Meijer 300 - Kelly Bires Notes

KELLY BIRES TO MAKE SECOND START IN No. 47 CLOROX FORD

Fresh from a 15th-place finish in his NASCAR Busch Series debut, Kelly Bires will return to the driver’s seat in the No. 47 Clorox Ford during this Saturday’s Meijer 300 at the Kentucky Speedway. Bires is driving in relief of Jon Wood, who is recovering from an adverse reaction to prescribed medication.

Bires, a Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate in the Craftsman Truck Series, was eager to help his Wood Brothers/JTG Racing teammate. He had a couple days notice and no practice time in the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion, but he responded with a finish at the Nashville Superspeedway that exceeded the team’s expectations – and advanced the team one spot in the car owner standings.

Bires is sharing the driving duties with Mark Martin with the team’s No. 21 Ford F-150 in the truck series. Despite missing three races – including last week’s event at Texas to fill in for Wood – Bires is ranked 29th in the truck standings.

Wood’s status remains race-by-race.

The No. 47 Clorox Ford has a good pedigree at the Kentucky Speedway. Wood started second there in 2005 and finished 10th.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY
Kelly Bires, Driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“Last week’s race at Nashville was a dream come true,” he said. “I had a great race car and a great team behind me. I had all the normal rookie jitters, but they kept me calm and made me as comfortable as possible.

“We’re going to Kentucky with the same game plan we used at Nashville. It’s important I don’t drive over my head, but at the same time we’re still looking for results. We’ll be looking for that balance.

“At the same time, I know I’m just keeping Jon’s seat warm. It’s good to know he’s getting better. That’s the important thing.”

Scott Zipadelli, Crew Chief of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“This is another challenge and it’s what racing’s all about,” he said. “Kelly had to learn on the run last week and he proved to be a quick study. The most important lesson was to use patience. We’ve got a great car for Kentucky and having Kelly back in the car instead of Jon is nothing more than another adjustment. We’ll make the necessary changes and we’ll go racing.”

FAST & FUN FACTS:
- Kelly Bires was a two-time Wisconsin State wrestling champion in high school.
- Kelly Bires has missed three races but still is ranked 29th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings.
- Bires won the 2006 American Speed Association national champion. 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 – Meijer 300 NASCAR Busch Series race
When – Saturday, June 16, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where – Kentucky Speedway
Networks – ESPN2, Sirius Satellite Channel 128