After Daytona Speedweek Dave Blaney is very excited about 2004. He is looking forward to working with Ted Marsh and the #31 Whelen guys again this year. 2003 was a successful beginning for them and they are anticipating more of it in 2004. About the changes in 2004 Blaney said: “The new Ford body will be a big improvement from last years model, combine that with Ilmore (Penske) engines we feel we have the full package, and expect to run well. Last year we were a little behind the eight ball with the ford body style. Near the end of the season we began to improve and it showed in our results. We know the body is much improved and with the new rules concerning the Ford we will be very competitive at all the tracks, but the intermediate low drag tracks is where you should see the most improvement. Las Vegas is the raciest track we run, it has 2 grooves and develops another one late in the race. LVMS is all about handling, motors are important too, but handling is what wins races. Tire’s are an unknown here, because of the changes NASCAR and Goodyear implemented with the softer tires. Las Vegas will be the first track to use the New Generation tire. Tire management will be critical since NASCAR limits the amount of tires you can use under cautions there will be several tire changes under green flag conditions. Pit crews who can get you in and out quickly will be a major advantage. Were looking forward to turning a good qualifying lap and racing well.” Ted Marsh said: “Were proud of our association with Dave Blaney and Whelen, they have been great to Marsh Racing and would love to put Dave in a position to give them a WIN! We had only minor changes in the scheduled 10 races we run this year Texas and Las Vegas were added and the spring Charlotte (Lowes) race and Michigan were eliminated. I am very proud of the team and its progress last year and I am happy to announce all the team is intact coming into the 2004 season.(Voight Motorsports Management PR)(3-2-2004)
