SANDUSKY, OHIO (MARCH 15, 2006) -- As Kerry Earnhardt heads into the John Deere 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday, the driver of ThorSport Racing's No. 13 Chevrolet Silverado is confident that a strong finish in the race would provide the spark needed to ignite his first full season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

"We haven't gotten off to the start we expected this season, but like I said before the season started, I'm focused on the big picture," Earnhardt said. "We've only run two races, and there's a long way to go. I'm hopeful that we can run strong and finish well in Atlanta, and we'll be on our way."

Earnhardt will make his first start at Atlanta in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He won an ARCA Series race there in '01. After a three-week layoff, the Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate is excited to return to action. "I'm ready to get going again," he said. "Our guys in the shop have been working hard to make sure we're as competitive as we can be, and I appreciate their efforts. I'm ready to get the truck out there and see what we can do."

According to Earnhardt, Atlanta Motor Speedway is no place for the timid. "Atlanta is the fastest track in NASCAR, and it's a 'driver's track', he said. "You have to drive it hard to do well there. It's not a track where you can afford to just ride around." Steve May will handle crew chief duties for Earnhardt's No. 13 at Atlanta, and until a permanent replacement is named.