NASCAR Trucks: Riggs Bounces Back To Win Advance Auto Parts 250
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
April 7, 2001
MARTINSVILLE, VA. – Scott Riggs was able to bounce back from trouble early in Saturday’s Advance Auto Parts 250 at Martinsville Speedway to record his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory.
A pit-stop collision 86 laps into Saturday’s race knocked Riggs out of the top 20. But the Durham, NC driver remained calm and worked his way into the lead on lap 143, a lead he never relinquished.
Riggs said he “just tried to remain calm” after the pit-road skirmish on lap 86 damaged the front end of his Dodge.
“I didn’t know how many trucks were on the lead lap then, and I didn’t know how good my truck was,” said Riggs, who picked up $35,560 for the win and retained his lead in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings.
Rookie Travis Kvapil finished second to match his career-best finish while Terry Cook was third. Pole-sitter Joe Ruttman wound up fourth while Randy Tolsma was fifth.
Although Riggs picked up his first Craftsman Truck Series win Saturday, the second-year driver had been off to an incredible start. In the first three races of the year, Riggs finished third, fourth and fifth. But despite his success before Saturday, the victory was huge to the 30-year-old Riggs.
“It was overwhelming,” Riggs said of the win. “At the end, I was trying to concentrate on being smooth and not make mistakes.”
Two times in the final 50 laps Riggs had to hold off Kvapil on restarts following cautions and each time the Dodge driver pulled out to a comfortable lead on the way to an .874-second victory.
“I was actually looking forward to the cautions,” said Riggs. “My truck was better on cold tires than Travis’ was. And I just tried to be smooth and concentrate on the restarts.”
Riggs led 108 laps while Winston Cup regular Bobby Hamilton led 133 laps after taking the lead from pole-sitter Ruttman on the 10th lap.
There still are great seats available for the Virginia 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race for $45 to $55 each.
Also, family seat tickets will go on sale for the Virginia 500 at 7:30 a.m. Sunday. The seats are $40 for adults with children 6 to 12 admitted for $5. Children under six are admitted free.
Text provided by Mike Smith
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