Performance Record: Pikes Peak International Raceway (1st race at facility)
Topics of Interest
Continuing to Improve: Willy T. Ribbs and the No. 8 Bobby Hamilton Racing Dodge Motorsports Team continue to show signs of improving week in and week out. After last week's race, Ribbs moved up to 21st in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings, just three points out of 20th place. "We're trying hard to get back to the top 20 in the points," said Ribbs. "Hopefully, we'll be on a Rocky Mountain high after Pikes Peak because we'll be back in the top 20. But we'll see. I just want to get out there and run the whole race and stay out of trouble." Ribbs's hopes for the rookie battle are still in tact, but he needs a strong run to help his cause along. Last week, Rookie of the Year leader, Ricky Hendrick, crashed and opened the door for Travis Kvapil to take the lead. Entering this week's race, Ribbs is 60 points behind Kvapil. "We're pretty far back in the rookie battle, but I'm not going to give up," said Ribbs. "It would take a pretty strong effort to catch Kvapil or Hendrick. But we could get Matt Crafton in third really easy. He is just 23 points ahead of me and I think that would be a realistic goal at this point in the season."
New Jobs: Starting with the Jelly Belly 200 at Pikes Peak International Raceway, the No. 8 Dodge Motorsports Team will have a change in their pit road assignments. Art Rogers will take over as rear tire changer. Former tire changer, Shawn Servaty, will move to the Sign Man position.
50,000 to Start: When Ribbs takes the green flag for the Jelly Belly 200 at Pikes Peak International Raceway, it will be his sixth start of the 2001 season and will move him over the $50,000 mark in earnings.
Rocket: Ribbs will be driving one of his favorite trucks, Rocket, at Pikes Peak. It is the same truck that Ribbs raced in Bakersfield and at Homestead. Homestead is the location of Ribbs' best career finish, 19th after starting in the 23rd position.
Willy T. Ribbs Quote:
"Darlington was the toughest place I've ever been to race. It's hard to explain to people just how difficult the track is to drive when you've never even seen it. I was just happy finishing the race with all the fenders on the truck because there were a lot of guys that didn't do that."
"I feel like I'm getting a little better with just how everything in the NASCAR Truck Series garage works, but I still have a lot to learn. There are a lot of rules and regulations to follow. It's good, but it just takes some time to get them all learned."
