SPARTA, Ky. — Ricky Hendrick has good bloodlines, which helps in big-time auto racing. But Hendrick also has taken a big step toward legitimacy on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series circuit.

TRUCK STANDINGS

1. Scott Riggs 1,872 points;   2. Joe Ruttman 1,823;   3. Jack Sprague 1,777;   4. Ted Musgrave 1,775;   5. Ricky Hendrick 1,766.

        Hendrick, who will start from the No.2 position in tonight's Kroger 225, at Kentucky Speedway, is the son of four-time Winston Cup Series championship owner Rick Hendrick.

        His name has opened a few doors, but young Hendrick also showed some substance last week by becoming the youngest person to win a Truck event. Hendrick won the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas City, and at age 21 years, three months, he unseated Kurt Busch's Truck standard of 21 years, 10 months when Busch won at Milwaukee in July 2000.

        “We all thought we could win, but to actually do it is a big confidence builder for everyone,” Hendrick said.

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