CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS

• Kyle Busch shuts down Malsam's truck team

  Mooresville,NC (Sports Network) - Kyle Busch Motorsports will cease operations of its No.56 Camping World Truck Series team, while driver Tayler Malsam will head to the Nationwide Series and accept a ride with Braun Racing's No.10 Toyota team.

  KBM and Braun officials made the announcement Tuesday. Malsam, 21, will start his driving duties with Braun's No.10 team, beginning with Saturday's Nationwide race at Nashville.

  "We're looking forward to adding Tayler to our No.10 Toyota starting at Nashville, team owner Todd Braun said in a statement. "Kyle has done a great job of giving talented young drivers a chance to race and also advance up through the NASCAR system.

  We think Tayler has shown a lot of potential, and we appreciate Kyle allowing us to give him a shot to move up to the Nationwide Series. We're confident Tayler will bring home solid finishes for our team." Malsam became the second driver from KBM to transfer into Nationwide competition.

  Brian Ickler had been sharing driving duties with Busch in KBM's No.18 Toyota in the Truck Series this season, but Ickler recently accepted a role with Roush Fenway Racing's No.16 Ford in Nationwide. He finished 15th in his debut with Roush last Saturday at Charlotte.

  "Roush Fenway Racing called Ickler and asked him about what his deal was with me, and if he could get out of it and try to move into the Nationwide Series," driver/owner Busch said. "I have no reason to hold Brian Ickler back. This opportunity is in his best interests." Busch has been struggling to find full-time sponsorship for both of his truck teams since he announced his foray into ownership last December.

  KBM plans to focus its efforts in capturing the 2010 Truck Series owners' championship with its No.18 team.

  The team currently leads in owners' points. NASCAR veteran Johnny Benson will drive the No.18 truck this Friday at Texas.

  The driver schedule for KBM's No.18 entry after Texas will be determined at a later date.

  Ickler is scheduled to compete in selected upcoming events for KBM.

  06/01 14:54:31 ET