Nemechek Feels Racing Package in Place For Atlanta Success

ATLANTA (March 14, 2006) -- With a newly-built MB2 Chevrolet at his disposal, Joe Nemechek says he is both confident and ready for the ultra-fast Atlanta Motor Speedway, site of this weekend's Golden Corral 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race.

"We've done our homework and feel we have the package in place for Atlanta Motor Speedway," said Nemechek. "This track is about speed, aero and handling -- you need to hit on all three to have any kind of success there. I guess you can say that about all of the tracks we race at, but because of how fast Atlanta is, you can't afford to have any of those three components let you down."

When Nemechek says he is confident about his new U.S. Army Chevrolet at Atlanta it's because he feels those three components -- speed, aerodynamics and handling -- have been crafted with precision in his new car.

"To take care of the speed we have Hendrick power, for the aero part that's done by the highly skilled fabrication and engineering folks at MB2 and the handing issue is in the hands of the Army of One crew, a very talented group of guys who have given me great cars in the past at Atlanta."

Speaking of Atlanta past -- Nemechek has mostly good thoughts. But there are also some unpleasant memories such as what happened to him at last year's March event when a potential win faded late in the race as the result of a radiator malfunction that eventually caused the engine to break.

"We were right there challenging for a win -- running in the top five," recalled Nemechek. "The entire package was working and we definitely felt we had a car that was capable of winning. But something put a hole in the radiator and then the engine let go."

Nemechek has had other strong runs in Atlanta -- he was runner-up in the 2002 October race and was fourth in the 2004 fall race. His maiden ride in the U.S. Army car was a 10th-place result at Atlanta in October, 2003.

"I've come close in Atlanta and feel this is a track where a win is waiting to happen for the Army team," said Nemechek. "We started to make some headway with our run in Las Vegas last week and feel we're ready to be a challenger this weekend in Atlanta."

Though Nemechek finished 13th in Las Vegas last week, he had a strong run. The one slip was when he spun after trying to pass Denny Hamlin on Lap 105 of 270. The incident sent Nemechek to the rear of the field, but the Army driver stayed patient and recovered to produce a decent result.