Four Fun Facts about Auggie Vidovich and the “Quad Squad”
1. Biagi DenBeste to Toyota:
Biagi DenBeste Racing will race Toyota’s in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2007. “We are so excited about our team’s future with Toyota,” said Fred Biagi, co-owner of Biagi DenBeste Racing. “We believe that with Toyota, we can return to victory lane.” The announcement came at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday. Biagi’s partner, Bill DenBeste added, “Toyota Camrys are the most popular car on the road today. We see so many NASCAR fans already driving them to the races. We are very fortunate to be able to race such a popular car.” Along with the manufacturer announcement, the team confirmed that Auggie Vidovich would drive the No. 4 Toyota in 2007. “I learned a lot about Toyota after I won the (Toyota) All-Star Showdown last year. I got the keys to a Toyota Tundra for winning the race and it has been a great truck to drive. It is no wonder they race so well in the Truck Series. I know they build great cars too and I can’t wait to race a Toyota,” he said.
2. Auggie Returns to PIR and a Track he’s Tamed:
Auggie Vidovich is a rookie in NASCAR’s Busch Series, but he’s no rookie when it comes to racing at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). Vidovich tamed the 1-mile oval while driving in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series. Vidovich has 11 starts at PIR and has qualified in the top-10 seven times. His best finish came on February 2, 2003 when he qualified 5th and finished 3rd. Vidovich went on to win the 2003 NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series Championship. In addition to his 11 starts behind the wheel of a Southwest Series car, Vidovich also competed at PIR in a NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series car on April 20th of this year. Vidovich had a stellar qualifying run (4th) but finished 24th after a mechanical failure.
3. The Crew is Keyed Up About their Phoenix Piece:
This weekend the Biagi DenBeste crew is psyched up about the car they’re taking to Phoenix. As Crew Chief Joe Dan Bailey explained, they’re taking a car that is proven on short tracks, grabbing top-15 finishes at Richmond, Phoenix, and Milwaukee this year. Given its on-track history, the car was set aside specifically for the Phoenix race.
4. Auggie is Gaining Ground in the Most Popular Driver Search:
Auggie Vidovich is up for the Most Popular Driver award in the NASCAR Busch Series. It’s a title that the former NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series driver has won three times in his career, most recently coming in 2003. Now, the pleasant and popular driver from Lakeside, Calif. will make a run at it in the NASCAR Busch Series. Vidovich is gaining ground on his competitors thanks to your votes. Please continue to have your voice heard by voting online at BGNRacing.com. On the right side of the home page there is an area for “Most Popular Driver”. Scroll down to Auggie’s name and vote once every six hours!
Toyota Announcement Highlights Texas Weekend for Biagi DenBeste Racing:
Auggie Vidovich and the Biagi DenBeste Racing team had an exciting time in the Lone Star State after announcing a huge accomplishment that’s about as big as the state of Texas itself. The team announced that they would be racing Toyota’s full-time in NASCAR’s Busch Series next year in a press conference at Texas Motor Speedway. In preparation for the race, Vidovich climbed into the No. 4 car and even though he had never seen inside “The Great American Speedway!®”, he adapted well to the 1.5-mile tri-oval even “flat-footing” the gas pedal around the track in qualifying. Unfortunately, the speed posted in qualifying was not what the driver and team were hoping for. Forced to work his way through the field from a 40th place starting spot, Vidovich battled into 32nd before a broke valve spring sent the No. 4 car to the garage on lap 87. The irreparable mechanical failure resulted in a 38th place finish for Vidovich, on a weekend that was full of promise for the Biagi DenBeste Racing team.
