RoadLoans.com 200 - Kelly Bires Notes

BIRES OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FIRST TRIP TO DOVER

KELLY BIRES HOPES TO FIND PLENTY OF SPEED AT DOVER BY TAKING IT SLOW

Kelly Bires has never raced at the Dover International Speedway. For that matter, he hasn't raced on most of the tracks on the NASCAR Busch Series schedule.

Saturday's RoadLoans.com 200 will be another baptism under fire for the first-year driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion. The track may be new to the 23 year-old driver, but Wood Brothers/JTG Racing is experienced with the routine.

Bires said the key to getting up to speed is going slow during the first few laps of practice. It's important to absorb every nuance of the racetrack, from its concrete surface to its 24-degree banking and the extremely narrow racing groove. Once Bires figures out the track, then it's time to push the gas pedal to the floor.

The 2006 American Speed Association national champion said the No. 47 Clorox Ford has been best at the faster, steeper speedways. The team has a lot of experience at Dover, including a sixth-place finish by Wood Brothers/JTG Racing teammate Marcos Ambrose last June. Bires will rely heavily on that experience and preparation, even while he's taking it easy for the first few laps.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY
Kelly Bires, Driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“We have to approach it like any other race," he said. "I have to get used to the track, take your time until you feel comfortable, then start making adjustments on it. You have to get laps under your belt in practice and slowly pace yourself on your adjustments. Once you get up to speed, then you can make bigger adjustments. Sometimes you go to a new track and think you need something right away, make a bunch of changes and wind up back where you started the day. You have to get some laps before you start making big changes. You really have to take it slow.

“Dover is the kind of track where we’ve been really good. Our downforce program has been strong. This race team has been good there before, too. We’ll take everything we’ve learned from the past, and that will give us a good starting point for Saturday’s race.”

Scott Zipadelli, Crew Chief of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“The week off gave us a chance to work on our cars and make some changes," he said. "It's not easy during the season to race every week and make changes to your race cars. Getting last week off helped us get caught up a little bit in the shop. It was good to catch our breath, but we're ready to get back to work."

FAST & FUN FACTS:
- Kelly Bires was a two-time Wisconsin State wrestling champion in high school.
- The RoadLoans.com 200 will be Bires’ 13th career start in the NASCAR Busch Series. He also has eight starts this year in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
- Bires won the 2006 American Speed Association national championship. He won eight races and was that league’s top rookie. He quickly was signed by Wood Brothers/JTG Racing to a driver development deal.

RACE INFORMATION:
What – RoadLoans.com 200 NASCAR Busch Series race
When – Saturday, Sept. 22, 3 p.m. ET
Where – Dover International Speedway
Networks – ESPN2, Sirius Satellite Channel 128