Seeking More Victories At Dover
Greg Biffle (No. 16 CitiFinancial Ford) already has two victories this season, and a third at Dover would put him in elite company.
Already a two-time winner at The Monster Mile, Biffle would tie Todd Bodine if he wins Saturday. Of the 10 drivers who have two Dover victories, Biffle is the only driver entered this weekend. Biffle’s wins came in 2002 and 2004.
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Ryan Newman will be back in the series weekend at Dover. It marks Newman’s first race with JR Motorsports and he joins the 2009 lineup of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin, Tony Stewart and Scott Wimmer. Newman made his first start of the season driving for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the No. 33 Chevrolet at Talladega.
In addition to Biffle and Newman, other former race winners entered this weekend include Clint Bowyer (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet), Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jason Keller, Joe Nemechek (No. 87 Chevrolet), Morgan Shepherd (No. 89 Eldora Speedway Chevrolet), Brian Vickers (No. 32 Dollar General Toyota), Wimmer (No. 40 StopRepairBills.com Chevrolet) and Casey Atwood (No. 05 31W Insulation Chevrolet).
More Of This Weekend’s Entry List
Bobby Hamilton Jr. has a new gig this year in an ownership capacity with Eric McClure’s No. 24 Hefty Ford. Hamilton moved into that role with his former owner Ed Rensi to form Rernsi-Hamilton Racing for McClure’s ride. But Bobby Jr. rides again – making his season debut at Dover in the No. 81 AA Auto Warranty Dodge for MacDonald Motorsports. Hamilton’s last series start was at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2008.
Forty-nine cars are vying for 43 spots this weekend. Among those running 31st through 35th respectively — and looking to make the field on speed — are Ken Butler III (No. 23 Aaron’s Chevrolet), Scott Wimmer, Morgan Shepherd, the No. 42 Eddie Smith-Evander Holifield-owned Dodge) and Casey Atwood.
Safe this week but on the bubble are Brian Keselowski (No. 26 Schweitzer Title Dodge; 29th in points) and Brandon Whitt (No. 61 Charlie Shoffner-owned Ford; 30th in points).
Etc.
In 13 previous NNS starts at Dover International Speedway, Kevin Harvick holds a record of three poles, two top five and seven top 10 finishes and has led 290 laps. As he makes his 14th series start there, the two-time series champion will aim to get his first win at the track and the second in the No. 33.
KHI newcomer J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 4 KHI Chevrolet) will be looking to repeat what his boss accomplished in 2000 — win a pole, lead several laps and earn a top 10 finish in his first start at Dover. Fitzpatrick, who has competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season, has only experienced Dover on racing simulators.
Veteran Jason Keller will make his 469th career start, and his car will sport a unique paint scheme. The new scheme will help K-C’s Montvale, N.J., based retail partner, The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. (A&P), celebrate its 150th anniversary and support the grocer’s more than 20-year partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
Manufacturers’ Standings
2009 Manufacturers’ Championship Standings
Toyota 71
Ford 70
Chevrolet 66
Dodge 35
Following Race 11 of 35 Lowe’s Motor Speedway
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Toyota moved back in front in the manufacturer standings and leads Ford by one point heading to Dover.
Toyota swept both races in 2008 and currently is tied with Ford with four victories this season.
Chevrolet, which has three wins in 2009, is only five points out of the lead.
Chevy does have an advantage at Dover. It owns a track-record 26 NASCAR Nationwide Series wins.
Quick Stats For Dover
This will be the 51st NASCAR Nationwide Series at The Monster Mile.
Drivers will be aiming to break the qualifying mark of 157.916 mph, set in 2004 by former series champion David Green (No. 04 Gene Vess-owned Chevrolet).
Starting up front doesn’t necessarily mean finishing up front. In 50 previous races, only Morgan Shepherd in 1995, Joe Nemechek in 2003, Ryan Newman in 2005 and Kyle Busch last season have won from the pole; Nemechek the only driver to accomplish the feat in the spring. However, starting up front has been key, as more than half of all races (32 of 50) have been won from inside the top 10. The furthest back any driver has come from is 36th (Jeff Burton, 2006).
Six drivers have won multiple poles in NASCAR Nationwide Series competition at Dover. Series great Harry Gant leads all drivers with five.
Up Next: Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway will be the first track to host the series twice this season with next week’s Federated Auto Parts 300.
In the first race, Joey Logano rocked the guitar trophy for his first victory of 2009. Logano will try to match two-time series champion Martin Truex Jr. and become the second driver to win both Nashville races in one season. Truex did so in 2004.
FAST FACTS
The Race: Heluva Good! 200
The Place: Dover International Speedway
The Date: Saturday, May 30
The Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
The Distance: 200 miles / 200 laps
2008 Race Winner: Denny Hamlin
2008 Polesitter: Carl Edwards
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DRIVER STANDINGS
Rk Driver Points 1 Kyle Busch 1714 2 Carl Edwards 1641 3 Jason Leffler 1541 4 Joey Logano 1459 5 Brad Keselowski 1473 6 Jason Keller 1296 7 David Ragan 1285 8 Brendan Gaughan 1237 9 Mike Bliss 1234 10 Justin Allgaier 1210
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