Mooresville, NC

John Andretti will return to Billy Ballew Motorsports to drive the No. 15 Chevrolet Silverado this Saturday at Memphis Motorsports Park in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event.  Andretti made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Kansas Speedway a few weeks ago in the Billy Ballew Motorsports-entry and made a considerable impression on team owner Billy Ballew, as well as fans alike, by finishing in the ninth position after starting last.

“We’re really excited to have John back with us,” said team owner Billy Ballew.  “He did a great job for us at Kansas, and I knew if the opportunity arose to have him back, he’d get the call.  The way he made his way to the front at Kansas after never having been in a truck before was spectacular.  I’m sure John will give us that excitement again competing under the lights at Memphis this weekend.”

Andretti scored a solid top-10 finish in his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with Billy Ballew Motorsports after having to start in the rear for making changes following qualifying.  “I enjoyed my first race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Billy Ballew Motorsports,” said Andretti.  “They are a great organization and do a top-notch job preparing these trucks.  I had a lot of fun, especially since I hadn’t driven since March.  Ritchie (Wauters, crew chief) and the guys bore with me while I was shaking the cobwebs off.”

Andretti anxiously awaits his second career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start this weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park, a track in which he has never competed.  “I like short track racing, but Memphis is a track I haven’t been to before, so I don’t know quite what to expect.  As they did before, Ritchie and the guys will bring a lightning-fast truck to the track and we’ll work on it from there.  I’m looking forward to bringing Billy Ballew Motorsports another strong top-10 finish at Memphis.”

Billy Ballew Motorsports, which for the bulk of the 2005 season has remained unsponsored, sits in the top-five in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owners’ Points Standings just past the halfway point of the season.  The No. 15 team is fifth in the points, less than 200 points out of the lead, with 12 races remaining in the 2005 season.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 gets underway at 7:15 p.m. CT from Memphis Motorsports Park.  The race will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel and MRN Radio.