NASCAR Trucks: Ruttman looking for two in a row at Homestead

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Looking for two in a row: Joe Ruttman and the No. 18 Bobby Hamilton Racing Team will be looking for two wins in a row when they take to the track on Sunday March, 4. Not only will they be looking for two wins in a row, but two poles in a row for both the 2001 season and at the Homestead Miami Speedway.

Last year, Ruttman won the pole for the Florida Dodge Dealers 400K, but wound up finishing fourth when the truck's handling began to go away late in the event. This year, however, the team is hoping to improve on that performance.

"We had a strong truck here last year, but we just couldn't get to victory lane," said Ruttman. "But hopefully we can take the momentum from two weeks ago and get to victory lane this time around."

Two weeks ago, the Dana Team celebrated their Daytona victory by introducing the Marshall Tucker Band, which was in concert at the Adams Mark Hotel in Daytona Beach. The concert was hosted be Dodge Motorsports.

"The Marshall Tucker Band concert was a lot of fun," said Ruttman. "It was a pretty neat deal and everyone on the team had a great time. We've been pretty busy since last week, but it has been worth it. I'm having more fun racing right now than I've had in the 15 years prior to this."

The win in Daytona moved the Bobby Hamilton Racing Team to seventh in all-time wins in the Truck Series. They now have five wins, just one less than K-Automotive.

Leading for the first time: After winning the first race of the year, the Dana Team sits at the top of the points standings for the first time in the team's history. Previously, the team's best points position was March 18, 2000, just after they won the NASCAR 150 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Top 10's: If Joe Ruttman can bring the No. 18 Dana Dodge home in the top 10 in the Florida Dodge Dealers 400K, it will be his 92nd top 10 finish in his career. This would tie him with Ron Hornaday for second in career top 10 finishes in the Truck Series. Jack Sprague leads with 116 top 10 finishes.

Where it all began: Two years and 50 races ago is when it all began for Bobby Hamilton Racing. That is when Bobby Hamilton formed his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Team. Since the start of the 1999 season the team has won five races, 11 poles, and also recorded 16 top five and 28 top 10 finishes.

Ruttman's Quotes

"Winning Daytona was big, but that was last week. It's not about what you did last week, it's only what you're doing this week that matters. I try to look at every race this way so I am always giving 100 percent to win each and every week."

"I really feel good about our chances at Homestead. We ran pretty good here last time out, and I think I know why we lost the race, so we're going to make the changes necessary to get to victory lane."

"We've been building momentum for the last two years and I think everyone will be surprised at just how tough we're going to be this year."

Text Provided By D. Pepper

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