The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

NASCAR WCUP: Nadeau Improves His Odds at Las Vegas

27 February 1999

CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Jerry Nadeau isn't a betting man, but he's stacking the deck to improve his chances at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Nadeau will pilot the No. 9 Melling Engine Parts Ford in the Orleans 150 NASCAR Winston West Series race at the speedway March 5, in conjunction with the Winston Cup Series Las Vegas 400 Sunday, March 7. The 28-year-old Danbury, Conn., native plans to use his extra on-track time to prepare for the Winston Cup race.

"I don't have a lot of track time at Las Vegas," said Nadeau. "The Winston West race is a great chance for me to get some extra seat time since the cars are so similar to the one I'll drive on Sunday. My Winston West car is actually just one of our Winston Cup cars with a different engine."

The NASCAR Winston West cars are virtually the same as those raced in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Both have a wheelbase of 110 inches and weigh 3,400 pounds. The main difference is in the motors. Although both are powered by 358-cubic-inch V-8 engines, the Winston Cup cars have a compression ratio of 12-to-1 while the Winston West cars have a 9.5-to-1 compression ratio.

"Las Vegas is an exciting place to visit, but this isn't a gamble for Melling Racing," Nadeau explained. "This is a very smart way to help our team, and especially myself as the driver, learn about the track and put our strategy together for Sunday's race."