rpm.espn.com: Pressley has earned a full-time ride

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Friday, February 1
Pressley has earned a full-time ride
ESPN.com

We asked our users whether Robert Pressley deserves a full-time Winston Cup ride in 2002. Here are some of the comments:

Yes, he deserves a full-time ride. He was 25th in points for the last two years.

Mary O'Neal-Mauney
Indian Trail, N.C.

Of course, Robert Pressley deserves a Winston Cup ride. What in the world was the No. 77 team thinking? Robert showed what he can do at Chicago with a second-place finish. I really believe he can win, he just needs to get a great car and sponsor to do so.

Kevin Love
Galax, Va.

Considering Robert drove for a single-car team, he faired much better than many multi-car teams with high buck sponsorship. We know Jasper is not a big sponsor! Also, Robert did not race the two road courses because his team did not have confidence in him at those two tracks. I think Robert did well, considering the lack of commitment from his team and the size of the team's budget. After Robert was replaced for the two road courses I didn't expect him to return to the Jasper team for the 2002 season and I hoped that he didn't return. Robert deserves better!

Mark A. Roberts
Thomasville, Pa.

Of course he does. There are a lot of drivers with full-time rides that have consistently finished with a worse season than Robert. Equipment plays a large role in winning. I believe if he were with a team with some better equipment, like he will be for this year's 500, you would see a much better Robert Pressley.

Mike Rutledge
LaPlata, Md.

Robert is definitely one of the most experienced drivers out there. He had true talent and ability, unfortunately he has not always had the equipment needed to win. He finished in the top 25 in points in 2001, even after he was pulled from the Jasper car for the road races. A driver that can finish in the top 25 and not even be in all the races is a pretty good driver! He should have a full time ride, he deserves it!

Debbie Mensone
Greer, S.C.

Robert Pressley without a doubt deserves a full-time Cup ride in 2002. Robert has not always had the best of luck or equipment, but he is a true talent. I don't know if any other driver would have gotten as much out of the mediocre equipment he was in.

Rob McDonald
Asheville, N.C.

Robert is a talented driver. He has had some bad luck the last couple years. My money is on Robert to finish in the top-15 in Winston Cup and a top-5 in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Tom Holloway
Newport News, Va.

I think Pressley does deserve a full-time ride and I think Jasper made a huge mistake. To fire Pressley and hire Blaney is no major improvement for the team. It's not like Blaney had a winning record for the Amoco team. Where as Pressley at least had more media attention for doing as well as he did for a team like Jasper, which does not always have the resources of a DEI, Roush, Hendrick or any other of the big boys. I think he'll be back to haunt Jasper Motorsports. Then they will kick themselves in the butt for not having a little more patience.

Joe Naputi
Columbia S.C.

He was a driver on a very average team last year. Now he has joined a top-notch truck team. If he is average there, maybe it's him. But if he flourishes in the truck series, then he deserves a ride in Winston Cup. It'll also be interesting to see how Blaney competes with the Jasper team.

Paul Reimann
Mt. Vernon, Iowa

No.

Bill Higbee
Reading, Pa.

I think this will help out his career a lot. Look at what the trucks did for Mike Wallace. Sometimes you need to go down a little to get on top.

Mike Foster
Aberdeen, Md.

Robert Pressley deserves a team capable of winning any week, no matter what series it is. Like many other talented drivers, Pressley has been for years stuck in some equipment that is not week after week front-runner material. In the truck series, driving for Bobby Hamilton, Pressley will be able to show his stuff, and win some races. Most drivers will tell you it's not about the money, it's about winning races. In the truck series, Robert Pressley will not only win a bunch of races, but he will contend for the championship against other former Winston Cup competitors Ted Musgrave and Jason Leffler, and upcoming stars like Travis Kvapil.

Matt Demey
Harrisburg, Pa.

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