Long-time spotter for Billy Ballew Motorsports, Frank Bolter is credited for the Billy Ballew introduction to Buddy Lazier.  Frank Bolter has been spotting in auto racing from IRL, NEXTEL Cup, ARCA and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is a well known spotter in the racing industry.  Bolter had spotted for Buddy Lazier’s teammate at the Indy 500 in 2004, then for Lazier in 2005.  After Bolter came back from the Brickyard race, Bolter told team owner Ballew that Lazier was interested in getting into a NASCAR Craftsman Truck.  Ballew immediately invited Lazier to the 2005 Charlotte test where Lazier took his first laps in Chevrolet Silverado NASCAR Craftsman Truck.  Ironically, that test would be the first time that Kyle Busch drove one of the team’s trucks.  Busch had so much fun he asked Ballew if he could race the truck sometime and the rest is history.

Lazier has four previous Las Vegas Motor Speedway starts on the previously configured 1.5-mile tri-oval.   His best start at the speedway is fourth in 1996 and a best finish of third in 2000.  Billy Ballew Motorsports has five previous Craftsman Truck Series starts with the team’s first NASCAR Series victory at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2004.

“IROC really was an eye opener for me into the world of stock car racing,” Lazier said.  “Racing with the best in the NEXTEL Cup, Busch Series as well as other race drivers was a blast.  It was probably the most fun racing experience for me in my 20 years of professional motorsports.  I’ve been trying to find the right opportunity since then.  I tested a Craftsman Truck at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2005 for Billy Ballew.  I was pretty cautious driving but our times were comparable to the other trucks on the track.  I have been looking for an opportunity since then.  I’ve always continued contact with Frank (Bolter) and Billy Ballew and so when the opportunity arose for us to race in Las Vegas I jumped at the chance.    I’ve driven at the track in Las Vegas but with the old configuration, so I’ll be studying up on last year’s race this week and am looking forward to a lot of seat time during practice. I anticipate a good start and finish then see what develops from there.  Obviously, I’d love to continue racing in a top-tier NASCAR Series and hope I can make a good start on Saturday in Las Vegas.”

Racing is in the blood at Lazier’s home; his son Flinn, just 8-years old, won the 2007 Kid Kart Nationals in August.

“I am so proud of Flinn,” Lazier said.  “We have a lot of fun when we go to the races. When I raced in the IROC series, I was almost envious of all the families.  In the IRL, we didn’t really bring our families with us to the same extent as they do in the NASCAR Family where it really feels welcoming to the drivers, their children and spouses. I couldn’t have found a more perfect fit then with Billy Ballew Motorsports.  They are true racers and I feel right at home with the whole team.”

Not much more of a close knit family can you get then the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series where rubbing is still racing but it stays on the track.

Lazier will take the wheel of the No. 15 Flanders Beef Patties Chevrolet Silverado for the  Las Vegas 350 (146 lap, 219 mile) NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event, which is slated to begin at 9:00 ET Saturday, September 22, 2007.  The event will be broadcast live beginning at 8:30pm ET on SPEED with MRN Radio and their affiliate station coverage beginning at 8:45pm ET.

To kick off the Smith’s Las Vegas 350 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, on Saturday, September 22 several Stars of the series will be at a free autograph session at The Stratosphere Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas Friday evening from 7-8 p.m.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Drivers scheduled to participate include: Buddy Lazier, Ken Schrader, Todd Bodine, Ted Musgrave, Jacques Villeneuve, Mike Bliss, Stacy Compton, Jon Wood, David Green, Terry Cook, Scott Lynch, Chad Chaffin, Kevin Hamlin, Matt Crafton, Willie Allen, Chris Wimmer, Brandon Miller, Dennis Setzer and Josh Wise. (Driver attendance subject to change)

For more information on Billy Ballew Motorsports and their drivers visit www.BillyBallewMotorsports.com.

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