Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods - Elliott Sadler Notes

ELLIOTT SADLER/M&M’S® RACING
Banquet 400
Kansas Speedway/ October 10, 2004

Pedigree® Brand Team Looking To Make Kansas Win Number Three

Elliott Sadler and the M&M’S® Team lost some ground with the wild finish at Talladega last weekend but are looking for redemption at Kansas Speedway this weekend. Sadler has been running at the finish for 34 consecutive races, the longest active streak. He was involved in an accident on the final lap at Talladega crossing the finish line in the air, but finished the race nonetheless. Sadler has not posted a top-15 finish at Kansas in three races at the 1.5-mile track. Prior to 2004, however, he faced the same scenario heading to Texas and California where he scored wins this year.

QUOTING M&M’S® DRIVER ELLIOTT SADLER: “We are taking our California car to Kansas City. This M&M’S® Ford has performed really well on the 1.5-mile tracks this season and Kansas should be no different. We can have a good points day there and then expect the same at Charlotte. We've had to overcome a lot the last couple of weeks and we've still managed to salvage decent finishes. If we can go into Kansas this weekend and not have any bad luck I think we will be a contender for a win. We're taking one of my favorite race cars and our 1.5-mile program has been very strong this year. In order for us to get back in the championship chase we need to win some races. That's what we're aiming for this weekend. We aren't worried about points - we want to go out and win the race.”

QUOTING M&M’S® CREW CHIEF TODD PARROTT: “Talladega could have been a lot worse. This team changed batteries twice, cooled down an overheating problem and made sheet metal repairs without missing a beat. We were 11th when we wrecked at the checkered flag. To wind up 22nd after flipping upside down is just amazing to me. Kansas City should be a great race for us. I believe this team can pull off a win and we’re going there with that in mind. The car we won California with just handles these type of tracks so well right out of the truck that we end up making only tiny adjustments on it each track we take it to and going from there.”

QUOTING M&M’S® SPOTTER BRETT GRIFFIN: “I can't wait to get to Kansas. Talladega was crazy and one of the hardest races I've ever had to spot. We're taking a good car for this weekend and that's always a lot of fun to see from the roof. It's a lot easier to clear Elliott when he's passing cars than it is to be in traffic all day. The main think I'll focus on is keeping him out of trouble, the M&M’S guys are going to give him something he can drive and the rest is up to him.”

NOTES OF INTEREST:
OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD...Elliott and the team will sport the Wizard of Oz paint scheme this weekend for Pedigree® Brand Racing.
TESTING MARTINSVILLE…Elliott and the team tested the newly paved Martinsville Speedway on Tuesday, October 5th in preparation of the upcoming Subway 500 on October 24th.
PINK & WHITE M&M’S® FOR SALE…Pink and White M&M’S® will be available on the #38 trackside souvenir trailer at each track for a cost of $3.00 per eight ounce bag. Of the cost, 50 cents will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation on behalf of M&M/Mars. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
MASTERFOODS USA, the United States food, snack and petcare operations of Mars, Incorporated, is one of the world’s leading food manufacturers. With more than $5 billion in annual sales, the combined food, petcare and snack segments are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Hackettstown, NJ, Masterfoods USA employs more than 7,000 associates in the United States, with 15 manufacturing facilities nationwide. The company owns some of the world’s favourite brands including M&M'S® Brand, SNICKERS® Brand, UNCLE BEN'S® Brand, PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs, WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats.
TRACK FACTS: Race: 30 Of 36, Track Size: 1.5 miles, Broadcast: NBC 2:00pm ET and MRN Radio