NASCAR BGN: Jeff Green returns to Texas, Site of first career pole
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
March 28, 2001Jeff Green On Texas: Jeff Green, 2000 NASCAR Busch Series Champion and driver of the No. 10 Nestlé Nesquik Ford Taurus, earned his first NBS career pole at Texas Motor Speedway.
"In 1997, Elliott Sadler and I ran the exact same speed during qualifying, but I got awarded the pole because I was higher in points than he was," said Green. "It was a pretty special day, not only because it was my first pole, but Elliott was my teammate at Diamond Ridge Motorsports at the time, so it was a great day for both race teams."
"The NBS race at Texas will be a different beast this year," said Green. "Texas is a fast, smooth track and in the past for the Busch races it has been a one groove race track. We were able to hold the throttle wide-open because our motors didn't run as fast. However, with the new motor program this year, everyone will have more horsepower which will force us to let off the gas pedal. Hopefully, that will provide two or three grooves to race like Atlanta this year. I think it will be a more exciting race for the fans than in previous years."
Texas Homecoming: One member of the Nesquik Racing team is especially looking forward to competing at Texas Motor Speedway. Mike Armstrong, gasman and mechanic on the No. 10 Nesquik Ford, was raised in Irving, Texas, located 35 miles southeast of Texas Motor Speedway.
"I guess you could say I got my start in racing in Texas," said Armstrong. "I worked at Performance Auto Supply, a company that built engines for local short track racers in the area. There were five short tracks, all dirt, in the area, so we stayed pretty busy. I spent most weekends at the tracks, but I probably spent the most time at The Devil's Bowl located in Mesquite, Texas. It is the home of the World of Outlaws. I really enjoy returning to Texas to race, but I'd rather they schedule the race in the fall so I can stay over and see my favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys, play. That would be cool!"
Equipment: Green and his Nesquik Racing team are taking car number 7 to Texas. The car competed earlier this year at Las Vegas and Atlanta, finishing fifth and fourth respectively. This is the same car Green won with at Rockingham in the fall of 2000.
"We took this car to the wind tunnel after Atlanta," said crew chief, Harold Holly. "We learned how to make the car aerodynamically better, so I think we'll be really good for this race. We've had good race cars every time we've competed there. We almost won the race in 1999, but we lost a gear and the transmission late in the race and last year, we finished fifth. I'm really excited because we are so much ahead of our program with the Ford than we were last year with the Monte Carlo, so I expect great things this weekend."
Text provided by Marcy Scott
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