Trying to Climb Back into the Top 20: Willy T. Ribbs and the No. 8 Bobby Hamilton Dodge Team will continue their climb back into the top 20 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings this week at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.
For over 50 years the, Track to Tough to Tame, has been chewing up racecars and discarding them as trash. This week will mark a new chapter in the Track’s famous history when the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series makes its first stop at the track.
Over the years, Darlington has rewarded veteran drivers and preyed upon rookies so everyone on the No. 8 Team has their eyes wide open and looking for danger, and this could be an advantage. Ribbs however is trying to be upbeat about the task at hand.
“This is pretty amazing to be going to race at Darlington,” said Ribbs. “The track has so much history that it will be special to be part of the first race for the Truck Series at the track.”
Five Races In: This week’s race at Darlington Raceway will be Ribbs’s fifth start for Bobby Hamilton Racing. Through the first four races with the No. 8 Team his best finish is a 19th place at Homestead Miami speedway in week two. Points: After last week’s 20th place finish Ribbs moved up to 23rd place in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings. The 20th place finish was Ribbs’s second top 20 finish of the season.
Testing in November: Ribbs was at the open test at Darlington Raceway in November of 2000 with the No. 8 Team trying to learn the track. Bobby Hamilton was on hand to give advice so hopes are fairly high to get a solid finish this week.
Crew Coming Together: The No. 8 Dodge crew is improving every week. Last week, the team gained 10 positions on pit road with some fast pit stops. “The guys on this team are really starting to come together,” said James Cox, Crew Chief of the No. 8 Team. “The pit stops are getting better every week. Every time the truck leaves the shop it is flawless. There is a long way to go, but at least they are growing as a team. Hopefully a top ten finish is just around the corner.”
Willy T. Ribbs Quote:
“We had a good race at St. Louis but nothing like we would have liked to have. We keep trying to get better but it’s just a long haul to get to where we need to be.”
“The team all have their head high and that gives me confidence so we’re just going to keep on trying. We’re going to get this thing turned around soon.”
