In the Pits- MBV
Riggs Claims First Bud Pole of Nextel Career
 Scott Riggs captured the Bud Pole for April’s Advance Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville Speedway. It was the first Nextel Cup career pole for the sophomore driver.
“That’s as close as you can be to being out of control and still have a racecar,” said Riggs when referring to his pole-running lap. “I thought my second lap was a lot better than my first, so I was really surprised when Doug (Randolph, crew chief) told me the opposite.”
“But I’ll tell you, it feels great to win a Bud pole, especially because it’s the first for this Valvoline team,” offered Riggs, who has had previous success at Martinsville, including his first NASCAR win in 2001 as a driver in the Craftsman Truck Series. “This team has worked awfully hard all season long, and our results have really shown it. I’m so proud of all the guys and how far we’ve come since last year.”
At Talladega Superspeedway in May, Riggs notched the top practice speed in the Nextel Cup series’ only practice and was a threat for the pole position until falling victim to Jeff Gordon with less than 15 drivers left to qualify. Riggs ended up fourth.
“We’re not going to set our goals too high and say we’re the man to beat every race, but we are going to keep on digging as hard as we can every single week,” offered Riggs. “I think we not only keep impressing people and show-ing them we’re a force to reckon with, but we keep helping out our own confidence as well. Right now everyone is having fun and smiling.”
Both of Riggs’ Martinsville and Talladega qualifying spots resulted in disappointing finishes. In Martins-ville it was a handling problem that cost the team a solid result; in Talladega, a massive 25-car wreck.
“Sooner or later if you run up front you’re going to win a race, and there’s nothing more this team would rather do than to take the checkered flag. Neither me or the team will be surprised when, not if, we win a race—you may see some smiles you can’t wipe off with Ajax, but we certainly would not be surprised.”
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