NASCAR Trucks: Ruttman Working Hard to Get Back Into the Top Five

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 11, 2001

It has been four races since the Joe Ruttman Dana Racing Team have recorded a top five finish, and they would like nothing more than to break that streak at Texas.

"We've had some trouble over the last few weeks, but still managed to get decent finishes," said Ruttman. "Unfortunately, decent won't get it done. We need to win a race. It's been a few months and this team needs to get back to victory lane."

The Dana Team's last win came in May at Pikes Peak International Raceway, and there last top five finish was a fourth place finish at their home track in Nashville, Tennessee.

Top 10's in a Row: Ruttman enters the Silverado 350 on a string of seven top ten finishes in a row, which is the longest streak in the Truck Series.

60 and 160: When Ruttman takes the green flag for the Silverado 350, he will be making his 160th career start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. It will also be his 60th start with Bobby Hamilton Racing.

Most Laps Completed: After 19 events in the 2001 season, the Dana Team has completed the most laps, 3423, of any team in the Truck Series. There have been 3279 laps of competition this season.

Teams Still in the Hunt: After Richmond last week, four more teams were eliminated from the hunt for the 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. With five races to go, there are 10 teams that mathematically remain in the hunt.

Ruttman Quotes

"We dodged another bullet last week with the engine just losing power mid-way through the race. I still don't know what the problem was or if it was something we could have fixed."

Text provided by David Pepper

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.