AutoZone / Kenny Wallace ATLANTA Post-Race Report
Kenny Wallace / #22 AutoZone Ford Fusion
Atlanta Post-Race Report
Date: Saturday, March 18, 2006
Event: Nicorette 300
Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Atlanta, GA
Pole Sitter: Kyle Busch (189.707 mph)
Kenny Wallace qualifying: 32nd (184.548 mph)
Race Winner: Jeff Burton
Kenny Wallace finish: 19th
Wallace, AutoZone Team Getting Back on Track with Solid Finish in Atlanta
(ATLANTA, GA) – During the off-season, a lot of things changed at ppc
Racing, especially with the #22 AutoZone Ford team. Numerous personnel changes,
including the addition of new #22 crew chief, Randy Cox, changed the outlook and
approach of the AutoZone team. With the first five races of the NASCAR Busch
Series season behind them, Kenny Wallace and Randy Cox have started to
become more comfortable working and communicating with each other and that comfort
level showed this weekend when the #22 team brought home a solid 19th place
finish at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“Anytime you make big changes with a team it affects the chemistry and you
have to learn a new way of doing things that works for the driver, crew chief,
and team members,�?? Wallace explained. “Randy Cox is very laid back and kind
of quiet, while I am pretty much always hyper and talking, so it has taken
us a little while to figure each other out. We are definitely learning how to
communicate and becoming more comfortable each week.�??
After Friday’s practice sessions, the #22 AutoZone team made big changes to
the car to try and make it better for qualifying. Kenny Wallace went out
fourth in Saturday’s qualifying session and picked up almost seven tenths from
the practice speeds, but it was still only good enough to place the AutoZone
Ford Fusion 32nd in the tight starting line-up.
“I ran the car wide open during the qualifying run and we picked up almost
seven tenths on our practice times, so it’s disappointing that we didn’t
qualify any better than that, but I know we have a good car for the race,�??
Wallace said. “The times are so close that one or two tenths can make the
difference between starting tenth or thirtieth.�??
At the start of Saturday afternoon’s Nicorette 300, Wallace patiently began
picking up spots and working his way up into the top-20. Tire wear was a big
concern for teams throughout the race and as long green flag runs went on,
Wallace began to battle loose conditions getting into the corners. Under each
caution, quick pit stops for four fresh tires became critical and the #22
AutoZone team came through strong, even picking up six spots on their second pit
stop.
Throughout the race, Wallace and the AutoZone team continued to move their
way up through the field and by the time the checkered flag flew the #22 car
was in 19th position.
“I’m really proud of the way our AutoZone team worked together today,�??
Wallace said after the race. “They stayed on top of the handling of the car and
laid down really smooth pit stops all day long. We still have improvements to
make, but I feel like we have turned the corner and are starting to come
together as a team more each weekend. We’ve race on superspeedways, road courses,
and a lot of intermediate tracks so far this season and I am really looking
forward to getting to Bristol and the other short tracks in the next few
weeks.�??
This coming weekend, Kenny Wallace and the AutoZone team head to Bristol,
Tennessee to race at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile�??. Live coverage of the
Sharpie Mini 300 from Bristol Motor Speedway begins this Saturday, March 25 at
3:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Nicorette 300 Race Results:
1. Jeff Burton
2. Kasey Kahne
3. Greg Biffle
4. Matt Kenseth
5. J.J. Yeley
19. Kenny Wallace, #22 AutoZone Ford Fusion
NBS Driver Points Standings:
1. Kevin Harvick 772
2. J.J. Yeley 755 -17
3. Jamie McMurray 698 -74
4. Clint Bowyer 664 -108
5. Denny Hamlin 649 -123
20. Kenny Wallace 464 -308
Next Event: Sharpie Mini 300
Race Track: Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN
Date: Saturday, March 25, 2006
Television: FOX, 3:00 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN Radio, 2:30 p.m. ET
###
Allison Marshall
#22 AutoZone Racing / Kenny Wallace
Global Performance Group, LLC
125 F Trade Court #36
Mooresville, NC 28117
cell: (704) 902-7151
office: (704) 660-3467
fax: 704.660.3466
allison@gperformance.com
