AT&T 250 - Kelly Bires Notes

Kelly Bires At Home In Milwaukee
KELLY BIRES TO DO DOUBLE-DUTY IN No. 47 CLOROX FORD AT MILWAUKEE

The last time Kelly Bires raced at The Milwaukee Mile, he led the final 71 laps to win the Governor’s Cup 150 for the American Speed Association Late Model Series.

He returns this weekend for not one, but two NASCAR main events.

Bires will drive the No. 47 Clorox Ford in Saturday night’s AT&T 250. He is driving in relief of Jon Wood, who’s recovering from an adverse reaction to prescribed medication. Wood’s status at Wood Brothers/JTG Racing remains race-by-race.

Bires grew up 142 miles away in Mauston, Wis. He considers The Milwaukee Mile is hometown track in NASCAR. He also will compete in Friday night’s Craftsman Truck Series race.

Bires has made two starts in the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion. He finished 15th in his debut at Nashville, then he improved to seventh in last week’s race at Kentucky.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY
Kelly Bires, Driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“I can’t wait to get on the track,” he said. “Everyone at Wood Brothers/JTG Racing has worked so hard to make me feel comfortable in the Clorox Ford. I know it’s not easy dealing with a rookie, but they’ve been real patient and that makes my job a little easier.

“None of this would be possible without great race cars. We don’t worry about going to the racetrack and trying to find speed. Our biggest challenge is to keep me under control. I have a lot of youthful enthusiasm, but, so far, they’ve done a great job keeping me from over-driving the car. That’s going to be important this Saturday at Milwaukee, too. In the process, maybe we can help Jon feel better with another Top-10 finish.”

Scott Zipadelli, Crew Chief of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“It’s been a lot of fun working with Kelly in the last two races,” he said. “He has a great attitude about everything. He soaks up every bit of information. Our strategy is the same this week as the other two races: We want to be comfortable early, then slowly loosen the reigns. He has a great record at Milwaukee, so we’ll probably turn him loose a little earlier than normal.”

FAST & FUN FACTS:
-Kelly Bires was a two-time Wisconsin State wrestling champion in high school.
-Pole qualifying for the AT&T 250 is at 5:30 p.m. on Speed.
-The No. 47 Clorox Ford is ranked 29th in the Busch Series car owner 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 – AT&T 250 NASCAR Busch Series race
When – Saturday, June 23, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where – The Milwaukee Mile
Networks – ESPN2, Sirius Satellite Channel 128