Nextel All-Star Challenge - Boris Said Notes

BORIS SAID ENTERS ALL-STAR WEEKEND

CONCORD, N.C. (May 17, 2005) -- The NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star weekend was not on Boris Said's latest schedule of 2005 Cup races. But that slate recently changed after rain cut short last Tuesday's test session at Lowe's Motor Speedway for the MB/Sutton Motorsports team.

Said, whose part-time Cup schedule includes the May 29th Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's, felt he did not have enough time to acclimate himself to the 1.5-mile oval during the rain-shortened test session.

"Since we didn't run a full test session, coupled with the top 35 drivers in points are already guaranteed a spot in the (43-car) field, we felt more seat time was needed to have a realistic shot of qualifying for the Coca-Cola race," offered Said, driver of the No. 36 CENTRIX Financial Chevrolet. "Our main purpose for this weekend is to take advantage of the practice sessions and use them as a test and tune for next week's race.

"I need more time and the crew also needs more time to find the best setup for Lowe's. We knew going into this race that it would be difficult to qualify. And not having the full test session last week made it even more difficult."

Though Said will be in a test mode this weekend, it doesn't mean he will not be at full throttle when the green flag drops for Saturday night's NEXTEL Open. The winner of the Open will transfer into the main feature -- The NEXTEL All-Star Challenge.

"We're not going to hang back and ride around," explained Said. "We're going to go after it. It's a shootout-type of race and anything can happen."