NASCAR BCS (MONTREAL) - SERIES NOTES

• Bonjour Montreal: Series Heads North For Inaugural Event

• Drivers Hail From Eight Countries; Purse In Excess Of $2 Million

• Loop Data: Boris Said Heads List Of Road Course Aces

• Everyone’s A Rookie At Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

* “C’est Un Depart” – “It’s A Go” For Inaugural Series Race In Montreal

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 31, 2007) – The NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge at the historic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course is the inaugural event for the NASCAR Busch Series in Canada and the second points race for the series on international soil. The series has competed in Mexico City since 2005 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

The purse for the race is $2,075,651, the third in excess of $2 million in the series this year and the eighth-richest race purse in series history.

There are seven double-duty drivers scheduled to compete this weekend in Montreal and also at Pocono Raceway. Reigning series champion Kevin Harvick (No. 21 AutoZone Chevrolet) and current standings leader Carl Edwards (No. 60 Scotts Ford) will be joined by David Ragan (No. 6 Discount Tire Ford), Jeff Burton (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet), 2002 series champion Greg Biffle No. 37 Yard Man Ford), Robby Gordon (No. 55 Camping World Ford) and David Reutimann (No. 99 NAPA Toyota).

Drivers representing eight countries are entered in the event, led by a 27-man contingent from the United States. Eight Canadians, including Montreal’s own Patrick Carpentier (No. 22 Zelars & Komatsu Dodge) – who will make his NASCAR debut – and veteran NASCAR road ace Ron Fellows (No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet - Toronto) lead that group. NASCAR Busch Series regular Marcos Ambrose (No. 59 Kingsford Ford) is from Australia. Michel Jourdain Jr. (No. 17 Dish Network Ford) who won at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Champ Car competition in 2003, and Jorge Goeters (No. 27 Cottonelle Ford), winner of the first Busch Pole at Mexico City, are from Mexico. Additionally, Italy will be represented by Max Papis (No. 1 Miccosukee Resorts Chevrolet); Sweden by Nic Johnssen (No. 28 Yellow Transportation Chevrolet); England by Andy Pilgrim (No. 88 U.S. NAVY Chevrolet) and Venezuela by Alex Garcia (No. 98 Dixien-Omni Source Chevrolet).

* Standings Leader Edwards Excited For His Shot In Montreal

Known for his penchant for adventure as well as his racing skills, NASCAR Busch Series standings leader Carl Edwards counts his visit to Montreal among his personal highlights.

Edwards, who was scheduled along with his crew chief, Canadian-born Pierre Kuettel and Montreal native Patrick Carpentier to participate in a press advance in the city on Wednesday, spoke about the race in a national teleconference on Tuesday.

“I'm excited about every weekend, but this one, to go to Canada, be part of such an historic event, such an historic city as Montréal, it's going to be really exciting,” he said.

“It's fun to get to race against different people. That's one of the beauties about going to Mexico City in the Busch Series, you get to race against so many different guys, local guys, from Mexico, Mexico City.

“I hope to meet a lot of new guys this weekend. It will be fun.”

* In The Loop: Said’s Numbers Solid Among NASCAR Busch Series Road Course Aces

Analyzing the unknown – like this Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series raced at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course – calls for a look at the similar.

The NASCAR Busch Series has raced on two road courses in the past – Watkins Glen in upstate New York and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.

Many of the same faces who have raced on those two tracks will also race Saturday in Montreal.

One of them is Boris Said (No. 9 Hellmans Dodge). Said has race in all five NASCAR Busch Series road course races since 2005, racking up a series-high 304 laps in the top 15. Said ranks in the top 15 in a number of road course Loop Data statistics. Always a threat on these types of layouts, Said has a NASCAR Busch Series road course Driver Rating of 101.5 (13th-best), an Average Running Position of 11.8 (13th-best) and 15 Fastest Laps Run (tied for sixth-most).

Another of the road course aces racing this Saturday is Scott Pruett (No. 41 Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge). He grabbed the pole in this year’s Mexico City race and finished fifth. In three NASCAR Busch Series road races since 2005, Pruett has a Driver Rating of 104.2 (12th-best), an Average Running Position of 10.0 (ninth-best), 194 Laps in the Top 15 (eighth-most) and 15 Fastest Laps Run (tied for sixth-most).

Standings leader Carl Edwards has been in all five road course races since 2005 with seen varied success. He’s finished in the top 10 in all three of his Mexico City races, but has ended the Watkins Glen races in 11th-place (‘05) and 27th-place (‘06). Overall, Edwards has a road course Driver Rating of 94.4, an Average Running Position of 12.8 and has spent 285 laps in the top 15, second only to Said.

In three NASCAR Busch Series road course races, 2006 champion Kevin Harvick has also performed well. He has a Driver Rating of 114.6 and an Average Running Position of 7.1.

* NBS Etc.

o Subs on Standby: With the travel to and from Montreal to Pocono this weekend for the seven double-duty drivers entered in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge, substitute drivers are on standby to practice and perhaps qualify their cars. Auggie Vidovich is on call for David Ragan; Brandon Miller will sub for Kevin Harvick; Scott Wimmer will be on hand for Jeff Burton; Casey Atwood for Greg Biffle; John Andretti for Carl Edwards and Mark Green for David Reutimann. A substitute had yet to be announced for Robby Gordon. o Scare for Steve Wallace: Steve Wallace (No. 66 Homelife Communities Dodge) received a scare Sunday night in Indianapolis when he was attacked during an attempted mugging. The 19-year-old suffered minor cuts and abrasions in the melee which took place at a convenience store. Wallace was in town for the Brickyard 400 after competing in the Kroger 200 NASCAR Busch Series race the night before. Several men jumped Wallace and attempted to rob him of his watch; one of the suspects was in custody as of Sunday night. Wallace is okay after the incident and plans to race this weekend in Montreal. o NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Precedes NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge: The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will also compete at Circuit Gilles Villeneueve on Saturday. The 23-lap event is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. D.J. Kennington and J.R. Fitzpatrick Jr. are scheduled to compete in that event, then move on to their NASCAR Busch Series rides later in the afternoon. The series, like its counterpart the NASCAR Mexico Corona Series in Mexico, offers new opportunities for Canada’s top teams and drivers to showcase their talents in the NASCAR system. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series features cars similar to those used in the former CASCAR Super Series and operates throughout Canada with a schedule that runs from May through October. o NAPA Auto Parts 200 Media Information: A special website is available for media who plan to cover the inaugural NASCAR Busch Series NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The site is also accessible via www.NASCARMedia.com links on the Home Page and the NASCAR Busch Series page. Log on to www.nbs-international.com (user name: canada; Password: nascar – both lower case) for current information on press conferences and events, hotels, credential information, transportation, contacts, etc.

* The Director’s Take: Montreal

INSIGHT FROM JOE BALASH, NASCAR BUSCH SERIES DIRECTOR

“Montreal will be a very technical course for the drivers’ style and for the race car itself.

“The track data that was distributed to the teams via Terry Labonte’s test gives them a track map, which includes breaking data, shock travel, engine RPM – all the elements necessary to have the car set up to start their baseline when they get to the test session on Thursday.

“Any time we go to a new venue, it’s important for the teams to get as much information as possible during the practice sessions to compile good notes for decision-making during the race.

“In the early part of practice, drivers will use that data to find marks for breaking and acceleration. Teams will also try to get as much track time on the practice day during the same time period that the race will actually take place.

“Choosing the correct location to start braking in the turns and getting back on the gas will be very critical for maintaining position on the track.

“Drivers will have to judge how much or their brakes to use during the early stages of the race so they will have enough braking capacity in the closing laps.”

* Everyone’s A Rookie This Weekend In Montreal

• Plenty Rookie Stripes: Since the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is an inaugural event for the NASCAR Busch Series, all drivers will be rookies until taking their first practice laps during two sessions on Thursday. NASCAR Busch Series Director Joe Balash said there will be no set rookie practice session as there has been throughout the season as all drivers will have the two sessions on Thursday, prior to regular practice on Friday.

• Rookies Fared Well First Time Out: Three of the four Raybestos Rookies entered for the Montreal event had solid outings on their first road course test of the season in March at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Marcos Ambrose led the way with an eighth-place finish. David Ragan was 14th while Kyle Krisiloff (No. 14 Lilly/Walgreens Ford) was 16th. Brad Coleman (No. 18 Fed Ex Chevrolet) stumbled to a 38th-place finish – his worst of the season – but has been on a tear since with two top-fives and three top-10s among his nine races.

2007 NASCAR BUSCH SERIES RAYBESTOS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR STANDINGS

Driver Points 1. David Ragan 197 2. Marcos Ambrose 172 3. Juan Pablo Montoya 162 4. Kyle Krisiloff 154 5. Brad Keselowski 118 6. Brad Coleman 102 8. Robert Richardson Jr. 84 9. Justin Diercks 51

ESPN/ABC

The NASCAR Busch Series will make its inaugural visit to Montreal this weekend, racing at world-famous Circuit Gilles Villenueve on Saturday afternoon. ESPN2 will have live coverage of the race beginning at 3 p.m. ET with NASCAR Countdown.

The road racing circuit, named for one of Canada’s most famous racers of all time and the home of an annual Formula One race, will present a level playing field for NASCAR Busch Series drivers and teams as all will be racing on the track for the first time.

Allen Bestwick will anchor ESPN2’s coverage from Montreal, with analysis by two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie. Pit reporters will be Gary Gerould, Marty Smith and Vince Welch. Bestwick also will host NASCAR Countdown.

In addition to coverage of the race, ESPN2 will televise NASCAR Busch Series practice from Montreal at 2 p.m. Friday, and qualifying on Saturday at noon.

2007 At-A-Glance: Leaders After 22 Of 35 Races:

Traditional Statistics: Driver points – Edwards (3394) Victories – Edwards (4) Races led – Edwards (17) Laps led – Edwards (682) Top-five finishes – Edwards (13) Top-10 finishes – Edwards (17) Owner points – Roush (No. 60) - (3394) Money Won – Edwards ($864,810) Miles led – Ky. Busch (1015.53) Busch Poles – Hamlin (4) Closing in on Top 10 – Ambrose10th (2115 pts): Yeley (-34); Biffle (-44) Consecutive Weeks in Top 10 – Blaney, Edwards, Harvick (22)

Loop Data Statistics: Driver Rating – Edwards (114.9) Average Running Position – Edwards (7.1) Fastest Laps Run – Edwards (451 fastest laps) Quality Passes – Edwards (818) Laps In Top 15 – Edwards (3,753 of a possible 4,166)

* First Win Enables Toyota To Gain Ground

Toyota’s first win in NASCAR Busch Series competition last week at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis was not only arguably one of the greatest races in series history but the outcome also put Toyota within the grasp of third place in the Bill France Performance Cup standings.

Jason Leffler’s (No. 38 Great Clips Toyota) victory at ORP gives Toyota – just two points behind third-place Dodge in the standings – momentum, but a level playing field as the series heads to Montreal for Saturday’s race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The inaugural event will be a first for each of the four manufacturers.

Dodge won earlier this year at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with Juan Pablo Montoya and has won the last two – and most recent – races at Watkins Glen, while Chevrolet claimed the first two races in Mexico City, so a baseline for victory on road courses has been set over the last two seasons.

Second-place Ford has one NASCAR Busch Series road course win on current courses; Bill Elliott won at the Glen in 1993.

Manufacturers' Championship 2007 Point Standings

Chevy 161 Ford 137 Dodge 94 Toyota 92

* Up Next: Zippo 200 At Watkins Glenn International

The NASCAR Busch Series competes on its second straight road course next Saturday, August 11, at Watkins Glen International.

The Zippo 200 will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 3 p.m. ET.

The race was revived in 2005 after a three-year hiatus and Dodge drivers have had the upper hand over the past two seasons. Ryan Newman won in 2005 while Kurt Busch went to Victory Lane last season.

Terry Labonte, who turned the first NASCAR laps at Circuit Gilles Villeneueve June 12 during a test session, is the all-time leader in wins at The Glen with four. Canadian Ron Fellows is next with three victories; Labonte and Fellows share the all-time Busch Pole lead with two each.

FAST FACTS

The Race: NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge The Place: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve The Date: Aug. 4, 20071 The Time: 3:30 p.m. (ET) TV: ESPN2, 3:00 p.m. (ET) Track Layout: 2.709-mile road course Race Purse: $2,075,651 2006 Winner: Inaugural Event 2006 Pole: Inaugural Event

2007 Point Standings

No. Driver Points 1 Edwards 3394 2 Reutimann 2542 3 Leffler 2447 4 Ragan 2380 5 Harvick 2358 6 Hamilton Jr. 2307 7 Blaney 2252 8 Leicht 2185 9 M Wallace 2158 10 Ambrose 2115

Schedule: Thurs., 9:00 a.m.– Noon; 1:30–4:00 p.m. – Practice. Fri., 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.– Practice; 2:05 –3:25 p.m. – Final Practice. Sat. 12:10 p.m. – Qualifying (Impound).