NASCAR BGN: Jeff Green talks about racing in California

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

April 25, 2001

Jeff Green, 2000 NASCAR Busch Series Champion and driver of the No. 10 Nestlé Nesquik Ford Taurus, set the track record in qualifying in last year's Busch event at California Speedway, but is still seeking his first win at the 2-mile track.

"I feel really good about our chances of winning at California Speedway," said Green. "In 1999, I was running third and spun out with 10 laps to go because I was trying too hard and last year, we sat on the pole and finished third. Now that we've had time to figure out the new Ford, I feel we should be able to do the same, if not better."

"The keys to success at California is having a great handling car that also runs great down the straightaways because the track is so big," said Green. "Fuel mileage may be a factor if the cautions happen a certain way, but for the most part, handling is the number one key to winning."

Equipment: Green and his Nesquik Racing team are bringing a brand new car to California this weekend. The car has never made one lap on any type of track. It has not been tested or even shaken down. The first lap it makes will be during the first practice session on Friday morning.

Double Duty: Green will compete in both the NASCAR Busch Series and Winston Cup Series this weekend at California. In addition to piloting the No. 10 Nesquik Ford Taurus in the Busch event, he will make his first of seven starts driving the No. 30 America Online Chevrolet owned by Richard Childress Racing. This is not the first time Green will have pulled double duty in both garages in one weekend. In 1997 and 1998, Green drove several races in both the Winston Cup and Busch Series.

"I ran about 10 or 12 races in 1997 and 1998 where I had to pull double duty in both the Winston Cup and Busch garages," said Green. "I really enjoy being able to race both series, because, ultimately, you get twice the practice, which gives you twice the opportunity to improve your car. The only bad part about pulling double duty is going back and forth between different cars and even though they have the same horsepower and they drive about the same, you still have to remember which car you are driving."

Jeff Green Winston Cup Statistics: Green has one NASCAR Winston Cup start at California Speedway. He competed in the 1997 event driving for Diamond Ridge Motorsports. Green started seventh and finished seventh.

Text provided by Marcy Scott

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