Pepsi 400 - Daytona International Speedway -Daytona, FL -
Saturday, July 6, 2002
Matt Kenseth's thoughts on racing at Daytona:
"We had a really good car at the Daytona 500 and were caught up in a wreck. Our main goal is to stay out of trouble and finish the race with the car in one piece. I hope we can win the million for our team and a fan. With restrictor plate racing, its about being smart and being around at the end. One thing to consider is its going to be pretty hot down there this time of year."
Crew Chief Robbie Reiser's thoughts on racing at Daytona:
"So far we are zero for two on restrictor plate tracks - and we are two for two in getting collected in "The Big One". We are taking car 16 this weekend, and it should be a car we can hang well with in the draft. As long as we can be in position to win in the last few laps is all that matters - but that will take an entire team effort to make that happen."
Spotter Mike Calinoff's thoughts on Daytona:
"Spotting at night in Daytona can be pretty hectic. Aside from the fact that the cars run so tight together in a restrictor plate race, the lights create a glare that can be tough to manage. However, knowing that we've got a shot to win a million bucks will make the DEWALT Ford very easy to see!"
NOTES OF INTEREST:
New Paint Scheme…DEWALT Power Tools announced today it will continue its marketing alliance with AT&T Broadband by spotlighting a special AT&T Broadband paint scheme at three races during the 2002 season. The AT&T Broadband paint scheme will be the primary signage on the No. 17 Ford Taurus driven by Matt Kenseth at the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Sears Point, the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway and the New Hampshire 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. In addition to the specially designed cars, AT&T will be featured underneath the DEWALT logo on the rear quarter panels of the car for the duration of the 2002 season.
Appearance…Kenseth will sign autographs for the public on July 4th at Daytona Beach Home Depot from 11am-noon. The store address is 2455 W. International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (904) 257-5114.
No Bull… Kenseth is eligible for the Winston Million for the second time this season because of his runner up place finish in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May. The No Bull Pairings will feature a dog race at the track outside of the speedway on Friday July 5th at noon.
Two Million Dollar Man… Kenseth has passed the $2 million mark in winnings this year. His current total of $2,011,522 16 events into the 38 event schedule is well on the way to surpassing the $2,265,839 he won last season.
Engagement…Spotter Mike Calinoff and Jenn Kovach became engaged this week.
Spoiler in Canada…On June 30th CASCAR's (Canadian Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) raced against NASCAR's biggest talent in the Canada Day Shootout at Cayuga Speedway in Nelles Corners, Ontario. Winston Cup drivers Tony Stewart, Johnny Benson, Ken Schrader, Dave Blaney, Matt Kenseth, and Ted Musgrave competed. Kenseth won the event when he passed CASCAR Super Series National champion Don Thomson Jr. late in the race.
2002 UP TO DATE TOTALS:
POINTS: 2,020/8th
MONEY WON: $2,011,522
LAPS COMPLETED: 4,635/4,980 = 93%
STARTS: 16
POLES: 1
WINS: 3
TOP FIVE: 6
TOP TEN: 9
Matt Kenseth
Team: No. 17 Roush Racing Ford Taurus
Sponsors: DEWALT
Owner: Jack Roush
Driver: Matt Kenseth
Crew Chief: Robbie Reiser
Chassis Number: 16
· Chassis 16 has been completely rebuilt since it raced at Talladega earlier this season
Of Note:
· Matt Kenseth is one of five drivers that will compete for the Winston No Bull 5 million dollar
bonus along with teammate Mark Martin. Both Martin and Kenseth became eligible at the last No Bull race, the Coca-Cola 600, back in May. Kenseth and Martin battled for the win until the very end, but it was Martin who took home the trophy, and the million.
Kenseth on the Pepsi 400:
"It's always cool to be a part of the Winston No Bull 5 program. They always do neat things to pair the drivers with the fans and the dog track sounds like it will be very cool. It's our second opportunity to win the million dollars this year, so we're really excited. Daytona is a good track to have it at and the 4th of July weekend and racing at night should make for a great event."
Robbie Reiser on the Pepsi 400:
"We're taking car 16. Things at Daytona haven't been too good lately. We've gone to two speedway races and we've had to rebuild two cars because we've been wrecked both times. This car is completely rebuilt from Talladega because we had to put a front and rear clip on it and a brand new body on it because it was destroyed. We hope to have a good run without getting caught up in any accidents and get ourselves a solid finish."
ROUSH RACING FAST FACTS:
· Mark Martin has finished sixth or better in three of the last five races at Daytona.
· Martin leads all other drivers this season with 11 top-10 finishes this season.
· Martin has raced in all 58 restrictor-plate races, one of only eight drivers to do so along with Bill Elliott, Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, Ricky Rudd, Ken Schrader, Rusty Wallace, and Michael Waltrip.
· Martin leads all other active drivers with three or more starts with a 14.24 average finish in 58 restrictor-plate races.
· Martin has seven top-10 finishes in the last 10 restrictor-plate races.
· Matt Kenseth, Martin, Ricky Craven, Jeff Gordon, and Rudd are the eligible drivers for the Winston No Bull 5 event, which will be held at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
· Kenseth leads all other NASCAR Winston Cup drivers with three victories in 2002.
· Kurt Busch finished fourth in the 2002 Daytona 500, his first finish better than 30th in his three races at Daytona.
· Busch is 14 positions ahead of where he was ranked in the NASCAR Winston Cup point standings at this time last season.
· Jeff Burton has finished eighth or better, including one victory, in four of the last six races at Daytona.
· Burton has an average finish of 14.1 in the last 10 Daytona races.
· Burton has an average finish of 10.5 in the last 10 restrictor-plate races.
