NASCAR BGN: Jason Keller hopes to rebound from Bristol performance at Texas

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

March 28, 2001

About Bristol . . . It was a day plagued with cautions that are typical of Bristol Motor Speedway. Jason Keller and the No. 57 Albertson's Ford went one lap down with less than 10 laps to go to finish the Cheez-It 250 in the 11th spot, securing second place in the points standings.

"It was a pretty disappointing day for this Albertson's team," said Keller. "We were looking for a top-five finish at Bristol. This track has been one of the strongest for me on the circuit. I think qualifying 28th really hurt us. No matter how quick the Albertson's crew was on pit stops, we still lost four or five spots from pitting on the backstretch.

"An 11th-place finish is still a strong finish. We are only 21 points behind Kevin Harvick in the NASCAR Busch Series points standings. This is the closest I've ever been to the points lead."

Heading to Albertson's Country... Albertson's stores have been serving Texas neighborhoods for over 30 years. Albertson's has a strong presence at Texas Motor Speedway. The grocery chain is sponsoring the dirt track race on March 28, and has a grocery store set-up in the RV camping area with the same low prices you would find at your neighborhood Albertson's store. Local Albertson's stores are also giving away tickets to the NASCAR weekend at the track.

Wishing Gordo the Best ... The Jani-King 300 will be the last race for Albertson's crew member Gordy "Gordo" Vincent. Vincent will be moving home to Vermont with Cindy Racine to raise their child that is due in November. Vincent is responsible for the suspension and brakes on the Albertson's Ford, and is a tire carrier on race day. Vincent has been a member of Keller's crew and ppc Racing since December of 1999. The entire Albertson's Racing team wishes them all the best.

Jason Keller Fast Facts:

• Keller is off to his best season start in his NASCAR Busch Series career.
• Keller has never led the NASCAR Busch Series points standings.
• Keller has not had a DNF in 34 races (his last DNF, March 11, 2000 in Atlanta).
• Keller's average start in 2001 is 25th, and his average finish is seventh.
• Keller has only finished out of the top 10 once in 2001, 11th at Bristol.
• Heading to Texas last year, Keller had accumulated 641 points.
• Heading to Texas in 2001, Keller has accumulated 891 points.

Text provided by Heather Kincel

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