NASCAR BGN: Jason Keller keeps rolling; On to Las Vegas

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

March 1, 2001

Two Races, Two Top 10's . . . Jason Keller now sits fourth in the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division point standings after two races. Keller captured his second top-10 finish in as many races in the ALLTEL 200 this past weekend in Rockingham.

"I'm still on a bit of a learning curve with these new motors," said Keller. "But we ran a good race. Anytime you leave a track in the top 10 after seven cautions, you've had a good day."

Viva Las Vegas... As Keller and the No. 57 Albertson's Ford head to Vegas, they will have a new approach and a new outlook. Keller has scored only one top-10 finish in four races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"I've run competitively and I've struggled in the past at Las Vegas," said Keller. "After a disappointing finish last year we sat down as a team to figure out why we had so much trouble. I'm still searching for the key to success at Las Vegas. After the emphasis we placed on learning about the track and the adjustments that we needed to make, I am looking forward to turning our luck around this year."

About the changes...One of the changes the No. 57 Albertson's team decided to make for the Las Vegas race is a chassis change. Keller will be running a chassis that he has never run at Las Vegas.

"We are running a different style of chassis this year from 2000," said Keller. "We are going to run a standard snout instead of a drop snout. With the new motor configurations this year we are heading more toward cup packages, so we need to start thinking like a Winston Cup team.

"Although both ppc Racing teams work well together, one of the reasons we switched to Ford is the NASCAR motor change. We receive the research and development from Ford similar to a Winston Cup team without having a Winston Cup companion. This will really come into play when we get to the meat of the season."

Text Provided By Heather Kincel

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.