NASCAR Trucks: Willy T. Ribbs 'at home' with Mesa Marin Raceway

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

March 13, 2001

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Maybe a New Home: Bakersfield, California is just three hours from Willy T. Ribbs's home in San Jose, CA. If any track will become his new home racetrack, it will be Mesa Marin Raceway.

"It's definitely a home race," said Ribbs. "The track is just a few hours from my home, and there will be a lot of hometown support including my son, Theo, who is one of my biggest fans."

Ribbs and the No. 8 Bobby Hamilton Racing Dodge Team will have a lot of support, and they may need it on the half-mile bullring in the desert. Mesa Marin Raceway is known for its tight corners and short straight-aways, which makes it one of the toughest places on the circuit to finish a race.

"It's going to be a bash in Bakersfield," said Ribbs. "Really, any short bullring type of track you race at, there's never a car or truck that comes out of it without a mark. I'm pretty sure this track will be no different. I've never seen the track, but the guys on the team say it's a lot like Nashville Raceway, so I would expect it to be a little rough and action packed."

Ribbs and the No. 8 Dodge Motorsports Team entered the season 32nd in the points standings after last year's limited schedule for the team. But after the first two races, they have gained 13 positions in the points standings to sit 19th. Now the team is shooting to be in the top 15 by the end of the weekend, so they definitely have their work cut out for them.

Testing: Over the week off, the No. 8 Dodge Team, along with the No. 18 Dana Team, went to Nashville Speedway USA to test for Bakersfield. Each track is very similar to the other, so it seemed like a nature place to go to shake down both trucks. Ribbs, Joe Ruttman, and owner, Bobby Hamilton, all took turns in the trucks during the test.

"We had a great test in Nashville, so I think we should have a good baseline on the chassis setup for Bakersfield," said Ribbs. "But when that green flag falls, all the speculation will be over and it'll be time to get it on."

Second Time Around: Ribbs will be running the same truck, "Rocket" at Mesa Marin Raceway that he piloted at Homestead Miami Speedway two weeks ago. Ribbs recorded a 19th place finish, but had lady luck shined on the No. 8 team, they were heading for their first top ten finish. Ribbs was forced to pit with less than 15 laps to go for fuel, but had his radio been working, the team was planning on going to the end.

"Last week, we had to pit late for fuel just to make sure we finished," said James Cox, Crew Chief of the No. 8 truck. "If Willy's radio would have been working, I was going to tell him to save fuel and go to the end. But without communication, we decided to play it safe and pit, and that's why we finished 19th. This team is getting better, and we'll get us a good finish real soon."

Text provided by David Pepper

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