CAT RACING EVENT PREVIEW
TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY
Aaron’s 499
Track: Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. (2.66-mile oval)
Race: Aaron’s 499 Date: 04.30.06
TALLADEGA NEWS AND NOTES
Cat car stats…The No. 22 Caterpillar car the crew has prepared for Dave Blaney to drive this weekend in the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway is chassis No. 68. This car has not seen action this season, but it was the backup car for the first restrictor plate race this year in Daytona.
Phoenix recap…The Cat team made lemonade out of lemons Saturday evening in Phoenix after a disappointing qualifying run and a brush with the wall early in the race. After blowing the right front tire and hitting the wall on lap 54 of the event, Blaney passed competitor after competitor with ease in the mid-stages of the race and led his first laps of the season. Though he wasn’t able to remain up front when the checkered flag waved, the team definitely made progress in getting its season back on track.
Blaney’s career stats…Blaney will make his 208th career NEXTEL Cup Series start when the green flag waves Sunday afternoon. He made his first career NASCAR Cup Series start in October 1992 at [Rockingham] North Carolina Speedway and finished 30th after qualifying in 16th in his first Cup Series start at Talladega in 2000. Like this weekend, Blaney was aboard a Bill Davis Racing-owned machine. Blaney has also competed twice at the track in a NASCAR Busch Series car, qualifying and in the top 10 on both occasions.
Where and when…Blaney is scheduled to sign autographs at the Caterpillar merchandise trailer following the conclusion of Cup Series qualifying Saturday afternoon. Be sure to check with the merchandise trailer for updates and more information.
Talladega TV and radio …Qualifying for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Aaron’s 499 is scheduled to start at 11:40 a.m. ET Saturday, April 29. The 188-lap event is scheduled to start at 2:10 p.m. ET Sunday, April 30, and will broadcast LIVE on FOX (TV), MRN and XM Satellite Radio Channel 144.
Testing Update…Blaney and the Caterpillar crew will spend next Tuesday and Wednesday testing at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., in preparation for the May events at that track.
A day in Dover…Blaney spent Tuesday afternoon at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. There he signed autographs for fans purchasing tickets for the upcoming NASCAR events at that venue.
The Cat Crew…
Tony Anderson Car Chief
Steven Berry Coach Driver/Pit Support
Nick Dasovich Gas Runner
Jason Everhart Shocks/Rear Tire Carrier
Kevin “Keg” Gately Tire Specialist/Catch Can
Dax Gerringer Engineer
Craig “Fish” Griffitts Engine Tuner
Kevin Hamlin Crew Chief
Tom Hubert Rear Tire Changer
Tim Hussey Pit Support
Chris “Crazy” Osborne Spotter
Jim “Tiny” Pollard Transport Driver/Gas Man
Kyle Roland Jack Man
Derek Seeke Engineer
Kevin Sharpe Front Tire Carrier
Brad “Piglet” Tunny Mechanic/Sign Board
Dana Worthing Mechanic/Front Tire Changer
Dave Blaney on Talladega…
“This is a race we need to finish. Whatever else happens, we need to finish this race and stay in the top 35 in points and hopefully work to get ourselves in a more comfortable position points-wise. Last week was a good week for us; we didn’t finish as high as we should have based on how well we ran for a while, but we left there upbeat and definitely feeling better about what we’re capable of then we had in a while. Of course, this being a restrictor plate race means it’s a whole different ball game than last weekend. We ran pretty well in Daytona, and we feel good about this race. It’s just a matter of staying out of the big wreck and finishing the race. Usually, if you can do that, then you’ll have a decent day. It’s a lot easier said than done at Talladega, but obviously that’s our goal.”
