Kvapil looks to rebound from rough start

This wasn't the sophomore season NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Travis Kvapil had in mind.

A year ago, the Janesville, Wis., native drove the No. 60 CAT Rental Store Chevrolet to a fourth-place finish in the NCTS points standings and won the rookie of the year honor in the process.

"We had very high standards for this season because of the success we had last year," Kvapil said. "But, we just couldn't get the ball rolling."

After the first four events of 2002, he was sitting in 13th in the points standings with an average finish of 16th.

"At Daytona to start the season we had a pretty good truck, but got involved in a crash and finished 20th," said Kvapil, who drove in the RE/MAX Challenge Series prior to moving up to the NCTS. "At Darlington and Martinsville, we were seventh which wasn't bad; but then we broke at St. Louis and came in 33rd."

	Travis Kvapil Credit: ASP

It wasn't until the fifth race at Pikes Peak International Raceway May 19 that Kvapil reeled in a top-five effort, placing third.

Since PPIR, Kvapil has slowly moved up the points ladder to ninth. More importantly, he is only 166 points behind leader Mike Bliss.

"Last year we hardly had any problems at races, and when we did we still finished in the top 10," said Kvapil, whose highlight in 2002 came when he won at Memphis on June 22.

"This season, the competition has gotten a little higher and if you run into some trouble it is hard to place in the top 15. But I still feel like we have a good shot at the championship. We just need to get all the pieces together and make a run."

Kvapil, meanwhile, is upbeat about Saturday's race -- the Federated Auto Parts 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.

"I am really excited to go back there," he said. "Last year, we got loose on the third lap of the race and hit the wall, and we still managed to finish fifth. Plus, I really think the track will have a second groove this year, which will allow for more passing."

Although Kvapil has had a great stint in the Truck Series, his future beyond this year is unclear.

"In the middle of June, CAT Rental Stores told our team that they were not going to sponsor us next season," Kvapil said. "We have had a great relationship with them, but now we are in a situation where we are trying to find sponsorship and if we can find a sponsor we will run in whatever series they want us to. I know I would love to stay with this team, so we will just have to see what happens."