B
bowtie
Guest
Riggs in, Johnny Benson out
with MBV's No. 10 Pontiacs
Busch driver was courted by number of teams
ThatsRacin.com Report
MBV Motorsports on Thursday formally announced that Busch Series driver Scott Riggs would replace Johnny Benson in the No. 10 Valvoline Pontiacs in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series.
James Rocco, designated team owner and a senior vice president with Valvoline, said Riggs had signed a long-term contract to drive the car beginning in 2004. His first race with the ream is expected to be the season-opening Daytona 500.
Benson will complete the 2003 season, Rocco said.
Benson was traveling late Thursday and was not available for comment, his public relations representative said.
"Johnny Benson is a tough, talented driver with a lot of heart," Rocco said. "He gave the team its first win and is a good ambassador for Valvoline Racing. We wish him the best."
Calling Riggs a winner and a hard charger, Rocco noted that the team's new driver had excelled in NASCAR's Truck series and Busch competition. "He has the talent to compete at the NASCAR Nextel Cup level and continue Valvoline's winning legacy."
Riggs, 32, began his racing career on two-wheels in motocross competition. He moved to mini stocks at age 17 and posted 12 wins in three years. The Bahama, N.C., native moved next to Late Models and was track champion at Southern National Speedway in Kenly, N.C., twice before joining the Truck series in 2000. In 2001, Riggs finished fifth in points with five wins, 14 top-five finishes, 16 top-10 finishes and five poles in 24 events.
Riggs moved to the Busch Series in 2002 and won rookie of the year honors after posting two victories and 13 top-10 finishes. He was 10th in the final point standings.
This season, Riggs has led the Busch standings and posted wins at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway and Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill. With four races left in the 2003 season, he is fifth, 44 points out of the lead.
"I explored several excellent NASCAR Nextel Cup opportunities, as well as offers to remain in the Busch Series," Riggs said, "and I decided the Valvoline Pontiac was the best place for me to be at this stage of my career.
"I appreciate the confidence Valvoline and MBV Motorsports have placed in me," he said.
In 2001, Valvoline became the first consumer products company to own a NASCAR team when it joined forces with MB2 Motorsports to create MBV Motorsports. MB2 Motorsports also fields the No. 01 Pontiacs.
Valvoline is a division of Ashland Inc
with MBV's No. 10 Pontiacs
Busch driver was courted by number of teams
ThatsRacin.com Report
MBV Motorsports on Thursday formally announced that Busch Series driver Scott Riggs would replace Johnny Benson in the No. 10 Valvoline Pontiacs in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series.
James Rocco, designated team owner and a senior vice president with Valvoline, said Riggs had signed a long-term contract to drive the car beginning in 2004. His first race with the ream is expected to be the season-opening Daytona 500.
Benson will complete the 2003 season, Rocco said.
Benson was traveling late Thursday and was not available for comment, his public relations representative said.
"Johnny Benson is a tough, talented driver with a lot of heart," Rocco said. "He gave the team its first win and is a good ambassador for Valvoline Racing. We wish him the best."
Calling Riggs a winner and a hard charger, Rocco noted that the team's new driver had excelled in NASCAR's Truck series and Busch competition. "He has the talent to compete at the NASCAR Nextel Cup level and continue Valvoline's winning legacy."
Riggs, 32, began his racing career on two-wheels in motocross competition. He moved to mini stocks at age 17 and posted 12 wins in three years. The Bahama, N.C., native moved next to Late Models and was track champion at Southern National Speedway in Kenly, N.C., twice before joining the Truck series in 2000. In 2001, Riggs finished fifth in points with five wins, 14 top-five finishes, 16 top-10 finishes and five poles in 24 events.
Riggs moved to the Busch Series in 2002 and won rookie of the year honors after posting two victories and 13 top-10 finishes. He was 10th in the final point standings.
This season, Riggs has led the Busch standings and posted wins at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway and Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill. With four races left in the 2003 season, he is fifth, 44 points out of the lead.
"I explored several excellent NASCAR Nextel Cup opportunities, as well as offers to remain in the Busch Series," Riggs said, "and I decided the Valvoline Pontiac was the best place for me to be at this stage of my career.
"I appreciate the confidence Valvoline and MBV Motorsports have placed in me," he said.
In 2001, Valvoline became the first consumer products company to own a NASCAR team when it joined forces with MB2 Motorsports to create MBV Motorsports. MB2 Motorsports also fields the No. 01 Pontiacs.
Valvoline is a division of Ashland Inc
