FIRSTS FOR NEMECHEK AT NHIS:
New Hampshire International Speedway, site of Sunday's New England 300, holds special significance for Joe Nemechek, driver of the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet. His first-ever NASCAR Winston Cup Series start came at the 1.058-mile oval on July 11, 1993 after winning the NASCAR Busch Series championship the previous year. Six seasons later, Nemechek's first Winston Cup victory came at the Loudon-based track on Sept. 19, 1999. Since then, the Lakeland, Fla., native has earned two additional wins on the circuit, including his triumph at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway in May.
'03 IMPROVEMENT FOR NEMECHEK:
In 2003, Nemechek has dramatically improved his numbers over last season, when he posted an average start of 21.3 and an average finish of 25.5 through 26 races. Over that same span this year, he has an 18.9 average start and a 22.7 average finish. Nemechek's final averages in 2002 for starts and finishes were 24.4 and 28.3, respectively.
TEAM 25 LOOKING FOR POLE:
Early in his career, Nemechek earned the nickname "Front Row Joe" for his uncanny ability to qualify well, but the Lakeland, Fla., native has endured an uncharacteristic dry spell in Winston Cup competition, with his last pole position coming at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway 93 races ago. Since making his NASCAR debut, Nemechek has posted a half-dozen pole positions in Winston Cup and an impressive 17 in the Busch Series, including three this season. He came close to ending the drought at Richmond in May, starting on the outside of Row 1 after Labonte earned the pole.
NEMECHEK AT LOUDON:
Including his Winston Cup win, Nemechek has earned two top-fives and three top-10s at New Hampshire, leading a total of 75 laps.
NO. 25 CHASSIS:
Team 25 will race Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 2551 at New Hampshire, the same car that was entered in both races at Pocono Raceway earlier this season. Nemechek finished 38th in June as a result of a transmission problem and finished seventh after starting 26th in July.
DELPHI FAST FACT:
Since 1975, Delphi emissions control technology has prevented the release of an estimated 50 million tons of hydrocarbons, 229 million tons of carbon monoxide and 44 million tons of nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.
PETER SOSPENZO, CREW CHIEF OF THE NO. 25 UAW-DELPHI CHEVROLET:
(ON THE CHEVY ROCK & ROLL 400 AT RICHMOND.) "After winning at Richmond in May, the outcome wasn't what we wanted, but it was nice to have a cool paint scheme and to meet Uncle Kracker. It was certainly different."
(NOTE: The No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet raced at Richmond with a special paint scheme featuring Lava recording artist Uncle Kracker.)
SOSPENZO: (WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO WIN AT NEW HAMPSHIRE?) "We've had some success there before and Joe won one of his three Winston Cup races there, so we're looking forward to going back. Track position is everything and fuel mileage played a big part when Jimmie (Johnson) won in July. Fuel mileage and track position will be the keys."
SOSPENZO: (ON THE 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES SCHEDULE, RELEASED TODAY.) "It's long. It's long, with very few weekends off. As a crew chief, I'm always concerned about my guys -- their morale and family life. I wish there was a way we could race for four weekends and then have one off. Maybe start the schedule earlier. Whatever needs to be done to get some breaks in there."
