THE RACE: 2006 Nicorette 300 – Atlanta Motor Speedway

Busch Series Race #5 of 35 for the 2006 season

 

  • Race: Saturday, March 18, 2006 in Las Vegas, NV
  • Length: 195 Laps, 300 miles
  • TV: FX – 3:00pm/et
  • Radio: PRN
  • Purse: $1,094,876
  • Announcers: Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip
  • Pit Reporters: Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Matt Yocum and Jeanne Zelasko

    Practice Dates/Times

  • Nicorette 300 practice: Friday, March 17, 12:15pm – 1:20pm/et and 2:20pm-3:20pm/et. Rookie practice 1:35pm – 2:05pm/et

    Qualifying Info

  • Qualifying Draw: Friday, March 17, 11:15am/et
  • Qualifying Time: Saturday, March 18, 12:10pm/et
  • Qualifying: 2 laps for all positions, cars will be impounded. TV coverage on Speed at 1:00pm/et.
  • NASCAR Online will have live lap-by-lap coverage of Busch qualifying via the web (NOTE: this is a paid subscription service). BGNRacing.com has free qualifying coverage.

    ENTRY, PRACTICE, QUALIFYING, AND RACE INFORMATION

  • Burton Wins at Atlanta: #21-Jeff Burton captured his first Busch Series win since October 2002 by winning the Nicorette 300. He was followed by #9-Kasey Kahne, #16-Greg Biffle, #17-Matt Kenseth, and #18-J.J. Yeley.(3-18-2006)
    NASCAR Busch Series Race Number 5
    Unofficial Race Results for the Nicorette 300 – Saturday, March 18, 2006
    Atlanta Motor Speedway – Hampton, Ga. – 1.54 Mile Banked Paved
    Total Race Length – 195 Laps – 300.300 Miles
    Provided by NASCAR Statistical Services – Saturday, March 18, 2006 @ 07:29 PM Eastern
    Fin Str Car Driver Team Laps Pts Bns Award Status Ti.
    Led    		 Lps
    Led
    1 8 21 Jeff Burton U.S. Coast Guard Chevrolet 195 190 10 $48,540 Running 4 75
    2 17 9 Kasey Kahne Hellman’s Dodge 195 170 $41,400 Running
    3 15 16 Greg Biffle Ameriquest Mortgage Ford 195 170 5 $28,470 Running 1 6
    4 4 17 Matt Kenseth Ameriquest Mortgage Ford 195 165 5 $20,975 Running 3 73
    5 9 18 J.J. Yeley Vigoro/The Home Depot Chevrolet 195 160 5 $37,225 Running 1 1
    6 21 32 Jason Leffler ABF U-Pack Chevrolet 195 150 $30,730 Running
    7 3 57 Brian Vickers OreIda Chevrolet 195 146 $19,085 Running
    8 10 77 Burney Lamar # Dollar General Chevrolet 195 142 $28,695 Running
    9 12 64 Jamie McMurray Top Flite Dodge 195 138 $17,500 Running
    10 14 11 Paul Menard Splash/Menards Chevrolet 195 134 $25,705 Running
    11 30 33 Kevin Harvick Outdoor Channel Chevrolet 195 130 $17,125 Running
    12 23 00 Johnny Sauter Yellow Transportation Chevrolet 195 127 $28,255 Running
    13 33 47 Jon Wood ArmorAll Ford 195 124 $21,680 Running
    14 11 2 Clint Bowyer ACDelco Chevrolet 195 126 5 $22,380 Running 1 1
    15 43 88 Mark McFarland # NAVY Chevrolet 195 118 $14,850 Running
    16 13 42 Casey Mears Texaco/Havoline Dodge 195 120 5 $14,875 Running 1 6
    17 40 25 Ashton Lewis Jr. United States Marines Ford 195 112 $20,055 Running
    18 16 06 Todd Kluever # 3M Ford 195 109 $14,275 Running
    19 32 22 Kenny Wallace AutoZone Ford 195 106 $19,905 Running
    20 22 10 John Andretti # Freedom Roads/Camping World Ford 195 108 5 $18,700 Running 1 1
    21 6 35 Regan Smith McDonald’s Ford 194 100 $19,905 Running
    22 26 99 Michael Waltrip Aaron’s Sales and Leasing Dodge 194 97 $13,950 Running
    23 39 1 Jason Keller Miccosukee Resorts Dodge 194 94 $25,430 Running
    24 7 60 Carl Edwards Henkel/Dial for Men Ford 194 96 5 $13,800 Running 1 6
    25 31 50 Danny O’Quinn Jr. # Stonebridge Life Ford 193 88 $13,850 Running
    26 19 43 Aaron Fike Flagstar Bank/Smith Transportation Dodge 193 85 $18,225 Running
    27 38 59 Stacy Compton Kingsford/Bush’s Baked Beans Ford 193 82 $18,175 Running
    28 27 4 Mark Green GIECO/BryMak Dodge 193 84 5 $15,600 Running 1 1
    29 25 01 Jay Sauter Western Union Chevrolet 193 76 $13,550 Running
    30 29 90 Elliott Sadler citifinancial Ford 192 73 $13,750 Running
    31 41 36 Tim Sauter Lester Buildings Chevrolet 191 70 $15,660 Running
    32 36 12 Joel Kauffman # Supercuts Dodge 191 67 $15,425 Running
    33 37 38 A.J. Foyt IV # Great Clips Dodge 191 64 $20,890 Running
    34 24 58 Kevin Conway Carver Racing Dodge 190 61 $15,355 Running
    35 34 0 Kertus Davis GunBroker.com/RACEGIRL Chevrolet 190 58 $17,860 Running
    36 35 27 David Green Cottonelle/USPS Ford 183 55 $23,310 Wheel Stud
    37 20 66 Ken Schrader Yard-Man Ford 180 52 $13,250 Running
    38 5 20 Denny Hamlin Rockwell Automation Chevrolet 178 49 $17,935 Running
    39 2 39 Ryan Newman Mobil 1 Dodge 143 46 $13,630 Accident
    40 1 5 Kyle Busch Lowe’s/Hitatchi Chevrolet 121 48 5 $13,075 Accident 1 25
    41 18 14 Tracy Hines # Jani-King Dodge 99 40 $15,025 Accident
    42 28 41 Reed Sorenson Discount Tire Co. Dodge 74 37 $17,505 Engine
    43 42 34 Scott Lynch Hunter’s Hope Chevrolet 10 34 $14,900 Accident
    Race Comments Before an estimated crowd of 75,000, Jeff Burton won the Nicorette 300, posting his 21st NASCAR Busch Series victory. Prior to the green flag, the following driver, under penalty, dropped to the rear of the field for the reason indicated: #66 Schrader (unapproved impound adjustment).
    Failed to Qualify (3) Jorge Goeters, #49; Steadman Marlin, #95; Chris Wimmer #, #23.
    Time of Race 2 hours, 20 minutes, 47 seconds Average Speed 127.984 mph Margin of Victory 1.419 Seconds
    Caution Flags 6 for 39 laps: Laps 13-16 (#34 accident turn 2); 43-49 (#5 accident turn 4); 65-71 (Oil on track); 85-91 (#38 accident turn 4); 102-106 (#14 accident turn 3); 145-153 (#39 accident frontstretch).
    Lead Changes 14 among 10 drivers: K. Busch 1-25; M. Kenseth 26-39; J. Burton 40-42; C. Bowyer 43; M. Green 44; G. Biffle 45-50; M. Kenseth 51-87; C. Mears 88-93; C. Edwards 94-99; J. Burton 100-149; J. Yeley 150; J. Andretti 151; J. Burton 152-153; M. Kenseth 154-175; J. Burton 176-195.
    Top 10 Driver Points (1) K. Harvick 772; (2) J. Yeley 755; (3) J. McMurray 698; (4) C. Bowyer 664; (5) D. Hamlin 649; (6) J. Leffler 639; (7) C. Edwards 614; (8) B. Lamar 606; (9) J. Wood 596; (10) G. Biffle 595.
    Top 5 Rookie Points
    Busch Pole Award Kyle Busch (189.707 mph)
    Raybestos Rookie of the Race Burney Lamar #
    Sunoco Diamond Performance Award Jeff Burton
    Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge Award Burney Lamar #
    WIX Filters Lap Leader Award J.J. Yeley, #18 (1 Lap)
    Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award John Andretti, #10 (22 Places)
    Bank of America Card Service Mid-Race Leader Award Clint Bowyer
    Goody’s Headache Powder Extra Strength Award J.J. Yeley
    Mobil 1 Oil Command Performance Driver of the Race Jason Leffler

    (NASCAR PR)(3-18-2006)

  • Busch on the Pole for Nicorette 300: #5-Kyle Busch captured the Busch Pole in Atlanta with a speed of 189.707mph. He will be followed by #39-Ryan Newman, #57-Brian Vickers, #17-Matt Kenseth, #20-Denny Hamlin.(3-18-2006)
    NASCAR Busch Series
    Nicorette 300
    Starting Line-Up by Row
    Atlanta Motor Speedway – Hampton, Ga.
    Provided by NASCAR Statistical Services – Saturday, March 18, 2006 @ 1:38 PM Eastern
    Pos # Driver Team Time Speed
    Row 1 1 5 Kyle Busch Lowe’s/Hitatchi Chevrolet 29.224 189.707
    2 39 Ryan Newman Mobil 1 Dodge 29.280 189.344
    Row 2 3 57 Brian Vickers OreIda Chevrolet 29.320 189.086
    4 17 Matt Kenseth Ameriquest Mortgage Ford 29.359 188.835
    Row 3 5 20 Denny Hamlin Rockwell Automation Chevrolet 29.383 188.681
    6 35 Regan Smith McDonald’s Ford 29.529 187.748
    Row 4 7 60 Carl Edwards Henkel/Dial for Men Ford 29.546 187.640
    8 21 Jeff Burton U.S. Coast Guard Chevrolet 29.589 187.367
    Row 5 9 18 J.J. Yeley Vigoro/The Home Depot Chevrolet 29.646 187.007
    10 77 Burney Lamar # Dollar General Chevrolet 29.647 187.000
    Row 6 11 2 Clint Bowyer ACDelco Chevrolet 29.664 186.893
    12 64 Jamie McMurray Top Flite Dodge 29.701 186.660
    Row 7 13 42 Casey Mears Texaco/Havoline Dodge 29.725 186.510
    14 11 Paul Menard Splash/Menards Chevrolet 29.790 186.103
    Row 8 15 16 Greg Biffle Ameriquest Mortgage Ford 29.793 186.084
    16 06 Todd Kluever # 3M Ford 29.804 186.015
    Row 9 17 9 Kasey Kahne Hellman’s Dodge 29.822 185.903
    18 14 Tracy Hines # Jani-King Dodge 29.831 185.847
    Row 10 19 43 Aaron Fike Flagstar Bank/Smith Transportation Dodge 29.834 185.828
    20 66 Ken Schrader Yard-Man Ford 29.838 185.803
    Row 11 21 32 Jason Leffler ABF U-Pack Chevrolet 29.844 185.766
    22 10 John Andretti # Freedom Roads/Camping World Ford 29.848 185.741
    Row 12 23 00 Johnny Sauter Yellow Transportation Chevrolet 29.861 185.660
    24 58 Kevin Conway Carver Racing Dodge 29.870 185.604
    Row 13 25 01 Jay Sauter Western Union Chevrolet 29.882 185.530
    26 99 Michael Waltrip Aaron’s Sales and Leasing Dodge 29.902 185.406
    Row 14 27 4 Mark Green GIECO/BryMak Dodge 29.918 185.306
    28 41 Reed Sorenson Discount Tire Co. Dodge 29.935 185.201
    Row 15 29 90 Elliott Sadler citifinancial Ford 29.959 185.053
    30 33 Kevin Harvick Outdoor Channel Chevrolet 29.967 185.003
    Row 16 31 50 Danny O’Quinn Jr. # Stonebridge Life Ford 30.022 184.665
    32 22 Kenny Wallace AutoZone Ford 30.041 184.548
    Row 17 33 47 Jon Wood ArmorAll Ford 30.048 184.505
    34 0 Kertus Davis GunBroker.com/RACEGIRL Chevrolet 30.125 184.033
    Row 18 35 27 David Green Cottonelle/USPS Ford 30.235 183.364
    36 12 Joel Kauffman # Supercuts Dodge 30.290 183.031
    Row 19 37 38 A.J. Foyt IV # Great Clips Dodge 30.326 182.813
    38 59 Stacy Compton Kingsford/Bush’s Baked Beans Ford 30.347 182.687
    Row 20 39 1 Jason Keller Miccosukee Resorts Dodge 30.498 181.782
    40 25 Ashton Lewis Jr. United States Marines Ford 30.589 181.242
    Row 21 41 36 Tim Sauter Lester Buildings Chevrolet Owner Points
    42 34 Scott Lynch Hunter’s Hope Chevrolet
    Row 22 43 88 Mark McFarland # NAVY Chevrolet 30.132 183.990

    Did Not Qualify:
    #49-Jorge Goeters, 182.087mph
    #95-Steadman Marlin, 178.793
    #23-Chris Wimmer, 178.758

    (NASCAR PR)(3-18-2006)

  • Hamlin Fastest in Happy Hour: #20-Denny Hamlin led all drivers during Happy Hour. He was followed by #06-Todd Kluever, #17-Matt Kenseth, #57-Brian Vickers, and #9 Kasey Kahne. For complete results, check out BGNRacing.com.(3-17-2006)
  • Edwards and Kahne Pace First Practice Session: #60-Carl Edwards was the fastest in the morning practice session at Atlanta. He was follwed by #9-Kasey Kahne, #5 Kyle Busch, #77 Burney Lamar, and #88-Mark McFarland. For complete results, check out BGNRacing.com.(3-17-2006)
  • Entry List: There are 48 entries for the Nicorette 300 at Atlanta. For the complete list, visit BGNRacing.com or NASCAR.com.(3-14-2006)

    NASCAR NEWS & NOTES PART II

  • Sorenson looks for hometown advantage … Reed Sorenson (#41 Discount Tire Co. Dodge) is another driver attempting to run full schedules in both the NASCAR Busch Series and in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. The 20-year-old finished fourth in the NASCAR Busch Series standings last year and is a strong contender for the title this season. He comes to Atlanta in 11th place in the standings, only seven points behind Burney Lamar. Considered one of the top young drivers in NASCAR, Sorenson has the added spotlight this week while driving in his hometown – he is a native of Peachtree City, Ga., and will undoubtedly race in front of family and friends this weekend. Sorenson led 47 laps at Atlanta in his first NASCAR Busch Series race at the track in 2004 before an accident took him out of contention.
  • Luck o’ the Irish for O’Quinn? … Danny O’Quinn (#50 Stonebridge Life Ford) has had a bit of a rough start to his rookie season in the NASCAR Busch Series except for his eighth-place start and 18th-place finish in the season-opening race at Daytona. The 20-year-old Roush Racing driver is ever-optimistic, especially with his Irish heritage and this weekend surrounding St. Patrick’s Day. “St. Patrick’s Day weekend weekend might be our lucky charm,” he said. “I’m going to have to put a little stripe of green on the car somewhere. Every race I’ve ever won in the past I’ve had something green on my car. You know everybody says that green is unlucky [in racing], but with this being St. Patrick’s Day weekend, having some green somewhere on the car and me being Irish – it should be a lucky weekend for us.”
  • IN THE LOOP: Keep an eye on Biffle … Following his third-place finish at Las Vegas last week, Greg Biffle (#16 Ameriquest Ford) heads to Atlanta with momentum – and numbers – on his side according to some of NASCAR’s key Loop Data Statistics. Biffle currently leads all series drivers with a 115.1 Driver Rating and also is best among drivers with a 6.25 Average Running Position. He is also first among Fastest Drivers Early in a Run (2.5 average ranking), which cites the fastest speed during the first 25% of laps of a standard green flag run. The 2002 NASCAR Busch Series champion, who won at Atlanta in 2003, was one of the most consistently-ranked drivers in various categories in this event last year. He was first among Closers (+15) and was also Fastest on Restarts (178.807 mph). He was second among Fastest Drivers Early in a Run (180.640) and fourth in Driver Rating (113.6). Last year’s winner Carl Edwards put down seven of the top 25 Fastest Laps at Atlanta last year.
  • Smith caught up in March Madness … Regan Smith (#35 McDonald’s Ford) is a native of Cato, N.Y., roughly 25 miles from Syracuse. Like most drivers, Smith is all racing all the time, but at this time of year, he is juiced for his Orange – his Syracuse University men’s basketball team. Smith informed all who would listen of his team’s Big East Tournament success while in Las Vegas. “Last week was so exciting to watch Syracuse pull upset after upset,” he said. “The last-second wins were such a thrill for for me. Growing up in that area, I became a real big fan of Syracuse. We moved down to North Carolina in my teenange years, but I never forgot about Syracuse. With the way they are playing, anything is a possibility in the NCAA tourney.” Smith’s bracket has Syracuse, a #5 seed, going all the way. He may not have many fans on his side at the Team Rensi Motorsports shop in Mooresville, N.C. – UNC-Wilmington is Syracuse’s first round opponent.
  • This Week’s NASCAR Busch Series Leaders … Through four races of the 35-race season:
    • Points leader – Kevin Harvick (642)
    • Money won – Denny Hamlin ($279,634)
    • Laps led – Kevin Harvick (83)
    • Miles led – Greg Biffle (141.50)
    • Victories – Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart (1)
    • Busch Poles – Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Boris Said, J.J. Yeley (1)
    • Top-five finishes – Kevin Harvick (3)
    • Top-10 finishes – Kevin Harvick, J.J. Yeley (4)
    • Races led – Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray (2)
    • Weeks in Top 10 – Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Burney Lamar, Jon Wood, J.J. Yeley (4)ON THE RIGHT TRACK
  • Jason Keller has started 13 of the 14 NASCAR Busch Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway. … Matt Kenseth (#17 Ameriquest Ford) has five top-five finishes in seven series races at Atlanta, including a win in 2004. Kenseth’s next series start will be his 180th. … Mark Martin, the all-time leader in NASCAR Busch Series wins (47) also leads all drivers with three series wins at Atlanta; 11 different drivers have won the other 11 races there. … Jeff Gordon won his first NASCAR race at the inaugural NASCAR Busch Series race at Atlanta in 1992. … Carl Edwards is the only driver to record a NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup weekend sweep at Atlanta.ETC.
  • Series leader Kevin Harvick has three top fives and four top-10 finishes in his first four races. Harvick is only $31,266 shy of $6 million in career money won, a mark reached by only six other drivers. … Kenny Wallace (#22 AutoZone Ford) has been running at the finish in 29 consecutive races. … Only 65 points separate 11 drivers – seventh-place Jason Leffler (489) from 17th-place Paul Menard (#11 Menard’s Chevrolet – 424) – in this week’s standings. … Jon Wood is entered in Friday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Atlanta, his final scheduled start of 2006 in that series before turning the #20 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford over to Australian driver Marcus Ambrose. … Dodge moved into the win column with Kasey Kahne’s (#9 Ragu Dodge) victory at Las Vegas last Saturday. The win moved Dodge into a second-place tie with Ford in the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Bill France Performance Cup standings. Both manufacturers have one win and 25 points, just one point behind leader Chevrolet (two wins, 26 points). Chevrolet has the most series wins (eight) at Atlanta, but Ford has won the last two races there. … Michael Waltrip’s #99 Chevrolet sponsor, Aaron’s Sales and Lease, is based in Atlanta while Brad Akins, who shares ownership of the #38 Great Clips Dodge driven by rookie A.J. Foyt IV with Doug Stringer, calls nearby Winder, Ga., home. … Denny Hamlin’s current second-place standing in the driver points is the highest of his 40-race NASCAR Busch Series career. … Chris Wimmer (#23 Keith Coleman Chevrolet) is scheduled to visit the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta on Thursday afternoon. He will get a behind-the-scenes look at the aquarium and its “residents” as well as an up-close experience with the feedings. “I have heard that the Aquarium is amazing and I can’t wait to check it out,” he said. “They’ve only been open a few months and they are already very widely-known. I’m thrilled to be able to have a special visit.”QUOTEBOOK
  • “We are out of mulligans. There are no more excuses.” – Stacy Compton (#59 Kingsford Sure Fire/Bush’s Baked Beans Ford).
  • “I like running up top so look for me to be one of the first to test the waters up there. This is a fast track, so I have been practicing holding my breath to prepare for my qualifying lap.” – Denny Hamlin on Atlanta Motor Speedway.
  • “Our driver development program is off and running. The only way to be competitive in this sport is to cultivate new drivers and crew. That’s what this is all about.” – Jon Wood on Wood Brothers/JTG Racing’s growing program.FROM THE NASCAR BUSCH SERIES 25th ANNIVERSARY ARCHIVES

    The final NASCAR Busch Series victory of a storied career took place at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March 1994. “Handsome” Harry Gant won the Busch Light 300 in his final season of competition. It was the 21st victory in a career that dated back to the series’ inaugural season of 1982. Gant, one of the most popular drivers in series history, qualified 23rd that day. He found himself on the lead by Lap 70, then held on for the next 15 laps. Gant battled with Mark Martin over the next 70 laps, again taking the lead with 40 laps to go. Gant held on for the win, beating two-time series champ Larry Pearson by over two seconds. Harry Gant was 54 years of age when he hung up his helmet at the end of the 1994 season.

    NASCAR BUSCH SERIES 25th ANNIVERSARY QUOTABLES

    “When you came home from the racetrack with a glove box full of fives, tens and 20s, it may not have been a lot of money, but it sure was a big pile.” – Jack Ingram, two-time – and inaugural – NASCAR Busch Series champion.

    ON DECK: BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

    The final race in a six-week stretch before the first NASCAR Busch Series off-week is set for Bristol Motor Speedway next Saturday afternoon. One of seven tracks to have hosted events since the series inaugural year in 1982, Bristol is the first short track on the schedule this season. Kevin Harvick is the defending race winner, one of four wins at Bristol – two in this race – on his NASCAR Busch Series resume. Harvick swept the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races last spring, and there hasn’t been a back-to-back NASCAR Busch Series winner at Bristol since 1993 series champion Steve Grissom captured both the spring and summer events in 1995.

    Fast Facts

    What: Nicorette 300 (Race #5 of 35 in the NASCAR Busch Series).

    Where: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga.

    When: 3:05 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 18.

    Track Layout: 1.54-mile oval.

    Race Length: 300.3 miles/195 laps.

    Posted Awards: $1,094,876.

    TV: FX, 2:30 p.m., ET.

    Radio: PRN, XM Satellite.

    2005 Winner: Carl Edwards.

    2005 Polesitter: Carl Edwards.

    2006 NASCAR Busch Series Top 10: 1. Kevin Harvick 642. 2. Denny Hamlin 600. 3. J.J. Yeley 595. 4. Jamie McMurray 560. 5. Clint Bowyer 538. 6. Carl Edwards 518. 7. Jason Leffler 489. 8. Jon Wood 472. 9. Jason Keller 465 10. Burney Lamar 464.

    Pre-race schedule (all times local): Fri., March 17 – Practice, 12:15 – 1:20 p.m.; “Rookie Practice,” 1:35 – 2:05 p.m.; Final Practice, 2:20 – 3:20 p.m.. Sat., March 18 – Qualifying, 12:10 p.m. (Impound).