Kerry Earnhardt
2006

4/19
Sullivan Worldwide Announces Relationship Between National Pork Board and ThorSport Racing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (04/17/2006) - Sullivan Worldwide Marketing Group (Sullivan Worldwide) announced today that ThorSport Racing has secured the National Pork Board as an associate sponsor for the #13 Chevrolet driven by Kerry Earnhardt and the #88 Chevrolet driven by Matt Crafton in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

"Affiliating with one of the most popular drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in Kerry Earnhardt and a championship contender in Matt Crafton presents a tremendous opportunity for the National Pork Board," said Sullivan Worldwide President Greg Sullivan.

"The National Pork Board is excited about the exposure that this partnership gives us.   Working with Kerry Earnhardt, Matt Crafton and the ThorSport Racing team will provide us with a solid foundation in the Craftsman Truck Series," according to Mike Walser, Eastern Division Retail Manager for the National Pork Board.   "We're planning some great promotions for these targeted events."

Starting with the May 19 race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, the National Pork Board will adorn Earnhardt's #13 and Crafton's #88 for the remainder of the 2006 season.

ThorSport Racing fields two Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Matt Crafton earned ThorSport its first top-ten finish in the series point standings in 2005.

Sullivan Worldwide is the leading producer of motorsports sponsorship in the United States. Best known for securing Nextel as the entitlement sponsor for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series on behalf of its client NASCAR, Sullivan Worldwide recently helped secure The Fastenal Company as the primary sponsor of Bobby Hamilton's #18 Fastenal Dodge, in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

4/1
Earnhardt Keeps Cool, Finishes 20th in Martinsville Debut

Hot tempers and hectic racing make Martinsville Speedway a tough place to compete under the best of circumstances.  Add a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series record sixteen cautions to the mix, and even the most-experienced driver may be tempted to turn his frustration toward the nearest truck.

Kerry Earnhardt kept his cool and managed to keep the hood on the No. 13 ThorSport Racing Chevy Silverado en route to a 20 th place finish in the Kroger 250 on Saturday, no small feat for a driver making his first start at the torturous half-mile track.  A miscommunication in the pit area cost Earnhardt a lap early in the race, but he kept battling, avoided any big trouble and finished on the lead lap.

“We got down a lap there at the beginning, but we fought back and finished in the top twenty and brought the truck home in one piece, and all things considered at Martinsville, that’s not a bad day,” Earnhardt said.  “I’m thankful that the crew hung with me.  They worked real hard all day, and battled right along with me.  Those guys don’t give up.”

The race also marked Lance Hooper’s debut as crew chief of the No. 13.  Earnhardt likes the potential of their partnership.  “This was my first race working with Lance, and I thought we communicated well for our first time out,” said Earnhardt.  “It will be a learning process for both of us and we’ll keep getting better together.”
Earnhardt moved to 22 nd in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings.