CHINA GROVE, N.C. (May 2, 2011) – Scott Riggs will drive the No. 23 Wildlife Conservation Society Dodge for R3 Motorsports in Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Darlington Raceway.
While the “track too tough to tame” might be a daunting task to some drivers, Riggs actually looks forward to taking on the 1.366 egg-shaped oval whenever he gets the chance. No stranger to the NASCAR circuit, Riggs is a race winner in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series ranks.
This weekend, he’s going to utilize that experience and knowledge towards a solid finish in the No. 23 Dodge for R3 Motorsports. And, if his past dance stats with the Lady in Black are any indication of what could happen; Riggs should garner some good style and step points with the judges.
And, if he can keep the momentum going from the team’s best finish of the season when Robert Richardson, Jr. wheeled it to a 20th place finish last weekend at Richmond – all the better.
Fast Facts: Riggs is a veteran of NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series competition amassing nine wins, 38 top-five and 75 top-10 finishes with 11 pole awards throughout those series. His biggest success has occurred in NNS competition with four wins, 19 top-five and 35 top-10 finishes with three pole awards through 86 starts.
Track Facts: This will be Riggs first NNS start of the 2011 season, and sixth at Darlington Raceway. In the five previous NNS starts, the Durham, N.C. native has never finished outside the top-20 while earning two top-10s and one top-five finish. His best start was fourth (Spring ’02), best finish of third (Spring ’03), has a completion average of 99.7% (660 of 662) laps contested and led 25 circuits around the track.
Car Facts: Walter Giles and team are bringing the team’s workhorse Dodge for 2011 with chassis No. 54 to Darlington. This car has raced at Las Vegas (22nd), Texas (26th) and Nashville (34th, mechanical problems) this year.
Did you know: Scott Riggs has more Sprint Cup Series starts (177) than his NNS (86) and NCWTS (43) green flags combined?
Tune in for the Win: The final, and only, practice is being held from 8:30 to 11 a.m. (ET) on Friday, but not covered. ESPN2 picks up the coverage with qualifying at 3:35 p.m. then race action at 7:30 p.m. for all 147 laps of Friday night fun under the lights. You can listen to it live on MRN Radio and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Ch. 128, as well.
Scott Riggs Quotes: “I’m looking forward to getting back out on the track this weekend, and I couldn’t think of a better place to do that than Darlington. I know some drivers don’t care for the place because it’s so tricky, but I love the track and have had some pretty good runs there in the past. Getting in the No. 23 Dodge for R3 Motorsports is going to be a good deal because I know Walter (Giles, crew chief) and the guys put a lot of effort into their car preparation. This will be my first race of the year, so I’m going to do everything I can to have a good showing for everyone. I appreciate Mr. Richardson and Rob Jr. for this opportunity to drive their car. Friday night under the lights – at Darlington – I can’t wait.”
GO SCOTTTY!!!!