Rudd defends Gilliland after Michigan incident
SCENEDAILY - 09:53AM ET THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2007 - BY SCENEDAILY STAFF REPORT
Tony Stewart had stern words for David Gilliland after the two drivers got together during practice at Michigan International Speedway last weekend.
But Gilliland's teammate at Robert Yates Racing, Ricky Rudd, staunchly defended the younger driver.
"Tony is Tony. What else can you say?" Rudd said. "You can't question his driver ability. Everybody knows he's one of the best, if not the best out there, but he kind of has a habit of running his mouth at the wrong time.
"David got blamed for that wreck, but that wasn't David's fault. No one ever came around and asked anybody else what happened, but the videotape clearly shows what happened, and Tony screwed up. He just misjudged his distance and ran into the back of David."
Rudd said that since Gilliland is still an inexperienced driver, he "can't fight that battle" with Stewart.
"But I can tell you one thing, that was not David Gilliland's fault the other day," Rudd said. "But the media seemed to jump on it and wrote it the way Tony spoke it, but, anyway, that being said, David definitely belongs in Cup racing.
"He has all the talents and he adapts quicker than anybody I've ever seen when we go to a strange race track. He's right up to speed immediately. Our program and our team is not where it needs to be yet. They've been working very hard trying to get there and they're making progress, but I think before you can make a judgment on David, the whole thing has to come together."
SCENEDAILY - 09:53AM ET THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2007 - BY SCENEDAILY STAFF REPORT
Tony Stewart had stern words for David Gilliland after the two drivers got together during practice at Michigan International Speedway last weekend.
But Gilliland's teammate at Robert Yates Racing, Ricky Rudd, staunchly defended the younger driver.
"Tony is Tony. What else can you say?" Rudd said. "You can't question his driver ability. Everybody knows he's one of the best, if not the best out there, but he kind of has a habit of running his mouth at the wrong time.
"David got blamed for that wreck, but that wasn't David's fault. No one ever came around and asked anybody else what happened, but the videotape clearly shows what happened, and Tony screwed up. He just misjudged his distance and ran into the back of David."
Rudd said that since Gilliland is still an inexperienced driver, he "can't fight that battle" with Stewart.
"But I can tell you one thing, that was not David Gilliland's fault the other day," Rudd said. "But the media seemed to jump on it and wrote it the way Tony spoke it, but, anyway, that being said, David definitely belongs in Cup racing.
"He has all the talents and he adapts quicker than anybody I've ever seen when we go to a strange race track. He's right up to speed immediately. Our program and our team is not where it needs to be yet. They've been working very hard trying to get there and they're making progress, but I think before you can make a judgment on David, the whole thing has to come together."
