CAT RACING EVENT PREVIEW
LOWE’S MOTOR SPEEDWAY
NASCAR NEXTEL OPEN/NEXTEL ALL-STAR CHALLENGE
Track: Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. (1.5-mile oval)
Race: NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Open Date: 05.20.06
LOWE’S MOTOR SPEEDWAY NEXTEL OPEN NEWS AND NOTES
NEXTEL Open Chassis…The No. 22 Caterpillar car Dave Blaney is scheduled to drive this weekend in the NASCAR NEXTEL Open at Lowe’s Motor Speedway is chassis No. 65. This car has already been run in both the Atlanta and Texas races this season and the team also tested this Cat car at Lowe’s Motor Speedway several weeks ago in preparation for this weekend’s event. The track has been resurfaced since the last time the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competed on this 1.5-mile oval.
Darlington Debrief…Blaney struggled with handling issues throughout most of the event, but began to come on near the end of the race, finishing in 27th place.
All-Star Stats…Dave Blaney has competed in what is now known as the NEXTEL Open on six occasions, finishing as high as second in 2003. Blaney started from the pole for the event in 2004 and has finished every lap in the events in which he has been entered.
A Driver’s Work is Never Done…Following a quick trip to Sharon Speedway in Ohio on Monday, Blaney spent spend most of Tuesday visiting a Caterpillar facility near Greenville, South Carolina.
Don’t Miss it…Blaney is scheduled to sign autographs at the Caterpillar merchandise trailer beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Check with the merchandise trailer for updates and more information.
All-Star Race TV and Radio…Qualifying for the NASCAR NEXTEL Open is scheduled to start at 6:05 p.m. ET Friday, May 19. The 30-lap event is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, May 20, and will broadcast LIVE on FX (TV), MRN and XM Satellite Radio Channel 144. The winner of the Open will advance to the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge, which is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET.
