TrimSpa Dream Body 250 - Johnny Sauter Notes

Johnny Sauter / PayDay Racing Pre-Race Notes
TrimSpa 250, Pikes Peak International Raceway

EVENT INFORMATION - Event: NASCAR Busch Series TrimSpa Dream Body 250; Time and Date: 3:30 p.m. EDT, Saturday, July 26; Site: Pikes Peak International Raceway; Live Coverage: NBC (television) at 3:30 p.m. EDT, and MRN (radio) at 3:15 p.m. EDT. Qualifying: 6:05 p.m. EDT, Friday, July 25; Happy Hour: Friday, July 25, following NIMS practice.

TOTALLY NUTS ABOUT RACING - The PayDay peanut caramel bar is in its first season as the primary sponsor of the PayDay Chevrolet. The PayDay Chevy comes out of the Richard Childress Racing Busch Series stable. Three other Hershey brands will accompany PayDay throughout the season: Zero, Whoppers and Whatchamacallit. PayDay racing driver Kevin Harvick will compete in approximately 16 of the 34 Busch Series events this season. Fellow RCR driver Johnny Sauter will drive the PayDay Chevy in the 18 other events on the schedule.

TV PANEL SPONSOR - Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores was established in 1964 and has since grown to more than 150 Travel Stops & Country Stores nationwide. Love's is family-owned and based in Oklahoma City, Okla.

NEW HAMPSHIRE HIGHLIGHTS - PayDay racing driver Kevin Harvick had an outstanding weekend at the New Hampshire International Speedway. In the July 19 Busch Series race, Harvick led 152 of 200 laps en route to a second-place finish. Harvick led 50 laps in the Winston Cup event, earning another second-place finish. Harvick's finishes last weekend were his best of the year when pulling double-duty.

SAUTER HAS BEEN BUSY - Johnny Sauter's schedule has been torrid recently. Like Harvick, he pulled "double duty" at New Hampshire. Sauter drove the No. 43 car in the Busch Series event and the No. 4 car in the Winston Cup race. That marked the second week in a row that Sauter had competed in both the Busch Series and Winston Cup events on the same weekend.

FLAT-TRACK, NO PROBLEM - The PayDay team has had solid runs at the flat tracks on the Busch Series schedule. Of the four flat tracks they have visited thus far, the PayDay team has an average start of fourth and an average finish of eighth.

PAYDAY TEAM MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION - With several strong runs in recent weeks, the PayDay team is beginning to hit their stride for the homestretch of the Busch Series season. The PayDay team has one goal in mind: an owner's championship. They are working hard to achieve that goal.

RANKINGS - After 20 events, the PayDay Racing team sits atop the team rankings, 74 points ahead of the No. 37 team (David Green) and 110 points ahead of the third-place No. 10 team (Scott Riggs).

JOHNNY SAUTER ON HIS HECTIC SCHEDULE - "It's been a lot fun. I got to test the waters in Winston Cup, and I've had some strong runs in the Busch cars, but a little bad luck to go along with that. The best thing about it all has been the seat time. It really helps me in both cars and gives me the extra laps I need."

ON PIKES PEAK- "It's more flat track racing. I really like my chances at those types of tracks. I've run good at them in the past, and I'll look to run good again this weekend. It's beautiful country out there and a great stop for the Busch Series. I'm looking forward to this weekend."

ON THE GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT - "It's a tough call. I know there's been times when I've needed a lap back, and there's been times we you get taken advantage of. It's a tough decision, and I'm glad I don't have to make it."

CREW CHIEF BUTCH HYLTON ON PIKES PEAK - "I've only been there once, so I'm a little nervous. We've learned a lot about or short track program this year, so each week we are more and more prepared."

ON THE CAR - "It's (chassis) No. 027. It's our high-downforce car. It's a really good car, probably our best in the stable. It's been run at Charlotte, Nashville, and Chicago. We've had good runs at all of those tracks, so we're excited every time we unload the car."

ON THE GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT - "NASCAR should make a rule. It's going hurt someone who needs a lap back if a rule is made, but they really probably need to make a rule one way or another."

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