Leffler getting close to first Truck win

FOUNTAIN, Colo. - There is no questioning Jason Leffler's talent as a race car driver.

Just look at his resume.

By the age of 26, he had competed in the Indy Racing League, plus the NASCAR Busch Grand National and Winston Cup ranks.

However, for one reason or another Leffler could never achieve stardom in those circuits.

That seems destined to change for Leffler in 2002.

The Long Beach Calif., product is on the brink of fame as the driver of the Ultra Motorsports No. 2 Team ASE/Carquest Racing Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Sunday was further proof.

Leffler had a dominant truck all day before a mistake on a late pit stop relegated him to a second-place finish in the Rocky Mountain 200 at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

That was Leffler's second-consecutive runner-up outing in the Truck Series, moving him up to fourth in the points standings.

"Second-place is a little bit disappointing, because I am ready for a win," said Leffler, who started on the pole for the second time this season at PPIR. "We thought we had the truck to win (Sunday), but that is just the way it worked out."

Mike Bliss took the lead for good on lap 165 from Travis Kvapil and then held off Leffler by 0.330 seconds to the checkered flag.

Leffler led a race-high 95 laps, but he had some problems in the pits on lap 113 that derailed his first trip to the NCTS Victory Lane.

"We just got loose on that last run right after that last pit stop and it was compounded by the fact we didn't have a very good pit stop," Leffler said.

"We had a lugnut hang-up on the right front and then we got behind some other trucks in dirty air."

Leffler, who ran full-time in the Cup Series last season, came into the pits first and returned to the 1-mile oval in fourth.

"I was doing all I could to try and catch Mike," Leffler said. "One time I caught him by a couple of tenths, and I thought I had something there for him. But, then I got in his air and couldn't do too much."

In the last three events, Leffler has done a lot, finishing no worse than sixth at Martinsville April 13.

"Our main goal is the championship," Leffler said. "We have had some pretty consistent finishes now and we just need to keep building every week. And, if you keep finishing second enough, eventually you are going to win."

Winning is actually something Leffler has done plenty of in his racing career.

Back in 1999, Leffler became the first driver in 37 years to capture three straight USAC National Midget titles.

And, open-wheel driving is far from out of his system.

On Friday night at the Indiana Fairgrounds, he will be driving in a Silver Crown race and Saturday night at Indianapolis Raceway Park he will be aiming for a USAC Midget checkered flag.

"I love getting to race in these events and the schedule worked out perfect for me," Leffler said. "ASE, Carquest and Dodge, they all support my open-wheel effort with sponsorship and this is a great situation for me."

Next up for Leffler in the Truck Series is a return to the "Monster Mile" at Dover Downs International Speedway May 31. The team is the defending champion of the NCTS event, as Scott Riggs won there a year ago.