BGN: Tony Stewart and Shell Team Ready for IRP
29 July 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHELL TEAM READY FOR SUCCESS AT INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK
TONY STEWART LIKES CHANCES ON HOME TRACK
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - July 28, 1998 - Tony Stewart and the Shell team
have one goal in mind - to capture their first NASCAR Busch Grand
National victory at Stewart's home track, Indianapolis Raceway Park
(IRP).
On the way to his multiple USAC open wheel championships, Stewart was
a regular competitor at the .686 mile oval. This week's Kroger 200
presented by Fifth Third Bank will be Stewart's second BGN event in
his home state of Indiana.
"It would be very gratifying to get my first Busch win in the Shell
Pontiac at IRP," said Stewart. "I've been fortunate to have great
success at this track throughout my racing career. Last year's race
was my debut with the Shell team. We qualified well and ran
consistently during the race before an accident sent us to the garage.
"Having an experienced crew at Joe Gibbs Racing has helped advance my
learning curve in the Busch car," Stewart continued. "Bryant
(Frazier, crew chief) and the crew have worked hard preparing for this
race. We had a successful test last week and feel we have a good race
set-up. The track has been resurfaced making it smooth and fast.
There will be more opportunity for side-by-side racing and passing.
It should be an exciting race for the fans and the drivers.
"We've been close to that first win for Shell this year," concluded
Stewart.
"But have fallen just short of taking the trip to victory lane.
Capturing a win this week at IRP would be an excellent way for me to
thank my fans, crew, Joe Gibbs Racing and Shell for their support
during my transition into NASCAR."
First round Bud Pole qualifying to determine the first 25 starters of
the Kroger 200 presented by Fifth Third Bank is scheduled for
Thursday, July 30 at 4:05 p.m. CT. The remainder of the 43 car field
will be set in second round qualifying on Friday, July 31 at 2:00
p.m. CT. The race will begin at 7:30 p.m. CT Friday night with live
television coverage provided by ESPN. The race will be broadcast by
MRN to over 400 radio station affiliates nationwide.
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.
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SHELL OIL PRE-RACE FACT SHEET=20
WHO: Joe Gibbs Racing/Shell Oil Products Company Pontiac
Driver: Tony Stewart - Crew Chief: Bryant Frazier
WHAT: KROGER 200 PRESENTED BY FIFTH THIRD BANK
200 laps - 137.2 miles
Race 21 of 31 - NASCAR Busch Grand National Series
WHEN: July 30 - 31, 1998
WHERE: Indianapolis Raceway Park
Indianapolis, IN
STEWART NASCAR BGN STATS:
YEAR STARTS POLES WINS TOP 5 TOP 10 WINNINGS
1996 9 0 0 0 0 $45,140
1997 5 0 0 1 2 48,625
1998 13 1 0 3 3 171,180
STEWART IRP BGN STATS
YEAR STARTING POSITION FINISHING POSITION
1997 7 34 (Accident)
SHELL MOTORSPORTS:
NASCAR
In August 1997, Shell announced their title sponsorship program with
Joe Gi= bbs Racing. The Shell car is being driven by NASCAR rookie
racing sensation To= ny Stewart on the NASCAR Busch Grand National
Series.
CART
Shell is the proud sponsor of legendary CART driver Bobby Rahal and
his motorsports team, which includes rising star and Rahal protege,
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 Racing NASCAR Winston Cup
Series Racing team. The Pontiac Grand Prix is driven by Bobby Labonte
who has established himself as one of the top drivers in the NASCAR
Winston Cup Series. The 33-year-old Labonte grabbed his first victory
at the 1995 Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina. To date, he
has captured seven wins in NASCAR's premier series. Gibbs is the
former head coach of the National Football League's 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 23-time NHRA
national event winner. At 34 years old, Pedregon has garnered 19 NHRA
national event victories.
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