Tony Stewart and Shell Team Prepared for Challenge of Bristol High Banks
27 March 1998
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The 36 degree banking, steepest of all the tracks on the BGN schedule, as well as the unique concrete surface, dictate patience as the key ingredient to success at Bristol.
Bristol is definitely one of the most challenging tracks on the series, stated Stewart. Tire conservation is critical, but more importantly, you have to race smart and stay out of trouble to finish the race. The track is very fast. We will be racing at laps in the 16-second range. On a half-mile track, things happen in a split second. You can get caught up in a wreck, end up in the wall and your day is over before you even realize it happened. Patience is one of the most important tools a driver can utilize at Bristol.
I have raced twice at Bristol but this will be my first time there with the Shell team, Stewart said. We dont have as much experience on short tracks as we do on long tracks but the communication that has developed between myself, Bryant (Frazier, crew chief) and the crew will be a definite advantage in getting the right setups. Qualifying will be our first priority. If you dont start up front, it is a tough place to make up track position and work your way through the field. My goal for this weekend is to keep the tires under the car and the fenders straight for 250 laps to give Shell a strong finish.
Shell Oil Company is one of America's leading oil and natural gas producers, manufacturers, transporters and marketers of oil and chemical products. It is a recognized pioneer in technology for oil and gas exploration and the largest gasoline marketer in the United States. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Shell Oil is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies.
The Moores Snacks 250 is scheduled for Saturday, March 28 at 2:00 p.m. (EST). ESPN will provide live television coverage for the event and PRN Radio will broadcast the race live to over 200 affiliate stations nationwide.
SHELL OIL PRE-RACE FACT SHEET AND DRIVER QUOTES
WHO: Joe Gibbs Racing/Shell Oil Products Company
Pontiac
Driver: Tony Stewart - Crew Chief: Bryant
Frazier
WHAT: MOORES SNACKS 250
Race 6 of 31 - NASCAR Busch Grand National
Series
WHEN: March 27-28, 1998
WHERE: Bristol Motor Speedway - .533 Mile Speedway Bristol, TN
SHELL DRIVER QUOTES:
Tony Stewart
Bristol is definitely one of the most challenging tracks on the series, stated Stewart. Tire conservation is critical, but more importantly, you have to race smart and stay out of trouble to finish the race. The track is very fast . We will be racing at laps in the 16-second range. On a half-mile track, things happen in a split second. You can get caught up in a wreck, end up in the wall and your day is over before you even realize it happened. Patience is one of the most important tools a driver can utilize at Bristol.
I have raced twice at Bristol but this will be my first time there with the Shell team, Stewart said. We dont have as much experience on short tracks as we do on long tracks but the communication that has developed between myself, Bryant (Frazier, crew chief) and the crew will be a definite advantage in getting the right setups. Qualifying will be our first priority. If you dont start up front, it is a tough place to make up track position and work your way through the field. My goal this weekend is to keep the tires under the car and the fenders straight for 250 laps to give Shell a strong finish.
Shell Oil Company is one of America's leading oil and natural gas producers, manufacturers, transporters and marketers of oil and chemical products. It is a recognized pioneer in technology for oil and gas exploration and the largest gasoline marketer in the United States. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Shell Oil is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies.
SHELL MOTORSPORTS:
NASCAR
In August 1997, Shell announced a one-year title
sponsorship program with
Joe Gibbs Racing. The Shell car is being
driven by NASCAR rookie racing
sensation Tony Stewart on the NASCAR Busch
Grand National Series.
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Shell is the proud sponsor of legendary CART driver Bobby Rahal and his motorsports team, which includes rising star and Rahal protg, Bryan Herta. Shell recently renewed its sponsorship of "Team Rahal" to extend through the end of the century.
CRAIG BREEDLOVE'S SPIRIT OF AMERICA
Shell's sponsorship of Craig Breedlove, the 5-time
"World Land Speed"
record holder, dates back to the 1960's.
Breedlove is the first person
ever to break the 400, 500 and 600-mph marks in a
land vehicle.
Breedlove's jet-powered, 48,000 horsepower
Spirit of America runs on
Formula Shell Premium Gasoline.
SECONDARY SPONSORSHIP
NASCAR
Shell is secondary sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racings
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Racing team. The Pontiac Grand Prix is driven by
Bobby Labonte who has
established himself as one of the top
racers on the NASCAR Winston Cup
Series. The 33-year-old Labonte grabbed
his first victory at the 1995
Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Gibbs is
the former head coach
of the National Football Leagues Washington
Redskins and has been elected
to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
NHRA
Shell is a secondary sponsor of both Joe Gibbs
Racing NHRA teams. The Top
Fuel car is driven by Cory McClenathan and
the Funny Car is driven by Cruz
Pedregon. The 35-year-old McClenathan is
a 17-time NHRA national event
winner.