Ford 400 - Joe Nemechek Notes

NEMECHEK HAVING A GOOD TIME; NOT READY FOR SEASON TO END

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Nov. 12, 2003) – As Joe Nemechek is about to complete the grueling 36-race NASCAR Winston Cup schedule, the U.S. Army driver would rather the season not end, but continue right into 2004.

“So far this has been a great test and tune with the U.S. Army team,” said Nemechek, who will drive the 01 car in 2004. “When you have a good team backing you, along with a great team chemistry, it makes for fun. You don’t want to take a break – you want to continue on.”

Nemechek, who joined the U.S. Army team three weeks ago in Atlanta, is looking for more success at this weekend’s season finale -- the Ford 400 at the newly-reconfigured Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“In just three races of getting to know each other, I really feel we have clicked as a unit and have done some good things,” commented Nemechek. “I keep saying this Army team has a bright future and I am happy I will be part of it.

“Having the opportunity to be with the 01 team for the final four races is really a huge bonus in getting us ready for the 2004 season. When we get to Daytona for testing in January, we won’t be a new team. We’re going to have a good book of data instead of playing catch up.”

In his first three races driving the black and gold Army Pontiac, Nemechek has qualified in the top 10 at each event – eighth (Atlanta), tenth (Phoenix) and sixth (Rockingham). He also posted a top-10 finish in Atlanta.

Nemechek’s goal for the Homestead race is to make a slight improvement from his 2003 finish at the five-year-old south Florida track.

“We finished second in Homestead last year and led a lot of laps (111),” recalled Nemechek, a Lakeland, Fla. native. “I would like to improve by only one position. We have the talent to do it and it would be the grandest of ways to end a season.

”The Homestead track is going to be different from a configuration standpoint. But the early reports have been good and we’ll get a better handle of the (1.5-mile) oval during our Wednesday (Nov. 12) test session.”

Nemechek will also compete in Saturday’s Busch race, driving his No. 87 entry. His No. 7 Busch entry will be driven by Greg Biffle.

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