Credit: Autostock

Riggs fights tight racecar in New Hampshire

Scott Riggs could not overcome a tight-handling racecar as the Valvoline driver posted a 32nd-place finish in Sunday's New England 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway.

"We just battled a tight car all day," said Riggs, who was forced to start from the rear of the field because of a transmission change to the No. 10 Chevrolet prior to the race.

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The starting spot along with a couple of early incidents put the Valvoline team in a handicapped position.

While Riggs was moving forward after the green flag dropped to start the 300-lap race, the Valvoline team suffered a double setback . On Lap 23 the No. 10 car got spun out, and on the ensuing pit stop, the team's jackman, Brian Perry, got hit by the No. 77 car as it was entering its pit stall. Perry suffered an injury to his right ankle and was not able to return to duty.

"Two very unfortunate incidents," said Riggs. "Any time one of your team members gets hurt you feel awful. Brian is a key member with our pit crew and we all wish him a speedy recovery. We need him.

"Regarding that early spin, I got hit from behind by the No. 43 car (Jeff Green). Luckily, we didn't make contact with the wall, but that incident took some steam out of our charge to the front."

While the Valvoline team, led by crew chief Rodney Childers, made one adjustment after another, nothing seemed to correct the handling problem.

"We just couldn't free the car up," explained Riggs. "The guys really worked hard at it, but it was one of those days when nothing seemed to click."

Riggs and the Valvoline team will head to Pennsylvania for Sunday's (July 25) 500-mile Nextel Cup race at Pocono Raceway.