NASCAR Trucks: Donny Morelock hopes third time is a charm at Nazareth
12 July 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Third Time is the Charm: Donny Morelock and the No. 4 Bobby Hamilton Dodge enter this week's race at Nazareth Speedway hoping that the third time is the charm. Morelock, who has been involved in two crashes in as many starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, is looking for better luck this time around.
"Maybe the third time will be the charm," said Morelock. "Both races I've run I've learned something and that's why I'm here. Now this week, the team and myself are looking to get through the whole race without any problems."
Morelock enters the Chevy Silverado 200 having completed only 30.2% of the laps entered, but he believes a solid showing is just around the corner. "Two months ago, this team and crew did not exist," said Morelock. "So when you put everything in perspective, this team has done a pretty good job so far."
Watching and Learning: Last week at New Hampshire International Speedway, Morelock was in the No. 4 Dana Dodge pit during the race watching and learning from Bobby Hamilton. Morelock was on hand to gain every ounce of knowledge that he could possibly gain from veteran driver Hamilton and veteran crew chief Fred Wanke.
"I think the biggest thing I picked up from being at the race last week was patience," said Morelock. "Bobby and Fred and very calm no matter what happened and watching them can only help me along this week."
Hamilton will be at Nazareth as an observer. The Winston Cup Series has the week off, so Hamilton is taking the opportunity to
watch his son race and see how his two teams are doing.
Rookie Race: After Morelock finished 27th in the Diehard 200 three weeks ago at Milwaukee, he moved into a tie with Ricky Sanders for the 11th place in the Rookie of the Year race. Each has 14 points. Morelock finished fourth of the seven rookies at the Milwaukee event.
"I just hope we finish in the top five of the rookie battle," said Morelock. "The fifth place driver in the Rookie Points is Kenny Martin with 66, points so we're only 52 points behind him."
53rd and Counting: Morelock enters the Chevy Silverado 200 at Nazareth 53rd in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings. He moved up 18 spots after his 27th place finish three weeks ago. He now needs to gain 23 more positions to meet his goal of 30th in driver points by season's end. Thirtieth place was the goal Morelock set in Monroe, Washington earlier in the year, at his Craftsman Truck Series debue.
Text provided by David Pepper
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