DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 AMP ENERGY/NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET – Pole Winner involved in accident, will go to back-up car and start at the rear of the field in both the Gatorade Duel Qualifying Race and the Daytona 500:
NOTE: The No. 88 team just unloaded Chassis 88-576. Jeff Gordon last raced this chassis at Talladega in October to an eighth-place finish. The Budweiser Shootout car will now be the backup. Previously a band-new chassis, it’s currently back at Hendrick Motorsports in the paint booth about to make its way back to Daytona. Chassis 88-576 has been refurbished to meet the nose and other 2011 requirements but hadn’t been tested this season.
WE WERE REALLY IMPRESSED BY THE WAY YOUR CREW CHIEF, STEVE LETARTE, AFTER THE FACT WAS VERY ENCOURAGING AND TOLD YOU NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT, AND THAT THE TEAM WOULD JUST GET THE BACK-UP READY (more…)
-Fresh Off Breakthrough Win In Shootout, Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Driver Hopes To “Double Up” In 500-
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2011) – Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge out of the Penske Racing stable, claimed a breakthrough restrictor-plate victory in last Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout here at Daytona International Speedway. The 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion is now focused on getting his initial points-paying plate race win in this Sunday’s 53rd Daytona 500 on the 2.5-mile tri-oval.
“We’re hoping to double up with our Shell-Pennzoil ‘Double-Deuce” Dodge and make it a sweep by winning the Daytona 500,” said Busch. “Winning the Shootout last weekend was certainly a thrill and was huge for our team. After coming to Daytona and trying so hard over the last 11 years, it was so special to finally be able to pull into Victory Lane. (more…)
JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW
No. 88 Grand Touring Vodka Chevrolet/No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
No. 5 Hellmann’s Chevrolet
EVENT – DRIVE4COPD 300 (120 laps / 300 miles)
TRACK – Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile tri-oval)
DATE – Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011
TV / RADIO – ESPN2 (coverage begins at 1:15 p.m. EST) / MRN (broadcast begins at 12:45 p.m. EST)
Aric Almirola
No. 88 Grand Touring Vodka Chevrolet
“This year Daytona is going to be a little bit different with the repaving of the race track. It’s going to be an unknown for most teams. So going down there with our GT Vodka team, we have a little extra testing time, which is going to be great for us. I’ve raced with a lot of the guys that are going to be in the Nationwide race at Daytona. When you’re drafting it’s so important to trust the guys you’re drafting with. I think many of the guys have a sense of trust and respect for me on the race track when it comes to drafting. I feel like I will get a lot of help once we get out there. (more…)
