Craven’s crew chief helps Kluever take second

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Rookie Todd Kluever could feel that change was imminent heading into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race this weekend at Kansas Speedway.

Swapping crew chiefs was a risky move on such short notice, but the switch paid off as Kluever had a career-best second-place finish Saturday behind champion Todd Bodine.

“I’ve been with these guys for about a day and a half now,” said Kluever, a 26-year-old from Sun Prairie, Wis. “To come out and hit the first pitch with new guys on your team is really cool. I’m really excited about the rest of the season now.”

In what proved to be a blockbuster trade, Kluever sent former crew chief John Monsam over to his Roush Racing teammate Ricky Craven of Newburgh for veteran Mike Beam.

It was hard for Kluever to part ways with Monsam, but he understood why the sudden move had to be done.

“I don’t think it was any secret that the Roush truck teams weren’t performing up to the level that the rest of the stable has been,” he said. “I was sad to see John go, but in the same sense I was happy to see Mike because I respect him so much.”

Craven didn’t fare as well, finishing 13th in the race Saturday, but he was still in favor of the crew change.

“I think it will be good for the company, because John Monsam has good experience and Mike Beam has been around for a long time,” said Craven, who is currently fifth in the Craftsman Trucks points race. “I think the two teams are still one.”