Remember when the NASCAR Truck Series was so popular with fans and television because of the five-minute “halftime” break rule? Here’s an example of the times, as this 1998 Dodge Dana racing truck comes from the final year of the interesting regulation that was used in place of traditional pit stops back in the day.
We might be dealing here with only the third tier of NASCAR’s national divisions, but for some fans, truck racing has everything and more compared to the top tiers, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the flagship NASCAR Cup Series.
Now here’s a chance to own a real piece of memorabilia from the series – either for your personal viewing pleasure or for actual track racing. Both would be plausible, as the 1998 Dodge Dana race truck featured by AutoBarn Classic Cars seems to be in proper working condition after it was fully restored in 2004.
Back in 1998, the Dana Corporation decided to enter the NASCAR Truck Series via a sponsorship deal with the racing team owned by Bobby Hamilton. Basically, the fully restored 1998 Dodge Dana racing truck is one of five identical vehicles that were built, attended to, and raced by Hamilton and his crew during the season.
While Bobby Hamilton drove the #4 truck, this example (number 18) was campaigned by Joe Ruttman, winner of the most popular driver title back in 2001 and holder of 13 victories in the series. Since it was retired, the racing truck has remained in possession of the same owner for the past 14 years. And, according to the dealer’s description, it was solely used as an educational aid to promote the Truck Series around Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
As such, it’s no wonder the truck went through a full restoration process and still kept its “factory trim” as per its days with the Dana racing team. Naturally, we’re dealing with a custom-built chassis, a 355-cu in (5.8-liter) Mopar “R” series LA engine upgraded to racing duties, as well as a Doug Nash wide-ratio four-speed transmission.
Even though it remains in the same specification as when it was created for racing more than two decades ago, this Dodge Dana racer isn’t going to break the bank, as the dealer recently reduced the price quotation to just $21,995.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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