...in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

08/20/08

Speed Finishes 3rd at Bristol

Scott Speed took his first trip to Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway Wednesday night, but no one would have guessed that based on the rookie’s performance in the 200-lap race at the “World’s Fastest Half Mile.”

Speed had not competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since the June event at Michigan International Speedway, but he quickly shook off any rust that had accumulated. Speed qualified his No. 22 Red Bull Toyota Tundra on the pole, the first pole position of his NASCAR career.

As the race began, Speed showed his natural ability to drive on any type of track. The talented rookie remained calm throughout a very frustrating and hectic race as he battled his way to stay up front at a track on which it is very difficult to pass.

Speed’s progress was slowed only when he came to pit road under caution on lap 42. The team made a slight trackbar adjustment during the four-tire stop in hopes of tightening the handling of the Red Bull Tundra. The team did a tremendous job on pit road and put Speed back on the track in the eighth spot.

Speed spent the remaining 150 laps being patient and knowing he had to keep the fenders on his truck in order to finish. He was patiently aggressive when passing his competitors, taking his time and setting up his competitors with every pass. One would have never known this was his first start at the tough Bristol Motor Speedway.

With only a handful of laps remaining in the event, Speed found himself in familiar territory: in the third spot and reeling in the leaders. He told Crew Chief Doug Wolcott that he thought he could make the pass, but the caution flag hindered him from getting to the front. Speed wheeled his Tundra to a third-place finish in Bristol’s “Thunder Valley.”

“That was great,” Speed said. “I had a ton of fun out there. This is definitely my new favorite short track, for sure. Doug [Wolcott] and the BDR guys are awesome, and I can’t wait to get back in this thing at Vegas.”