NASCAR TRUCKS Roush Team holds audition for spot on next year's team

He had 25 drivers turn out and that list has now been cut to 10.
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (AP) -- Jack Roush looked out at North Wilkesboro Speedway and saw the ghosts of races past.
He remembered the victories, the losses and the fights -- even if they didn't involve him or his drivers.
So when he decided to hold an audition for some of the best short track drivers around the world, he wanted to come here.
"I can't think of any place better to identify talent," the NASCAR team owner said.
About 25 drivers came for two days of testing last week -- a third day was rained out -- and Roush and his advisers trimmed the list to 10 for another test at Darlington on Nov. 15.
If all goes well, at least one will get a chance for a full-time ride with one of Roush's teams in the truck series next season.
Moving up
Current driver Carl Edwards already has moved up to the Nextel Cup series, and teammate Jon Wood plans to go to the Busch series.
"There is an opportunity here for somebody," Roush said.
The team didn't release the names of the final 10, but they might include Mike Pickens, a 21-year-old New Zealander who competed in sprint cars this season.
He had never been on a paved track until his practice laps in one of the Roush trucks, and he quickly overcame that lack of experience.
He was discovered by a pair of team employees through a racing trade paper that printed stories and the results from his races Down Under.
One of the people who kept noticing Pickens' name was Robbie Reiser, the crew chief for defending Cup champ Matt Kenseth.
The other was Wood's crew chief, Tony Price, who helped run the tests for Roush.
Surprised at talent
"I think we've all been very, very surprised at the level of talent," Price said.
"The learning curve has been so steep. I don't think anyone seemed out of place here or seemed like he didn't belong."
Getting all the drivers together was a challenge, as was simply getting the track ready. NASCAR last ran at North Wilkesboro in 1996, and it has sat decaying over the past eight years.
Grass and weeds grew up through portions of the pavement, and the concrete walls lost a good portion of their paint.
A few weeks of work by some members of Roush's team got it ready, although nothing could be done for the worn-out track surface.
Even when races were held there regularly, tire wear was a problem, and it's only gotten worse.
Edwards' crew chief, Kevin Starland, made that clear when he talked to a group of the drivers before their laps.
"It has no grip, so throttle control is everything," Starland said.
"You've got to remember, guys, it's going to be rough out there. You've just go to go out there and work on your line."
Two sets of tires
The drivers were given two sets of new tires, and after an initial run of about 15-20 laps to get comfortable, they had the option to make small adjustments to their trucks. A final run of 25 laps finished off their opportunities.
Each session featured only one driver at a time.
"It's not only about who runs the fastest times," Roush said. "We're watching how each of the drivers handles himself with the crew chiefs, handles themselves with the other team members, the media, if needed."
Roush has been one of the top developers of talent in NASCAR over the years, with drivers such as Kurt and Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle and Edwards getting their big breaks in one of his Fords.
All have won races, some have won championships, and finding another winner is what drives him.
"You guys are part of something special," Roush told the drivers. "At the end of the day, you will be part of history here at Roush Racing. That's something you can be proud of."