FITZPATRICK: Leads Raybestos Rookie Standings
04-22-2009 5:44 pm

TRUCKS: Raybestos Rookie Standings Charlotte, NC %s Four races into the season and the competition for top rookie honors is heating up. While Canadian J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 7 Mammoet Chevrolet) maintained his slim point lead following Martinsville, the rest of the class is right behind him.

Washington native Tayler Malsam is only four points behind Fitzpatrick. Malsam heads to Kansas with a little experience, having competed in last year's ARCA race, where, despite an accident, he brought home a 14th-place finish.

"Definitely going to Kansas where I've raced before, I feel more comfortable than I did going to Martinsville," he said. "It is a really good track that I am excited about going back to."

Also it doesn't hurt to have a former series champion for a teammate.

"Having Mike (Skinner) helps because I can ask him a rookie question and he'll know the answer," Malsam said. "He has been a help on the track, helping know what to do at this point on the track and what to do at that part of the track, as well as off the track."

Tied with Malsam is James Buescher (No. 10 International MaxxForce Diesel Ford). The 19-year-old comes off a strong run at Martinsville where he finished 11th, his best finish so far this year.

"We've really improved each race so far this season and it shows because we've improved our finish in every race," Buescher said. "We've been closing the gap in the rookie point standings, and winning those honors was a goal we set at the beginning of the year."

Raybestos Rookie Standings after four races of the 2009 season:

1. J.R. Fitzpatrick 42

2. Tayler Malsam 38

3. James Buescher 38

4. Ricky Carmichael 37

5. Johnny Sauter 32

6. Chase Austin 16

7. Brent Raymer 12

8 . Chris Jones 5