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NASCAR BGN: Kevin Grubb says 'don't be fooled by last year's results' at Gateway

30 July 1999

A quick glance at last year's results in the Carquest Auto Parts 250 gives the impression that Gateway International Raceway is not a strong track for NASCAR Busch Series driver Kevin Grubb, but that's just not right. True, Grubb started in 19th and finished 40th, but the results don't tell the entire story.

"Last year, I turned the fastest laps in practice but when it came to qualify, I was one of about 15 cars who completed their lap before rain disrupted the session," said Grubb. "The rain eventually stopped and the track dried and cooled off. Also, being later in the afternoon lap speeds increased. Nearly every driver who qualified after the rain went faster than they did in practice. I wasn't happy about it, but it was no one's fault."

Grubb, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, was making his way toward the front when he found the outside wall on lap 141, ending his race in 40th.

"From the driver's seat, Gateway is a great track," said Grubb. "Each corner is different making it much more challenging. To me, it's a lot like Darlington."

This season, Grubb drives the No. 37 Timber Wolf Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Central City, Kentucky-based Brewco Motorsports. The team tested at Gateway International Raceway on July 6-7 resulting in what Grubb considered the most productive test session of the season.

"We took a brand new race car, the same car we are running here" said Grubb. "It's an awesome piece. The car is totally responsive. We ran it last week at Pikes Peak and everyone was pleased with its performance. The more we ran it, the faster we got. Maybe it just needed to be broken in'. If that's the case, this race is gonna be fun."

GRUBB MAKES 40th BUSCH SERIES START: Saturday's Carquest Auto Parts 250 at Gateway International Raceway marks Mechanicsville, Virginia resident Kevin Grubb's 40th career NASCAR Busch Series start. The 21-year-old driver made his first Busch Series start on May 10, 1997 at New Hampshire International Speedway

ASSOCIATE SPONSOR AT GATEWAY: Discount Smoke Shop, with 32 locations in Eastern Illinois and Missouri, is an associate sponsor on the No. 37 Timber Wolf Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the Carquest Auto Parts 250 at Gateway International Raceway.

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