Advance Auto Parts 500 - Mike Bliss Notes

Mike Bliss will make his 41st NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series start when the green flag drops for the Advance Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

BLISS ON MARTINSVILLE."I've raced more Cup races in Martinsville than I have anywhere else. I'm not really sure why. I guess people think I'm pretty good there and when they've needed a driver for Martinsville in the past, they've called me. It was flattering, I'm glad people thought of me, though it hasn't always worked out as well as I would have liked. Obviously Martinsville is another track like Bristol - staying out of trouble is half the battle. We weren't able to do that last week and not only did we load a wrecked race car into the transporter after the race, but we also took a pretty good hit in the points, so we're not too anxious for that to happen again this week. I don't think the guys need any more practice fixing a mangled car and getting it back in the race. Last week was just so disappointing for us. You tell yourself if something like that happens you aren't going to let it get to you, but we just felt so bad because the season had been going somewhat well for us. Not that one bad race will change all that, but it breaks your heart nonetheless. Anyway, this week is another race, I like racing at Martinsville and I think we've got a pretty good NetZero Best Buy Chevrolet lined up for it, so we're looking forward to getting there and getting back on track."

MARTINSVILLE NOTES OF INTEREST