AutoZone / Kenny Wallace BRISTOL Post-Race Report

 
Kenny Wallace / #22 AutoZone Ford  Fusion 
Bristol Post-Race  Report 
 
Date: Saturday, March 25,  2006
Event: Sharpie Mini  300 
Track: Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN 
Pole Sitter: Kevin Harvick 
Kenny Wallace qualifying: 23rd   
* Qualifying was rained out and the  field started by Owner points.   
Race Winner: Kyle Busch  
Kenny Wallace finish: 8th   

Wallace, AutoZone Team Survive Snow  Storm, Numerous Wrecks to Finish 8th  
(BRISTOL, TN) – Kenny  Wallace and the AutoZone Racing team survived a crazy 
weekend at the “World’s  Fastest Half-Mile�?? to bring home the first top-ten 
finish of the year for the  #22 AutoZone Ford. For the second straight weekend 
in a row, the NASCAR Busch  Series battled changing weather conditions for 
on-track time. In spite of all  the unique weather delays, the NASCAR Busch 
Series was able to complete all 300  laps of the Sharpie Mini 300.  
All of  Friday’s scheduled practice sessions were cancelled due to rainy 
conditions. The  Busch Series teams came to the track bright and early Saturday 
morning hoping to  get on track for much need practice time before the race. 
Mother Nature finally  cooperated and despite freezing temperatures the AutoZone 
Ford ran some hot lap  times placing Kenny Wallace 15th on the time sheet.   
Qualifying  for the Sharpie Mini 300 got underway just after noon, but only 
seven cars into  the session, the first major snow storm of the day blew across 
the Bristol Motor  Speedway halting qualifying. The starting line-up was 
determined by owner  point’s standings and the #22 AutoZone Ford would roll off 
23rd.   
“This weather  is absolutely crazy,�?? Wallace said. “I have never seen snow 
like this before. It  created a really fun atmosphere with everyone throwing 
snow balls, but I really  wish that we could have gotten qualifying in. Our #22 
AutoZone Ford is way  better than our 23rd starting spot, but we’ll just have 
to be patient  and work our way to the front because there are a lot of 
rookies and slower cars  starting in front of us.�?? 
In the  opening laps of Saturday’s race, Wallace cautiously began working his 
way though  traffic and up to the 19th position before the clouds opened up 
and  snow began falling on the track at lap 30. NASCAR brought the cars down 
pit road  under red flag conditions and the #22 AutoZone crew scrambled to cover 
the car  quickly. After a lengthy delay, the track was dried and drivers were 
called back  to their cars to complete the race.  
Throughout  the remaining laps of the Sharpie Mini 300, veteran driver Kenny 
Wallace showed  his patience and experience by strategically moving his way 
through the field,  skillfully avoiding wreck after wreck, and eventually moving 
into the top-ten.  By the time the checkered flag waved on lap 300, Wallace 
battled his way into  the strong 8th place finish.  
“It feels  really good to run strong all day long and finally get the first 
top-ten finish  of the year for this AutoZone team,�?? Wallace said. “We had a 
crazy weekend with  all of the weird weather conditions and limited track time, 
but my team stayed  on top of the changes and we worked hard to get this 
finish. I can’t remember  the last time that we had a snow delay. It was fun to 
get out of our cars during  the red flag and have it turn into a snow ball fight 
with the fans. I’m glad  that we were able to get the race in and that I was 
a part of this crazy  weekend.�?? 
This coming weekend, Kenny Wallace  and the AutoZone team will enjoy the 
first off-weekend on the hectic Busch  Series schedule. After taking a much needed 
weekend off, the #22 AutoZone Racing  team will head to the Lone-Star State 
to compete at Texas Motor Speedway.  Live coverage of the NASCAR Busch Series 
race from “The Great American Speedway�??  in Fort Worth, Texas begins Saturday, 
April 8 at 3:00 p.m. ET  on FOX.  
Sharpie Mini 300 Race  Results: 
1. Kyle Busch  
2. Kevin  Harvick 
3. Matt Kenseth   
4. Denny  Hamlin 
5. Carl Edwards 
8. Kenny Wallace, #22 AutoZone Ford  Fusion* 
* Kenny Wallace was the highest  finishing Busch Series regular.  
NBS Driver Points  Standings: 
1. Kevin Harvick            952 
2. J.J. Yeley                   831          -121 
3. Denny Hamlin           814          -138 
4. Clint Bowyer              791          -161 
5. Carl Edwards            774          -179 
18. Kenny Wallace       606          -346 
Next Event: O’Reilly 300 
Race Track: Texas Motor Speedway,  Fort Worth, TX 
Date: Saturday, April 8,  2006 
Television: FOX, 3:00 p.m.  ET 
Radio: PRN Radio, 2:30 p.m.  ET