THE RACE: 2007 KROGER 200 – O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK

Busch Series Race #22 of 35 for the 2007 season


 

  • Race: 8:00pm/et, Saturday, July 28, 2007 in Clermont, IN
  • Length: 200 Laps, 137.2 miles
  • TV: ESPN2 – 7:30pm/et
  • Radio: MRN
  • Purse: $1,027,504
  • Announcers: Marty Reid, Randy Lajoie
  • Pit Reporters: Jack Arute, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch

    Practice Dates/Times

  • Practice: Saturday, July 28, 9:00-10:10am/et & 11:00am-12:00pm/et. Rookie practice, 10:20-10:50am/et.

    Qualifying Info

  • Qualifying Draw: Saturday, July 28, 8:00am/et
  • Qualifying Time: Saturday, July 28, 4:35pm/et
  • Qualifying: 2 laps for all positions, cars will be impounded.
  • NASCAR Online will have live lap-by-lap coverage of Busch qualifying via the web (NOTE: this is a paid subscription service). TheHotLap.com has free qualifying coverage.

    Goodyear Tire Notes

    Busch Series — Race No. 22 — Kroger 200
    O’Reilly Raceway Park (0.686-mile oval) — Clermont, Ind.
    Fast Facts for July 28, 2007
    Tire: Goodyear Eagle Intermediate Radials (Busch Series); Number of Tires: Left-side — 500, Right-side — 500;
    Tire Codes: Left-side — D-4104; Right-side — D-4106
    Tire Circumference: Left-side — 87.4 in.; Right-side — 88.6 in.
    Technical Inspection Inflation: Left Front — 25 psi; Left Rear — 25 psi; Right Front — 25 psi; Right Rear — 25 psi
    Minimum Recommended Inflation: Left Front — 12 psi; Left Rear — 12 psi; Right Front — 23 psi; Right Rear — 21 psi
    Estimated Pit Window: Every 125-135 laps, based on fuel mileage
    Notes: Both the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series will run the same tire codes this weekend, though the Busch Series tires will be branded “Goodyear Eagle,” while the Craftsman Truck tires will be branded “Goodyear Wrangler” . . . this is Goodyear’s intermediate/flat track tire setup and has already been run at many major NASCAR tracks in 2007, including Gateway, Milwaukee, New Hampshire, Phoenix and Richmond . . . as on most NASCAR ovals less than one-mile in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at ORP.


    ENTRY, PRACTICE, QUALIFYING, AND RACE INFORMATION

  • Leffler gives Toyota their first win! Great side-by-side racing saw #38-Jason Leffler emerge the winner in the Kroger 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. In a tough battle with Reutimann to take over second place, Leffler went on to challenge then race leader, #16-Greg Biffle, and with just three laps remaining took over the top spot to give Toyota their first win in the Busch Series. #16-Greg Biffle finished second, #99-David Reutimann third, #60-Carl Edwards fourth, #77-Ron Hornaday fifth. Rounding out the top ten were #20-Aric Almirola, #29-Scott Wimmer, #42-Kevin Hamlin, #10-Mike Bliss, and #88-Brad Keselowski. Biffle led the most laps with 94; pole-sitter, Aric Almirola, 87 laps. There were 10 lead changes among 8 drivers, and 8 cautions for 36 laps.(7-28-2007)
    NASCAR Race Number 22
    Unofficial Race Results for the Kroger “200” – Saturday, July 28, 2007
    O’Reilly Raceway Park – Clermont, IN – .69 Mile Paved
    Total Race Length – 200 Laps – 137.2 Miles – Purse: $1,027,504

    Fin Str Car Driver Team Laps Pts Bns Total Award Status Times Laps
    1 5 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota 200 190 5 $61,266 Running 1 3
    2 10 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford 200 180 10 $37,425 Running 2 94
    3 6 99 David Reutimann Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota 200 165 $33,937 Running
    4 8 60 Carl Edwards Dish Network/TheWeatherChannel 200 165 5 $24,825 Running 1 1
    5 3 77 Ron Hornaday Dollar General Chevy 200 160 5 $25,400 Running 2 5
    6 1 20 Aric Almirola Rockwell Automotive Chevy 200 155 5 $34,287 Running 2 87
    7 16 29 Scott Wimmer Holiday Inn Chevy 200 146 $27,412 Running
    8 30 42 Kevin Hamlin Texaco/Havoline Dodge 200 142 $21,700 Running
    9 22 10 Mike Bliss Fan1st.com Toyota 200 138 $20,887 Running
    10 15 88 Brad Keselowski # U.S. NAVY Chevy 200 134 $19,850 Running
    11 13 27 Jason Keller Marsh/Huggies Ford 200 130 $16,500 Running
    12 17 21 Tim McCreadie Camping World Chevy 200 127 $21,100 Running
    13 28 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Eckrich/Kroger Ford 200 124 $20,187 Running
    14 18 33 Cale Gale Camping World Chevy 200 121 $23,075 Running
    15 27 25 Richard Johns freecreditreport.com Ford 200 118 $16,200 Running
    16 14 1 J.J. Yeley Miccosukee Resorts Chevy 200 115 $13,775 Running
    17 25 66 Steve Wallace HomeLife Communities Dodge 200 112 $19,612 Running
    18 2 6 David Ragan # Discount Tire Ford 200 109 $13,260 Running
    19 29 22 Josh Wise Family Dollar Dodge 200 106 $19,512 Running
    20 19 7 Mike Wallace GEICO Chevy 200 103 $20,752 Running
    21 32 14 Kyle Krisiloff # Lilly/Walgreens Ford 200 100 $19,437 Running
    22 31 30 Danny OQuinn Brandeis Chevy 200 97 $13,100 Running
    23 26 19 Brian Keselowski Holloway/Dusty’s Collision Dodge 200 94 $13,425 Running
    24 7 90 Stephen Leicht citifinancial Ford 200 91 $18,082 Running
    25 34 72 D.J. Kennington HotJackets.com/Northern Provincial 199 88 $13,080 Running
    26 43 8 Jason White GunBroker.com Dodge 197 0 $12,880 Running
    27 40 28 Robert Richardson Jr. # U.S. Border Patrol Chevy 196 82 $12,825 Running
    28 36 56 Frank Kreyer Culver’s Chevy 195 79 $12,795 Running
    29 35 0 Eric McClure Hefty Chevy 193 76 $12,775 Running
    30 23 24 Landon Cassill National Guard Chevy 192 73 $15,205 Running
    31 9 18 Brad Coleman # Carino’s Italian Grill Chevy 190 70 $14,710 Running
    32 24 59 Marcos Ambrose # Kingsford/Aussie Vineyards Ford 174 67 $17,797 Running
    33 21 36 Brent Sherman BIG LOTS Chevy 170 64 $15,777 Running
    34 12 41 Scott Lagasse Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge 160 61 $14,650 Running
    35 42 9 Deac McCaskill Puryear Tank Lines Dodge 153 63 5 $20,130 Accident 1 5
    36 11 01 Shelby Howard Blacks Tire Chevy 143 55 $12,610 Suspension
    37 38 05 Brett Rowe Fmi Fireplaces/31W Insulation 94 52 $12,585 Suspension
    38 4 47 Kelly Bires ArmorAll Ford 82 54 5 $14,540 Engine 1 1
    39 20 37 Bobby East Cub Cadet/Kleenex Ford 74 51 5 $14,520 Accident 1 4
    40 33 89 Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus Dodge 34 43 $12,490 Engine
    41 37 49 Derrike Cope Checkers/Rally’s Chevy 30 40 $12,450 Over Heating
    42 39 52 Brad Teague Bennett Classics Museum Ford 23 37 $12,415 Transmission
    43 41 44 Mike Harmon Grand Victoria/Omni Hotel Chevy 6 34 $12,367 Brakes
    Race Comments: Before an estimated crowd of 40,000 – Jason Leffler won the Kroger 200, his second NASCAR Busch Series victory and first at O’Reilly Raceway Park. This is Toyota’s first victory in the NASCAR Busch Series. Prior to the green flag the following driver(s) dropped to the rear: #1 Yeley,#6 Ragan,#29 Wimmer,#60 Edwards,#99 Reutimann (driver change); #05 Ashburn (missing drivers meeting);#89 Shepherd (engine change);#42 Hamlin (unapproved adjustments).
    Failed to Qualify: (1) 00 Mike Potter.
    Time of Race: 01 Hrs, 42 Mins, 43 Secs.
    Average Speed: 80.143 MPH
    Margin of Victory: 1.009 Seconds
    Caution Flags: 8 for 36 laps: Laps: 15-18 (#24 accident turn 1); 45-50 (#6 accident turn 4); 70-73 (#18,41 accident frontstretch); 97-101 (#05 accident turn 3); 141-144 (#25 spun turn 2); 147-149 (#9 accident turn 4); 157-163 (#9 accident turn 3); 193-195 (#22 spun frontstretch).
    Lead Changes: 10 among 8 drivers: A. Almirola 1-45; K. Bires 46; B. East 47-50; R. Hornaday 51-54; A. Almirola 55-96; R. Hornaday 97; D. McCaskill 98-102; T. Kluever 103-167; T. Kvapil 168; T. Kluever 169-197; J. Leffler 198-200.
    Top 10 Driver Points: (1) C. Edwards 3,394;(2) D. Reutimann 2,542;(3) J. Leffler 2,447;(4) Mi. Bliss 2,390;(5) D. Ragan # 2,380;(6) K. Harvick 2,358;(7) B. Hamilton Jr. 2,307;(8) S. Leicht 2,185;(9) M. Wallace 2,158;(10) M. Ambrose # 2,115.
    Busch Pole Award: Aric Almirola, #20 (109.853 mph)
    Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge: Cale Gale, #33 96.950 sec.
    Featherlite “Most Improved Driver: Brad Keselowski, #88 (16 Places)
    Raybestos “Rookie of the Race: Brad Keselowski, #88
    Sunoco Diamond Performance: Jason Leffler, #38
    WIX Filters “Lap Leader Aric Almirola, #20 (94 Laps)

  • Driver point standings following ORP: Carl Edwards leads with 3394, followed by David Reutimann second, Jason Leffler third, Mike Bliss fourth, David Ragan fifth, Kevin Harvick sixth, Bobby Hamilton Jr. seventh, Stephen Leicht, eighth, Mike Wallace, ninth and Marcos Ambrose in tenth.(7-28-2007)
    Pos Driver Pts Ldr
    1 Carl Edwards 3394 Leader
    2 David Reutimann 2542 -852
    3 Jason Leffler 2447 -947
    4 David Ragan* 2380 -1014
    5 Kevin Harvick 2358 -1036
    6 Bobby Hamilton Jr. 2307 -1087
    7 Dave Blaney 2252 -1142
    8 Stephen Leicht 2185 -1209
    9 Mike Wallace 2158 -1236
    10 Marcos Ambrose* 2115 -1279
    11 J.J. Yeley 2081 -1313
    12 Greg Biffle 2071 -1323
    13 Scott Wimmer 2015 -1379
    14 Clint Bowyer 1999 -1395
    15 Matt Kenseth 1936 -1458
    16 Steve Wallace 1894 -1500
    17 Casey Mears 1862 -1532
    18 Regan Smith 1820 -1574
    19 Kyle Krisiloff* 1811 -1583
    20 Shane Huffman 1727 -1667
    21 Brent Sherman 1716 -1678
    22 Denny Hamlin 1704 -1690
    23 Kyle Busch 1678 -1716
    24 Mike Bliss 1648 -1746
    25 Juan Montoya* 1625 -1769
    26 Jeff Burton 1616 -1778
    27 Ward Burton 1497 -1897
    28 Todd Kluever 1484 -1910
    29 Aric Almirola 1426 -1968
    30 Tony Stewart 1364 -2030
    31 David Stremme 1345 -2049
    32 Reed Sorenson 1336 -2058
    33 Eric McClure 1269 -2125
    34 David Gilliland 1257 -2137
    35 Kasey Kahne 1164 -2230
    36 Jamie McMurray 1157 -2237
    37 Jon Wood 1154 -2240
    38 Bobby Labonte 1148 -2246
    39 Brad Keselowski* 1084 -2310
    40 Jason Keller 1073 -2321
    41 Brad Coleman* 1052 -2342
    42 Robert Richardson, II* 823 -2571
    43 Kelly Bires 784 -2610
    44 Paul Menard 713 -2681
    45 Kevin Hamlin 711 -2683
    46 Timothy Peters 646 -2748
    47 Danny O’Quinn Jr. 643 -2751
    48 Stanton Barrett 636 -2758
    49 Cale Gale 582 -2812
    50 Justin Diercks* 505 -2889
    51 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 503 -2891
    52 Richard Johns 495 -2899
    53 Tony Raines 467 -2927
    54 Scott Riggs 460 -2934
    55 Mark Martin 452 -2942
    56 Morgan Shepherd 440 -2954
    57 Chase Miller 436 -2958
    58 Brett Rowe 427 -2967
    59 Johnny Sauter 423 -2971
    60 Ryan Newman 389 -3005
    61 Robby Gordon 385 -3009
    62 Jay Sauter 376 -3018
    63 Sam Hornish Jr.* 368 -3026
    64 Kurt Busch 357 -3037
    65 Ron Hornaday 357 -3037
    66 Bobby East 354 -3040
    67 Kertus Davis 335 -3059
    68 Derrike Cope 330 -3064
    69 Kevin Conway 328 -3066
    70 D J Kennington 307 -3087
    71 Joe Nemechek 300 -3094
    72 David Green 294 -3100
    73 Todd Bodine 289 -3105
    74 Mark Green 273 -3121
    75 Mike Harmon 255 -3139
    76 Brad Teague 252 -3142
    77 Boris Said 241 -3153
    78 Kevin Lepage 227 -3167
    79 Timothy Mccreadie 200 -3194
    80 Jeff Green 200 -3194
    81 Martin Truex Jr. 195 -3199
    82 Frank Kreyer 189 -3205
    83 Bobby Santos* 189 -3205
    84 Scott Pruett 160 -3234
    85 Jimmie Johnson 155 -3239
    86 Jorge Goeters 151 -3243
    87 Kenny Wallace 146 -3248
    88 Ron Young 143 -3251
    89 Landon Cassill 140 -3254
    90 Donnie Neuenberger 140 -3254
    91 Adrian Fernandez 138 -3256
    92 Johnny Benson 138 -3256
    93 Shelby Howard 137 -3257
    94 Justin Ashburn 134 -3260
    95 Tim McCreadie 127 -3267
    96 Brian Vickers 124 -3270
    97 Elliott Sadler 121 -3273
    98 Jerick Johnson 120 -3274
    99 Scott Lagasse Jr. 119 -3275
    100 Travis Kittleson 112 -3282
    101 Josh Wise 106 -3288
    102 Marc Mitchell 103 -3291
    103 Chris Horn 101 -3293
    104 Brian Simo 97 -3297
    105 Carlos Contreras 97 -3297
    106 Todd Souza 94 -3300
    107 Brian Keselowski 94 -3300
    108 P.J. Jones 91 -3303
    109 D.J. Kennington 88 -3306
    110 Michel Jourdain Jr. 88 -3306
    111 Steve Grissom 88 -3306
    112 Kerry Earnhardt 88 -3306
    113 German Quiroga 84 -3310
    114 Danny Efland 77 -3317
    115 Trevor Boys 76 -3318
    116 Rogelio Lopez 76 -3318
    117 Travis Kvapil 70 -3324
    118 Ron Fellows 67 -3327
    119 J R Fitzpatrick 64 -3330
    120 Deac McCaskill 63 -3331
    121 Alex Garcia* 61 -3333
    122 Ian Henderson 52 -3342
    123 A J Frank 52 -3342
    124 Larry Foyt 49 -3345
    125 Dange Hanniford 49 -3345
    126 John Andretti 46 -3348
    127 John Young 46 -3348
    128 Jamie Mosley 43 -3351
    129 Eddie MacDonald 40 -3354
    130 Mike Potter 37 -3357
    131 Caleb Holman 37 -3357
    132 Michael Waltrip 34 -3360
    133 Randy MacDonald 34 -3360
    134 Jason White 0 -3394
    135 Ruben Pardo 0 -3394
    136 Antonio Perez 0 -3394

    Owner Points Following Race # 22
    O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
    KROGER 200
    UNOFFICIAL Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Saturday, 7/28/2007 @ 10:35 PM Eastern UNOFFICIAL

    Pos Owner Car # Points Ldr
    1 Jack Roush 60 3,394
    2 Richard Childress 29 3,189 -205
    3 Joe Gibbs 20 2,939 -455
    4 Richard Childress 21 2,866 -528
    5 Delana Harvick 33 2,605 -789
    6 Michael Waltrip 99 2,542 -852
    7 Ray Evernham 9 2,485 -909
    8 Todd Braun 38 2,447 -947
    9 Gregory Pollex 10 2,416 -978
    10 Armando Fitz 22 2,382 -1,012
    11 Jack Roush 6 2,380 -1,014
    12 Floyd Ganassi 42 2,336 -1,058
    13 Gary Weisbaum 35 2,307 -1,087
    14 Delana Harvick 77 2,284 -1,110
    15 Tammy Brewer 27 2,264 -1,130
    16 Jack Roush 16 2,260 -1,134
    17 James Finch 1 2,241 -1,153
    18 Chip Ganassi 41 2,239 -1,155
    19 Jack Roush 17 2,203 -1,191
    20 Dale Earnhardt, Jr 88 2,193 -1,201
    21 Clarence Brewer 37 2,193 -1,201
    22 Robert Yates 90 2,185 -1,209
    23 James Finch 7 2,158 -1,236
    24 Tad Geschickter 59 2,115 -1,279
    25 Joe Gibbs 18 2,112 -1,282
    26 Richard Childress 2 2,060 -1,334
    27 Rick Hendrick 24 2,033 -1,361
    28 Jodi Geschickter 47 2,008 -1,386
    29 Rick Hendrick 5 1,986 -1,408
    30 Rusty Wallace 66 1,894 -1,500
    31 Edward Rensi 25 1,837 -1,557
    32 Bobby Ginn 4 1,820 -1,574
    33 Gregory Pollex 14 1,811 -1,583
    34 John McGill 36 1,716 -1,678
    35 Gene Haas 28 1,691 -1,703
    36 Keith Duesenberg 0 1,395 -1,999
    37 Roger Penske 12 1,114 -2,280
    38 Mary Louise Miller 170 803 -2,591
    39 Keith Coleman 23 758 -2,636
    40 Teresa Earnhardt 15 713 -2,681
    41 Jack Roush 126 677 -2,717
    42 Jimmy Means 52 670 -2,724
    43 Stanton Barrett 30 663 -2,731
    44 Bryan Mullet 211 651 -2,743
    45 John McNelly 56 609 -2,785
    46 Frank Cicci 34 592 -2,802
    47 Johnny Davis 1 503 -2,891
    48 Pat MacDonald 72 457 -2,937
    49 Wayne Day 5 434 -2,960
    50 Bill Riley 91 431 -2,963
    51 Robby Gordon 155 385 -3,009
    52 Teresa Earnhardt 8 382 -3,012
    53 Todd Braun 32 353 -3,041
    54 Cindy Shepherd 89 335 -3,059
    55 Andrea Nemechek 87 300 -3,094
    56 Donnie Richardson 44 286 -3,108
    57 Jack Roush 106 282 -3,112
    58 Teresa Earnhardt 111 195 -3,199
    59 James Rowe 273 186 -3,208
    60 Rick Hendrick 148 155 -3,239
    61 Jerry Young 171 143 -3,251
    62 Steve Germain 103 139 -3,255
    63 Fred Horn 158 132 -3,262
    64 Jack Johnson 176 120 -3,274
    65 Gina MacDonald 271 116 -3,278
    66 Jay Robinson 49 111 -3,283
    67 Dusty Whitney 19 94 -3,300
    68 Kelly Souza 113 94 -3,300
    69 Susan Spraker 163 88 -3,306
    70 Armando Fitz 144 80 -3,314
    71 Tom Eriksen 167 76 -3,318
    72 Chris Lencheski 130 70 -3,324
    73 Lori Morgan 0 68 -3,326
    74 Alex Garcia 298 61 -3,333
    75 Eddie D’hondt 192 52 -3,342
    76 John Young 146 46 -3,348
    77 Charles Henderson 175 37 -3,357
    78 Robert Richardson 180 31 -3,363
    79 Jeff Barrister 250 31 -3,363
    80 Earl Sadler 195 22 -3,372

  • Almirola wins the pole at ORP: #20-Aric Almirola won the pole for the Kroger 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park with a speed of 108.473 followed by #6-Erik Darnell [for Ragan] second, #77-Ron Hornaday Jr. third, #47-Kelly Bires fourth, and #38-Jason Leffler in fifth. Rounding out the top ten were #99-Mark Green [for Reutimann], #90-Stephen Leicht, #60-Travis Kvapil [for Edwards], #18-Brad Coleman, #16-Greg Biffle. Ragan, Reutimann & Edwards will have to start from the rear as they did not qualify the cars; also #29-Scott Wimmer [qualified 16th by Brandon Miller]. Not sure of the status with #1-J.J. Yeley. Kertus Davis qualified the car 13th; unclear whether he will start the race. #9-Deac McCaskill spun out on his first lap flat-spotting his tires; will have to start from the rear of the field. DNQ-#00-Mike Potter. (7-28-2007)
    Starting Line Up by Row
    O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
    KROGER 200
    Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Sat, July 28, 2007 @ 05:54 PM Eastern

    Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed
    1 20 Aric Almirola Rockwell Automotive Chevy 22.481 109.853
    2 6 Erik Darnell Discount Tire Ford 22.576 109.391
    3 77 Ron Hornaday Dollar General Chevy 22.582 109.361
    4 47 Kelly Bires ArmorAll Ford 22.641 109.076
    5 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota 22.726 108.668
    6 99 Mark Green Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota 22.745 108.578
    7 90 Stephen Leicht citifinancial Ford 22.795 108.340
    8 60 Travis Kvapil Dish Network/TheWeatherChannel Ford 22.797 108.330
    9 18 Brad Coleman # Carino’s Italian Grill Chevy 22.805 108.292
    10 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford 22.815 108.245
    11 01 Shelby Howard Blacks Tire Chevy 22.823 108.207
    12 41 Scott Lagasse Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge 22.834 108.155
    13 27 Jason Keller Marsh/Huggies Ford 22.854 108.060
    14 1 Kertus Davis Miccosukee Resorts Chevy 22.854 108.060
    15 88 Brad Keselowski # U.S. NAVY Chevy 22.868 107.994
    16 29 Brandon Miller Holiday Inn Chevy 22.873 107.970
    17 21 Tim McCreadie Camping World Chevy 22.889 107.895
    18 33 Cale Gale Camping World Chevy 22.900 107.843
    19 7 Mike Wallace GEICO Chevy 22.909 107.800
    20 37 Bobby East Cub Cadet/Kleenex Ford 22.912 107.786
    21 36 Brent Sherman BIG LOTS Chevy 22.959 107.566
    22 10 Mike Bliss Fan1st.com Toyota 22.969 107.519
    23 24 Landon Cassill National Guard Chevy 22.976 107.486
    24 59 Marcos Ambrose # Kingsford/Aussie Vineyards Ford 22.979 107.472
    25 66 Steve Wallace HomeLife Communities Dodge 22.991 107.416
    26 19 Brian Keselowski Holloway/Dusty’s Collision Dodge 22.995 107.397
    27 25 Richard Johns freecreditreport.com Ford 23.007 107.341
    28 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Eckrich/Kroger Ford 23.015 107.304
    29 22 Josh Wise Family Dollar Dodge 23.037 107.201
    30 42 Kevin Hamlin Texaco/Havoline Dodge 23.053 107.127
    31 30 Danny OQuinn Brandeis Chevy 23.081 106.997
    32 14 Kyle Krisiloff # Lilly/Walgreens Ford 23.178 106.549
    33 89 Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus Dodge 23.272 106.119
    34 72 D.J. Kennington HotJackets.com/Northern Provincial 23.414 105.475
    35 0 Eric McClure Hefty Chevy 23.467 105.237
    36 56 Frank Kreyer Culver’s Chevy 23.508 105.054
    37 49 Derrick Cope Checkers/Rally’s Chevy 23.529 104.960
    38 05 Brett Rowe Fmi Fireplaces/31W Insulation Chevy 23.729 104.075
    39 52 Brad Teague Bennett Classics Museum Ford 23.848 103.556
    40 28 Robert Richardson Jr. U.S. Border Patrol Chevy 23.858 103.512
    41 44 Mike Harmon Grand Victoria/Omni Hotel Chevy 23.862 103.495
    42 9 Deac McCaskill Puryear Tank Lines Dodge Owner Points
    43 08 Jason White GunBroker.com Dodge 23.864 103.486
    DNQ-#00 Mike Potter.

  • Darnell quickest in final practice: There were 44 cars on track for the final session. Subbing for David Ragan, #6-Erik Darnell was the fastest in the final practice session at ORP with a speed of 109.410 followed by #20-Aric Almirola second, #33-Cale Gale third, #77-Ron Hornaday Jr. fourth, #88-Brad Keselowski fifth. Rounding out the top ten were 99-Mark Green, #16-Todd Kluever, #9-Deac McCaskill, and #38-Jason Leffler. Slowest on track were #00-Mike Potter; #0-Eric McClure.(7-28-2007)
    NBS Final Practice (HAPPY HOUR)
    O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
    KROGER 200
    Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Sat, July 28, 2007 @ 12:00 PM Eastern

    Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed # Laps
    1 6 Erik Darnell Discount Tire Ford 22.572 109.410 21
    2 20 Aric Almirola Rockwell Automotive Chevy 22.603 109.260 33
    3 33 Cale Gale Camping World Chevy 22.707 108.759 45
    4 77 Ron Hornaday Dollar General Chevy 22.708 108.755 39
    5 88 Brad Keselowski # U.S. NAVY Chevy 22.719 108.702 38
    6 99 Mark Green Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota 22.748 108.563 33
    7 16 Todd Kluever 3M Ford 22.755 108.530 43
    8 9 Deac McCaskill Puryear Tank Lines Dodge 22.771 108.454 53
    9 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota 22.789 108.368 41
    10 10 Mike Bliss Fan1st.com Toyota 22.798 108.325 29
    11 42 Kevin Hamlin Texaco/Havoline Dodge 22.836 108.145 8
    12 29 Brandon Miller Holiday Inn Chevy 22.853 108.065 49
    13 7 Mike Wallace GEICO Chevy 22.855 108.055 30
    14 *01 Shelby Howard Blacks Tire Chevy 22.866 108.003 37
    15 1 Kertus Davis Miccosukee Resorts Chevy 22.895 107.866 35
    16 27 Jason Keller Marsh/Huggies Ford 22.905 107.819 48
    17 25 Richard Johns freecreditreport.com Ford 22.909 107.800 35
    18 37 Bobby East Cub Cadet/Kleenex Ford 22.936 107.674 32
    19 21 Tim McCreadie Camping World Chevy 22.969 107.519 30
    20 22 Josh Wise Family Dollar Dodge 22.969 107.519 33
    21 47 Kelly Bires ArmorAll Ford 22.998 107.383 25
    22 18 Brad Coleman # Carino’s Italian Grill Chevy 23.000 107.374 37
    23 59 Marcos Ambrose # Kingsford/Aussie Vineyards Ford 23.011 107.323 21
    24 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Eckrich/Kroger Ford 23.013 107.313 19
    25 *24 Landon Cassill National Guard Chevy 23.018 107.290 49
    26 60 Travis Kvapil Dish Network/TheWeatherChannel Ford 23.039 107.192 42
    27 36 Brent Sherman BIG LOTS Chevy 23.074 107.030 32
    28 *19 Brian Keselowski Holloway/Dusty’s Collision Dodge 23.075 107.025 29
    29 *08 Jason White GunBrokers.com Dodge 23.093 106.941 29
    30 90 Stephen Leicht citifinancial Ford 23.129 106.775 29
    31 *72 D.J. Kennington HotJackets.com/Northern Provincial 23.154 106.660 18
    32 66 Steve Wallace HomeLife Communities Dodge 23.170 106.586 26
    33 *89 Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus Dodge 23.284 106.064 6
    34 41 Scott Lagasse Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge 23.320 105.901 31
    35 *30 Danny OQuinn Brandeis Chevy 23.383 105.615 24
    36 *05 Brett Rowe Fmi Fireplaces/31W Insulation Chevy 23.459 105.273 28
    37 *49 Derrick Cope Checkers/Rally’s Chevy 23.535 104.933 11
    38 *56 Frank Kreyer Culver’s Chevy 23.628 104.520 39
    39 28 Robert Richardson Jr. U.S. Border Patrol Chevy 23.840 103.591 25
    40 14 Kyle Krisiloff # Lilly/Walgreens Ford 23.855 103.525 12
    41 *52 Brad Teague Bennett Classics Museum Ford 23.897 103.344 7
    42 *44 Mike Harmon Grand Victoria/Omni Hotel Chevy 23.917 103.257 3
    43 *00 Mike Potter JD Motorsports Chevy 24.098 102.482 15
    44 *0 Eric McClure Hefty Chevy 24.179 102.138 23
    *Required to qualify on time

    NBS Rookie Practice
    O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
    KROGER 200
    Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Sat, July 28, 2007 @ 10:50 AM Eastern

    Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed # Laps
    1 *24 Landon Cassill National Guard Chevy 22.746 108.573 14
    2 6 Erik Darnell Discount Tire Ford 22.938 107.664 20
    3 33 Cale Gale Camping World Chevy 23.070 107.048 24
    4 22 Josh Wise Family Dollar Dodge 23.104 106.891 13
    5 41 Scott Lagasse Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge 23.152 106.669 13
    6 88 Brad Keselowski # U.S. NAVY Chevy 23.163 106.618 14
    7 37 Bobby East Cub Cadet/Kleenex Ford 23.170 106.586 19
    8 47 Kelly Bires ArmorAll Ford 23.200 106.448 8
    9 25 Richard Johns freecreditreport.com Ford 23.225 106.334 17
    10 *19 Brian Keselowski Holloway/Dusty’s Collision Dodge 23.254 106.201 16
    11 *01 Shelby Howard Blacks Tire Chevy 23.257 106.187 9
    12 21 Tim McCreadie Camping World Chevy 23.310 105.946 11
    13 18 Brad Coleman # Carino’s Italian Grill Chevy 23.324 105.882 16
    14 9 Deac McCaskill Puryear Tank Lines Dodge 23.325 105.878 25
    15 59 Marcos Ambrose # Kingsford/Aussie Vineyards Ford 23.346 105.783 6
    16 *72 D.J. Kennington HotJackets.com/Northern Provincial 23.378 105.638 12
    17 14 Kyle Krisiloff # Lilly/Walgreens Ford 23.447 105.327 10
    18 28 Robert Richardson Jr. U.S. Border Patrol Chevy 23.944 103.141 16
    19 *05 Brett Rowe Fmi Fireplaces/31W Insulation Chevy 24.018 102.823 12
    20 *0 Eric McClure Hefty Chevy 0.000 0.000 0
    21 *56 Frank Kreyer Culver’s Chevy 0.000 0.000 0
    22 77 Ron Hornaday Dollar General Chevy 0.000 0.000 0
    *Required to qualify on time

  • Miller leads first practice: There were 44 cars on track for the first practice session. #29-Brandon Miller [practicing for Wimmer] was the fastest with a speed of 108.297 followed by #47-Kelly Bires second, #6-Erik Darnell third, #27-Jason Keller fourth, and #90-Stephen Leicht fifth. Rounding out the top ten were #38-Jason Leffler, #99-Mark Green, #77-Ron Hornaday Jr., #33-Cale Gale, and #41-Scott Lagasse Jr. Slowest on track were #05-Brett Rowe and #08-Jason White. #56-Frank Kreyer did considerable damage to his car – more than likely going to back up car; both #90-Stephen Leicht and #41-Scott Lagasse Jr. had brushes with the wall. #24-Landon Cassill had some trouble but managed to save it and stay out of the wall.(7-28-2007)
    NBS Practice 1
    O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
    KROGER 200
    Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Sat, July 28, 2007 @ 10:10 AM Eastern

    Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed # Laps
    1 29 Brandon Miller Holiday Inn Chevy 22.804 108.297 10
    2 47 Kelly Bires ArmorAll Ford 22.847 108.093 31
    3 6 Erik Darnell Discount Tire Ford 22.863 108.017 20
    4 27 Jason Keller Marsh/Huggies Ford 22.870 107.984 25
    5 90 Stephen Leicht citifinancial Ford 22.877 107.951 8
    6 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota 22.913 107.782 32
    7 99 Mark Green Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota 22.919 107.753 32
    8 77 Ron Hornaday Dollar General Chevy 22.961 107.556 41
    9 33 Cale Gale Camping World Chevy 22.967 107.528 43
    10 41 Scott Lagasse Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge 22.977 107.481 34
    11 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Eckrich/Kroger Ford 22.985 107.444 39
    12 42 Kevin Hamlin Texaco/Havoline Dodge 22.995 107.397 47
    13 20 Aric Almirola Rockwell Automotive Chevy 22.996 107.393 50
    14 10 Mike Bliss Fan1st.com Toyota 23.010 107.327 29
    15 88 Brad Keselowski # U.S. NAVY Chevy 23.044 107.169 34
    16 60 Travis Kvapil Dish Network/TheWeatherChannel Ford 23.049 107.146 40
    17 7 Mike Wallace GEICO Chevy 23.085 106.979 39
    18 *24 Landon Cassill National Guard Chevy 23.102 106.900 61
    19 *01 Shelby Howard Blacks Tire Chevy 23.147 106.692 39
    20 21 Tim McCreadie Camping World Chevy 23.157 106.646 44
    21 22 Josh Wise Family Dollar Dodge 23.159 106.637 34
    22 25 Richard Johns freecreditreport.com Ford 23.165 106.609 28
    23 59 Marcos Ambrose # Kingsford/Aussie Vineyards Ford 23.180 106.540 35
    24 16 Todd Kluever 3M Ford 23.197 106.462 23
    25 66 Steve Wallace HomeLife Communities Dodge 23.204 106.430 28
    26 18 Brad Coleman # Carino’s Italian Grill Chevy 23.219 106.361 49
    27 1 Kertus Davis Miccosukee Resorts Chevy 23.239 106.270 40
    28 37 Bobby East Cub Cadet/Kleenex Ford 23.276 106.101 40
    29 *89 Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus Dodge 23.353 105.751 4
    30 *19 Brian Keselowski Holloway/Dusty’s Collision Dodge 23.355 105.742 10
    31 *30 Danny OQuinn Brandeis Chevy 23.412 105.484 31
    32 14 Kyle Krisiloff # Lilly/Walgreens Ford 23.416 105.466 21
    33 9 Deac McCaskill Puryear Tank Lines Dodge 23.429 105.408 46
    34 36 Brent Sherman BIG LOTS Chevy 23.436 105.376 32
    35 *0 Eric McClure Hefty Chevy 23.652 104.414 38
    36 *72 D.J. Kennington HotJackets.com/Northern Provincial 23.654 104.405 36
    37 *49 Derrick Cope Checkers/Rally’s Chevy 23.777 103.865 19
    38 *44 Mike Harmon Grand Victoria/Omni Hotel Chevy 23.848 103.556 13
    39 *56 Frank Kreyer Culver’s Chevy 23.855 103.525 39
    40 *52 Brad Teague Bennett Classics Museum Ford 23.872 103.452 9
    41 28 Robert Richardson Jr. U.S. Border Patrol Chevy 24.002 102.891 28
    42 *00 Mike Potter JD Motorsports Chevy 24.165 102.197 20
    43 *05 Brett Rowe Fmi Fireplaces/31W Insulation Chevy 24.241 101.877 15
    44 *08 Jason White GunBrokers.com Dodge 25.661 96.239 2
    *Required to qualify on time

  • ORP Entry List: There are 43 entries on the preliminary list issued by NASCAR.(7-24-2007)
    Preliminary Entry List
    O’Reilly Raceway Park
    Kroger 200
    Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Mon, July 23, 2007 @ 08:55 PM Eastern

    Ent Car Driver Team Name Owner
    1. 0 Eric McClure Hefty Chevy Keith Duesenberg
    2. 00 Danny Efland TBA Chevy Lori Morgan
    3. 1 J.J. Yeley Miccosukee Resort Chevy James Finch
    4. 01 Shelby Howard Blacks Tire Chevy Johnny Davis
    5. 05 Justin Ashburn Certainteed/31-W Insulation Chevy Wayne Day
    6. 6 David Ragan Discount Tire Ford Jack Roush
    7. 7 Mike Wallace GEICO Chevy James Finch
    8. 9 Deac McCaskill Puryear Tank Lines Dodge Ray Evernham
    9. 10 Dave Blaney Fan1st.com Toyota Greg Pollex
    10. 14 Kyle Krisiloff Lily/Walgreens Ford Greg Pollex
    11. 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford Jack Roush
    12. 18 Brad Coleman Carino’s Italian Grill Chevy Joe Gibbs
    13. 20 Aric Almirola Rockwell Automation Chevy Joe Gibbs
    14. 21 Tim McCreadie Camping World Chevy Richard Childress
    15. 22 Mike Bliss Supercuts Dodge Armando Fitz
    16. 24 Landon Cassill National Guard Chevy Rick Hendrick
    17. 25 Richard Johns FreeCreditReport.com Ford Ed Rensi
    18. 27 Jason Keller Huggies Ford Tammy Brewer
    19. 28 Robert Richardson U.S. Border Patrol Chevy Gene Haas
    20. 29 Scott Wimmer Holiday Inn Chevy Richard Childress
    21. 30 Danny O’Quinn Jr Brandeis Chevy Stanton Barrett
    22. 33 Cale Gale Camping World Chevy Delana Harvick
    23. 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr McDonald’s Ford Gary Weisbaum
    24. 36 Brent Sherman Big Lots! Chevy John McGill
    25. 37 Bobby East TBA Ford Clarence Brewer
    26. 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota Todd Braun
    27. 41 Scott Lagasse Jr Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge Chip Ganassi
    28. 42 Kevin Hamlin Texaco / Havoline Dodge Floyd Ganassi
    29. 44 Mike Harmon TBA Chevy Donnie Richardson
    30. 47 Kelly Bires Clorox Ford Jodi Geschickter
    31. 49 Derrike Cope TBA Chevy Jay Robinson
    32. 52 Brad Teague TBA Jimmy Means
    33. 56 Frank Kreyer TBA Chevy John McNelly
    34. 59 Marcos Ambrose Kingsford-Aussie Vineyards Ford Tad Geschickter
    35. 60 Carl Edwards Dish Network/Weather Channel Ford Jack Roush
    36. 66 Steve Wallace Homelife Communities Dodge Rusty Wallace
    37. 72 D.J. Kennington Vector Security Dodge Pat MacDonald
    38. 77 Ron Hornaday Jr Dollar General Chevy Delana Harvick
    39. 88 Brad Keselowski U.S. Navy Chevy Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    40. 89 Morgan Shepherd Victory In Jesus Dodge Cindy Shepherd
    41. 90 Stephen Leicht Citifinancial Ford Robert Yates
    42. 99 David Reutimann Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Michael Waltrip
    43. 249 Brian Keselowski TBA Dodge Dusty Whitney


    NASCAR Busch Series News and Notes – ORP

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 24, 2007) – You’re 21 years old, you grew up only seven miles from Indianapolis, and you’re a rookie in the NASCAR Busch Series.

    You’re coming off your best start of the season and your team is just beginning to gel at the mid-way point. You have a new sponsor on board and renewed enthusiasm as you progress toward 2008.

    Oh yeah, and with all this momentum, your next race just happens to be in your backyard at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

    No pressure.

    But if you’re Kyle Krisiloff (#14 Lilly-Walgreens Ford), you really don’t feel any type of squeeze. Instead, you’re excited to be back home in front of family and friends. And you hope your performance at ORP is one of your best yet.

    “It’s a good time to be going home,” Krisiloff said. “We had our best start of the season (18th) at Gateway. Our car is getting better. We have big things going on with our team in the next couple of months.”

    Krisiloff is in his first full season in the series. He competed in his first three races in 2005 as a development driver for Hendrick Motorsports before running in 12 races for Billy Ballew in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2006.

    He came on board with Haas-Carter Motorsports just before the NASCAR Busch Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway this year and has had a solid overall season to date despite the late start.

    His best finish was a surprising fifth at Talladega Superspeedway last April and he’s currently fourth in the Raybestos Rookie standings.

    “There are only two tracks in Indianapolis,” Krisiloff said of ORP and the Brickyard. “Every time I go back I think of what it will be like to [eventually] run at the big track. It’s always been a goal of mine. This is an exciting time.”

    Battle Beginning To Take Shape For Series Owner Championship

    Carl Edwards (#60 Dish-Weather Channel Ford) has a tight grip on the NASCAR Busch Series driver standings lead, but it’s the battle for the owner championship that’s beginning to get a bit tighter.

    Edwards has been able to maintain leads in both categories for owner Jack Roush and Roush Fenway Racing, but the pressure is mounting from the Richard Childress Racing duo of Scott Wimmer and Jeff Burton, who have shared time in the #29 Holiday Inn Chevy this season.

    The second-place Wimmer-Burton team has moved to within 186 points of the #60 heading to ORP where Chevy has been dominant, having won 15 of the previous 25 races at the track including the last four in a row.

    Different driver and owner champions have been crowned in the series only once before, in 2003 when Brian Vickers (Hendrick Motorsports) won the driver title and RCR won the owner championship with another duo of drivers – Kevin Harvick and Johnny Sauter.

    “I work with Carl but for Jack,” said Edwards’ crew chief Pierre Kuettel. “At the end of the day, my job is to compete for both titles.”

    In The Loop: Two-Time Winner Keller Surprisingly Strong In Recent Races At ORP, But “Biff”Lurks

    With his start on Saturday night, Jason Keller (#27 Huggies Ford) will have made 14 starts at O’Reilly Raceway Park – one less than ORP record-holder Tommy Houston.

    The track has treated Keller well over the past 13 years. He has won there twice, in 1995 and 1999. In the 1999 victory, he won from the pole, leading 130 of the 200 laps.

    The success has continued for Keller in recent years. Since 2000, the first driver in series history to win $9, $10 and $11 million has finished in the top five in five of the last seven races at the .686-mile track, which include runner-up finishes in 2002 and 2003.

    Over the last two years, the 37-year-old native of Greenville, S.C., racked up some of the best stats on the NASCAR Busch Series at ORP.

    In the previous two ORP races, Keller had an average pre-race Driver Rating of 102.3, which is the second-best mark of any driver competing Saturday. Additionally, Keller has an Average Running Position of 9.0, 19 Fastest Laps Run and 338 Laps in the Top 15.

    In two races at ORP, J.J. Yeley (#1 Miccosukee Resorts Chevy) has excelled. He finished third last season and 13th in 2005. In the last ORP race, Yeley had a Driver Rating of 116.2 and an Average Running Position of 5.6.

    Through the last two races at the track, Yeley has an Average Running Position of 10.5, a Driver Rating of 100.1, 13 Fastest Laps Run, 314 Laps in the Top 15 and 37 Quality Passes – passes of cars in the top 15 under green – which is more than any other driver over the past two ORP races.

    But 2002 series champion Greg Biffle (#16 3M Ford) might be the driver to beat. Thanks to a fourth-place finish last season, Biffle holds some of the best stats of any driver racing Saturday night. He has the top Driver Rating (110.5), the best Average Running Position (7.2), and ran all but five of his laps in the top 15 (195 total). He has never finished outside the top five in each of his four previous races there.

    NBS ETC.

    • Edwards OK For ORP: Despite dislocating his right thumb as a result of an accident during a Late Model race last Sunday at the I-80 Speedway dirt track in Greenwood, Neb., series standings leader Carl Edwards will be ready to participate in Saturday’s Kroger 200 at ORP according to Roush Fenway Racing officials. After an overnight stay in a West Omaha hospital on July 22, Edwards was released and consulted a physician in his hometown of Columbia, Mo., who confirmed the original diagnosis. Edwards had been participating in the race at I-80 on “Carl Edwards Night,” where he was running against his younger brother, Kenny, among others. Edwards finished sixth the night before at Gateway International Raceway in NASCAR Busch Series competition.
    •  McCaskill Debuts For Evernham: Deac McCaskill, the reigning Late Model Stock Division champion at Southern National Raceway Park in Lucama, N.C., is scheduled to make his NASCAR Busch Series debut for Evernham Motorsports at ORP in the #9 Puryear Tanklines Dodge. McCaskill, a 29-year-old native of Raleigh, N.C., has won two track tiles over the last three years in Late Models and finished fifth in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series in 2006.
    • Shepherd Returns To ORP: With the influx of new names into the NASCAR Busch Series, it’s easy to overlook some of the mainstays of the series, like Morgan Shepherd (#89 Victory in Jesus Racing Dodge). Shepherd, 65, has 15 wins in series competition with three of those coming at ORP where he is the all-time leader in victories.
    • Leffler Back To Roots: Jason Leffler (#38 Great Clips Toyota) is not only the hottest driver in the NASCAR Busch Series over the last six races (775 points, two top-fives, three top-10s) and comes in on a four-race streak where he’s been no lower than sixth in the point standings, but he’s had great results at ORP. Leffler made his first career series start at the track in 1999, won his second career Busch Pole there (2000) and has two top-five finishes in his four races. Add to that he’s won seven times at the track from 1998-2003 in USAC Silver Crown and National Midget competition.
    •  Bires Has Found ORP Victory Lane, Too: Rookie Kelly Bires (#47 Clorox/American Red Cross Ford) hasn’t had the opportunity to gain much experience on NASCAR Busch Series tracks, but similar to Jason Leffler’s experiences, ORP is an exception. Bires won the 2006 American Speed Association (ASA) Late Model race at the track en route to the series national championship and has gained most of his experience to date on short tracks around the Midwest.
    • Keselowski Connection: There will be a family reunion at ORP this weekend when the Keselowski brothers – Brad (#88 U.S. NAVY Chevy) and Brian (#19 Dodge) – will run against each other in NASCAR Busch Series competition for the first time. Brad will drive for his father, Bob Keselowski, a long-time owner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Brian has one NASCAR Busch Series start to his credit, last November at Phoenix International Raceway where he subbed for Brad in order to maintain his brother’s Raybestos Rookie status for the 2007 season.
    • ORP ETC:  Reigning series champion and last year’s race winner Kevin Harvick is the only repeat winner in the last 10 at races ORP – in 2001 and 2006, which were his last two appearances at the track. … The winner of five of the last six events at ORP has gone on to win the NASCAR Busch Series championship while the winner of the other race, Kyle Busch (2004), went on to capture the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award that season. … The Kroger 200 is the only race on the NASCAR Busch Series schedule that has had the same sponsor for each of the series’ 26 seasons.

    The Director’s Take: ORP

    INSIGHT FROM JOE BALASH,
    NASCAR BUSCH SERIES DIRECTOR

    “ORP is going to race a lot like The Milwaukee Mile. Teams will be using their flat-track setups with softer springs and will really be working hard on their coil bind setups, too.

    ORP also has the potential to be a fuel strategy race.

    A unique aspect of our series at this track is that we base pit selection for the top 30 cars on qualifying from last week’s race at Gateway because of the tight time frames we’re under there. The balance of cars will pick pits after qualifying at ORP.”

    News From The NAPA Auto Parts 200

    Road Course Specialists Lining Up For Montreal:  Although a road-course “ringer” has yet to break through for a victory in the previous three international races the NASCAR Busch Series has held from 2005-07 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, many of those specialists are entered for the Aug. 4 inaugural race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to try their hand once again.

    Patrick Carpentier (#22 Fitz Motorsports Dodge), Ron Fellows (#33 KHI Chevy), Robby Gordon (#55 Robby Gordon Motorsports Ford), Max Papis (#1 Miccosukee Resorts Chevy), Scott Pruett (#41 CGRFS Dodge) and Boris Said (#9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge) headline the road-racing group which has had some recent additions.

    Michel Jourdain Jr. and Jorge Goeters, who like Fellows and Said, have participated in each of the three races in Mexico City, are entered for Roush Fenway Racing in the #17 Ford and Brewco Motorsports in the #27 Ford, respectively. Marc Goossens is scheduled to drive the #91 Toyota for Riley-D’Hondt Motorsports.

    Additionally, Andy Pilgrim will drive the #88 JR Motorsports Chevy; Andy Lally has been announced as the driver of the #47 Wood Bros./JTG Racing Ford; Nic Johnssen is entered in the #28 Jay Robinson Racing Chevy and Canadian Michael Viliante has been named to drive the second CGRFS entry (#42 Dodge).

    2007 NASCAR BUSCH SERIES
    RAYBESTOS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR STANDINGS

         Driver                                  Points
    1. David Ragan                           194
    2. Marcos Ambrose                    171
    3. Juan Pablo Montoya               162
    4. Kyle Krisiloff                           152
    5. Brad Keselowski                     106
    6. Brad Coleman                          95
    7. Robert Richardson Jr.               76
    8. Justin Diercks                          51

    ESPN/ABC

    ESPN2 will feature NASCAR Busch Series racing live in prime time on Saturday night. The telecast presented by Hormel Compleats begins with NASCAR Countdown at 7:30 p.m. ET; the race starts at 8 p.m.

    ORP holds a place in NASCAR history as the location for the first NASCAR-sanctioned race ever to be held in Indianapolis when the NASCAR Busch Series raced at the track in the series’ inaugural season of 1982. Since then, the race has always been a season highlight for the series, taking on even more importance when the NASCAR Cup Series began racing at nearby Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994.

    ESPN’s Marty Reid will anchor coverage from ORP, joined in the booth for expert analysis by two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie. Pit reporters will be Jack Arute, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch. Reid will also host NASCAR Countdown.

    In addition to coverage of the race, ESPN2 also will televise NASCAR Busch Series practice from ORP at 12:30 p.m. Saturday and qualifying at 4:30 p.m.

    2007 At-A-Glance: NASCAR Busch Series Leaders After 21 Of 35 Races:

    Traditional Statistics:
    Driver points – Edwards (3229)
    Victories – Edwards (4)
    Races led – Edwards (16)
    Laps led – Edwards (681)
    Top-five finishes – Edwards (12)
    Top-10 finishes – Edwards (16)
    Owner points – Roush (#60) – (3229)
    Money Won – Edwards ($839,985)
    Miles led – Ky. Busch (1015.53)
    Busch Poles – Hamlin (4)
    Closing in on Top 10 – Ambrose10th (2048 pts): Bowyer (-50)
    Consecutive Weeks in Top 10 – Blaney, Edwards, Harvick (21)

    Loop Data Statistics:
    Driver Rating – Edwards (115.2)
    Average Running Position – Edwards (7.0)
    Fastest Laps Run – Edwards (444 fastest laps)
    Quality Passes – Edwards (794)
    Laps In Top 15 – Edwards (3,580 of a possible 3,966)

    Dodge Gains Third-Place Breathing Room; Chevy Is The One To Beat At ORP

    Reed Sorenson’s win at Gateway International Raceway last Saturday was a run of lucky sevens for Dodge in this year’s Bill France Performance Cup standings.

    The victory was the first for the manufacturer in seven races – and third overall on the season. The win increased third-place Dodge’s lead over fourth-place Toyota by seven points, its biggest margin since a seven-point advantage following Milwaukee four races ago.

    Dodge, Toyota and second-place Ford have their work cut out for them at ORP of Saturday. First-place Chevy has won 15 of the previous 25 races at the track, 14 of the last 15 and the last four in a row, including last year’s victory by reigning series champion Kevin Harvick.

    Ford’s win in 2002 by Greg Biffle is the only dent in Chevy’s recent run of success.

    Manufacturers’ Championship
    2007 Point Standings

    Chevy    157
    Ford      131
    Dodge     91
    Toyota     83

    Up Next: NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge At Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

    The NASCAR Busch Series competes on its second road course of the season at its second international venue of the year next Saturday afternoon with the inaugural NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge at the famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. ESPN2 will carry the race live beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET.

    The race will be the first for the NASCAR Busch Series in Canada. Two-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Terry Labonte turned NASCAR’s first laps at the 2.709-mile road course this past June 12.

    The event will be a mix of NASCAR Busch Series regulars, double-duty drivers like Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Greg Biffle, road course specialists such as Robby Gordon, Boris Said and Marc Goosens and Canadian entries including Patrick Carpentier and Ron Fellows.

    The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will also race at the track prior to the NAPA 200

    FAST FACTS

    The Race:  Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children
    The Place: O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis
    The Date:  July 28, 20071
    The Time: 8:00 p.m. (ET)
    TV: ESPN2, 7:30 p.m. (ET)
    Track Layout: .686-mile oval
    Race Purse: $1,027,504
    2006 Winner: Kevin Harvick
    2006 Pole: Denny Hamlin

    2007 Point Standings

    No. Driver          Points
    1  Edwards          3229
    2  Reutimann       2377
    3  Harvick            2358
    4  Ragan             2271
    5  Leffler              2257
    6  Blaney            2252
    7  Hamilton Jr.     2183
    8  Leicht             2094
    9  M Wallace      2055
    10 Ambrose        2048

    Schedule: Sat.: 9 – 10:10 a.m. – Practice; 10:20-10:50 a.m. – Rookie Practice;  11:00 a.m. – Noon – Final Practice; 4:35 p.m. –Qualifying (Impound).