The Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year honor may have been lost in the end-of-season shuffle. But while Juan Pablo Montoya and David Ragan were claiming the honor in the NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series, young Willie Allen's accomplishments in the NCTS were equally impressive.
Allen piloted the Thorsport Chevrolet to 15th place in the final standings, good enough to earn the top freshman of 2007 honors.
"It feels real good to be Rookie of the Year," Allen said. "Definitely it was a goal of ours at the first of the year. I think everyone who's a rookie wants to win it, especially in the Truck Series it's such a coveted honor and a lot of the guys have moved on to the Cup Series and really made a name for themselves, and I'm just glad to be in that list of drivers. "
Allen's success in 2007 was a big turnaround in the young driver's career, who was nearly out of racing a year ago.
"Last year I was reading gas meters in Nashville," Allen said. "It's just a blessing to be here. I thank Lance [Hooper, crew chief] and all the guys again for all the hard work. The city of Nashville has been a big sponsor of the team and m
ine this year and the National Pork Board. I really want to thank those guys."
Allen will return with Thorsport next season and has already set his sights on improving on his inaugural truck season.
"Definitely finish in the top-10 in points and compete for a win," he said of his goals for 2008. "We've got to get more competitive. It's not from lack of effort. Everyone is trying, just figure out what we're lacking. I know the guys are already starting to work hard for next year and just continue to do that and take what we learned from this year and go to the winter testing and hopefully go and compete in the top-10 next year."
