Backstretch Motorsports

Ragan, NSCS at Atlanta Motor Speedway:

Ragan on racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway:

“I’m pretty pumped up to be going back to my hometown track. I love going to Atlanta, it’s close to home and the track is fun to race at. It’s a fast track with multiple grooves, which lets us choose different lines around the track. We’ve had some average weeks so far, but need to step it up and get a good hometown finish. UPS is also based in Atlanta, so we really want to get a good finish for them.”

Crew chief Donnie Wingo on racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway:

“I really like racing at Atlanta. There are multiple grooves and the tires wear out fast so it makes the driver have to work their way around the track to find different lines. It really is a challenging track because of the rate the tires wear out. So if you aren’t too fast to start with and you can be consistent on a long run, you’ll be better off in the end. Atlanta is home to David and our sponsor UPS, so we’re looking to get a good finish for everyone.”

FAST FACTS

• Hometown Boy: Atlanta Motor Speedway is David Ragan’s hometown track. Ragan is originally from Unadilla Ga., located approximately 90 miles from Atlanta Motor Speedway.
• Ragan has six prior starts in the Cup Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway. His best finish was eighth place in the fall of 2008.
• A win this weekend would make David the first driver to win at Atlanta with primary sponsorship from Atlanta-based, UPS.
• Ragan has three Nationwide starts at Atlanta. His best finish was ninth in the fall race of 2009.
• Ragan made two Truck Series starts in 2006 at Atlanta for Roush Fenway Racing.

UPS Maximum Center Recognition— Atlanta Motor Speedway

The Pleasantdale West Center (SLIC - 3014) in the Georgia District was selected for the March 7 Kolbalt Tools 500 as part of the UPS Center Recognition Program. The Pleasantdale West Center, one of the top two centers in the district for 2009, is recognized for its exceptional service performance, which includes range of dispatch, exception scan and delivery scan frequency, and net delivered per piece and inside pieces per hour performance.

Technical Relationship with Pennzoil Helps Team Develop Winning Motor Oil Formulations

HOUSTON, March 1 - In 2010, Richard Childress Racing will run with Pennzoil’s cutting edge Hyper Cleansing Technology(TM). When Pennzoil and Shell Oil Company began a multi-year agreement in 2007 with Richard Childress Racing as the primary sponsor of the No. 29 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick, an important technical support program between Pennzoil and RCR began as well. Pennzoil scientists worked directly with the race team to engineer their most technologically advanced motor oil available on the market, Pennzoil Ultra(TM).

Building new engines and keeping them clean and protected week in and week out is essential for race teams. Pennzoil and RCR work together throughout each race season to test motor oils in the harshest racing environments in an effort to gain insight and develop technology that can be used both on-track and in consumer vehicles on-the-road. The payoff of that relationship is evident in the new ultra-class synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil Ultra(TM), which is an advanced proprietary synthetic formula that far exceeds the most stringent car manufacturer standards(1) and already exceeds the 2010 GF-5 specification’s requirements for cleanliness and protection. Nothing keeps an engine closer to factory clean.(2)

“Our engines are built to be extremely efficient. With engine heat rising up in some cases to over 280 degrees Fahrenheit in tolerances that we measure to a thousandth of an inch, it is essential that our engines are maintained in clean, pristine condition and we look to our team at Pennzoil to provide that,” said Danny Lawrence, Engine Builder and Trackside Manager for Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines, the high performance engine production and research and development company established in 2007. “In racing, even the smallest deposits can rob performance and lead to catastrophic engine failure and Pennzoil technology helps provide exactly what we need to keep our engines running clean.”

Kevin Harvick remained atop the leader board after a second-place finish at the Shelby American at Las Vegas Motor Speedway presented by Pennzoil Ultra on Sunday, February 28. On February 6, in an invigorating start to the 2010 NASCAR season, Kevin Harvick became the fourth driver to win back-to-back Budweiser Shootout titles. The achievement marked the seventh win in the exhibition race for the RCR team, more than any other organization.

“We ran Pennzoil racing motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology(TM) in the car during the Budweiser Shootout and the Las Vegas race,” said Gil Martin, Crew Chief, Shell-Pennzoil No. 29 car. “Pennzoil always provides tremendous support on and off the track that allows for our cars to challenge for the head of the pack.”

The new Pennzoil Ultra(TM) ultra class synthetic motor oil is the output of a global team of scientists pursuing the goal of maintaining an engine in factory-clean condition. Pennzoil’s technical support program with RCR provides the race team with the most advanced motor oil technology along with the support of a team of industry leading scientists. Through excellent collaboration, Pennzoil’s team of scientists engineer motor oils that resist heat, shear and wear, while keeping the engine clean even during the most demanding race conditions.

While the level of performance in most street cars won’t match that of an ECR engine, the cleansing and protection of passenger car engines is still vital. Pennzoil Ultra(TM) offers Hyper Cleansing Technology(TM) that is designed to seek out and dissolve contaminants safely into the oil before harmful deposits form that can create sludge or corrode engine parts. In fact, nothing keeps your engine closer to factory clean than Pennzoil Ultra(TM). The oil not only prevents deposits, but it also gently lifts existing sludge deposits off engine surfaces and dissolves them safely into the oil. Pennzoil Ultra(TM) also cleans out more engine sludge than the brand’s next best oil, Pennzoil Platinum®. (3)

“At Pennzoil, we leverage our global technology to develop technically advanced motor oils,” said Luis Guimaraes, general manager, North American marketing, for Pennzoil. “We are very proud of our newest addition to the Pennzoil family of motor oils. Pennzoil Ultra(TM) is an advanced synthetic motor oil that keeps engines close to factory clean, and no leading synthetic motor oil provides better wear protection than Pennzoil Ultra(TM).(4)”

Richard Childress Racing uses and recommends Pennzoil Ultra(TM) technology exclusively as the formulations provide cleansing and protection even in the most rigorous racing conditions. New Pennzoil Ultra(TM) 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 viscosities can be found in major automotive retailers nationwide. Pennzoil Ultra(TM) 5W-40 and 10W-60 viscosities can be found at retailers and installers servicing mostly European cars. For additional information, please visit www.Pennzoil.com.

About Pennzoil®

Pennzoil® is the #1-selling motor oil and one of the most trusted brands in America. The Pennzoil line of quality products meets or exceeds industry specifications to offer exceptional engine protection, and includes Pennzoil Ultra(TM) motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology(TM), Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil® Advanced Protection motor oil, Pennzoil® SUV, Truck & Minivan motor oil, Pennzoil High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil, and Pennzoil Marine® engine oil. For more information about Pennzoil products, please visit www.pennzoil.com

Pennzoil is produced and marketed by Shell Lubricants. The term ‘Shell Lubricants’ collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying 13% of global lubricants volume.(5) The companies manufacture and blend products for use in applications ranging from consumer motor oil and food processing oils to heavy industrial lubricants and commercial transport oils. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell CASSIDA®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX®, a portfolio of leading car care brands and Jiffy Lube® lubrication services.

About Royal Dutch Shell

Royal Dutch Shell is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 100 countries with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of Liquefied Natural Gas and Gas to Liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects including wind and solar power. For further information, visit www.shell.com

1. Based on GF-4, Ford, Chrysler, GM and Ferrari specifications
2. Based on Sequence VG sludge test using SAE 5W-30
3. Based on a severe sludge clean-up test using SAE 5W-30
4. Based on Sequence IVA wear test using SAE 5W-30
5. Kline & Company, “Competitive Intelligence for the Global Lubricants Industry, 2008 - 2018.”

“Race Matt” Promotion Allows Fans to Get Behind the Wheel to Win $17,000

After securing another top-five finish this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth will return to the Nevada track later in the year when the driver may face his stiffest competition yet. Crown Royal will run a season-long “Race Matt” promotion, where fans (where legally eligible) will be able to enter to race the former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, prior to the season-ending banquet.

In all, three fans will be selected at various intervals throughout the season to compete in the finale in Las Vegas for the chance to win $17,000. Each of the three winners will also receive a trip for two to Charlotte, N.C., where they will complete a mentorship program and tour the Roush Fenway Headquarters in an effort to prepare for their big day against Kenseth.

Crown Royal continues to identify new and exciting ways for their fans to feel like royalty throughout the race season, all while reinforcing its commitment to reminding fans to always “drink responsibly.”

Adult fans (21 and over) can enter the promotion at CrownRoyal.com throughout the season, and by entering will also automatically receive entry to a local market sweepstakes for a VIP at-track experience to a nearby track. The local program will be fulfilled at various tracks throughout the season, beginning on April 10, 2010.

Junior Johnson’s Moonshine Still to be Highlight of Pre-NASCAR Exhibit

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 28, 2010 – 71 days until opening) – Inaugural Inductee Junior Johnson revealed today a unique contribution to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction set to open May 11, 2010 in Charlotte, N.C.

Johnson, almost as famous for running moonshine as his racing career, is providing the NASCAR Hall of Fame a full-size, authentic moonshine still to be displayed in the pre-NASCAR Theater of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The still, which was built by Johnson, is identical to the stills used by Johnson and his family in years past.

“The still represents many facets of the sport for the NASCAR Hall of Fame,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “It helps show a key aspect of the true roots of stock car racing and NASCAR, and it displays the authenticity of the NASCAR Hall of Fame telling the breadth and depth of NASCAR’s past and present. We look forward to showing fans and non-fans all aspects of the sport, from its fascinating beginnings to the sophisticated technology used by teams today. NASCAR has thousands of vibrant stories to share, and this story is at the heart of the sport’s folklore.”

Telling these stories has been a massive undertaking for the NASCAR Hall of Fame exhibit team. Historian Buz McKim is charged with uncovering hidden treasures of the sport for display in the facility, which houses more than 40,000 square feet of exhibits and has more than 50 interactive displays. Even as the exhibits are being prepared for display, more great stories are being created.

“As we prepare the artifacts for display, some present unexpected challenges,” said McKim. “That was the case last week with the still. I called Junior to ask how to connect a couple of the parts of the still, and he just said he would drive down and help out. Sure enough, two hours later, Junior arrives with wrenches in hand and starts installing the still himself and offering direction to our exhibit fabrication team. Those are some of the cool moments of this job that really make you appreciate the people of this sport. Junior is a class act.”

Aside from cars and a transporter, the moonshine still is one of the largest historic items in the building. It is constructed of wood, metal and copper and features a cooker, two boilers, a dry barrel, a flake stand, condenser and strainer. The artifact will be on display in the Pre-NASCAR Theater, which tells the story of what led to the formation of NASCAR. It also highlights the history of the automobile prior to the 1948 inception of NASCAR. The Theater is on the fourth floor of the facility in Heritage Speedway, the artifact-rich area of the venue that focuses on the history of the sport.

A North Carolina native, Johnson made his first moonshine run at the age of 14. After years in the family business, he was convicted in 1956 on a charge of producing illegal liquor. He served 11 months in federal prison and years later was pardoned by President Ronald Reagan. It was the decades of running moonshine that led to Johnson’s career as a race-car driver, along with many other famous names in the sport.

Despite the colorful upbringing, it was Johnson’s illustrious racing career that earned him a place in history as one of NASCAR’s five Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductees. He won the second Daytona 500 in 1960 and was credited for the discovery of drafting on superspeedways. He won 50 races at NASCAR’s premier level before becoming a car owner. His success continued as an owner where his drivers won 132 races and six championships. Johnson also was responsible for connecting R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company executives with Bill France Jr., which led to the 33-year partnership of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, predecessor to today’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Beginning May 11, fans can see Johnson’s moonshine still and learn more about NASCAR by visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Tickets are on sale now at www.nascarhall.com or by calling 877-231-2010. Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12, and free for children younger than 5. Memberships provide unlimited entry for one year and start at $25 for children and $50 for adults annually. Group discounts, facility rentals and sponsorships also are available by calling 704-654-4400.

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Opening May 11, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 275-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.nascarhall.com

(Las Vegas, NV) March 1, 2010 – Mike Bliss cut the right front tire and hit the wall on lap 44 of Sunday’s Shelby American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, ending the day in 39th position. The Tommy Baldwin Racing crew brought the Kim Kardashian Fragrance Chevrolet to the garage after the contact with the wall and replaced the entire right front assembly. The team was able to get the car back out to the track on lap 160 in order to complete the necessary laps to finish 39th.

“We cut a tire down in turn one, which was too bad because I felt like we had a pretty good race car,” said Bliss, who was unhurt in the crash. “Before we blew the tire I really believed we were in the process of a strong run and was hoping to get a nice finish for Tommy and the folks with Kim Kardashian Fragrance.”

The blown tire put a damper on an otherwise exciting weekend in Las Vegas for Tommy Baldwin Racing. The No. 36 Chevy sported a custom Kim Kardashian Fragrance paint scheme in conjunction with the launch of her first signature fragrance, Kim Kardashian, which can be found at Sephora.com. The team also hosted Kardashian Sunday, and got the chance to meet with her prior to the race.

“It was a big weekend for the team and I was excited to get the chance to meet Kim,” said Bliss. “Kim and her group were great and it was fun getting to share the NASCAR experience with them. It did not even bother me that I was wearing a pink fire suit”.

Team owner Tommy Baldwin added, “I thought the weekend went well and we were happy with all the excitement and attention brought to the team thanks to the involvement with Kim Kardashian Fragrance. I was pleased with the effort the team put forth; unfortunately we ran over something, got a flat tire and hit the wall. Although we do not have the finishes to show for it so far, I truly believe we have a top-25 caliber team, we just need to start stringing together some nice results and we will be fine.”

Bliss started the day in the 30th position and was running 32nd when the tire went down on lap 44. The team will look to rebound next Sunday March 7th at the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The No. 36 Chevrolet will feature the new 2010 Wave Energy Drink paint scheme for the race airing at 1pm EST on FOX.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 1, 2010) – Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Atlanta Motor Speedway going into the Kobalt Tools 500 on March 7.

Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)
· Three top fives, eight top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 15.5
· Average Running Position of 12.1, seventh-best
· Driver Rating of 95.0, seventh-best
· 213 Fastest Laps Run, third-most
· 481 Green Flag Passes, 13th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.660 mph, ninth-fastest
· 2,361 Laps in the Top 15 (72.4%), fifth-most
· 278 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green), ninth-most

Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
· Two wins, two top fives, six top 10s
· Average finish of 19.7
· Driver Rating of 93.4, eighth-best
· 195 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-most
· 534 Green Flag Passes, 11th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.640 mph, 10th-fastest
· 1,882 Laps in the Top 15 (57.7%), 13th-most
· 281 Quality Passes, sixth-most

Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Toyota)
· One win, two top fives, two top 10s
· Average finish of 17.7
· Average Running Position of 15.2, 13th-best
· Driver Rating of 90.3, 10th-best
· 136 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-most
· 560 Green Flag Passes, 10th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.504 mph, 12th-fastest
· 265 Quality Passes, 10th-most

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy Drink/National Guard Chevrolet)
· One win, eight top fives, 10 top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 11.9
· Average Running Position of 10.6, third-best
· Driver Rating of 99.8, fourth-best
· 219 Fastest Laps Run, second-most
· 631 Green Flag Passes, third-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 172.044 mph, third-fastest
· 2,545 Laps in the Top 15 (78.1%), fourth-most
· Series-high 352 Quality Passes

Carl Edwards (No. 99 Aflac Ford)
· Three wins, six top fives, eight top 10s
· Average finish of 13.1
· Average Running Position of 11.9, sixth-best
· Driver Rating of 105.0, second-best
· Series-high 289 Fastest Laps Run
· Series-best Average Green Flag Speed of 172.189 mph
· 2,593 Laps in the Top 15 (79.6%), third-most
· 306 Quality Passes, third-most

Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
· Four wins, 14 top fives, 23 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 12.3
· Average Running Position of 10.0, second-best
· Driver Rating of 102.2, third-best
· 145 Fastest Laps Run, sixth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.684 mph, seventh-fastest
· 2,709 Laps in the Top 15 (83.1%), second-most
· 344 Quality Passes, second-most

Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota)
· One top five, three top 10s
· Average finish of 15.3
· Average Running Position of 11.6, fifth-best
· Driver Rating of 93.2, ninth-best
· 110 Fastest Laps Run, 11th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.684 mph, eighth-fastest
· 1,901 Laps in the Top 15 (64.8%), 12th-most
· 261 Quality Passes, 11th-most

Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet)
· Three wins, nine top fives, 11 top 10s
· Average finish of 10.7
· Series-best Average Running Position of 7.7
· Series-best Driver Rating of 110.1
· 210 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 172.121 mph, second-fastest
· Series-high 2,929 Laps in the Top 15 (89.9%)
· 296 Quality Passes, fifth-most

Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Budweiser Ford)
· Two wins, five top fives, seven top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 17.0
· Driver Rating of 88.8, 11th-best
· 133 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.443 mph, 13th-fastest
· 1,924 Laps in the Top 15 (59.0%), 11th-most

Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Crown Royal Ford)
· Seven top fives, 11 top 10s
· Average finish of 13.7
· Average Running Position of 13.4, ninth-best
· Driver Rating of 95.4, sixth-best
· 134 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-most
· 593 Green Flag Passes, seventh-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.777 mph, fifth-fastest
· 2,290 Laps in the Top 15 (70.3%), seventh-most
· 304 Quality Passes, fourth-most

Mark Martin (No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet)
· Two wins, 14 top fives, 23 top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 16.9
· Average Running Position of 15.0, 12th-best
· Driver Rating of 88.2, 13th-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.630 mph, 11th-fastest
· 2,135 Laps in the Top 15 (65.5%), ninth-most
· 259 Quality Passes, 12th-most

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet)
· Two wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s
· Average finish of 12.0
· Average Running Position of 11.4, fourth-best
· Driver Rating of 98.6, fifth-best
· 137 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.687 mph, sixth-fastest
· 2,345 Laps in the Top 15 (72.0%), sixth-most
· 280 Quality Passes, eighth-most

Martin Truex Jr. (No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota)
· Two top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 24.4
· Average Running Position of 13.0, eighth-best
· Driver Rating of 88.5, 12th-best
· 109 Fastest Laps Run, 12th-most
· Average Green Flag Speed of 171.792 mph, fourth-fastest
· 2,021 Laps in the Top 15 (68.9%), 10th-most
· 256 Quality Passes, 13th-most

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Top 12 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

* – Based on last 10 Atlanta Motor Speedway races.

Chase Contenders
The Top 12 Following Race 3 of 36

___________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL DRIVERS

Note: The first 26 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season determine which 12 drivers qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, contested over the final 10 races of the season.

At Atlanta Motor Speedway:
History

• Originally called Atlanta International Raceway, the track was then a 1.5-mile paved speedway.
• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta was on July 31, 1960, won by Fireball Roberts from the pole.
• The track was re-measured to 1.522 miles in the spring of 1970.
• It was renamed Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1990.
• The track layout was reversed and the track was re-configured to 1.54 miles between the two races in 1997.

Notebook

• There have been 101 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Atlanta Speedway, two races per year except 1961, which had three.
• Fireball Roberts won the pole and race for the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race in 1960.
• 44 drivers have won a pole, led by Buddy Baker and Ryan Newman, each with seven.
• Six of Newman’s seven poles came in consecutive races between March 2003 and October 2005.
• 42 drivers have won a race; 22 have won more than once, including Kurt Busch, who won the first race last season. In that event, Busch scored a perfect Driver Rating of 150.0.
• Dale Earnhardt scored nine victories, more than any other driver. Cale Yarborough is second with seven.
• Bobby Labonte heads the list of active drivers with victories, with six. Labonte is tied with Richard Petty for third on the all-time win list at Atlanta.
• The Wood Brothers are the most productive car owners with 12 victories. They last won there in 1993 with Morgan Shepherd.
• 14 races have been won from the pole. The last to do so was Kasey Kahne in 2006. Both races last season were won from the second starting position.
• 58 races at Atlanta have been won from the first five starting positions.
• Bobby Labonte won the 2001 fall race from the 39th starting position, the deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Atlanta.
• There have been seven season sweeps, most recently by Jimmie Johnson in 2007.

NASCAR in Georgia

• There have been 160 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Georgia.
• 169 NASCAR national series drivers all-time have their home state recorded as Georgia.
• There have been 14 race winners from Georgia in NASCAR’s three national series:

Atlanta Motor Speedway Data
Race # 4 of 36 (3-7-10)
Track Size: 1.54 miles
Race Length: 325 laps/500.5 miles
· Banking/Corners: 24 degrees
· Banking/Straights: 5 degrees
· Frontstretch: 2,332 feet
· Backstretch: 1,800 feet

Driver Rating at Atlanta

Note: Driver Rating compiled from 2005-2009 races (10 total) at Atlanta.

Qualifying/Race Data
2009 pole winner: Mark Martin (187.045 mph, 29.640 secs.)
2009 race winner: Kurt Busch (127.573 mph, 3-8-09)
Track qualifying record: Geoffrey Bodine (197.478 mph, 28.074 secs.,
11-15-97)
Race record: Dale Earnhardt (163.633 mph, 11-16-97)

Estimated Pit Window: Every 48-52 laps, based on fuel mileage.

• Peters A Rare North Carolina Frontrunner
• Double Dose Of Bodine Revs Up For Atlanta
• Busch Eyes Win No. 5 But First With Own Team

Proud Of His Roots, Peters Wants To Bring Title South

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is one of NASCAR’s three national series, but it still projects an “outsider” identity.

All but one of its champions — Bobby Hamilton — hail from beyond NASCAR’s traditional Southeastern base. Californian Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 33 Longhorn Chevrolet) perhaps most reflects the series’ alternative roots. Hornaday leads in championships (four) and victories (45).

Timothy Peters (No. 17 K&N Toyota), the surprise points leader heading to this week’s Atlanta 200, hopes to engineer a geographical shift. Peters, from Providence, N.C., climbed the traditional NASCAR ladder winning NASCAR Whelen All-American Series championships at a trio of short tracks south of the Mason-Dixon line.

His heroes growing up included, naturally, Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip.

“Earnhardt Sr. was a tremendous ambassador for the sport,” said Peters. “I liked Darrell’s driving style and the way the Tide car looked. He was aggressive and smart and always seemed to run well.”

In effect, Peters is racing for his fellow North Carolinians — some of NASCAR’s most devoted fans.

“The year that Bobby (Hamilton) won, everything seemed to fall into place,” he said. “I’m hoping the way our year started that it could be one of those Cinderella seasons for us. I would love to add my name to the list of southern drivers that have achieved that goal.”

Peters hasn’t done especially well at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Of course, his record there isn’t extensive — just three starts with a best finish of 15th.

He believes Saturday’s race will show great improvement, in part thanks to tutoring by Hamilton, for whom he drove in 2005-06.

“He taught me how to use multiple grooves to make the truck run better,” said Peters. “You can run your truck high or low or in between.”

Peters has enjoyed the glow of the past couple of weeks celebrating his Daytona victory. But that was then; this is now.

“It’s a very cool feeling being the points leader of the series but Atlanta changes the game,” said Peters.

“This is when (it shows) you have it or you don’t have it. It’s privileged to be in this position, but we also know it’s our job to stay up there the entire season.”

Pair Of Bodine Brothers Line Up For Atlanta 200

It’s been nearly six years since brothers Todd and Geoff Bodine have taken the green flag in the same NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. They look to do it for a sixth time in the series this week.

Todd (No. 30 Toyota) won the 2006 Atlanta 200. Geoff, who’ll drive the No. 95 Team Gill Racing Dodge, has 21 starts (the last in 2004) and a trio of second-place finishes. Bodine has spent the past several weeks at the Winter Olympics, overseeing the fortunes of his Bo-Dyn bobsleds and the Gold Medal U.S. Bobsled team.

“It’s going to be like old times, you know?” said younger brother Todd. “He’s looking forward to it. Once a racer, always a racer. It’s giving him an opportunity to have some fun.”

Said Danny Gill, whose Dodge (numbered 46 with Dennis Setzer at the wheel) finished third at Daytona, “We have worked really hard to prepare him a piece so that his return will be a competitive one. With his record (four NASCAR Sprint Cup top fives ) Atlanta is a perfect track for him. I think he’ll be a lot of fun to work with and have no trouble being a contender.”

Loop Data: Atlanta Possible Bounce-Back Race For Skinner, Hornaday

Two drivers, both past champions, had uncharacteristically bad finishes at Daytona — Mike Skinner and Ron Hornaday Jr.

Both have had to sit and mull over their poor standings position for the last two weeks. Finally, they’ll have a chance to improve.

And both should.

Skinner, who currently sits 23rd in the standings, is strong at Atlanta, scoring top-five finishes in four of the last five races there, including a victory in 2007.

Over that span, Skinner has had a Driver Rating of 104.2, an Average Running Position of 9.8, an average finish of 7.8, a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 81.7% and 27 Fastest Laps Run. What makes those numbers even more impressive: They include his October 2008 race, where he finished 26th with a Driver Rating of 63.6.

Same story for Hornaday, who is in 27th after the season opener. His last four Atlanta races have all been top 10s, and he finished runner-up in three consecutive events from 2007-2008. But no wins, despite outstanding statistics.

In the last four Atlanta races, Hornaday has a Driver Rating of 132.7, an Average Running Position of 2.2, an average finish of 3.3 and 101 Fastest Laps Run.

In the two Atlanta races of 2008, Hornaday scored Driver Ratings of 141.8 and 144.3. A perfect rating is 150.0.

Top-25 Watch

Fields for the first four races of the 2010 season are set based on 2009 Owners’ Championship points with the top 25 teams locked into the 36-truck fields.

It’s not too early to think about the reset to 2010 standings scheduled for May 2 at Kansas Speedway.

Several teams currently protected by last year’s points would have to qualify on speed if the reset happened this week.

Among them are Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3, Turner Motorsports’ No. 4 and Billy Ballew Motorsports’ No. 15.

Busch, Ballew Return To Atlanta But From Different Directions

Few drivers and teams have dominated a race track as Kyle Busch and Billy Ballew Motorsports.

Busch and owner Billy Ballew have won four times at the 1.54-mile track, including three of the past four times the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has competed at AMS.

Is a fifth victory in the cards?

Perhaps — but only one member of the combination will find itself in Victory Lane.

Busch left his Atlanta owner’s team after the
2009 finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He formed his own team, Kyle Busch Motorsports, and will take the green flag in his own No. 18 Toyota Tundra Toyota along with teammate Tayler Malsam (No. 56 One Eighty Toyota). Ballew, meanwhile, returns with Aric Almirola in the defending Atlanta 200 winning No. 51 Gateway Pharmaceuticals Toyota. BBM’s second entry, the No. 15 Red Top Auto Auction Toyota, will be driven by Steve Wallace, a NASCAR Nationwide Series veteran making his truck racing debut.

“It’s great to race in Billy Ballew’s hometown of Atlanta. What better place to bring home a victory for Billy,” said Almirola.

Wallace, coming off a 10th-place finish in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300, said, “This is awesome. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

His uncle, Mike Wallace, is a four-time NCWTS winner.

Busch, meanwhile, is pleased to return to Atlanta and go for a 17th career victory that would tie him for fifth on the all-time series list with Todd Bodine and Ted Musgrave.

“It’s a track I really like. It’s fast and the truck races are always really good,” said Busch. “Obviously, getting a win there would be really huge because it would be the first for Kyle Busch Motorsports.”

NCWTS Etc.

• Kevin Harvick Inc. has named Doug George as crew chief for the No. 33 Longhorn Chevrolet driven by Ron Hornaday Jr. The move unites a pair of former NASCAR Southwest Series champions. George previously served as crew chief for KHI’s No. 2 E-Z-Go Chevrolet Harvick will drive in Atlanta.
• Hornaday has been named an honorary H.E.A.T. enforcement officer by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue. Last week, Hornaday appeared at a Henry County safety checkpoint and rewarded 30 buckled-up families with free Atlanta Motor Speedway tickets. The event was part of AMS’ 50th anniversary celebration.
• The first six NASCAR Camping World Truck races in Atlanta produced six different winners. Just two drivers, Busch and Ryan Newman, won the next four. Bodine, Busch, Hornaday and Mike Skinner (No. 5 International Trucks/ Monaco RV Toyota) are former winners expected to compete in this week’s race.
• Newman is the only driver to record a first series victory — his only one to date — in Atlanta. Six other Atlanta winners have combined for 129 NCWTS victories.
• The 2006 fall race was the track’s most competitive event, featuring 21 lead changes.
• Six of the 10 previous races have been won by a driver starting fifth or better. Pole winners Bodine (2006), Skinner (2007) and Busch (2009) parlayed No. 1 starting spots into victories.

Director’s Take: Wayne’s Words

“Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway was an exciting time for all of us and I can’t remember a year when there was so much optimism in the garage or enthusiasm among fans of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

“We had to wait an extra day to run this race but that didn’t dampen the excitement. We had everything you could ask for and more — first time Daytona winner and pole winner and a last lap pass for the win.

“It was great to see familiar faces in the garage and to welcome the many new teams — 25 percent of them weren’t with us at Daytona in 2009. That growth shows the commitment of the NASCAR community to our series.

“Now it’s time to get down to business at Atlanta Motor Speedway, another track that’s featured great racing and finishes since the 1.54-mile facility joined the series in 2004.

“Nobody will forget the back-and-forth battle between Mike Skinner and Bobby Hamilton in 2004. Bobby won the race (and later the championship) as Mike wound up spinning through the grass after his last-ditch pass attempt off Turn 4.

“That’s what NASCAR racing is all about and why a truck race at Atlanta Motor Speedway is a must-see, early-season event.

“By its nature, Atlanta plays into the hands of the always-on-the-gas competitors of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The track is wide and offers plenty of different opportunities to go where the other driver isn’t.

“The fans can look forward to three and four-wide racing at speeds of more than 180 miles per hour.

“I look back on the early years of the series, when the mile track at Phoenix International Raceway was our Daytona, and just shake my head about how far we’ve come.

“Speed hasn’t diminished the excitement. The tough trucks are just as exciting at 180 mph as they were at 140 mph.

“And they still trade plenty of paint.”

- Wayne Auton, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Director

Fast Facts

Driver Points

Raybestos Rookie of the Year
Driver Points

Up Next: Kroger 250 at Martinsville

Fans love the up-close action at historic Martinsville Speedway. It’s paint-to-pass on the tight, .526-mile track — the first short track on the 2010 schedule.

Making it even better, the grandstands are among the circuit’s closest to the racing making an afternoon at the southern Virginia track one of the year’s most anticipated outings.

Kevin Harvick is the defending winner of the March 27 Kroger 250 but Martinsville Speedway has a history of not rewarding its most recent winners.

In fact, there have been 12 different winners in the last 13 events at a track hosting spring and fall NASCAR Camping World Truck series races. Dennis Setzer and Mike Skinner are the track’s only repeat winners. Each has three victories.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 1, 2010) – William Hileman, a crew member for the No. 76 team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy.

On Feb. 25, Hileman was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2010 NASCAR rule book.

LAS VEGAS, Nev., (February 28, 2010) – After turning in the fastest lap in final practice on Friday, defending Sam’s Town 300 winner Greg Biffle had high expectations of bringing home back-to-back NASCAR Nationwide Series wins at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Biffle ran in the top 10 for the majority of the race but despite numerous adjustments to the Red Man Moist Snuff Ford Fusion was unable to find the necessary speed to challenge for the win in Saturday’s race. With a ninth-place finish, the Red Man Racing team registered top-10 finishes in both of the February west coast races and also led at least one lap in each race.

“The Red Man Moist Snuff Ford Fusion was pretty good today,” said Biffle. “It was hard to pass out there because everyone seemed to be running about the same speed. We made a lot of adjustments near the end of the race trying to find some speed. We got a little better but needed more to get to the front. I thought we would have a better finish, but we ended up with another top 10 and that’s something to build on.”

The Vancouver, WA native started the race from the ninth position and made his way into the top 5 by lap 40. Biffle communicated to crew chief Rick Viers that the Red Man Moist Snuff Ford Fusion was a little tight as he continued to run fifth in the early stages of the race. As the leaders began to make their first pit stops of the day under green-flag conditions around lap 55, Biffle remained on the track and led a lap before coming down pit road on lap 60. The Red Man Racing crew put four fresh tires on the car, filled it with fuel and returned the No. 27 Ford Fusion to the track in 12th position.

Biffle had made his way back into fifth position when a caution occurred on lap 84. He communicated that the car was still tight and needed the crew to make an adjustment to free the car. He brought the Red Man Moist Snuff Ford down pit road where the crew put on four fresh tires, filled it with fuel and took a half-round of wedge out.

As the race progressed, the defending race winner continued to communicate to his crew chief that the car was too tight. Each pit stop the Red Man Racing crew continued to make adjustments on the car as the temperatures continued to decrease and threat of rain increased.

After a caution occurred on lap 165, Biffle brought the Red Man Moist Snuff Ford down pit road where the crew made a final attempt to free the car by moving the trackbar up two rounds and taking two rounds of wedge out of the right rear.

When the race restarted on lap 170 Biffle was scored in the 16th position. Over the last 30 laps of the race the veteran managed to maneuver his way past seven cars and finished in ninth place. The top-10 finish was his eighth career in nine NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Biffle, who is eighth in the NASCAR Nationwide Series point standings, will be back in the Red Man Moist Snuff Ford Fusion Saturday, March 20th, when the Nationwide Series takes to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 on ABC at 2:00 p.m. ET.

LAS VEGAS, Nev., (February 28, 2010) – After earning his first career top 10 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last year, Scott Lagasse Jr. entered this weekend’s race with high hopes of a repeat performance. A penalty for jumping the restart on lap 92 put the No. 43 Dr. Gadget®/everybodygets1.com Ford Fusion two laps down and made for a long Sam’s Town 300, but the team managed to get back on the lead lap late in the race and earn a respectable 17th–place finish.

“It’s very difficult to go two laps down, especially on a judgment call, but this team didn’t give up.,” said Lagasse Jr. “17th-place is not a reflection of what kind of car we had today or what this team is capable of doing. The car drove much better today and I look for this team to continue to improve as the season progresses.”

Lagasse Jr. started the Sam’s Town 300 from the 32nd position. The team took advantage of a caution on lap 12 and filled the No. 43 Dr. Gadget®/everybodygets1.com Ford Fusion with fuel and put four fresh tires on. The St. Augustine, FL native worked his way through the field advancing into the top 20 on lap 55.

As the leaders began to pit, Lagasse Jr. made his way up to the third position before having to pit on lap 65. Shortly after returning to the track he surrendered a lap to the leader as he communicated to crew chief Jeff White that the car needed to turn better from the center-off of the corners.

After pitting under caution on lap 86, the No. 43 Dr. Gadget®/everybodygets1.com Ford Fusion returned to the track scored in 22nd position. As the field came down the frontstretch for the restart, Lagasse Jr. moved to the right to avoid contact with several cars checking up in front of him. NASCAR ruled that he jumped the restart and issued a pass-through penalty.

Lagasse Jr. brought his No. 43 Ford Fusion through pit road to serve the penalty and returned to the track two laps down in 24th position. He remained two laps down until a caution occurred on lap 146. When the leaders pitted, he remained on the track to take advantage of the wave around rule and moved to just one lap down.

When the race restarted on lap 150, Lagasse Jr. was in 22nd position. He quickly made his way around the three other drivers one lap down, putting himself in a position for the lucky dog. When another caution occurred on lap 167, the No. 43 Dr. Gadget®/everybodygets1.com Ford Fusion was awarded the lucky dog and was back on the lead lap. Once on the lead lap Lagasse Jr. ran the last 30 laps in the 17th position, earning his second straight top-20 finish.

Lagasse Jr. and the Dr. Gadget®/everybodygets1.com Racing team will be back in action Saturday, March 20th, when the Nationwide Series takes to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Scotts Turf Builder 300 on ABC at 2:00 p.m. ET.