Ricky Rudd

[kelloggs5TLfan]

http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/06/02/rrudd.tstewart.dover/index.html

DOVER, Del. -- Ricky Rudd stepped into the Nextel Cup garage at Dover International Speedway on Friday wearing a familiar blue and silver Air Force suit with No. 21 Wood Brothers on the back.

"That thing still fit you?" a NASCAR official asked.



Rudd, 49, smiled and replied, "Believe it or not, yeah."

The more important fit came when Rudd stepped into the seat of the No. 20 Chevrolet of reigning Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart, who is nursing a broken shoulder blade suffered last weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Rudd, who later was given a slimmed-down version of Stewart's orange and black Home Depot suit, practiced and qualified the car on Friday. He will replace Stewart, who plans to run a few practice laps on Saturday and start at the back of the field on Sunday, during the first caution.

 

[kat2220]

For a man who hasn't been in a Cup Car for 6 months, I was very pleased with the results!

 

[Magnethead]

no kidding! steps out of nowhere and quals 10th in an unfamiliar car with little practice..not bad..and although i see it's for tony's safety, why didnt he qualify it so they wouldn't be starting shotgun? between a shotgun start and a long driver change, that car may not finish on the lead lap without a couple lucky dogs off the bat.

 

[BobbyFord]

Ricky has always been a class act and a good competitor. Nice qualifying effort. Just what I expected.
That's why JGR chose Ricky.

 

[barelypure]

[praying for no cautions]I wish Ricky well[/praying for no cautions]

 

[wolfcub]

Iwas worried when the inital rumor was mike bliss filling in. Glad to see they went with Ricky.

 

[TonyFan20]

Ricky's success in the 20 car isn't surprising me at all. We all know the car is capable of winning the race and this is one of Ricky's best tracks. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the 20 car ends up in victory lane. Even if they lose a lap changing drivers it will be early enough and the car will probably be good enough that they can get their lap back.