Derrike Cope
driving the two trucks. Bodine had two starts, the best of which being a 12th at Homestead, and Cope finishing 16th at Daytona. After Homestead however, the 25 shut down, and Cope left the 86. Jason White
took over the 86, and had a best finish of 13th, but the team was starting to suffer big financial problems, and had to switch to a part-time schedule. Randy Briggs, Dana White, Jason Thom, and Rich Woodland, Jr. all ran for the team, before Phil Bonifield finished out the year. At the end of the season, the team's mounting financial difficulties forced the team to close its doors. The equipment and owner's points were purchased by Bonifield.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
team. It was owned by David Hodson and Russell Kersh from 1997
1997 in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Season began on January 19 and ended on November 19. Jack Sprague of Hendrick Motorsports won the title.See also: 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 1997 NASCAR Busch Series- 1997 Team Chart :- Chevy Trucks Challenge :...
until 2001
2001 in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Season began February 16 and ended November 3. Jack Sprague of Hendrick Motorsports was crowned champion.See also: 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 2001 NASCAR Busch Series- 2001 Team Chart :...
, when it was sold to Phil Bonifield
Phil Bonifield
Phil Bonifield is an owner/driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series. He fielded Team Racing for six years in the Truck Series. Bonifield began his racing career in 1973, when he began competing with BMX bicycles. Racing across the United States, he won several championships from...
.
Impact debuted in 1997 at the Chevy Trucks Challenge at Walt Disney World Speedway
Walt Disney World Speedway
Walt Disney World Speedway is a racing facility located on the grounds of the Walt Disney World resort near Orlando, Florida.It was built in 1995 by IMS Events, Inc., a subsidiary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, and was designed primarily as a venue for the Indy 200 at Walt Disney...
. Stacy Compton
Stacy Compton
Stacy Compton is a NASCAR team owner and former driver. He currently owns Turn One Racing. He is a former co-owner of Bobby Hamilton Racing-Virginia in the Craftsman Truck Series, and is a former racing analyst for ESPN full-time...
drove the #86 Valvoline Ford F-150 to a tenth place finish. Compton and Impact ran the entire season, and finished third behind Kenny Irwin Jr. and Rick Crawford
Rick Crawford (NASCAR)
Richard Crawford is a race car driver who drives the #73 SUPERSEAL Chevrolet Silverado for Tagsby Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Crawford is the current record holder for the most NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races competed in with more than 325. He is a regular weekly...
for Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
The NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the first-year driver that has the best season in a NASCAR season. Each of NASCAR's national and regional touring series selects a RotY winner each year....
. The next season, R.C. Cola
R.C. Cola
RC Cola is a soft drink developed in 1905 by Claude A. Hatcher, a pharmacist in Columbus, Georgia, United States.- History :...
jumped on board to sponsor, and Compton won twice that season, at Portland
Portland Speedway
Portland Speedway was a half-mile race track for auto racing in Portland, Oregon, U.S. It was in existence from 1924 until mid-2000.The track began as a five-eighths-mile clay oval in 1924 on the site of a field in north Portland...
and Kansas
Heartland Park Topeka
Heartland Park Topeka is a multi-purpose motorsports facility located south of Topeka, Kansas.When it opened in 1989, it was the first brand-new auto racing facility to be built in the United States for 20 years. Its facilities include a road-race course with 4 possible configurations , a ⅜ mile...
. He also was named Most Popular Driver as the team finished seventh in points. At that time, rumors began spreading that the team might run a Winston Cup race at Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
that year with Compton driving, but those plans never materialized. In 1999, Impact switched to Dodge and started a new team, the #25 Superguard
Citgo
CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a United States-incorporated, Venezuela-owned refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de...
truck driven by Randy Tolsma
Randy Tolsma
Randy Tolsma is a former race car driver. Tolsma began his racing career in go-karts at the age of nine, before moving into sprint cars, running as high as USAC, where he won four track championships...
. Compton did not win, but collected six poles and finished fourth in points, while Tolsma had ten top-tens and finished 11th in points.
In 2000, Compton left for Melling Racing
Melling Racing
Melling Racing was a NASCAR team that ran from 1982 to 2002. The team won the 1988 championship with driver Bill Elliott.-History:Owner Harry Melling first became involved in NASCAR when his company Melling Tool sponsored Benny Parsons in 1979. The team began in 1982 with driver Bill Elliott by...
, and he was replaced by Mike Cope
Mike Cope
Mike Cope , is a retired NASCAR driver. He became famous during the mid-1990s one of the best drivers in the Slim Jim All-Pro Series. In the late-90s he started a five year tour in the high levels of NASCAR...
. Despite Cope putting together three top-twenty finishes, he was released from his ride. He was originally replaced by Doug George
Doug George
Doug George is a NASCAR driver and mechanic. Currently, he is the crew chief of the #51 NOS/Miccosukee Gambling Toyota Tundra driven by Kyle Busch and Brian Ickler in the Craftsman Truck Series. He has made a total of 58 starts in NASCAR.He began racing professionally in the 1980s, driving for his...
, then by rookie Scott Riggs
Scott Riggs
Russell Scott Riggs is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #81 Dodge Charger for Whitney Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.-Early career:...
. Riggs immediately clicked with the team, posting eight top-ten finishes during his tenure with the team, who finished 15th in owner's points that season. Tolsma, meanwhile, picked up a win at Nashville Speedway USA and finished eighth in points. The team added a third truck to its stable, the #12 Dodge driven by Carlos Contreras
Carlos Contreras
Carlos Contreras is the first Mexican-born driver in any NASCAR national series. He has competed in the Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series .-Busch Series:...
and sponsored by Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco.-Models:...
. In his rookie season, Contreras had a pair of top-tens and finished 17th in points.
After the season, RC Cola, Supergard, Tolsma, Contreras, and Riggs all left the team. Miccosukee Gambling Group and the National Wild Turkey Federation
National Wild Turkey Federation
The National Wild Turkey Federation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage...
originally signed to sponsor the 25 and 86 respectively trucks at the beginning of the season, as well as the team switching back to Ford, with Barry Bodine
Barry Bodine
Barry Bodine is a former NASCAR driver. He is the son of Geoffrey Bodine, and the nephew of Todd and Brett Bodine.-Busch Series Career:...
and Derrike Cope
Derrike Cope
Derrike Cope is a NASCAR driver. He is best known for his win in the 1990 Daytona 500. He currently drives the #28 Chevrolet for Jay Robinson Racing in the Nationwide Series and the #75 Chevrolet/Dodge for his own team in the Sprint Cup Series.-Early years:Cope was born in San Diego, California...
driving the two trucks. Bodine had two starts, the best of which being a 12th at Homestead, and Cope finishing 16th at Daytona. After Homestead however, the 25 shut down, and Cope left the 86. Jason White
Jason White (NASCAR)
Jason White is the driver for the #23 GunBroker.com Chevy Silverado for Joe Denette Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He has been racing in NASCAR since 1999.-Beginnings:...
took over the 86, and had a best finish of 13th, but the team was starting to suffer big financial problems, and had to switch to a part-time schedule. Randy Briggs, Dana White, Jason Thom, and Rich Woodland, Jr. all ran for the team, before Phil Bonifield finished out the year. At the end of the season, the team's mounting financial difficulties forced the team to close its doors. The equipment and owner's points were purchased by Bonifield.