Casey Atwood - Martinsville Preview

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	Media Contact: Amy Hunerberg
	Ultra/Evernham Motorsports
	704.577.9456
	ahunerberg@vnet.net
Casey Atwood
No. 7 Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge Intrepid R/T
Qualifying Report: Virginia 500
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville, Va.
Finish: 34th
Lap time: 20.363 sec
Speed: 92.992 mph
Casey Atwood will start the No. 7 Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge Intrepid R/T
from the 34th position in the Virginia 500 on Sunday, April 14.
"It felt pretty good," Atwood said. We tried to make some improvements to
get through the center of the corner. It helped that, but it hurt us up off
just a little bit. Everything is just so close out here. We were 23rd in
practice, and one-tenth would have put us third. That's 20 positions in just
one-tenth. We'll get it figured out tomorrow. I like this track petty good.
I've got a good feel in the Sirius Dodge."
Although Atwood has raced at Martinsville only three previous times, he grew
up racing on short tracks and says it's his favorite style of track.
"I feel more comfortable at short tracks," Atwood said. I don't feel like
some of the other guys have as much advantage on me as they do at some of
the other tracks as far as experience. I grew up on short tracks not too
long ago."
Just yesterday Atwood and the No. 7 Sirius Satellite Radio Crew tested the
Sirius Dodge at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C.
"It was kind of a shake down test where we can test our brakes out and try
just a couple of things we want to try," Atwood said. Luckily we went
because we had some brake problems we had to get figured out. They went back
to the shop last night and put all new brakes on it and everything's been
cool today."
Atwood's qualifying time was less than three-tenths off the pole pace. Under
the direction of crew chief Buddy Barnes, the No. 7 Sirius Satellite Radio
Crew continue to dial in and tune up the Sirius Dodge each week to find the
right harmony for Atwood. 
Atwood's History at Martinsville
This is Atwood's fourth Winston Cup race at Martinsville Speedway. During
his last visit to Martinsville (October 2001) Atwood started 41st and
finished 25th. Atwood's' best start at the paper-clip shaped oval is 14th
(Spring 2001), earning him top rookie qualifying honors. Atwood made his
Martinsville debut in 1999 when he ran the Winston Cup NAPA Autocare 500
with team owner Ray Evernham as crew chief. He started 22nd and finished
25th. 
Race Info:
Virginia 500
Martinsville Speedway
1 p.m. Sunday, April 14
Track size: .526 miles
Distance: 500 laps/500 miles
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