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NASCAR BGN: Query's Settling in to the Busch Series

19 February 1999

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - After failing to qualify the No. 68 Premiere Motorsports Ford for the season-opening NAPA Auto Parts 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Freddie Query is headed to Rockingham with one thing on his mindgrabbing a top-36 starting position.

"These first four races of the season are so crucial for us," said Query. "Since we're a new team, we have no points, and that means we can't fall back on a provisional from last season. We know we have to be one of the fastest 36 cars there to even make the race.

"Rockingham is a track I can relate to a little better than Daytona," continued Query. "I had never been on a track the size of Daytona in my life. We tested at Rockingham and I seem to adapt a little quicker to a track like that. I'm used to being in control of a racecar, and at Rockingham, I definitely feel more in control than I did at Daytona. What they say is true, you're just along for the ride there."

The biggest obstacle Query faces during the 1999 season is track time. Of the 26 different tracks the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division visits, Query has only competed on 10 of them during his extensive racing career. The 10 tracks that Query has seen racing action include: Nashville Speedway USA (the site where Query won two consecutive All American 400s), Phoenix International Raceway, Miami-Dade Homestead (Fla.) Motorsports Complex, Lowe's Motor Speedway, South Boston (Va.) Speedway, Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Speedway, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Memphis (Tenn.) Motorsports Park, Nazareth (Pa.) Speedway and The Milwaukee Mile.

In addition to Query's need for track time, he will also need crucial seat time in the heavier Busch car.

"These things are a totally different animal from what I'm used to," Query said. "I'm used to driving a car that weighs 2900 pounds with 525 horsepower. Now I'm trying to get the feel for a car that weighs almost 500 pounds more with close to the same horsepower. To say I have a learning curve is an understatement, but I've been in this position before and I'm a quick learner.

"One thing that has really helped my transition from the NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series to the Busch Series are the NASCAR officials, said Query." "I've been really impressed with them, especially how welcomed they've made me feel. In the All Pro Series, I felt like we were a family and that familiar feeling is something I have found here in the Busch Series. There is definitely something to be said for feeling comfortable with your surroundings, and I'm lucky to have found that so quickly."

Racing action begins for the NASCAR Busch Series at North Carolina Speedway Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1:00 p.m. EST, with the start of the ALLTEL 200. TNN and MRN Radio will provide live coverage of the event.