Aaron's 312 - Ron Hornaday Notes

Hornaday is "aero" ready for Talladega Superspeedway

Race No. 7: Aaron's 312 (117 laps) TV: FOX 2:00 p.m.*
Talladega Superspeedway- Talladega, AL. RADIO: MRN 2:00 p.m.*
Distance: 2.66-mile Banking: 33 degrees
*-All times are Eastern

NOTES:

* ACDelco driver Ron Hornaday will try to return to championship form at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. After posting two straight top-10 finishes at Las Vegas and Darlington, Hornaday has been swept up into late race crashes over the last two weeks, including a 15-car accident that led to a 17th place finish at Texas last weekend, his worst finish of the 2003.

* The ACDelco transporter will unload chassis No. 030. It is the same Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet that Hornaday drove at Daytona in the season opener. However, since that 14th place finish, the team has gone to work in the wind tunnel on the "aero-package" of the 2002 Monte Carlo. "We have made some improvements to the body to help it race better. We don't think the changes will hurt us in qualifying, but it should be much better is race trim," said ACDelco crew chief Rick Viers. By NASCAR Busch Series rules, all teams must run 2002 bodies at Daytona and Talladega. This was done to keep escalating costs down according to NASCAR.

* In addition, chassis No. 030 is the same ACDelco Chevrolet that sat on the pole with Johnny Sauter at the helm in last years Busch Series event at Talladega. However, the car was fitted for a new body after Sauter flipped through the grass on the backstretch in the big crash that took nearly the entire field, including Hornaday, who was driving the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.

* Love is in the air and wedding bells are ringing at the Hornaday household. Ron and Lindy Hornaday's son Ronnie Hornaday III will be exchanging vows on Sunday April 20, 2003, with Cammie Williams. The wedding will take place at the Hornaday home in Lake Norman, N.C.

No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet driver Ron Hornaday on Talladega Superspeedway

How is racing at Talladega Superspeedway different from racing at Daytona International Speedway?
"In some ways it is similar because you are holding it wide open and looking for the best drafting partner, but it is so much wider that you don't have to hold your breath every lap you are three-wide."

Everyone talks about avoiding "The Big One", the big crash that takes out multiple cars. Is that something you think about while your racing at Talladega?
"I can't say that I am thinking about it like I am answering this question, but I do know it's in my mind the entire day. Anytime someone makes a move in the draft that's too aggressive, it comes to the forefront in a hurry. You definitely think here it comes, but there isn't anything you can do but hope everyone gives instead of takes. I know this; you have to be on your toes all day long. Even when you're leading, you can't relax."

Many drivers have offered opinions on how to eliminate the big packs, yet still put on a good show for the fans. Do you have any suggestions?
"I think NASCAR has done a great job in fixing most of the issues. They are always talking with the drivers about our thoughts and I think they have done what they can, based on what we know. NASCAR has and continues to make these cars safer for the drivers and the tracks safer for the fans. Our job is to drive the cars and race without making mistakes. But mistakes happen at every level of racing and there is nothing NASCAR or anybody can do to eliminate crashes when a driver makes a mistake. It's just the human part of the sport."

Ron Hornaday is currently fourth in the NASCAR Busch Series Point Standings. He is 153 points out of first place.

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