Leffler lands No. 2 Ultra ride in Truck Series

Jason Leffler

By Dave Rodman, Turner Sports Interactive
December 6, 2001
3:18 PM EST (2018 GMT)

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Jason Leffler, who was cut loose by Chip Ganassi after one Winston Cup season, was named to pilot Ultra Motorsports' No. 2 Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Leffler, a four-time USAC champion, had a multi-year contract with Ganassi but that did not keep him from getting replaced at the end of the year by Jimmy Spencer.

Driver Scott Riggs, after exploding on the Craftsman Truck Series scene in 2001 by leading the standings for a good portion of the season and winning five races, used that exposure to secure a deal with 2000 NASCAR Busch Series championship team ppc Racing.

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Ultra owner Jimmy Smith said later last season that his next truck driver would "definitely not have a one-year contract," though the terms for Leffler were not disclosed.

"I've known Jason for a long time and I've always thought the world of him," Smith said. "I think it's going to be a great situation for everyone involved."

The association will be a homecoming for Leffler, who has one career Truck Series start. "This will be a breath of fresh air for me," said Leffler, who became a hot commodity in 2000 after winning three NASCAR Busch Series Bud Poles for Joe Gibbs Racing. "To finally be able to come home, so to speak, is really exciting."

Leffler's teammate, Winston Cup veteran Ted Musgrave, led the Craftsman Truck Seriesin victories last season with seven, as Smith's operation won half of the 24 events and collared seven Bud Poles.

"I've been spending a lot of time at the shop getting to know everyone," Leffler said. "All of the guys are already treating me like I've been there for years."

As one of the founders of the Craftsman Truck Series, Smith has notched 22 series wins as an owner, including an organization best second-place finish in the 2001 final points with Musgrave in the No. 1 Mopar Performance Parts Dodge. Leffler and Musgrave will open the 2002 Truck Series season at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 15. Ultra's entry finished third at Daytona in 2001 with Riggs and won the inaugural event in 2000 with Wallace.