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NASCAR WCUP: Motorcraft Racing Team makes changes to enhance performance

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
August 15, 2001

When the Winston Cup teams return to Michigan this week, Elliott Sadler and the Motorcraft Racing Ford Taurus team are looking forward to a performance change.

Elliott talks about the track and the team's "new" approach to preparation that will hopefully result in stronger qualifying and better race results.

"I'm looking forward to going to Michigan. We've been going the wrong way in the points and just not running the way we think we are capable of running so we are making a lot of changes at the Wood Brothers shop right now. We're working on a lot of stuff on the chassis, the spindles and steering and truck arms, just a lot of things. We're going to kind of go back to the basics and the things I'm used to. Hopefully, that will bring us success when we go back to Michigan.

ARE THERE THINGS ABOUT MICHIGAN THAT YOU ENJOY OR THAT YOU FIND TROUBLESOME? "You know Michigan is a pretty nice racetrack. It is nice and smooth. It's wide. I tell you, we just have terrible luck up there. We crashed twice there last year, counting the flip in practice. Then I blew a right front tire there and hit the wall. And I blew a left front tire there this year. And I remember hitting really hard there one year in a Busch car. Michigan has really not been the highlight of my life. But we were really running good there this year so we think we have some pretty good notes to go back with. And I like the racetrack so hopefully we can get some of that (luck) changed around when we go back."

Text provided by Marti Rompf

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