Apparently, the propensity for winning streaks runs in the family. And Kyle Busch (No. 5 Lowes Chevrolet) would like to see that trait continue Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Food City 250. With his second-consecutive win coming Saturday at Michigan the first time a driver in the NASCAR Busch Series has experienced back-to-back wins since Scott Wimmer in the final two races of the 2002 season Busch closed the gap with points leader Martin Truex Jr. (No. 8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) to 97 in the NASCAR Busch Series standings. Weve knocked around 50 points off their lead in the past two weeks, so Im very pleased with how things are going, said Lance McGrew, crew chief for Busch. Based on where this team was in the points standings last year at this time, I feel like getting 97 points back is a very real possibility. Its definitely a goal we can achieve. Again, theres still a lot of racing left. The victory at Michigan was Buschs fifth of the year, giving him the overall lead in series wins. The NASCAR Busch Series hasnt had a driver post six wins in a season since 2000 series champion Jeff Green.
Meanwhile, Buschs older brother, Kurt, will be going for his fourth straight win at Thunder Valley in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race the following evening. The Busch brothers, however, arent the only competitors at Bristol who will be seeking to continue streaks.
Truex won his first-ever NASCAR Busch Series race at Bristol in May and will attempt to become the first driver since 1993 series champion Steve Grissom (No. 24 GIC Chevrolet) to gain a season sweep at Bristol. Grissom won both NASCAR Busch Series races at the track in 1995.
Jason Keller (No. 22 Miller High Life Ford) has won the last two Food City 250 Busch Poles, and three of the last four. His three poles are tied for most ever at the track. Keller also has one career victory at Bristol.
Kenny Wallace (No. 23 YJ Stinger Chevrolet) owns an all-time series record 17 top-10 finishes in 22 career NASCAR Busch Series races at Bristol, and had a streak of nine top 10s from 1996-2002. He finished 16th in May, which marked his first series appearance at Bristol since the fall of 2002.
(Bristol) is a track that I have been very successful at over the years, said Wallace, who won the Food City 250 in 1994.
“When it comes to Bristol, experience pays off. I think that the more laps around this place a driver has, the more success he will find. I have seen just about everything when it comes to driving at this speedway.
NEWS & NOTES, PART II
Jeff Green takes over No. 25 Team Marines Ford Team Rensi Motorsports President & CEO Sam Rensi announced late Monday that the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series champion Jeff Green would take over for Bobby Hamilton Jr. in the No. 25 U.S. Marine Corps Ford for the remainder of the 2004 season, effective immediately. Green will make his debut with the team at Bristol. Throughout the past three seasons, Team Rensi Motorsports grew into a championship-caliber team finishing just 49 points out of first place in the 2003 championship race, Rensi said. With Bobby and (crew chief) Harold Hollys announcement to move to the Nextel Cup Series in 2005, I felt that it would be best to allow Bobby to prepare for his career change now and allow Team Rensi Motorsports, with Harolds help, to begin the process of preparing for 2005. We have started our search for a new crew chief to bring in now to replace Harold and use the rest of the season for a smooth transition before he assumes his duties with PPI Motorsports in 2005. Green has 16 wins, 23 Busch Poles, 87 top fives and 126 top 10s in 240 NASCAR Busch Series races. He last participated in the series in 2003 at Homestead, finishing 27th.
Wallace family to be honored at Bristol Collectively, they have over 1,750 career starts, 72 wins and one championship in NASCARs three national series. The Wallace brothers Kenny, Mike and Rusty will have nearly 25 years of racing accomplishments in NASCAR and the Bristol area recognized Thursday in downtown Bristol, by Bristol Motor Speedway and race sponsor Food City (State Street at 5:30 p.m.). It is going to be a big weekend for the Wallace family, Mike Wallace (No. 4 GEICO Ford) said. The mayor is going to be there as well as (NASCAR President) Mike Helton, (Bristol Motor Speedway Chairman) Bruton Smith and (Bristol Motor Speedway President & General Manger) Jeff Byrd. Given the celebration, Friday night would be a perfect time for Mike to join his brothers as Bristol winners. Id love to win a race there, Mike said. Rusty has won a lot of races there (9), and Kenny has won one. I figure it is my turn now.
Michigan race shows broadcast gains while up against Olympics Last Saturdays Cabelas 250 at Michigan International Speedway aired on TNT and produced a 3% increase in households over the 2003 event. The race also featured a 7% increase in ratings over the 2003 broadcast. The race aired directly against the Olympics (8.1 overnight rating on NBC), PGA, LPGA and the Little League World Series.
Chevrolet leads in manufacturers standings Chevrolet has regained its command in the Bill France Performance Cup standings for manufacturers in the NASCAR Busch Series following its second- consecutive win by Kyle Busch last Saturday at Michigan. Chevrolet now has 14 wins and 176 points while Ford has seven wins and 143 points. Dodge is in third with two victories and 105 points.
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Kevin Harvicks (No. 21 Reeses Peanut Butter Cups Chevrolet) three wins are the most among drivers entered in the Food City 250. Defending Food City 250 winner Michael Waltrip (No. 99 Aarons Sales & Lease Chevrolet), Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet) and Martin Truex Jr. have posted consecutive top-10 finishes at Bristol. Jason Keller and David Green (No. 37 Timber Wolf Chevrolet) have each started in the top five a track-record eight times at Bristol. Keller holds the event qualifying record with his 2003 run of 126.021 mph. Chevrolet has won the last 14 races at Bristol.
ETC.
Martin Truex Jr. has three consecutive top-five finishes, but has not won in his last 11 races (Nazareth). Jason Keller has finished outside the top 10 in his last four races and five of his last six. Jason Leffler (No. 00 Haas Automation Chevrolet) enters Bristol with five straight top-10 finishes. He is even with Truex in points in the last six races (916). Greg Biffle (No. 60 Charter Communications Ford) passed the $5 million mark in series career winnings with his eighth-place finish at Michigan. He joins six other NASCAR Busch Series drivers who have reached that mark. Hermie Sadler (No. 02 Zapf Creation Chevrolet) will attempt his 250th series start at Bristol Emerson Radio Corp. has agreed to sponsor the NASCAR Busch Series race at Richmond. The Emerson Radio 250 will begin at 8 p.m. Sept. 10.
QUOTEBOOK
There is just something about night racing at Bristol. It’s very hard to explain. I get goose bumps. I have to try to calm myself down because the excitement and the adrenaline rush are overwhelming. I love this race.” Ron Hornaday Jr.
Bristol is by far the most exciting, intense track we go to all year. Its basically like running 250 qualifying laps back-to-back. Its a true test of equipment, pit crew and focus. Running out there by yourself is one thing, but add 42 of your closest friends and its a whole different ball game. The night race at Bristol is the best race of the year. David Green.
Bristol is pretty exhausting. Your arms and legs are always working. They dont get a moments rest. Youre either sawing on the wheel or working the throttle, usually both. Its easy to get tired and let your guard down, and thats when youll end up in trouble. Youve got to stay up on the wheel and remain focused on the race. Johnny Sauter (No. 27 Kleenex/Scott Chevrolet).
FROM THE ARCHIVES
The NASCAR Busch Series has competed at Bristol Motor Speedway since the series was created in 1982. The summer race at Bristol was originally known as the Pet Dairy 150. The event was lengthened to 200 laps in 1984 and finally to 250 laps in 1990. Phil Parsons won the inaugural race in 1982. Four drivers have scored back-to-back wins Brett Bodine in 1985 and 86, while little brother Todd Bodine won in 1992 and 93. Larry Pearson won in 1987 and 88 and Kevin Harvick took the 2000 and 01 races. Other winners include Sam Ard, Mark Martin, Jimmy Spencer, Matt Kenseth, Dale Jarrett and defending race champion Michael Waltrip.
Fast Facts
What: Food City 250 (Race No. 24 of 34 in the NASCAR Busch Series).
Where: Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.
When: 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 27.
Track layout: .533-mile high-banked concrete oval.
Race length: 250 laps/133.25 miles.
Posted awards: $1,251,398.
TV: TNT, 8 p.m. ET.
Radio: PRN, XM Satellite.
2003 winner: Michael Waltrip.
2003 polesitter: Jason Keller.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Thursday Practice, 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m.; qualifying, 3:15 p.m.; final practice 5 6 p.m.(NASCAR PR)(8-24-2004)
