Roush Fenway Racing Advance - Fontana 1

Roush Fenway Racing Fast Facts
* David Ragan made his first and only start at California Speedway in the Busch race in September of 2006.
* Ragan qualified 9th for the Ameriquest 300 on September 2, 2006 and finished 41st after being involved in a wreck.
* Ragan is currently fifth in the Nextel Cup Series points standings.
* Ragan currently leads the Raybestos Rookie points standings.
* Ragan is the third Raybestos Rookie to score a top-five finish in the Daytona 500. The others: Scott Wimmer (third in 2004) and Jeff Gordon (fifth in 1993).
* This will be David Ragan’s 2nd career Busch Series Race at Fontana.
* Ragan is one of five drivers racing full-time in both the Busch and Cup Series in 2007.

* In addition to Greg Biffle’s Cup win at Daytona in 2005, he also has three Busch Series wins, including one last February at the two-mile oval.
* Biffle led 168 laps in last season’s Auto Club 500 before an engine failure took him out of contention on lap 229.
* Biffle finished 25th in this year’s season opener at Daytona and currently sits 25th in the point standings, 102 points out of the lead.
* This season Biffle will be running four different primary paint schemes with Ameriquest, 3M, Dish Network and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.
* This weekend Biffle will run the black and gold paint scheme of his California-based primary sponsor, Ameriquest.

* Matt Kenseth is the defending Auto Club 500 Champion, winning this race last February by holding off the No. 48 on a green-white-checkered finish.
* Kenseth has posted four career wins at California Speedway, three in the Busch Series and one in Cup.
* Since 2002, Kenseth has recorded three wins and five top-six finishes in the second race of the season: first at Rockingham ’02, third at Rockingham ‘03, first at Rockingham in ‘04, sixth at Fontana in ’05, and first at Fontana ’06.
* Kenseth will run the Carhartt paint scheme this weekend for the first of four races on the season. The other three being Michigan in June, Loudon in July, and Charlotte in October.
* For his career, Kenseth has led in seven of his 10 Cup races at Fontana for a total of 246 laps (fifth all time).
* Since entering the Cup Series full time in 2000, no one has completed more laps on two-mile ovals (California Speedway & Michigan International Speedway) than Kenseth who has completed 5,299 of a possible 5,302.
* Kenseth’s average finish at the two, two-mile tracks is 9.84; tops among active drivers with 11 or more starts.
* Sunday’s race will mark the second for interim crew chief, Chip Bolin, calling the shots atop the No. 17 pit box. Bolin, who hails from South Carolina with a degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson University, has been the engineer on the No. 17 team since it’s inception in 1999.

* Statistically speaking, California Speedway is Jamie McMurray’s best track of the 22 track circuit.
* In seven career Cup starts at the two-mile speedway, McMurray has five top-10 finishes, including three top-five finishes.
* McMurray has completed all but two laps (1753/1755), a 99.9% laps completed record.
* McMurray has a career starting position average of 24.4 and an average finishing position of 8.9 at California Speedway.
* Among active drivers with more than five starts at California Speedway, McMurray ranks third in percentage of laps completed behind Jimmie Johnson and teammate Carl Edwards.

* Carl Edwards will pull triple duty, competing in all three of NASCAR’s elite divisions, for the second weekend in a row.
* Edwards holds the best average finish of all NEXTEL Cup drivers at California Speedway with a 4.4 average finish.
* Edwards won his first career NEXTEL Cup pole at California Speedway in September of 2005.
* In just five Nextel Cup Series races at California Speedway, Edwards boasts one pole, four top-five and five top-10 finishes.
* Edwards captured his best Cup finish at California Speedway last February in the Auto Club 500 when he finished third.
* The No. 99 Office Depot crew will be unloading chassis RK-270. Edwards captured wins in this car at Atlanta, Texas and Pocono in 2005.
* After one race, Edwards is currently 23 in Nextel Cup driver point standings.

David Ragan
Team: No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Jimmy Fennig
Chassis: Primary RK- 318 New car, tested at Las Vegas
Backup RK- 405 Previously ran at Texas Motor Speedway, finished 35th after
being involved in a wreck

Ragan, NNCS at California Speedway:
-No prior starts.

Ragan on racing at California Speedway:
“The only race that I’ve run at California Speedway was the September Busch race last year and we got involved in a crash when the car in front of us blew a tire. I like the track and I just hope that we will have some better luck this time around. We had a good race last weekend in Daytona so I hope the momentum from that will carry over into this weekend. Sunday’s race will be the Auto Club 500 sponsored by the AAA club of Southern California. AAA has been such a great sponsor, I just hope that we can go out there and give them something to cheer about.”

Crew Chief Jimmy Fennig on racing at California Speedway:
“We had a good race last week. The guys in the shop have built another solid race car so now we just have to take it out there and see what it can do on the track. David has proven that he can compete with what this series has to offer, but that does not give us a reason to slack off. We still have a lot of hard work ahead of us and David still has a lot to learn. I have a lot of confidence in this team and this program so we will just keep working hard to be the best that we can be.”

Greg Biffle
Team: No. 16 Ameriquest Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Pat Tryson
Chassis: 431 Brand new

Biffle, NNCS California Speedway:
Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Poles Money
Cumulative 8 1 2 2 0 $963,720

Biffle on racing at California Speedway:
“California and Michigan are probably my two favorite tracks. I’ve had a lot of success at California Speedway in the Busch Series and we’ve run well there the last several times in the Cup car. We’re taking a brand new car but it is very similar to one we tested in Vegas and we were really happy with that one. My family usually makes it down to California for both races and I think they’re planning to be there this weekend. We were obviously a little disappointed with the way things turned out in Daytona but we’re definitely looking at California as a track where we can get things started on the right foot.”

Crew Chief Pat Tryson on racing at California Speedway:
“We’re taking a brand new car to California this weekend. We modeled this car after one of the cars we tested in Vegas last month and we were really happy with the performance of that car. We’ve taken this one to the wind tunnel and it turned in some pretty impressive numbers, so we feel pretty confident in taking it this weekend. California is a good track for Greg and we had several good runs there with Mark as well, so we’ve got pretty high expectations heading into this weekend.”

Matt Kenseth
Team: No. 17 Carhartt/DEWALT Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Chip Bolin (interim)
Chassis: RK-317 Last ran: Pocono, Jul. ’06, finished 14th
Also ran: All-Star race ‘06; involved in accident, finished 11th
’05 ran Kansas (pole), Texas & Homestead recording three top fives
RK-385 Last ran: Kansas, Oct. ’06, finished 23rd
Also ran: Indianapolis, Aug. ’06, finished 2nd

Kenseth, NNCS at California Speedway:
Races Wins Top5s Top10s Poles Led Money
Spring 7 1 3 4 0 232 $648,664
Fall 3 0 0 2 0 14 $426,730
Cumulative 10 1 3 6 0 246 $1,075,394

Kenseth on racing at California Speedway:
“I’m definitely looking forward to getting out to Fontana. It’s just such a relief to get back into a normal routine at the track. Daytona is so different, in the practice and qualifying schedules and you’re down there for so long, that it just seems to drag on. Then there’s so much build up for the race, you just can’t wait to get it started. This weekend will bring a little normalcy back into our race weekend.

“Fontana has been a good track for us recently. Last February was sort of a weird deal. We didn’t have the best car, but we had it good at the end. Then the two best cars had engine problems and the next thing you know, we were leading when it mattered. I really like this type of track. It’s smooth and wide with plenty of room to try some different lines and set up the pass.

“Chip (Bolin) did a good job for us last week at Daytona and we were within about 300 yards of a third-place finish, but that went away in a hurry. We’ve always bounced back in a big way after Daytona, so I’m expecting nothing less this weekend.”

Interim Crew Chief Chip Bolin on racing at California Speedway:
“It’s business as usual for the No. 17 team. Everyone has done a great job stepping up at the track in Robbie’s (Reiser) absence and I don’t anticipate a let down this week. At the shop, nothing’s changed because Robbie is still there and we continue to work in the same fashion and roles as before. The truth is, we’ve been together so long and Robbie’s done a good job of piecing this team together that the operation continues to run as smoothly as ever.

“We had a good Vegas test in both the Cup and Busch cars and I was able to attend both with Matt. We’ll use that test along with what worked well for us at California last year to hopefully be in contention for a win this weekend.”

Jamie McMurray
Team: No. 26 Crown Royal Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Larry Carter
Chassis: Primary: RK – 445 Tested at Las Vegas Speedway in Jan. 2007
Backup: RK – 403

McMurray, NNCS at California Speedway:
Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Poles Money
Cumulative 7 0 3 5 0 $849,490

McMurray on racing at California Speedway:
“Last week was a tough way to start the season for this No. 26 group; it’s the last thing I wanted to do. It’s disappointing because I have yet to finish a Daytona 500. This weekend we return to a track (Fontana) where, according to stats, it’s my best track; however, I really don’t look at the stats to predict how we are going to run. I hope we get out there and show how strong this team really is for 2007. We had a chance to work on our intermediate program a lot in Las Vegas testing, so hopefully, the hard work will pay off in Fontana. It’s a track that I’ve enjoyed running in the past and a track where I’ve had a lot of success at in the past. Regardless, I hope we have a great race and bounce back a little in the points.”

Crew Chief Larry Carter on racing at California Speedway:
“I know the No. 26 team is looking forward to Fontana this weekend. After the unfortunate luck we experienced in Daytona, I know the guys are looking forward to getting back out there. We worked on a lot of different setups while we tested a couple weeks ago in Las Vegas and that should help us out at California Speedway. I know in the past, the Roush group has had a lot of success with their program. Hopefully, I can take some notes from last year, a few from our test session and give Jamie a great car for this weekend’s race.”

Carl Edwards
Team: No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Bob Osborne
Chassis: RK-270 Edwards raced this car to wins at Atlanta, Texas and Pocono in 2005

Edwards, NNCS at California Speedway:
Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Poles Money
Cumulative 5 0 4 5 1 $722,792

Edwards on racing at California Speedway:
“I just love California Speedway. I have been on the track 11 times and have come away with 10 top 10s and a Busch Series win. The Office Depot Ford Fusion should be extremely fast out there. After Daytona, it will be great to be on a two-mile track where I feel very confident. It should be lots of fun.”

Crew Chief Bob Osborne on racing at California Speedway:
“California Speedway should be a great track for the Office Depot Ford Fusion this weekend. Carl has had a great history there and has always finished well. The track compliments his driving style. It’s very fast and we expect great results. “

NBS
Stater Bros. 300 - Feb. 24, 2007
Fontana, Calif.

David Ragan
Team: No. 6 Discount Tire Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Mike Kelley
Chassis: RK-374 Ran at Fontana and Michigan

Ragan, NBS at California Speedway:
Date Event S F Laps Status Money
9/2/06 Ameriquest 300 9 41 92/150 crash $22,590

Ragan on racing in the Busch Series at California Speedway:
“I got to race here last year in the No. 50 Busch car and we qualified ninth. We have a good car that sets up nicely for this track. It’s very important to get back on the right foot this weekend. We have a great sponsor in Discount Tire and a strong team that yearns for a win. Hopefully it will be a special weekend”.

Crew Chief Mike Kelley on racing at California Speedway:
“We are really excited to get back to Fontana especially after the Las Vegas test. Our car is very fast and I am expecting good things to happen. The whole team has to concentrate on righting the ship and digging out of the hole we were left in after Daytona. I am confident our fortunes will change for the Discount Tire Ford Fusion”.

Greg Biffle
Team: No. 16 3M Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Eddie Pardue
Chassis: RK-373 Ran several times in 2006

Biffle, NBS at California:
Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Poles
Cumulative 8 3 4 6 0

Biffle on racing in the Busch Series at California Speedway:
“I can’t wait to run the Busch race at California this weekend. I won this race with Eddie Pardue and the guys last year and I expect to repeat that this year. Roush Fenway cars have a really strong record at California and I’ve won three Busch races there myself. That track is a lot of fun for a driver because it is so wide and smooth. It’s easy to pass and there are several grooves to choose from to make your car work. If one line doesn’t work you can always move up or down the track to find one that suits the car’s handling. It’s a fun place to race.”

Eddie Pardue on racing at California Speedway:
“I expect to have a really good race in California this weekend. Greg drove to victory lane last year and we have everything in place for him to do that again this weekend. We’re bringing one of our newer cars from the end of last year that he has raced before, so it should be pretty good for him.”

Matt Kenseth
Team: No. 17 Dish Network Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer
Chassis: RK- 360 Last ran Homestead – finished first

Kenseth, NBS at California Speedway:
Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Poles Money
Cumulative 11 3 6 9 0 $457,295

Kenseth on racing in the Busch Series at California Speedway:
“Fontana will always be special place for me, mostly because of the success we enjoyed out there with Robbie (Reiser) and his dad John. We won three Busch races and then finally we broke through with a Cup win last February at Fontana. It’s just a great race track. It’s big and fast, smooth and wide. You can run several different grooves and try some different things to make your car work better through the turns. You don’t have to have a perfect handling racecar because there are some different things you can try on the entry and exit of the turns to make your car work better. We were good here last year in the Busch Series, but not quite good enough to compete for the win at the end. I’m sure Drew (Blickensderfer) and the guys have done a great job setting the car up and if the Vegas Busch test is any indication, we should be able to compete for the win this weekend. “

Crew Chief Drew Blickensderfer on racing at California Speedway:
“We are taking the car that last ran at Homestead and was really strong and it tested well at Las Vegas this year. California has been good to Roush Fenway Racing and we always look forward to going out west. This is the first down force race this year, so we are excited to see how all the things we have been working on this winter will work out on the track.”

Carl Edwards
Team: No. 60 World Financial Group Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Pierre Kuettel (P. K.)
Chassis: RK- 377 Last ran at Homestead; finished 2nd

Edwards, NBS at California Speedway:
Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Poles Money
Cumulative 4 1 2 3 1 $200,626

Edwards on racing at California Speedway:
“I just can’t wait to get into the World Financial Ford Fusion at California. It’s great to have them back with us. The last time we ran their paint scheme we ended up in Victory Lane. California Speedway is just awesome. It’s very fast and runs a lot like Michigan. It has multi-grooves and should provide some very exciting racing.”

Crew Chief Pierre Kuettel (P. K.) on racing at California Speedway:
“We’re coming off a great race in Daytona and we’re hoping to capitalize on the momentum for California. Statistically, this is one of Carl’s best tracks. He’s also won there in a Busch car. We will be running the World Financial Group paint scheme for the first time this year. We tested chassis 377 at Vegas and it ran like a rocket. We’re taking it and we’re looking for great results.”

NCTS
San Bernardino 200 - Feb. 23, 2007
Fontana, Calif.

Travis Kvapil
Team: No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford F-150
Crew Chief: Mike Beam
Chassis: 50, last raced at Homestead where Mark Martin won after starting sixth.

Kvapil, NCTS at California Speedway:
Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Poles
Cumulative 4 0 1 3 1

Kvapil on racing at California Speedway:
“It’s been a couple of years since I’ve raced at Fontana in a truck, but the last time we were out there we sat on the pole. It’s a big speedway and drafting will play a big part in the race. You’ve got to have good horsepower and a good handling truck to get around there. We had a great race at Daytona last week. We were all a little disappointed with the finish, but it’s really fired all the guys up. We can’t wait to get to California and seal the deal out there.”

Crew Chief Mike Beam on racing at California Speedway:
“California Speedway is one of those tracks where you’ve got to have everything just right if you’re going to go to victory lane. It’s a wide track with multiple grooves, so you can seek out where your truck runs the best. Travis has run well here in the past, and we won this race with Mark Martin last year. We feel like we’ve got a good chance at the win again this year.”

Carl Edwards
Team: No. 50 Roush Fenway Racing Ford F-150
Crew Chief: Matt Puccia
Chassis: 47, last raced at Homestead in November where Michel Jourdain started 25th and finished 31st

Carl Edwards, NCTS at California Speedway:
Races Wins Top 5s Top 10s Poles
Cumulative 2 0 0 2 0

Edwards on racing at California Speedway:
“We had such a great truck in Daytona last week, but experienced some bad luck early in the race. I am very excited about having a second shot driving the No. 50 Ford F-150 at one of my favorite tracks, California Speedway. The 2-mile oval is very fast and driving the truck there should be a lot of fun. “

Crew Chief Matt Puccia on racing at California Speedway:
“We can’t wait to get to California and leave the disappointment of Daytona behind us. Carl runs really well at these big, open tracks. I know he’s even more determined to put us in victory lane after last week. It was a mechanical failure that took us out of contention, something that we really couldn’t control, but it stings knowing what we could have accomplished.”

Erik Darnell
Team: No. 99 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford F-150
Crew Chief: John Quinn
Chassis: 41, last raced at Homestead in November, where Darnell started fifth and finished third.

Darnell, NCTS at California Speedway:
Date Event S F Laps Reason Money
2/24/06 racetickets.com 200 11 11 106/106 Running $15,100

Darnell on racing at California Speedway:
“This will be the second time around for me at California Speedway. We had a decent run there last year, but we’re looking to improve on it this year. We had a strong run at Daytona, but I feel about like Travis probably feels - we didn’t get the finish to show for it. We’re going to look to rebound from that with a strong run in Fontana.”

Crew Chief John Quinn on racing at California Speedway:
“We’re all looking forward to getting to Fontana this weekend. We’re bringing truck chassis No. 41, which is a really good truck. We had a lot of good runs in this truck last year and we think it will be even better this year with the new nose on it. This is a track where you need the total package between aero and motor, and we feel like we’re in a great position on both.”