Musgrave, Team ASE sign with HT Motorsports for '08

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Team ASE, the longest running team sponsor in Craftsman Truck Series history and Truck Series champion Ted Musgrave will join forces once again in 2008. Musgrave will drive the No. 59 Team ASE Toyota Tundra fielded by HT Motorsports and led by champion crew chief Danny Rollins. Rollins led the late Bobby Hamilton to a Truck Series title in 2004. Musgrave won the Truck title in 2005 with former series' team Ultra Motorsports. Last season, Musgrave finished seventh in the driver standings behind the wheel of the No. 9 Team ASE Toyota. Musgrave scored one win, seven top-fives and 15 top-10 finishes in 2007.

Musgrave made his NASCAR debut in the Nationwide Series in 1989. Musgrave scored a pair of top-10 finishes and one top-five in 22 starts. In 1990, Musgrave made his Cup Series debut, collecting 55 top-10 finishes and 20 top-fives in 305 starts spanning 14 years in NASCAR's elite division. Musgrave's nine-year, ongoing career in the Truck Series began in 1995 where he has posted 113 top-10s, 80 top-fives and 17 wins along with the 2005 title.

Musgrave got familiar with his No. 59 Toyota crew at Daytona Preseason Thunder test sessions held last weekend at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 11-13. Musgrave posted the sixth fastest time in the final session on Sunday.

"The guys on this HT Motorsports team really did a great job last weekend," Musgrave said "My truck was great. It drove well and balanced well also. I appreciate all of their hard work and really look forward to a very successful season."

The 2008 season marks the fifth year for HT Motorsports in Truck Series competition. HT Motorsports boasts an impressive driver roster that has included three-time Cup Series champion Darrell Waltrip, three-time Nationwide Series champion Randy LaJoie, Stacy Compton and most recently Terry Cook.

HT Motorsports is owned by Jim Harris, who has been involved in motorsports for many years. Harris, a Virginia resident, is CEO of Harris Trucking Co. and operates the team in a state-of-the-art facility in Martinsville, Va.

"I really look forward to the addition of Team ASE and Ted to our program," Harris said. "We truly appreciate the confidence they have shown in this organization so far and I think we have a bright future. Adding someone with the talent and experience like Ted is not only exciting for me but everyone associated with the team. We all look for a very successful 2008 season."