Gateway 250 - Kelly Bires Notes

BIRES ANXIOUS TO MAKE LAPS AT GATEWAY IN CLOROX FORD
Busch Series 250 Preview

KELLY BIRES TRADES REMOTE FOR STEERING WHEEL IN No. 47 CLOROX FORD
Kelly Bires is vaguely familiar with the 1.25-mile Gateway International Raceway. Everything he knows about the racetrack across the river from the Gateway to the West arch is what he’s seen on television.

Bires will trade in his television remote this Saturday night for a steering wheel in the No. 47 Clorox Ford. He will compete for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing in the Busch Series 200.

Like most rookies in the NASCAR Busch Series, Bires doesn’t have the benefit of experience at many of the racetracks on the schedule. That makes each minute of every practice session so critically important.

The team will bring the same Ford Fusion Bires drove at Milwaukee and New Hampshire. Having a history, if for only two races, with the race car accelerates his learning curve at Gateway. The rest will be a work in progress.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY
Kelly Bires, Driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“I’ve never been to Gateway, but I’ve watched a couple races on television from there,” he said. “That’s not going to be a lot of help. There’s nothing better than getting laps at a track. Even if you have a bad race there, it still comes back a lot easier.

“As a rookie, we face a lot of obstacles. The extra practice for rookies only is a big help. It helps us make bigger adjustments on the car. It also gives me some track time when there’s not a lot of cars on the track. It’s NASCAR’s way to help the rookies get up to speed. Believe me, you can’t replace experience. But at least we get the chance to close the gap a little bit.”

Scott Zipadelli, Crew Chief of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“Under normal circumstances, you have to bring a car that’s as close to perfect as possible when you unload. The extra practice session for rookies means we have the time to try a few things. No matter what, when you have a rookie you’re still playing catch-up. But everyone on this Clorox team loves that kind of challenge. If it was easy, none of us would be doing it.”

FAST & FUN FACTS:
-Kelly Bires was a two-time Wisconsin State wrestling champion in high school.
-Pole qualifying for the Busch Series 200 is at 4:30 p.m. ET. The race starts at 8:30 p.m.
-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 – Busch Series 200 NASCAR Busch Series race
When – Saturday, July 21, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where – Gateway International Raceway
Networks – ESPN2, Sirius Satellite Channel 128