Farmingdale’s Johnny Clark admitted he was surprised to get the boot Thursday from Roush Racing’s “Race for the Ride” competition.

He was one of 25 contestants who ventured to Martinsville Speedway (Va.), where they ran time trials in Roush trucks earlier this week and interacted in a reality show format. Marketability and fan appeal were also part of the criteria.

Team owner Jack Roush and a group of judges pared the field to 12 for phase two at Darlington Raceway (S.C.) on Aug. 15-17 and Clark was one of the 13 contestants who didn’t make the cut.

The winner will earn a full-time Roush ride in the Craftsman Truck Series next year. The competition will be aired in a 13-part series on the Discovery Channel beginning Oct. 31.

“I was disappointed,” said Clark, the defending Pro All-Stars Series points champion. “I thought I had a real good shot at making the final 12. I did everything I was supposed to do and I thought things went real smoothly. They told me they were very happy with my performance. It just wasn’t exactly what they were looking for.

“I don’t understand how they ended up with the 12 names who made it to the next level. Their top 12 wasn’t the same top 12 I had in my head. Not even close. I don’t understand what Roush Racing is looking for in a race car driver, but they’re obviously doing something right. They’ve got a couple of [Nextel Cup points] championships,” added Clark.

He was referring to Kurt Busch’s points title last year and Matt Kenseth’s two years ago.

“It was everything I thought it was going to be. I was real happy with my performance. I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d do it exactly the same way,” said Clark.

Clark said driving a truck was much different than the pro stock cars he is used to.

“They flop around a lot,” said Clark. “A pro stock car is a spaceship compared to those things. You have to go about driving a truck the opposite way from driving a pro stock [car]. But I thought I adapted really quickly and I turned in some really good lap times.”

He said the trucks have “awesome forward bite” and you have to let them “roll through the center of the turns much more. You can’t get on the brakes hard or you’ll lose all your momentum in the center of the turn.”

Off the track, he said all the contestants were amicable.

“That’s what made it more enjoyable. All 25 of us got along really well,” said Clark. “It may be boring for the Discovery Channel. I’m sure they would have liked a couple of conflicts.”

Despite his disappointment, the 25-year-old Clark said it was a memorable four days.

“It was cool. It was a unique experience. It was a real good time. I’d do it again in a second,” said Clark.

He said tradition-steeped Martinsville was “awesome” and he is hoping to head south some day to advance his career. He said he made some valuable contacts during his stay.

He will now set his sights on defending his PASS points championship.

He said that has always been his top priority.

“We’re going for back-to-back championships and we’re going to fight to the end to get it,” said Clark, who will join the other PASS drivers for The Summerfest 150 at Riverside Speedway in Groveton, N.H. Saturday beginning at 6 p.m.

He is second in points, just six behind leader Ben Rowe of Turner.

Leg injury shelved Moore Sunday

Ryan Moore of Scarborough didn’t race in Sunday’s Oxford TD Banknorth 250 because he pinched a nerve in his neck and back during Saturday night’s Edge Hotel 150 Busch North race at Adirondack (N.Y.) International Speedway.

His father, Kelly, replaced him, but failed to qualify.

Ryan Moore, who made his Busch debut for Dale Earnhardt Inc. at New Hampshire International Speedway last month, said his legs got “real numb” just 20 laps into the Busch North race.

“I got in the seat wrong or something,” said Ryan. “I couldn’t really feel the pedals. I had to go by sound and sight all night.”

Despite the numbness, Moore led 72 laps and was leading with eight laps to go when Matt Kobyluck passed him and went on to take the checkered flag.

Moore finished third.

Cherryfield’s Andy Santerre wound up second.

Moore said the numbness wasn’t there Sunday, but his right leg was sore and he didn’t want to put “everyone else in jeopardy if something happens.”

Busch North will return to racing on Wednesday at Stafford Motor Speedway (Conn.).

PASS makeup race Aug. 21

Speaking of PASS, the tour’s Community Pharmacies 150, which was rained out on May 22 at Hermon’s Speedway 95, has been rescheduled for Sunday, Aug. 21 at 3:30 p.m.