Winn-Dixie 250 - Jason Leffler Notes

LEFFLER HOPES TO SEE FIREWORKS SECOND TIME AROUND AT DAYTONA

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 29, 2004) - Six months ago Jason Leffler and his Haas Automation Racing team went to Daytona International Speedway as a new team with hopes of having a successful first year as an operation. At the end of Speed Weeks, Leffler and his team went home with an eighth-place finish and a positive outlook on the rest of the season.

"Man, Daytona was a great race for us," Leffler said. "We went in there as a rookie operation knowing that the way that we ran at Daytona would set the mood for the rest of the season. The fact that we were able to come out with a Top-10 finish gave me and the guy's confidence that this would be a winning season."

Now half way through the season we see changes. Suddenly Fox coverage will end as NBC takes over and silly season has gotten into full swing as teams try and make their operations more competitive. Yet there is one thing has not changed, Jason Leffler and his Haas Automation Racing team are still on top of their game. With one Busch Pole award, one win, and an eighth place seat in the NASCAR Busch Series Championship Point Standings the season can only get better.

"I can't say enough about this team," says Leffler. "We have had our ups and downs, but it seems that every week we become a better team. We have great communication and understanding for one another and I think that this is the winning combination that every team strives for. When we first started I really hoped that we would be where we are right now, but I never thought that at half way through the season we would be running this well. Bootie (Barker- crew chief) brought great things to this team and a lot of how we run every week is contributed by him. There is always room for improvement and we want to improve every week."

Leffler has a good record on tracks visited twice during the 2004 season. On Leffler's first visit to Nashville Superspeedway he went home with a ninth-place finish, and his second time around he went home with a win. Leffler is looking for his second trip to Daytona to be much like Nashville.

"I personally like visiting some tracks twice during a season. It gives you the ability to evaluate where you were at the beginning of the season and where you are half-way through. When we went to Nashville we took a different chassis the second time around and got a win with great fuel mileage. This time we are taking a different chassis to Daytona for the second time and again fuel mileage will be a major concern. Pit stops can be the deciding factor in a win or a Top-15 finish. e are looking for a good Top-10 finish."

Leffler and his Haas Automation Racing team will travel to Daytona in hopes to see fireworks this Independence Day weekend. Friday night's race will be broadcast on FX and MRN radio at 7:30 pm (EST).