GFS Marketplace 400 - Joe Nemechek Notes

NEMECHEK BEAMING WITH CONFIDENCE

BROOKLYN, Mich. (Aug. 16, 2005) -- Joe Nemechek feels his U.S. Army team is ripe for continued success as the Nextel Cup Series heads to Michigan International Speedway for Sunday's running of the GFS Marketplace 400. Nemechek is not only coming off a ninth-place finish at Watkins Glen International, but he is returning to Michigan where he posted a strong sixth-place result in June.

"Ever since I've been in the Army car we've had strong performances in Michigan," said Nemechek. "We're in a good situation to start making some headway. I think we can run in the top three at Michigan, and if everything goes right, we'll have a shot at winning. We're a confident team and we have every right to feel that way."

Adding to Nemechek's optimism about this weekend is that Michigan is a sister two-mile track to California Speedway in Fontana.

"Look at our performances and it's easy to tell why the U.S. Army Chevy likes the two-mile tracks," said Nemechek. "We should have won in California this year. We led the most laps and were leading when the engine let go in the later stage of the race.”

Though Nemechek is not ready to make a concession speech about the Chase for the Nextel Cup, he knows that his chances are slim to be among the elite 10.

“We’re approximately 200 points from being in the top 10 with four races remaining until the Chase begins,” explained Nemechek. “That’s a lot of ground to make up, especially when a lot of drivers in front of us have to falter. What gets me is that 200 points adds up to only a couple of the many races we had misfortunes at this year.

“If we could have had the finish we deserved in California and Atlanta, we’re in the top 10. I’m not even mentioning other races that we lost a bunch of points at -- like Las Vegas, Talladega, Sonoma, Daytona (July race), Chicago, New Hampshire, Pocono (July) and Indy. So many “what ifs”. But I still have this feeling that we are on the verge of something really good. Let’s hope it starts this week.”