Rudd Looking to Win Again in 2001

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - With the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship nearly out of reach, Ricky Rudd is looking to pick up a win or two in the final races of this year. Entering Sunday's race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, the driver of the No. 28 Texaco/Havoline Ford has two wins this season.

"The championship battle has gotten away from us," Rudd said. "But, we can't be too disappointed with our season. In my 26 years of racing, this is the best year I've ever had.

"Five times in my career, I've won twice in one season. I'd like to break my record before the year is over and get another win. We've had 14 top fives and 22 top 10's so far, and we'd like to end strong with another win or two in the final three races.

"We tested at Homestead and it's a track where we ran well last year. We ended up sixth because of tangling with a lapped car, but we led that race six different times. Like other flat tracks, it's a good track for us and we hope to be challenging for the win again on Sunday."

Rudd enters Sunday's race at Homestead-Miami Speedway 75 points ahead of Tony Stewart in the battle for second. Stewart has won both of the Winston Cup races at the flat 1.5-mile oval.

"We've had to look over our shoulder here in the last few weeks," Rudd said. "Not only with Tony but with a couple of other guys who want to take second away from us. That's why we've not only tested at Homestead, but also Atlanta in the last month.

"We go to these tracks looking to win races. Getting to victory lane again would be a great ending to a really good season for the Texaco/Havoline team. I think that would also help us gear up for another championship run next season."