October 2, 2001

RUDD LOOKS TO WIN AND GAIN POINTS AT CHARLOTTE

CONCORD, N.C. - Ricky Rudd, driver of the No. 28 Texaco/Havoline Taurus,

is not only seeking his first championship in 26 years of Winston Cup Series

racing, but he seeks his first win in 50 attempts at Lowe's Motor Speedway
on Sunday in the UAW-GM Quality 500.
    "It's really surprising that we haven't won at Charlotte," Rudd said.
"I've always done well there, just haven't got to victory lane yet. We never

had won at Pocono either and finally won there in June. Hopefully, we can do

the same at Lowe's on Sunday."
    Rudd has 24 top-10 finishes at Lowe's, more than any active driver. In
last year's fall event at the track, Rudd led the most laps and was leading
late in the race when a caution ruined what looked like a winning race
strategy.
    "We had a very good test last week," Rudd said. "We wanted to try some
different cars, but learned that the car we had last year is still our best
shot to win here. We were very good last year and we are a much better team
this year than we were a year ago.
    "The thing that I'm most proud of is how we've been running in the last
few races. Earlier this year, I think Jeff Gordon's team was a spot or two
better than us. I don't see that now. In the last few races we've been able
to run right with them and even out run them at some places. We need to keep

doing that and see how we end up in November."
    Rudd trails Gordon by 222 in the Winston Cup point standings. So far
this season, Rudd has two wins, one pole, 13 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes.
    A career-first win at Charlotte could help pave the way for a
career-first championship for Rudd.