Ryan Newman/Phoenix Advance
Notes:
Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge, will make his eighth Phoenix International Raceway start and his 160th in NASCAR's Cup Series this Saturday.
The new paint scheme on the Alltel Dodge this weekend will be hard to miss. The paint scheme highlights a new feature that Alltel will launch soon. The team plans on showcasing the paint scheme in several upcoming NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races.
Newman has posted two top-five finishes at PIR, including a runner-up finish in 2004.
Newman leads all active drivers with three PIR poles. He scored them consecutively from 2002 to 2004. He set the current track record of 26.499 seconds in November 2004.
Newman has led a total of 114 laps in his seven PIR starts.
Matt Borland, crew chief of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge, and the Alltel team will take chassis PRS-55 to Phoenix this weekend. PRS-55 earned the name "Mopar" after racing into victory lane at New Hampshire International Speedway last September. "Mopar" was the primary chassis for last November's PIR race, but was unable to compete following an accident during Friday's practice session.
Newman's first career NASCAR Cup Series start occurred at PIR in November 2000. The then 22-year old Newman started 10th and finished 41st due to brake problems.
Quotes:
Newman on the new paint scheme: "It's definitely eye catching. I don't think anyone will miss us out there on the track. But seriously, Alltel has a great feature that they plan on announcing soon. I think Alltel customers will be very pleased.
"We'd love to get the car to victory lane for our sponsor. Alltel has been great to us and it would be the perfect way to show our appreciation."
Newman on PIR: "We're anxious to get away from the 1 ½-mile tracks. We know that our performance needs to turn around and we're looking at Phoenix to get that started. We're taking a great car with us. This chassis won in New Hampshire last year, and was great in practice last year at Phoenix. We didn't get to race it due to an accident in practice, but it should be just as good this weekend."
Borland on PIR: "The Phoenix race should be a really good race for us. We're really excited about the chassis that we're taking. It's tested well, and of course it was great for us last season in practice at PIR. The entire team is looking forward to the race."
Quick Stats:
Phoenix International Raceway Starts: 7
Races Led/Laps Led: 3/114
Best Starting Position: 1 (2002-2004)
Best Finishing Position: 2 (2004)
April 2005 Start: 7
April 2005 Finish: 14
