Camping World 200 - Kelly Bires Notes

KELLY BIRES CONTINUES SUPPORTING ROLE IN No. 47 CLOROX FORD

Kelly Bires doesn’t mind his race-by-race schedule as the relief driver in the No. 47 Clorox Ford. As long as he’s needed, he will show up with helmet – and enthusiasm – in hand.

Bires will continue his supporting role at this Saturday’s Camping World 200 at the New Hampshire International Speedway. He will drive in place of Jon Wood, who continues his recovery from an adverse reaction to prescribed medication. It will be Bires’ fourth appearance in the Busch Series for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing.

While he continues to maintain his rookie status in the Craftsman Truck Series, Bires has proven to be a quick study in the Busch Series. He already has two Top-15 finishes, including a career-best seventh-place effort at the Kentucky Speedway.

Until then, he’s happy to help out – even if it’s race-by-race.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY
Kelly Bires, Driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“I think we’ve got about 10 races under our belt this year between the truck and a couple of Busch races,” Bires said. “I really didn’t know what to expect coming in. I set really high goals for myself entering into this stuff. But it is a different world and different race cars. There’s a lot more people involved that really need to be on the same page to run good. Getting into this No. 47 Clorox Fords I lack a lot of experience, but everyone at Wood Brothers/JTG Racing has been really good getting me up to speed. I’ve got to pull my reins back at bit and try to get the best finish.

“At the start of this year, I was scheduled to run 19 truck races. That was the deal. That’s all I knew coming into this year. The Busch races the last three weekends and this is the fourth straight race that my schedule is unknown, depending on Jon’s condition. Ideally I’d like to be in a Busch car full time next year. If it happens that we run a lot of races this year; that is cool. It will get me a jump on my season next year.”

Scott Zipadelli, Crew Chief of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“New Hampshire is a lot like last week’s track at Milwaukee, so we’ll go there with what we learned at Milwaukee. Kelly has been quick to make this adjustment. We’ve asked a lot of him and he’s done it. We’re all eager to get Jon back. At the same time, this proved this team can adjust to just about any challenge.”

FAST & FUN FACTS:
-Kelly Bires was a two-time Wisconsin State wrestling champion in high school.
-Pole qualifying for the O’Reilly 200 is at 10 a.m. Saturday on Speed.
-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 – Camping World 200 NASCAR Busch Series race
When – Saturday, June 30, 3 p.m. ET
Where – New Hampshire International Speedway
Networks – ABC, Sirius Satellite Channel 128