Stewart back in Truck Series to defend RIR win

Much is made of the invading Winston Cup drivers coming to the Busch Series and scooping up victory after victory. Buschwhackers, they're called.

	Tony Stewart went to Victory Lane in last year's Virginia is for Lovers 200. Credit: Autostock

So what do you call Winston Cup drivers who come to the Craftsman Truck Series?

Losers.

Granted, there isn't the number of Cup drivers coming to the NCTS as there is in the Busch Series, but a full-time Winston Cup competitor hasn't won a Truck race since Kevin Harvick went to Victory Lane at Phoenix last year.

Tony Stewart intends to change that this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The last time Stewart drove in the Craftsman Truck Series, he won. That was last year at Richmond, and he's back to defend the race title in Andy Petree's truck.

But all that doesn't really matter. For Stewart, it's about having a good time.

"It's going to be a lot of fun because we're not worried about point standings or anything like that," Stewart said. "I'm running this race for the fun of it. I just want to go out and have a good time and not worry about points for a night.

"I've always enjoyed racing at Richmond, so I'm just looking forward to getting another race -- and hopefully another win -- under my belt there."

Stewart is one of four Winston Cup drivers in the Virginia is for Lovers 200, set for Thursday night at RIR, joining Jimmy Spencer, Ken Schrader and Morgan Shepherd.

The race will be Stewart's third NCTS of his career. He'll again be driving APR's No. 33, with sponsorship help from the country band Diamond Rio.

"I'm excited about it," Stewart said. "I've been good friends with Diamond Rio for a long time now, and they follow very closely what I do in Winston Cup.

Last year Tony Stewart scores his first Craftsman Truck Series win Play video Stewart leads a mad dash to the checkers Play video Harvick and Stewart make their way to the front Play video

"I've always wanted to do something with them in racing, and running the truck on Thursday with Andy Petree was a great opportunity to do that. The guys in the band are very excited."

Stewart is excited, too, especially considering Richmond is one of his favorite tracks. The moderately banked .75-mile track has produced some good racing, with side-by-side competition the norm.

Stewart has three Winston Cup victories at Richmond to go with his NCTS triumph last year.

"I'm not sure I have any secrets or anything," Stewart said. "It's a track that I like. I run a line around there that's kind of unique compared to some of the other drivers. It's just a fun place, especially in the fall after some of the sealer wears off.

"It's typically a very good, two-groove racetrack, and that makes it a little easier to pass, even in today's racing environment. Being able to run different lines around the track and finding different levels of grip is something that's always made racing at Richmond fun.

"Even though it's still a short track, you still have the ability to somewhat get away from each other. You're able to put a little distance between yourself and the next guy when you're out on the racetrack.

"The race might give us an idea as to how the track will change on Saturday night, but for me, I'm running this race for the fun of it."

And it sure would be fun to win it.

Kvapil leads close points race

Travis Kvapil's victory at Bristol Motor Speedway two weeks ago helped him take over the tight NCTS points standings. Kvapil leads by eight over four-time race winner Brendan Gaughan heading to Richmond.

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Ted Musgrave is 71 points behind Kvapil in third, with Dennis Setzer 123 points out of the lead in fourth. Rick Crawford, Jon Wood and Bobby Hamilton are also within 200 points of the lead.

Setzer believes he still has a shot at the title, considering three of the final nine races are on short tracks. Setzer has won twice on short tracks -- the most on the series this year -- and has scored the most short track points.

"It's good that there are a lot more short tracks left on the schedule," said Setzer, whose average short track finish this season is 3.6. "I feel at this stage of the season, our team is in as good of shape as any. I know we have concentrated our efforts on the short tracks, and it's really paid off."