Johnson's younger brother to make Truck debut.

Jarit Johnson, the younger brother of current Nextel Cup star Jimmie Johnson, will make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut this weekend at Richmond.

The younger Johnson will drive the #08 Chevrolet Silverado truck sponsored by Levi Strauss, a firm that has supported Jimmie, Jarit and third brother Jessie, throughout their racing careers.

Johnson will drive with the SS Racing team, which has formed an alliance with Green Light Racing for two races at Richmond and Martinsville.

A three-race sponsorship programme was developed between Levi Strauss Signature and Johnson. It began a few weeks ago in the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Michigan International Speedway.

"Levi Strauss Signature has been a big supporter of my family since the beginning of last year," said Jarit. "And I'm very grateful for their support of my Craftsman Truck effort."

"I'm looking forward to getting my feet wet in the Craftsman Truck Series. I've never raced at Richmond. We didn't get to test there, but I'm up for the challenge."

Carl Hartman has been named the crew chief of the Levi Strauss Signature team. Hartman was the crew chief for SS Racing driver Butch Miller at Lowe's Motor Speedway earlier this season.

"Jarit and I communicated really well in a recent test session at Caraway Speedway," said Hartman. "He adapts to the track quickly."

Johnson has been working hard to rise through the tough ranks of motorsports. But he's not relying on his brother's success in the Nextel Cup Series to get there.

"I am close with my brother and respect his advice since he's been down many of the roads I'm going down now. But I want to make it on my own," said Johnson. "That takes hard work, dedication, and of course money. But fortunately people are starting to notice me."

Last year Jarit won several races at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina driving late model stocks. This year he competed in the newly formed ASL Series with a best finish of 3rd at I70 Speedway in Odessa, MO.

"The truck series will probably be the toughest competition in my career so far," said Johnson. "I want to earn the respect of those drivers who have been out there for a long time. I hope to have a good clean finish for the Levi Strauss Signature team."