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NASCAR Trucks: Ruttman looks for two-in-a-row heading to Nashville

9 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Riding High: Joe Ruttman and the Dana Team enter the Federated Auto Parts 250 looking to win two in a row, after their dominating performance of a week ago in Indianapolis, Indiana. Last week, Ruttman had what many would say was a perfect day. He won the pole, led the most laps, and won the race in a convincing fashion. This week, however, is a new ballgame.

"Last week was awesome," said Ruttman. "The truck was unbelievable. It was so good it made that win look easy. But Nashville is a new race and a new week. So what we did last week really means nothing. We just have to remember that anything can happen at these short tracks. Take last year for example. We had a good truck , but a flat tire early on probably cost us the win."

Last year, Ruttman started ninth in the Nashville Speedway event but cut a tire down on lap two. After making repairs, Ruttman made up both of his laps and raced his way to a fourth place finish.

Entering the Federated Auto Parts 250, Ruttman and the Dana Team sit ninth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings, just 37 points behind Dennis Setzer who is eighth in the points standings. Incidentally, Setzer is the defending champion on the Nashville event.

"It's pretty important for us to finish ahead of the other Dodges," said Ruttman. "For Bobby and the Team, it means bragging rights for being the best in the class."

Currently the Dana Team is the fourth Dodge in the points standings. But after last week, the margin that Steve Grissom holds over the No. 18 team for best Dodge is only 56 points.

The Wane Way: The Dana Team will be relying on Fred Wanke's race strategy to record a solid finish in the Nashville Speedway USA event. In 1998, Wanke was the crew chief for Jimmy Hensley when he won from 30th place on the starting grid. One of the amazing things about that win was that Hensley won that race in a backup truck. His primary truck was destroyed in a practice crash the day before the race.

Poles Won: Joe Ruttman has won three of the last four poles on the circuit and seven overall this year. The only driver in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history that has won more poles in a single season other than Ruttman, is Mike Skinner (10) in 1995. With six races left in the season, it is still possible for Ruttman to break Skinner's record.

Short Track Laps Led: Entering the Federated Auto Parts 250, the Dana Racing Team, with drivers Joe Ruttman and Bobby Hamilton, have led 404 of 907 (44.5%) laps run on the short track in 2000. In fact, Ruttman sits second in laps led this year with 418. Hamilton, who has competed in only four races this year, is fifth in laps led with 278.

Ruttman's Quotes for Nashville Speedway USA

"This is a big weekend for the Dana Team because most of the guys have worked or raced at Nashville themselves. So there is a little extra pressure to do well. In fact, some of them have as many, if not more laps on this track as I do."

"After last year's strong performance and being so close to victory, we feel pretty good about our chances this year. There's no doubt that we'll be trying just a little harder than most to win, because we all have our family and friends in the stands to answer too."

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.