NASCAR BGN: David Green needs to improve on the big tracks, Michigan next
16 August 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
|
DAVID GREEN QUICK FACTS
* In 10 seasons racing in the NASCAR Busch Series, David Green has racked up five wins, but has never won on a track larger than 0.596 miles in length.
* David Green is currently eighth in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings 176 points behind seventh position.
WES WARD NAMED CREW CHIEF OF AFG GLASS RACING TEAM: The Cicci-Welliver Racing team announced that Wes Ward has replaced C.R. Miller as crew chief of its No. 34 AFG Glass entry in the NASCAR Busch Series driven by David Green. The first event for Ward is Saturday's NAPAOnline.com 200 at Michigan Speedway.
Ward, a 38-year-old Hickory, North Carolina native, has 24 years of racing experience, covering every aspect of motorsports. He began his career racing in the Street Stock division at Hickory Motor Speedway in the late 1970's. From there, he ventured to other North Carolina asphalt circuits.
In 1989, Ward made the transition to the Busch Series and joined Tommy Houston's DHART Racing team, working as a fabricator.
In 1993, he joined DAJ Racing. While there, he worked under veteran crew chief John Erwin and in 1996, he was promoted to the crew chief position. Ward has also served as crew chief for Elton Sawyer and Jeff Green in the Busch Series. He led Green's team to a victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 1997.
"I have wanted to work with Wes for a long time, but the opportunity never came up until now," said Green. "The team is pumped and everybody meshes well together."
MICHIGAN SPEEDWAY FULL OF FIRSTS FOR AFG GLASS RACING TEAM: David Green and the AFG Glass Racing team will enjoy a few firsts in Saturday's NAPAOnline.com 200 NASCAR Busch Series race at Michigan Speedway. It's the first time the No. 34 AFG Glass car dubbed G6 will be on a race track and it's the first race for crew chief Wes Ward.
"We are bringing a brand new race car to Michigan," said Green, pilot of the No. 34 car. "I think that with the similarities to Pikes Peak, we have a good shot with the new car. It's also our first race with Wes. We had our first on-track situation on Monday when we tested at Bristol, and everything went great.
"I am excited about going to Michigan," continued Green. "It's good to be back on the big tracks again. There's more room to race."
PREPARING FOR 200: Saturday's NAPAOnline.com 200 NASCAR Busch Series race at Michigan Speedway marks David Green's 199th career Busch Series start. His 200th start is scheduled for the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 25. The 1994 Busch Series champion will become the 23rd competitor to reach 200 starts. Nine drivers to reach the elite benchmark are still active in the Busch Series (Elton Sawyer, Phil Parsons, Todd Bodine, Randy LaJoie, Tim Fedewa, Jason Keller, Mike McLaughlin, Mark Martin and Jeff Burton).
In preparation for the milestone start, Green tested his No. 34 AFG Glass Chevrolet Monte Carlo at the high speed short track on August 14.
"We got a lot of things accomplished with our test," said Green. "We were planning on staying for two days, but everything went so well, that we only stayed one. We got to run at night, so it is was a great preparation for next week's race."
Everyone on the team was pleased with the results of the test session including new crew chief Wes Ward.
"We unloaded really quick, so we didn't have to change too much," said Ward. "I'm really happy with the way things turned out. We're looking at a great race in Bristol."
Bristol has been a solid track for Green throughout his career. In 13 Busch Series starts, he's racked up nine top 10 starts and eight top 10 finishes, including one win. Green is also the top Busch Series money winner at the 0.533 mile track with $159,747.
Adding to the excitement, Green's 200th start will be made in his sponsor's backyard. Bristol Motor Speedway is located 26 miles from AFG Glass' corporate headquarters in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Text provided by Rebecca Cerchiara
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