---

NASCAR BGN: Casey Atwood prepares for action at South Boston

8 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

* Casey Atwood has been climbing the points standings at an alarming rate. In the past 12 events, the Antioch, Tennessee resident has moved up 22 positions, averaging a gain of nearly two spots per race. The 19-year-old driver moved into 10th spot last week.

CASEY ATWOOD FEELS AT HOME IN SOUTH BOSTON: Casey Atwood couldn't be happier about racing in Saturday's Textilease/Medique 300 NASCAR Busch Series race at South Boston Speedway.

"I love racing on short tracks," said Atwood, driver of the No. 27 Castrol GTX Chevrolet Monte Carlo. "It's where I learned to race and where I'm most comfortable. Anytime we race on one, I get excited. There's nothing in the world that compares to it."

The 19-year-old driver has made more than 100 short track starts, but has only one Busch Series start on South Boston's 0.400 mile circuit. In 1999, Atwood started sixth and finished 10th.

"South Boston Speedway is a lot like Highland Rim Speedway, a short track near Nashville that I raced Late Models at," continued Atwood. "Even though I have only one Busch Series starts here, I feel like I've been a hundred times."

Several improvements have been made to the track since the Busch Series last visited South Boston and Atwood is anxious to see the upgrades.

"The track made some changes since the last time we came," added Atwood. "The one that's going to affect us most is the addition of the inside barrier. Normally, we run in the middle groove so it won't change the racing line. But, if you spin, there is no avoiding the walls."

TESTING AT MYRTLE BEACH SPEEDWAY: Casey Atwood and the Castrol GTX Racing team spent June 7-8 testing at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Most of the information gathered during the two-day session will benefit the 19-year-old driver when he competes in the Myrtle Beach 250 NASCAR Busch Series event at the 0.538 mile speedway on June 17, but much also can be applied to Saturday's Textilease/Medique 300 at South Boston Speedway.

"We took two short tracks cars and ran both," said Atwood, driver of the No. 27 entry. "The Castrol GTX team has always been strong on short tracks and this season hasn't been any different. Testing only makes us stronger."

In 2000, Atwood has enjoyed success on the short tracks. In the BellSouth Mobility 320 at Nashville Speedway USA in April, he won the pole and in the Hardee's 250 at Richmond International Raceway in May, he started and finished eighth.

Text provided by Craig Bailey

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.