Kelly Stewart, driver of the #38 M&M’s/RYR Hauler [see an image of the hauler on my 2003 Cup hauler Schemes page ] win the International Truck Challenge race at Chciagoland Speedway on Sunday morning.( XM Satellite- NASCAR Radio – Subscription Required) – have not been able to find any results, columns or standing on this at the International or NASCAR.com sites. AND The International Truck and Engine Corporation held its third annual International Truck Challenge at the Chicagoland Speedway over the past weekend. With a perfect score of 200 and a time of 54.67 seconds, Kelly Stewart, team hauler driver for Elliott Sadler’s #38 M&M’s Ford, won this year’s International Truck Challenge, which pits drivers against each other on an obstacle course for the chance to win a handsome cash prize and bragging rights for the winning team driver. Stewart came in 47.46 seconds before the second place finisher Tommy Mullis, team hauler driver for Dale Jarrett’s #88 UPS Taurus Racing Team, to take the win. After receiving the winning check for $5,000 Stewart said, “I knew this was a one-shot event. I tried not to think about it too much and just wanted to be in the top three.”à Stewart, who is in his third season with Yates Racing, drives the same 9400i model for the #38 team. “I like the way it pulls. It upgrades in the mountains better than other haulers I’ve driven.” Terry Cook, driver of the #29 Truck Series Power Stroke truck, drove the course first to challenge the hauler drivers. Cook scored 195 points and completed the course in 1:44.83. As part of the company’s exclusive four-year sponsorship program with NASCAR, International Truck and Engine Corporation developed the International Truck Challenge as a way to showcase the skill of NASCAR’s rig drivers and the high performance International equipment that helps them do their jobs.à The primary CDL licensed team hauler from each NASCAR Winston Cup team gets the chance to demonstrate their capabilities by competing in a series of timed obstacles that test drivers’ nerves and driving prowess. The 2003 International Truck Challenge kicked off Friday, July 11 with qualifications at the drag strip adjacent to Chicagoland Speedway where eighteen drivers attempted the course. The top three qualifiers based on style points and time advanced to Sunday’s finals. Prior to the Winston Cup Tropicana 400, Stewart, Mullis and third place finisher Peter Jellen from the #18 car competed in front of early arrivers and to the amusement of the pit crews. Name……….. Points Time 1stà #38-Kelly Stewart. 200…. 54.67 2nd #88-Tommy Mullis 200…. 1:42.13 3rd #18-Peter Jellen…. 195…. 1:44.83 (Ketchum.com PR) no season standings found….yet.(7-14-2003)
