NASCAR WCUP: U.S. Olympians and Ricky Rudd share goal this week
20 September 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
|
They are both vying for victory -- Rudd and the No. 28 team are racing for the checkered flag in this week's race at Dover Downs International Speedway, while United States Olympians are competing for the Olympic gold in Sydney.
They also share Texaco as their team sponsor. Texaco is the official sponsor of the United States Olympic Team through the year 2004 and a proud sponsor of 34 of the country's National Governing Bodies of Olympic Sport.
Rudd has a good chance to attain that coveted victory this weekend in Dover, where he has had four wins, making him the winningest active driver at the 1-mile concrete track.
Rudd, driver of the No. 28 Texaco/Havoline Ford, has finished in the top 10 in each of the last five NASCAR Winston Cup Series races and is hoping to carry that momentum to another Dover win.
"I've had a lot of good runs at Dover," Rudd said. "Three of my wins came when the track was asphalt and one on concrete. I didn't care for the concrete at first, but now it's smoother and has more wear on it making it feel more like it used to.
"We finished fifth there in June and had a shot at the win with some pit strategy. We were pretty good then and have continued to get better each week."
A third-place finish at New Hampshire last week has moved Rudd up to a tie with Rusty Wallace for fifth in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series point standings.
"We have been very close to a win many times this season. Lately, we've also been very competitive nearly everywhere we've been. I've had some great runs at Dover and maybe we can get a win there this weekend."
For Rudd, cruising into victory lane would be just as sweet as having a gold medal hanging on his chest. He has the determination of an Olympic athlete, and with a little luck, he just may get the NASCAR equivalent of gold this weekend at Dover: the checkered flag.
Text Provided By Steve Post
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