Scott Wimmer Preview - Fontana - February 17, 2009

CLOSING THE DEAL – Although he lacked the finish to show for it, driver Scott Wimmer had a successful first start with Key Motorsports last weekend at Daytona International Speedway. After being named one of the biggest movers of the race for his sprint from 43rd place, loop data ranked Wimmer as 4th fastest driver on restarts, and 5th fastest driver in an early run. This week he plans to focus on earning equally as impressive stats in long runs and in the closing laps.

WELCOME BACK – This is Scott Wimmer's first time back at Auto Club Speedway since 2007, and his first time participating in the spring NASCAR Nationwide Series race since 2006. Wimmer has had success at the 2-mile speedway, earning an average finish of 16th and completing 99.8% of scheduled laps in six NNS starts.

CHASSIS INFORMATION – Key Motorsports will be utilizing chassis #008 as their primary car this weekend at Auto Club Speedway. This is a brand new, Key Motorsports-built intermediate car which has never been run before.

CORRECTION – In yesterday's Daytona International Speedway post-race report, it was stated that the No. 33 RCR Cup Series pit crew pitted the No. 40 CARFAX Chevrolet. The pit stops this weekend were actually performed by the Key Motorsports pit crew, consisting of Daniel Morgan (Front Tire Changer), Clint Myrick (Front Tire Carrier), Jonathan Salmons (Rear Tire Changer), Duane Barbour (Rear Tire Carrier), Matthew Goslant (Jackman), Richard Hutwohl (Gasman), and Kevin Gately (Catch Can).

Quotes and Facts:

ON SETTLING IN WITH HIS NEW TEAM – "I think we know each other a little bit better now, Tommy [Morgan] knows what I like in a racecar a little bit better now. I think we can go to California and hopefully have the same success as Daytona and just go out there and concentrate on making the race. Once we make the race we can work on getting a top-15 and if we can, hopefully a top-10."

ON AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY – "We've had some real good runs out there in the Nationwide and Sprint Cup cars, so I'm looking forward to California. It's a little different with the new motor package they gave last year, it hasn't been on California in the past, so that will probably take a little getting used to. It's one of those tracks you've got to handle real well, and you've got to have a lot of horsepower to get down the long straightaways, but handling is really the premium. After about 8 or 10 laps on tires, cars really get slicked up and loose, you've got to be able to handle well to have a good race out there."