Sharpie 500 - Joe Nemechek Notes

NO BACKING DOWN FOR NEMECHEK, U.S. ARMY TEAM

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Aug. 25, 2004) -- For Joe Nemechek it doesn't make any difference if he's in contention for NASCAR's championship chase or not. The combination of adrenaline, spirit and a positive attitude never waivers. It is always at the highest level.

The U.S. Army driver, who takes great pride in representing his sponsor, is as upbeat about the next race as he was for his first Cup event in 1993. And when the Lakeland, Fla. native finds his way into the bullring of Bristol Motor Speedway, he knows that he will have a car capable of contending for victory in Saturday night's Sharpie 500.

"When you're part of a talented and quality group of people, motivation is never a problem," said Nemechek. "This is my passion and I am having loads of fun because every week I know that we have the potential to get to Victory Lane. We haven't been there...yet. But we will, I just know we will. The fight only gets stronger with each passing week."

After a ten-race stretch when Murphy's Law -- if anything can go wrong, it will -- tested his resolve, Nemechek bounced back and has shown improvement -- but not to the level where he wants to be.

In the last seven races Nemechek's average finish was 15.14, a marked improvement from a 23.87 finishing average in the first 16 races. His average qualifying position during this period -- not counting the two wash outs at Watkins Glen and Michigan -- was 7.8. And Nemechek's U.S. Army/USG Chevrolet finished on the lead lap -- without a Lucky Dog freebie -- in each of the seven races.

"We're picking away at this and we will get there," offered Nemechek. "We like the improvement, but aren't satisfied. We should be better and we know that."

Going into this weekend's race at the .533-mile short track, Nemechek is taking a realistic approach.

"We can do well in Bristol, no question about that," said Nemechek. "But this race is all about being in the right place at the right time. You need to have luck to escape the wrecks. It's as simple as that."