Race 2 Win: Auto Club 500 - Mike Bliss Notes

Nextel Cup Series

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Auto Club 500 - Mike Bliss Notes

Mike Bliss will make his 37th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series start when the green flag drops for the Auto Club 500 February 27th at California Speedway.

BLISS ON THE AUTO CLUB 500. "Fontana is always an important race for this team because it's right in the backyard of both Gene Haas' company and NetZero's headquarters. Obviously we want to put on a good show and give all the folks associated with Haas and NetZero something to cheer about from the grandstands as well as those back in the Minneapolis area from Best Buy that will tune in to the broadcast. We tested at the speedway a couple of weeks ago and weren't really all that happy with the way things went, so we opted to bring back a different car for the race. This car has never been on the track before and it hasn't even been tested, so it should be interesting to see how things go. I know Bootie and the guys build great cars, so I'm not too worried about things, but hopefully it won't rain all day Friday and wash out both the practice sessions or something crazy like that. Obviously it would be nice to get some laps under our belt with this car before we have to go out there and race. Like I said, though, I'm not worried. We gathered a lot of information when we tested and we felt this car would be the best for the job. We know our Hendrick power will give us the speed we need, so we'll just wait and see what we have when we roll off the truck."

FONTANA NOTES OF INTEREST

The Haas CNC Racing team will utilize chassis 018 for the running of the 2005 Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. The team tested at California Speedway in January, but chose not to bring back the car that was tested. This car is a brand new car and has never before seen a racetrack.

Though Bliss has only competed in one NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events in Fontana, he has plenty of experience at the two-mile oval. Bliss has four Busch Series starts under his belt as well as four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts. Bliss won the Truck Series event from the pole in his first race there in 1997 and has never finished outside the Top-10 in his four races there. In the Busch Series, Bliss has qualified inside the Top-15 three times and has three Top-17 finishes.

Bliss will sign autographs at the Best Buy store on Harriman Place Road in San Bernardino from 5-7 pm Saturday, February 26. You can also catch him at the Best Buy Fun Zone following the conclusion of the final practice Friday.

News and Results | Point Standings | 2005 Schedule | 2005 Teams | 2004 Schedule and Results