Ford 400 - Jeff Green Notes

Jeff Green Notes, Quotes: Homestead-Miami 400

Chex Dodge to race Series finale

Jeff Green and the #43 Chex Dodge team head to the newly refigured Homestead-Miami (Fl.) Speedway for Sunday’s season finale. Sunday’s 400-mile event will be the last race of the 36-race 2003 NASCAR Winston season. As many teams prepare for 2004, Green will be looking to give the specially-painted #43 Chex Dodge a strong run in the season-ending event. The #43 Chex Dodge will have a familiar look to many fans - the predominantly Petty Blue scheme and trademark ‘43’ will make up the look.

The 2000 NASCAR Busch Grand National champion, Green is known for a winning driving style and a true ability to “bring the car home.” In his first full season of NASCAR Winston Cup racing last season, he failed to finish just two races, and both of those due to engine problems. He won the pole for the season-opening Daytona 500 this year, and has won over $2 million.

The thoughts of #43 Chex Dodge driver Jeff Green heading into Homestead:

“It has been a pretty long year for everyone and I think a lot of guys are ready for a little break. It’s about the time of the year when you look forward to some time off. I like to hunt, and I am looking forward to doing some of that once this season is over. First, however, we’ve all got to tackle this new Homestead-Miami track. It’s going to be different. I don’t know if anyone can pinpoint exactly what the track will be like.

“I am just not sure if it’s going to live up to its expectations this first time around. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve heard that the track looks great, and it’s a great facility, but the track surface is totally new. If you look at what tracks have been like in the past with new surfaces, the groove is usually pretty limited.

“It takes time for a new surface to come into its own. Usually you get to a new track and there is only a single-lane groove. The fastest way is at the bottom of the track. This new idea of staggering the banking might make a difference, but I don’t think anyone knows for sure. It’s tough to say anything until we get on the track.

“NASCAR does a good job of looking ahead when major changes are made. It’s a good idea to come down early and get a test session in. It gives everyone an equal playing field to see what the changes will be like. It’s fair for all the teams involved. It might tire out some of the guys getting down there early, but it’s still a good idea to get some practice time on the track.

“I am looking forward to having another good run with this Chex Dodge. I have had a good time working with Petty Enterprises the past couple of months. They are certainly on the right track to getting back to winning a bunch of races. A lot of people might not see it, but they have a lot of cool things they are doing in Level Cross, North Carolina. They have a lot of technology and a lot of good people working really hard. I’ve had a great time these past couple of months working with this Cheerios team. Hopefully we can have a good run with this Chex car this weekend.

“It’s not that many times you get the opportunity to have done what I’ve done this season. I don’t know if it has been good or bad, but I’ve had the ability to race for Richard Childress, Dale Earnhardt Inc., and now Petty Enterprises – all in one year. It’s cool to look back and say that you’ve been able to do that. Right now, I am focused on this race with Petty Enterprises. We’ve shown at times what we are capable of doing, and now I am going to give it my best with this #43 Chex Dodge team in Homestead.

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