Pressley looking to break win drought

He had lofty expectations for himself prior to the start of the 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign.

For good reason.

Robert Pressley had made 204 Winston Cup starts in the previous eight years and he was joining an elite NCTS team in Bobby Hamilton Racing.

And, unfortunately he won the Truck Series season-opener -- the Dodge Dealers 250 on Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway.

"The Truck Series has kind of been what I thought it would be," Pressley said. "But, the best thing and the worst thing that happened to Robert Pressley was winning at Daytona. It caused us to put our guard down and probably become overconfident."

Pressley speaks the truth.

In the 10 races since Daytona, Pressley has been unable to make it back to Victory Lane.

Craftsman Truck Series • Drivers • Results • Standings • By The Numbers

However, Pressley is optimistic that will change Saturday at the New England 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon.

"I think we have worked very hard as a team to get things straightened out," said Pressley, who placed 25th in the Winston Cup points standings in 2000 and 2001. "Sure, we have had some bad breaks, but I think obstacles make me stronger. I want to rebound and I know my team doesn't want to stay in a slump. We want to win again."

Recently Pressley has been able to turn things around and has the No. 18 Dodge to eighth in the points chase, following his third-place performance at the Kroger 225 last Saturday at Kentucky Speedway.

What's more, Pressley has had good fortune at NHIS in years past.

Back on Aug. 22, 1993, he won at NHIS for his 10th career Busch Series win.

"I have had a lot of success at New Hampshire and I am hoping that will continue this weekend," said Pressley, who is from Asheville, N.C. "It is a very challenging track, but it seems like the bigger the challenge that our truck team steps up even more.

"The whole key at New Hampshire is to make sure we get the truck to roll through the corners."

Although Pressley and his Bobby Hamilton Racing team are 133 points behind Ted Musgrave, the NCTS points leader, he isn't about to concede the series championship to anyone.

"My goal and Bobby's goal is to win the Truck Series championship," Pressley. "We may not get it, but that will not be because of lack of effort.

"We are going to give 110 percent every week and try to win every race. But, winning in the Truck Series is not easy there are some great competitors, who have a lot of experience in the series and it has taken us a little while to adapt to the tracks and drivers."