Scott Wimmer Event Preview - Double Duty
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge
Atlanta Motor Speedway
October 26, 2003
NASCAR Busch Series
No. 23 Stacker 2/YJ Stinger Chevrolet
Atlanta Motor Speedway
October 25, 2003
Wimmer on Atlanta: Scott Wimmer starts the final countdown to his last four races in the Busch car for Bill Davis Racing. Wimmer will take over as the driver for the No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge for Bill Davis Racing starting this weekend in Atlanta and will be the full-time driver battling for rookie of the year honors during the 2004 season.
"Although Atlanta isn't the biggest track on the circuit, it is certainly the fastest," said Wimmer. "Knowing what I know now, I can't believe I made my first start in a Winston Cup car at Atlanta because of the speeds you turn there. The track has changed so much over the years because the pavement has worn out so much and now it has come to where you have to have a great handling car to be successful there. The turns are so big and you spend so much time in the turn, that having a good turning car is a priority."
Atlanta Notables: Wimmer made one Winston Cup start at Atlanta Motor Speedway on November 19, 2000 for Bill Davis Racing. Wimmer was going to attempt to make the ARCA race that weekend, and when qualifying got rained out, he entered the car into the Winston Cup race and qualified for that event in the 31st position. Wimmer led several laps of that event and on one restart, had the legendary Dale Earnhardt behind him.
"I looked in my rearview mirror and all I saw was that mustache," said Wimmer. "I was so nervous and all I kept thinking was 'Don't spin out.' That was the one and only time I've ever raced against Dale Senior and I could see why everyone called him 'The Intimidator.' It was probably the most scared I had ever been in a race car."
Atlanta Test: Wimmer tested the No. 27 Winston Cup Chevrolet at Atlanta Motor Speedway on October 6th.
"Our test at Atlanta went really well, despite being shortened to only one day due to rain," said Wimmer. "I felt the car was pretty good and I turned the fastest lap times I've ever ran there before."
"We're all looking forward to going to Atlanta," said No. 22 crew chief, Frank Stoddard. "Scott and Chris (Rice, Wimmer's Busch crew chief) had a solid test there a couple weeks ago. We've had two tests with Scott and we've all been very pleased with how well the team and Scott has worked together. Scott has given these guys a new boost. Everyone's morale has been lifted and they're all excited about the end of the year and beyond. Scott made his debut in the Winston Cup series a few years ago in Atlanta and he was able lead quite a few laps and run very competitively. If we can go there and be competitive and give Scott a real solid car, then we will have been successful. The entire team is looking forward to this weekend."
Team Changes: Mike Brown, general manager of Bill Davis Racing and current front-tire carrier for the No. 22 CAT team, will trade in his over the wall firesuit this weekend and head up to the spotter's stand. Brown, a native of Atlanta, will take on the role of Wimmer's spotter for the No. 22 team, as well as working with him for the final four Busch Series events. Wimmer's rear tire carrier on his Stacker 2 Busch team, Art Simmons, will replace Brown as the front tire carrier for the No. 22 CAT team.
Appearances: Wimmer will make the following appearances during the Atlanta race weekend:
· Wimmer will sign autographs on Thursday, October 23rd from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Wal-Mart Superstore located in Douglasville, Georgia.
· Wimmer will also appear on Speed Channel's "Trackside" broadcast in front of an audience on Atlanta Motor Speedway property. The show airs live from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
NWC Equipment: Wimmer and the No. 22 Caterpillar team are taking the same car to Atlanta they competed with earlier this year at Kansas, car No. 78.
NBS Equipment: Wimmer and the No. 23 Stacker 2/YJ Stinger team are taking the same car to Atlanta they competed with earlier this year at Milwaukee.