Raines Clinches Rookie of the Year Title

PHOENIX, AZ, November 7, 1999 - Tony Raines, the leading candidate for the 1999 NASCAR Busch Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year, clinched the title with his 20th place finish in the Outback Steakhouse 200 at the Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday. Raines entered the next to the final race with a 167-point lead over Adam Petty.

Raines came to the one-mile speedway of Phoenix with hopes of pulling out a good run during Saturday's race. Raines struggled a little preparing to qualify. Raines' lap of 28.301 seconds was not quick enough to get him into the top 25 during Thursday's first round qualifying so he elected to requalify on Friday morning. His second attempt produced a lap of 28.327 seconds, 127.087 miles per hour lap, which was quick enough for the second round fastest time and put Raines in the 36th starting position for Saturday's race.

The same problems that plagued Raines all weekend continued during the 200-lap event. Raines was fighting a tight race car and found it challenging to make passes and get the car to turn in the corners. With his handling problems, Raines went a lap down on the 76th circuit. Raines was sitting in the 24th position when he made a green flag stop on lap 98. He received tires, fuel and adjustments to help with the handling. He was sent back out of to rejoin the race and was in the 30th position after the pit stops cycled through. Raines' handling problems continued as he brought the #74 BACE Motorsports Chevrolet in for service the second time during the only caution period of the event. Raines again received tires, fuel and adjustments and was sent back out for the restart in the 22nd position.

Raines gained two more positions before taking the checkered flag in the 20th position. It was not the run he was looking for, but however he was able to clinch the Rookie title with his finish.

"We just struggled with the handling all weekend," Raines said. "We got better during the middle of the race, but when you start that far back it is hard to keep from going a lap down. The car was tight pretty much all day. We were able to gain some points and get back into the 12th position. All in all, I guess I would have to say it was a good day."

And a good day it was. Raines wrapped up the Rookie race on Saturday, a race he had led the majority of the season. "It's a team thing," Raines stated. "The crew had to endure a lot the year. Most of these tracks were new to me and I had a lot to learn."

"If history were to repeat itself, we would come back in 2000 and make a legitimate run at the Championship," Raines continued. "I think we are capable of doing that. The last time this team won a rookie title they followed it up with three straight championships. That is a tall order to fill, but I am going to do my best to head in that direction."

Reflecting back to the season opener in Daytona, Raines made this observation. "When I think back to Daytona, I remember there being quite a few running for rookie," Raines stated. "To think back and realize how many started and to survive all the races and come out on top, well that is pretty neat."

The NASCAR Busch Series heads to the Homestead Motorsports Complex this weekend for the final event of the 1999 season. "It is nice to have wrapped up the rookie title so we can go down there and concentrate on gaining some points," stated Raines. "We have the possibility of finishing 11th. That is our next goal." The Hot Wheels.com 300 will be run on Saturday, November 13th. Raines will take to the 1.5-mile oval for the first time in a Busch Series car. He has competed at the track while running in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.