Kvapil makes wise rookie decision
By Tim Packman, Turner Sports Interactive
November 8, 2001
3:49 PM EST (2049 GMT)
MIAMI, Fla. -- The term “rookie mistake” is an often used to describe a first-year driver’s amateurish actions. But Travis Kvapil feels he has made a wise rookie decision concerning his future.
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Travis Kvapil
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The 25-year-old native of Janesville, Wis., is adamant about his decision to return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next year. With one victory, 11 top-fives and 18 top-10s, Kvapil finished fourth in the championship battle.
His accomplishments would be impressive for any driver, but Kvapil is a rookie. For his efforts, he will pick up the 2001 Rookie of the Year Award at Thursday night’s banquet held at the waterfront Intercontinental Hotel in Miami. In doing so, he and his No. 60 CAT Rental Store Chevrolet team will scratch off the last item on their list of pre-season goals.
“We had high expectations coming into this year,” Kvapil said. “We had goals of winning a race, top five in points and rookie of the year. As it all played out, we achieved them all.
“After getting torn up during a wreck in the season opener in Daytona, we kind of tug ourselves into a hole. But, the team never got down and the guys stayed fired up.
“They had a lot of faith and confidence in me. That meant more to me than anything.”
Faith in one’s self is also important for a driver. Because of that, Kvapil is going to return to his ride next year instead of moving to a Winston Cup or Busch ride. Scott Riggs, who finished fifth in points, has already announced he will take over in the ppc Racing No. 10 Ford in Busch as Jeff Green is moving to Winston Cup.
“I don’t know if that was the step I wanted to take just yet,” Kvapil said. “I got a taste in it when I drove the Busch race in Kentucky. More than anything, I realized I just wasn’t ready for it.
“I don’t want to jump into a situation and not run well. I was kind of afraid of my racing career could get scarred. I want to be more comfortable with our team and staying in this series.
“Hey, if I race in the Craftsman Truck Series the rest of my life, that’s fine with me. This is a good place to be. Maybe after another year or two, I may be able to benefit from what I’m learning now to use down the road.”
Though he may have high aspirations for the future, Kvapil has both eyes wide open taking in what happened this year. Moving up from the short tracks of his native Wisconsin to the oval of NASCAR has been a big jump for the rookie.
“Ever since I started racing, this is what I wanted to do for a living,” Kvapil said. “This series is a great place for young drivers like myself to get started. Fortunately, I got with a good team with some great experience behind them.
“Everything that has happened this year has been a dream come true for me. I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure this is all really happening. The biggest surprise to me was how many people it takes to get this done.
“There are the crew guys, the public relations things, sponsor needs and things I wasn’t used to. I look back to my late model days when there was my dad, myself and a few friends doing everything.
“At this level, we have a set schedule when to do everything. All the hard work that everyone did this year just really paid off.”
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