Looking Back:
To recognize the history of the NASCAR Busch Series, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2006, each week we’ll take a look back into David Green’s 16-year racing history, as it relates to this week’s track:

Comments from Green: “From the first time in 1991 when I was there, in the rookie meeting Rusty Wallace told us ‘hey you guys (rookies) are probably gonna wreck out here today at some time or another - we just don’t know what lap yet!’ So when Jeff Gordon and I walked out of the meeting we both had the feeling that YES: we are gonna hit the wall but we just don’t know when! I took the mind set right then to respect the Lady in Black at all times. If you do that, it will be the most fun track you have ever driven around.”

Green started from the pole in the spring race at Darlington in 1993, his first full year of Busch Series competition. That year he finished third in the final points standings, with six top five and 16 top-ten finishes.

David Green on Darlington:
“Darlington is almost like a restrictor plate race on marbles! It’s without a doubt the most difficult and the most fun track we run on all year. A driver better be ready and attentive when he rolls out there. Again – using the restrictor plate mentality – there are places to pass and places not to pass. With the tire wear at Darlington, cars usually just slide around. It’s a synchronized sliding ballet every lap and you better slide together or if not, there’s a huge wreck.

“Darlington is a track that drivers have a love/hate relationship with. You have to respect the track every corner, every lap, every time – even to get onto pit road. I love it and it’s a driver’s kind of track. I’m excited about getting there because it’s the true ‘heart’ of NASCAR racing. I hate that we lost dates at Rockingham, Wilkesboro, Myrtle Beach - all kind of tracks that let the drivers make a difference in how the car performs. At this day and time, with aero and engineering being such a big factor in the car’s performance, it’s refreshing to head to Darlington for some ‘strap in, shut up and hang on’ racing. Darlington reminds me of the good ‘ole days: go fast on new tires, then drive the track, save rubber to the end, and then you can slide with the best fighting for the win.

“With both ends of track being totally different in shape, with different grip levels, different bumps in different places and varying widths, it’s the ultimate challenge for a driver and crew. I know (Crew Chief) Stewart (Cooper) and the guys are bringing our ultimate downforce car to compete in the Diamond Hill Plywood 200. Who knows - we might just throw a 4x6 piece of wood on the right side door so we can slide along the wall if we need to!

“I have had some good races at Darlington, but have not finished off the deal. As we celebrate Mother’s Day weekend, I would love to win one for all the moms out there. Happy Mothers Day to all the moms!”

David Green at Darlington Raceway:
Number of starts: 23
DNFs: 4
Average starting position: 18.0
Average finishing position: 19.6
Laps: 2874 of 3345 laps completed (85.9%, 5 laps led)
Highest finish: Third (2004)
Last year: Started 36th, finished 15th