TRUCKS: MOPAR'S MUSGRAVE ON THE MOVE EARLY IN 2005

CENTER LINE, MI - Ted Musgrave is on the move in the 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and there's one thing that definitely stands out: For the first time in several years, Musgrave and the No. 1 Ultra Motorsports Mopar Dodge Ram team are on top of their game early in the season, and it seems that Lady Luck has dealt Musgrave a good hand right from the start.

It's a toss of the dice that Musgrave isn't familiar with.

"To be honest, I'm not sure what to expect with a start like we've had," Musgrave joked earlier this week. "This is such the opposite from the past few years, I hope that good things continue for us. So far, it seems that luck has been on our side, which is surprising. We're just hoping that it continues."

While Musgrave jokingly attributes this turn of events to luck, he's also quick to point out that the team isn't doing anything differently than they have in the past.

"We've always worked hard and given a 100 percent effort. It just seems that we could never get anything to fall our way early in the season," Musgrave said. "It's so different to be sitting in the top half of the points this early. Normally, we've got to work harder at the end of the season to make up for mishaps from the early races. This team always works hard. It's just that this year we're getting the results we're looking for now rather than later."

The Ultra Motorsports team is well prepared for the World Financial Group 200 race this week at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and they're bringing an additional piece of security with them to the event.

"We tested a month ago at Atlanta, and the test was great," Musgrave said. "We're going to run the same truck we ran at Fontana last month, which was just a great truck. We know that with the test and the truck, we've got a great shot at winning this race. We're looking forward to going to Atlanta this week."

In last year's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Musgrave drove to an eighth-place finish after qualifying in 21st position. The No. 1 Ultra Motorsports team will enter this week's World Financial Group 200 in the fourth position in series points, only 45 points out of first place.
For more information regarding Mopar or Musgrave, log on to www.moparspeed.com or www.tedmusgrave.com.

Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles.