NASCAR Trucks: Ribbs looks for improvement after rough start

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

April 4, 2001

After a rough start to Willy T. Ribbs's short track career in the Craftsman Truck Series at Mesa Marin Raceway two weeks ago, he and the No. 8 Team are looking for better times at Martinsville.

"Bakersfield was my first short track race in my 23-year career, and the horn was definitely in the back of me," said Ribbs. "I learned a lot, but NASCAR should hire a referee. I think my initiation was pretty eye opening, and I now know what to expect from my fellow competitors."

This week will have a little added twist as in the first three weeks of Ribbs's Truck Series career, he was focused on racing hard and finishing as high as possible. But at Martinsville Speedway, finishing high in the race has more to do with taking it easy and making your equipment last. Ribbs and the Dodge Motorsports No. 8 Team have done quite well at making their equipment last, finishing 93.4% of the laps run so far in 2001.

"We had one major goal at the beginning of the year that will never change, no matter what happens," said Ribbs. "That was to finish every race. So far, we've been running at the end of each event, and that has been no easy task."

First Time With the Boss: The event at Martinsville Speedway will mark the first time Bobby Hamilton Racing will field three entries in the same race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. For Ribbs, it will be the first time that he will compete against his owner, Bobby Hamilton, along with his full-time teammate, Joe Ruttman.

"I'm very excited about having Bobby in the race," said Ribbs. "I'm sure it will help me. Hopefully I can get the opportunity to follow him around the track for a while to learn what he does at Martinsville."

Catfish is Back: Ribbs will be piloting one of Bobby Hamilton Racing's best trucks, "Catfish," at Martinsville Speedway this week. Catfish has a special place in the hearts of most of the members at Bobby Hamilton Racing. It was the truck that Joe Ruttman drove to victory lane in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 18, 2000, for the organization's first win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Testing: Ribbs continued his quest to improve as he was on hand at Greenville Pickens Speedway in Greenville, South Carolina on March 28, 2001, testing with his teammate, Joe Ruttman and owner, Bobby Hamilton. Each driver got into the No. 8 truck and made a few laps around the track to help Ribbs get a better feel for what he can expect at Martinsville Speedway.

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