Riggs’ Hampered by Tight Car During Duel at Daytona

DAYTONA, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2008) -- Scott Riggs drove his State Water Heaters Chevrolet Impala SS to a 15th place finish in the first of Thursday’s Gatorade Duel 150s at Daytona International Speedway.

Riggs battled a tight handling car throughout the race.

“Plowing, plowing, plowing,” Riggs said of his car following the race. “The car just wouldn’t turn. The conditions on the track today were a lot different than during practice and that hurt our handling,” Riggs said.

After posting the third fastest time in the first of two practice sessions Wednesday, Riggs sat out the second practice while his State Water Heaters team was forced to change engines due to signs of potential failure.

“We’ve got two more days to dial it in before the Daytona 500. I have a ton of confidence in Bootie and the team, so I have no doubt we’ll be strong come race day,” Riggs said.

The Gatorade Duel 150 races are used to set the field for the Daytona 500 (other than the front row which as set by last Sunday’s qualifying times) and Riggs’ 15th place finish put him in the 27th position on the Daytona 500 starting grid.