The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series invaded Kentucky Speedway on July 14 for the second consecutive year for the running of the Kroger 225. Points leader Scott Riggs took the checkered flag to add yet another win to Dodge's dominance in 2001.
The win came on ASE, Riggs' sponsors, 150th start in the truck series. The number 150 seems to bring good luck to Riggs in his young racing career.
"I couldn't think of a better present to give to ASE on their 150th start than another win and we were able to do just that tonight," said Riggs." It's been just an awesome season so far. I got my first Truck Series win on (Ultra Motorsports owner) Jim Smith's 150th race at Martinsville (VA) earlier this year and I was able to get my third here for ASE's 150th race. I'm just tickled for everybody involved with this Ultra Motorsports program."
In Victory Lane, Riggs credited his win to his crew. "I'm just a spoke in the wheel," Riggs said.
Many of the truck series competitors, along with Busch Series drivers who visited the track in Sparta, Ky., for the first time last month, have had nothing but good things today about the Kentucky track.
"There are a lot of great fans in Kentucky," Riggs said. "If it weren't for them we couldn't do this."
Riggs was followed closely across the finish line by Joe Ruttman, who is also following Riggs closely in the points battle. Two-time series champion Jack Sprague finished third, followed by rookie Travis Kvapil and Dennis Setzer to round out the top-five.
Two more rookies, Ricky Hendrick, fresh off his first career win the previous week, and Jon Wood, led the next group of five that rounded out the top-10, with Randy Tolsma finishing eighth, Terry Cook ninth, and Billy Bigley 10th.
With the young Wood finishing in the top-10, the decision to release Chuck Hossfeld and bring in Wood seems to be a move in the right direction for Roush Racing, which has seen both its truck teams struggle in 2001.
According to Jack Roush, the terms of Hossfeld's contract will be honored, but he is free to look elsewhere for a ride. Nathan Haseleu, the other driver who started the season at Roush will keep his ride and will be a teammate to Wood.
The Truck Series will return to action this upcoming Saturday for the New England 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway.
Heading into New Hampshire, here's how the points battle looks:
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