Angie Wilson knows that it takes one thing to race at NASCAR’s top levels — money, lots and lots of it. That’s the one thing that Wilson and her Ware Racing team haven’t come up with yet, and it’s forced them to back off from a planned full-season NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule. “Some stuff has come up financially … so we’re going to just do what we’re capable of doing,” Wilson said. “I don’t know right now how many more, if any, we’re going to be able to run.” Wilson stepped out of her family-owned NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series ride to accept an offer from team owner Rick Ware’s multi-truck operation four months ago. In her time with Ware, she ran four Truck Series events, with her best finish (23rd) coming at Martinsville Speedway. “There’s a lot of differences in the two vehicles,” Wilson said, comparing the heavier, more-powerful Trucks to the Dash Series cars. “It was a big adjustment … (but) I got some really good experience driving them.” However, Wilson’s last start with Ware Racing was on May 31, where she finished 34th at Dover. Ware’s teams have started four more races since then. When she signed with Ware, Wilson’s orginal plan was to run for the CTS’ rookie of the year honors. Wilson can make three more starts this season and keep her rookie eligibility intact for 2003. “That’s a possibility,” she said. “That’s something we’ve thought about doing. … But we might run the rest of them. Anything that we can do will be fine with me.” Wilson’s isn’t going to sit on the sidelines, though. She has entered this weekend’s Dash Series race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C., scheduled for July 13. “We’re planning on doing at least two (Dash races) — Greenville-Pickens and Bristol (Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn.),” she said. “We’ve picked up some sponsorship for those races.” And Wilson isn’t hanging her head over the turn of events. “That’s how it goes,” she said. “Sure, I’m disappointed. Anybody would be, but that’s how it goes. I’m realistic about things … but it gave me an opportunity, and hopefully this will lead to other things.”(Lap by Lap)(7-12-2002)
