NASCAR WCUP: Kenny Wallace carries a 'plan' to Bristol

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

March 22, 2001

BRISTOL, TN: According to Kenny Wallace, the key to the Eel River Racing team’s success in the Food City 500 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway is having a plan.

"Bristol is the type of track where you have to have a plan going into the weekend," said Wallace. "What that means is that you can’t go up there and say we’ll qualify where we can and work our way to the front. At Bristol if you don’t qualify well you’ve got to stay out of trouble because it’s so easy to wreck there and fall out of contention.

"You also have to have good pit stops," Wallace continued. "The most important thing about qualifying well at Bristol is the front and back stretch pitting. That comes into play when you qualify and race. It’s the only track left on the circuit where you show up and want to qualify on the front stretch to make the day easier."

Qualifying at Bristol has never been a big problem for Wallace during his career. He has one pole, four top-five and seven top-ten starts on the .533-mile oval. But qualifying well is just the start to a good weekend on the track.

"You have to have a good handling car for qualifying at Bristol," said Wallace. "Some drivers excel there because they know what they need to do. But, it’s that way with any track. I have been fortunate to be in cars that have done what I wanted them to do for qualifying. However, as far as the race goes, it always seems like we’ve been stuck in the late teens when we run the race. Believe me, I would give up a little in qualifying to run better in the race."

Text provided by Heather Buckelew

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