Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Stewart in Richmond truck race ‘for the fun of it’

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003 | 9:19 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

While Tony Stewart might gain some valuable knowledge for Saturday's NASCAR Winston Cup race at Richmond International Raceway, that is not his primary reason for racing in Thursday night's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the 3/4-mile oval.

"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," Stewart said of his third career Truck Series start.

"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, who will be racing Andy Petree's Chevrolet truck in Thursday's race, teamed with the Winston Cup team owner to win last year's truck race at Richmond. The reigning Winston Cup champion also has three career Winston Cup victories at Richmond, including his first career victory in 1999.

Stewart made his NCTS debut in 1996 and finished 10th at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Stewart won't be the only Winston Cup regular competing in Thursday's truck race; Jimmy Spencer will replace Jason Leffler in the No. 2 Team ASE/Carquest Dodge. Leffler left the Ultra Motorsports truck team to drive the No. 0 Pontiac in the Winston Cup Series.

Four of Busch's eight career Winston Cup victories have come at short tracks.

The store sold all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and racing merchandise and also housed a number of Craven's racing trophies and other memorabilia. No one was injured the in blaze and the state's fire marshal's office is investigating the fire.

Craven, who opened the store in September 2000, learned of the fire shortly before Sunday's race at Darlington Raceway. He finished eighth.

"I look at driving for DEI as a great opportunity," Andretti said. "I'm excited to become a member of the team for the next few races. And, it's also nice to be reunited with Pennzoil again.

"I drove an Indy Car they sponsored in 1991 and 1992 and won my first race in their yellow car. This team at DEI is established in NASCAR and I'm hoping to do a good job for them."

Jeff Green and Ron Fellows have driven the No. 1 car since Steve Park was let go from the ride in May.