Kroger 200 - Kelly Bires Notes

BIRES CARRIES WINNING EXPERIENCE TO ORP IN ARMOR ALL / CLOROX BACKED FORD

KELLY BIRES KNOWS THE WAY TO VICTORY LANE AT O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK

Rookies in the NASCAR Busch Series rarely have the advantage of experience at many racetracks. For Kelly Bires, however, Saturday night’s Kroger 200 at the O’Reilly Raceway Park should stir nothing but happy memories.

Bires won last year’s American Speed Association Late Model race at the famed short track near Indianapolis. Not only does he know the way around the short track, he knows the way to Victory Lane.

Bires is most-comfortable on a short track, especially in the No. 47 Armor All /Clorox Backed Ford. Most of his racing experience was gained on the small bullrings of the Midwest. His Wood Brothers/JTG Race team also has a distinguished history on short tracks, which should make for a formidable combination Saturday night.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY
Kelly Bires, Driver of the No. 47 Armor All Clorox Backed Ford Fusion:
“Any time you have a history at a racetrack, it’s something that you can draw on,” Bires said. “My history at O’Reilly Raceway Park is good. We won there last year, so we’re going there in a very positive frame of mind.

“Actually, what’s more important is the fact I’ve got a lot of laps there. That’s more important because it should only take me a couple laps to get familiar with the track again. When you’re a rookie, you spend so much of your time trying to get a feel for each racetrack; what it likes, what it takes to be fast. This week, I’ll be able to concentrate more on what the race car needs, not what I need.”

Scott Zipadelli, Crew Chief of the No. 47 Armor All /Clorox Backed Ford Fusion:
“Short-track racing is real simple: Get track position and keep all the fenders on the car,” he said. “It’s also that difficult. For most of us, O’Reilly Raceway Park is the kind of place where we all learned to race. It’s nice when we can return to our roots and have fun.”

FAST & FUN FACTS:
-Kelly Bires was a two-time Wisconsin State wrestling champion in high school.
-Pole qualifying for the Kroger 200 is at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The race starts at 8 p.m.
-Bires won the 2006 American Speed Association national championship. He won eight races – including one at the O’Reilly Raceway Park – and was that league’s top rookie. He quickly was signed by Wood Brothers/JTG Racing to a driver development deal.

RACE INFORMATION:
What – Kroger 200 NASCAR Busch Series race
When – Saturday, July 28, 8 p.m. ET
Where – O’Reilly Raceway Park
Networks – ESPN2, Sirius Satellite Channel 128