NASCAR BGN: Tim Fedewa realizes Daytona is 'just another race'

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

"There's a lot of emphasis placed on Daytona because it is Daytona. It's the biggest race of the year and it's the biggest money race of the year. What people have to remember is that this is just one of 33 races on the Busch Series schedule. It doesn't make or break the season. It just starts it." -- Tim Fedewa, driver of the Phillips 66 Chevrolet

Tim Fedewa's Thoughts on Daytona . . . "Daytona and Talladega are the only two tracks where the Busch Series teams use restrictor plates. There are a lot of variables in restrictor-plate racing and the teams have to cover their bases in this type of racing. Aerodynamics become more important. The teams try to make the cars as sleek as possible. Teams will test and test again. Some teams went to Daytona for the test, came back from the track, tore the car apart and started over from scratch. Aerodynamics are more important at Daytona and Talladega than anywhere else, and it requires a lot of preparation and testing."

Crew Chief Donnie Richeson on Daytona . . . "When people say Daytona is like a game of chess, they couldn't be more right. A lot of work goes into preparations for Daytona. We tested there for two days and learned a lot in that time. We came home, tore the car apart and started over. We think it will race well. There's a lot of new variables this year including new motors and a new tire from Goodyear. The good thing is that all of the teams are up against the same thing. We all have to learn about the new tire like we all have to learn how to use the new motors. Whoever learns that the quickest will have the better season."

Equipment . . . "Hubert" will make its debut for the Phillips 66 Racing Performance Team in the upcoming "NAPA 300" at Daytona International Speedway. "Hubert" served as a test car for the Phillips 66 team throughout the 2000 Busch Series season. The car was built in-house by Steve Scharr whose nickname is "Hubert."

Fedewa Fact . . . Fedewa has seven career Busch Series starts at Daytona. In those seven starts, Fedewa has yet to score a top-10 finish. His best finish of 20th was in 1998 while driving the No. 33 BACE Motorsports entry.

Text Provided By Penny Copen

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