2002 Media Release

2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Point Standings

Robert Pressley - Personal Info:
Birthdate - April 8, 1959 (43)
Wife - Gina
Children - Coleman, Shelby
Residence - Asheville, NC

NASCAR Career (1984-2002)
Winston Cup - 205 Starts, 0 wins
Busch Grand - 205 Starts, 10 wins

2002 Truck Series Season
Starts - 18
Poles - 0
Wins - 2
Top fives - 6
Top tens - 12
Earnings - $ 362,890
Laps Led - 166 of 3205
Races Led - 6 of 18
DNF's - 3

Truck Series Career Statistics
Starts - 18
Poles - 0
Wins - 2
Top fives - 6
Top tens - 12
Earnings - $ 362,890

Robert Pressley No. 18 Dodge Race Notes

Performance Record: Winston Cup Series (three starts, no top five or top ten finishes, best finish was at 16th place finish in March of 2001) Busch Grand National Series (one start in 1998, finished in 38th place) Truck Series (No starts)

Topics of Interest

Need to Finish: Robert Pressley and the No. 18 Dickies Square D Dodge team enter the event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway knowing that they need a solid finish to get back in the points race before it is too late. Luckily for the team, Pressley does have some experience at the Speedway, but he has never recorded a finish in the top ten.

"I've raced both a Cup car and a Busch car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but in both cases, I've never been able to get the finish I would have liked," said Pressley. "I've raced well at the place, and I like it, but I just have never had much luck there."

Pressley and the team enter the event 228 points out of the lead and 51 points out of fifth place in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings.

"This is a pivotal race for this team in the championship race," said Pressley. "If we don't leave Vegas with a top three or four finish, I think we may be out of the hunt. Mike (Bliss) has really had a good year. He's been consistent and that is what has hurt us. We'll have a good race, and then a bad race. That's what has us behind by so many points heading into the race this week. Our goal for the end of the season is to win a race or two before Homestead, but we know we've got our work cut out for us," said Pressley.

Past History: Last year, the event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway proved to be the breaking point in the No. 18 Dickies Square D Dodge Team's season. Joe Ruttman was behind the wheel on the No. 18 truck then and he was involved in
a late race crash that forced him to finish in the eighth position. There was not a race in 2000 and in 1999, Ruttman started third and finished 23rd after crashing out of the race.

Pit Crew Challenge: On Friday, October 11, 2002, the finals of the "Dodge Pit Crew Challenge" will take place at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the course of the year, all three Bobby Hamilton Racing teams won their first rounds to qualify for the finals in Las Vegas. They will face off against the No. 2 Dodge Team for the 2002 crown. The No. 18 team has made the finals each of the last two years, but has been unable to win the overall competition.

Winston Cup/Talladega: Pressley spent one of the past weekends off attempting to qualify for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series event at Talladega Speedway. Unfortunately, Pressley's effort was cut short by rain, which dropped him out of the starting grid due to car owner's points. He was fast enough to make the race in early practice.

Championship Hunt: With four races remaining in the 2002 season, there are still 12 teams that can win the Truck Series Championship.

This Week's Truck: Pressley will be racing "Angel" at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this week. It is the same truck that he won with at Michigan Speedway earlier this season. In 2001, Angel was driven by Joe Ruttman and Bobby Hamilton in 11 races, with one win at Pikes Peak International Raceway by Ruttman. The two drivers combined for three top five finishes and eight top ten finishes with the truck last year.

2002 Performance Chart: Angel
DATE RACE START/FINISH DRIVER
4-13-02 Martinsville 17 14 Robert Pressley
5-5-02 St. Louis 7 31 Robert Pressley
5-19-02 Pikes Peak 10 30 Robert Pressley
6-22-02 Memphis 7 12 Robert Pressley
7-6-02 Kansas 7 7 Robert Pressley
7-13-02 Kentucky 13 3 Robert Pressley
7-27-02 Michigan 8 1 Robert Pressley
8-2-01 IRP 4 5 Robert Pressley
8-10-02 Nashville 4 9 Robert Pressley
9-5-02 Richmond 11 15 Robert Pressley

Best Start: 3rd twice, most recently @ Texas Motor Speedway 6-7-02
Best Finish: 1st twice, most recently @ Michigan International Speedway 7-27-02
Biggest Purse: $ 81,635 @ Daytona International Speedway 2-15-02

Robert Pressley's 2002 Craftsman Truck Series Event Results click here

For More Information see www.bobbyhamiltonracing.com
 

©2002 Bobby Hamilton Racing