Jason Leffler advance

For more information, contact:
Patrick Mason
Golin/Harris International
773-593-2044

LEFFLER LOOKS TO HARMONIZE IN HOMESTEAD

HOMESTEAD, Fla., November 15, 2002 - Jason Leffler, currently fifth in points in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, is ready for his second start of the NASCAR Winston Cup season in the No. 7 Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge at the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  Leffler is serving as the interim driver of the Jim Smith-owned Sirius Dodge, formerly driven by Casey Atwood. 

In addition to piloting the No. 7 Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge, Leffler will pull double duty this weekend, as he also will compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday.  Leffler's only appearance in the No. 7 car this year came last week at the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, where he finished 36th.

Leffler on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway
"I think Homestead is going to be fun.  It is a combination of three tracks on the NASCAR circuit: Las Vegas, Phoenix and Indianapolis.  It's like Las Vegas because you will see very similar speeds, it's like Phoenix because of Homestead's flatness and it's like Indy because of the smoothness of the racetrack.   Each track has a little different surface, but with Homestead, you can pretty much count on a very fast, pretty flat and smooth surface that should offer great racing.

"It seems like you have a pretty good tailwind off turns one and two and when you come back to three and four, you are faced with a wind that plants the nose of the race car into the track.  While that sounds good for front downforce, and in many ways it is, many drivers will suggest that they are mysteriously getting loose off of three and four, which is a direct result from the wind and the addition downforce that the race car is achieving."

Leffler on his chances this weekend  
"Homestead is a racetrack where you will see some surprise race cars get the pole.   It seems like each season you see a few teams that haven't been all that successful this season run well there.  I know that if we stay focused and concentrate on putting together a good qualifying run, we could be this year's surprise team."

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