NASCAR BGN: Jason Keller prepared to attack Atlanta

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Leaving Las Vegas . . . Jason Keller captured his third straight top-ten finish in the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Keller drove the No. 57 Albertson's Ford to a third-place finish in the Sam's Town 300 last weekend and maintained fourth place in the NASCAR Busch Series points race while gaining on the leaders.

"Las Vegas was a track where I never ran as well as I wanted," said Keller. "It's nice to finally be able to put all of that aside. I'm getting used to this new tire and motor, now I just need to work on qualifying. We are staying in the thick of things in the early points race. Consistently finishing in the top 10 will keep us there."

Thoughts on Atlanta... Keller heads to Atlanta with dismal memories of last year. Keller finished 43rd in the Aaron's 312, his worse finish of the season.

"We were running well at Atlanta last year before I was turned and hit the wall," said Keller. "The race was red flagged due to rain shortly after my wreck. I left the infield care center, packed up my motorcoach and drove home in time to see the green flag drop again.

"I really like the track, I just haven't had a great finish there yet. I said the same thing about Las Vegas last week and we finished third. I didn't get a chance to test at Atlanta, but Jeff (Green) did. It's a quick track where the weather always comes into play. This Albertson's Ford hasn't let me down yet and I don't expect it to in Atlanta."

About the car... The Albertson's team will be running the same car they raced last year at Atlanta, California and Charlotte. Aside from the accident during the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the car finished seventh and sixth respectively at the other two tracks.

"I'm looking forward to Atlanta," said Steve Addington, crew chief of the No. 57. "We are taking a really good car with us and qualified in the top 10 with it last year at Atlanta. The only tricky part about Atlanta is that it's always really cold so the cars run quicker. We need to be prepared for a looser set-up and fast racing."

Text Provided By Heather Kincel

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