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NASCAR-BGN: Elton Sawyer To Start 300th Race With Chance to Take Points Lead

7 April 1999

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- NASCAR driver Elton Sawyer will try to make his 300th Busch Series start seem as vanilla as any other in his 16-year career, but the even-keeled veteran cannot downplay the significance of Saturdays Moores Snacks 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway to the LYSOL Racing team.

Sawyer, driver of the LYSOL Ford Taurus, will join legends Tommy Houston (417) and Dale Jarrett (323) as the only men to start 300 NASCAR Busch Series races. In addition, Sawyer enters the event just five points behind current leader Mike McLaughlin and has an opportunity to take the lead for the first time in his career. Sawyers second-place standing in points is the highest of his career.

"Starting 300 races means a lot to me, but this LYSOL team is more interested in winning a team championship than they are in my history," said Sawyer, a native of Chesapeake, Va. "My history doesnt mean a lot to them. Were second in points with a long stretch of racing still ahead of us. If we take our focus away from whats important for one week, then we could be out of the race for the points championship. Starting 300 races is one thing, but winning a championship is unforgettable.

"Starting 300 races means that Ive been able to maintain a consistent presence in the Busch Series. I feel at home in this series, and Im glad NASCAR and the sponsors have let it mature to the point that I can make a comfortable living racing these cars. Its a real credit to all of the men, including Tommy Houston and Dale Jarrett, who put their time and effort into the sport to make it as successful as it is today. The Busch Series is more competitive than ever, and Im excited to be a part of it year after year."

Sawyers first NASCAR Busch Series start came at Martinsville in 1983, the second year of existence of the modern era of the Busch Series. His first win came in his 180th start at Myrtle Beach in 1994. He has finished in the top 10 in points the last two years, and his fifth-place finish in the 1998 NASCAR Busch Series was a career best. Sawyer has accumulated 37 top-five finishes and 88 top-10 finishes in his career.

Sawyer won NASCAR Winston Racing Series Mid-Atlantic Region titles in 1984 and 1985 and is one of the winningest drivers in the history of Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va.

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