Budweiser Race Preview
Dale Jr. Quotes for Homestead:
“It’s kinda cool that everyone goes into the weekend with a completely unknown set-up for the new configuration. I was there a few weeks ago, but riding around in a rental car offers no advantage, other than I’ve seen the track and have a sense of it looks like. This team has been fast all season, so I think it gives us a slight advantage this week, being able to adjust or develop a set-up that will be fast. Qualifying and track position will be critical. No matter how good the new track will become, it will be like any new track this weekend: one groove only and very, very hard to pass…”
“No matter what happens Sunday, it has been a great year for this team. I’m really proud of how far we’ve come and how many ‘career best’ marks we’ve already set this season. To end the year with momentum and confidence makes the short off-season a more pleasant time, and it gives us a launch toward the ’04 season. We’re going to do all we can to grab second place in the points by the time the race ends, so we’re completely focused.”
Dale Jr. and the No. 8 Bud Team at Homestead
Previous Winston Cup Starts: 3
Best Start: 2nd (2002)
Best Finish: 13th (2000)
This Race, Last Year: ST: 2nd / FIN: 21st / Led 46 laps
--- Dale Jr. dominated the early stages of the race at Homestead last year, leading twice for 46 laps. A broken valve spring damaged any chance of victory, but despite snail-like speeds on the straights, the team managed to hang-on for a 21st-place finish.
2003 Career-Best Season Records for No. 8 Budweiser Team
With one race remaining, the No. 8 Bud team and Dale Jr. have already set a series of career-best records since joining the Winston Cup tour full-time in 2000…
Points Finish: Currently third (previous best was 8th in 2001)
Top-Three Finishes: 10
Top-Five Finishes: 13
Top-10 Finishes: 21
Races Led: 24
Race Time:
Ford 400
Miami-Homestead Speedway, Homestead, FL
1.5-mile oval, 267 laps, 400.5 miles
Sunday, November 16, 2003
TV: NBC-TV, 12:30 pm (pre-race) / 1:00 pm race start (All Times: Eastern)
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN), or on a radio station or XM Radio near you.
Bud Pole Qualifying: You can tune in live for Bud Pole qualifying Friday at 1:30 pm (note slightly earlier-than-usual start time) on the Speed Channel.
