NASCAR Cup

Atlanta II: Boris Said preview

Slight Detour Doesn't Dampen Said's Spirit For Final Race of Season ATLANTA (Oct. 25, 2005) -- A detour for a road-racing specialist like Boris Said is no big deal. In fact, the drivers who enjoy the twists and turns of multiple-direction race ...

Published: Oct 28, 2005, 6:17 AM

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Slight Detour Doesn't Dampen Said's Spirit For Final Race of Season

ATLANTA (Oct. 25, 2005) -- A detour for a road-racing specialist like Boris Said is no big deal. In fact, the drivers who enjoy the twists and turns of multiple-direction race tracks, welcome a detour now and then.

However, Said's recent detourdid not come at a road course, buton an oval -- more specifically at Lowe's Motor Speedway outside of Charlotte. Andthe Lowe's detour was not about a turn or direction. It was about performance.

The colorful Said, who is a part-timer in theNextel Cup Series,did not qualify at Lowe's two weeks ago, which halted his Nextel Cup momentum on a non-restrictor plate oval.

The week prior toCharlotte, Said competed at the 1.5-mile track in Kansas. He was upbeat after the event, feeling that he was starting to figure out the oval-style of racing.

"Not qualifying at Lowe's was a big-time bummer," offered Said, driver of the No. 36 CENTRIX Financial Chevrolet for MB/Sutton Motorsports. "It was nobody's fault but my own. Imade an error in qualifying by not hitting the right marks. Yes, I was bummed, but my enthusiasm and excitement after leaving Kansas have not wavered. I'm confident and ready to deliver amake-goodperformance this weekend in Atlanta."

Said's attempt to qualify for Sunday's Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 will be the 12th and final Cup race he will enter this season.

"There will be a lot of cars in Atlanta but I am confident that we can get the job done and qualify," noted Said. who will be making his first visit to the ultra-fast 1.54-mile oval. "We tested well there and should be in good shape. We just need to make sure the driver has an error-free performance in qualifying. If not, I might have to take him out to the woodshed to havea serious discussion."

As Said's Nextel Cup season is coming to a close, the multi-dimensional racer from Carlsbad, Calif., has had positive results in 2005.

His first order of business was to qualify for the Daytona 500. He did that and did it well.

Said was a contender at the two road courses andhad a career Cup finish of third at Watkins Glen. He also posted his best qualifying efforton an oval,recording the fourth fastest speedat Daytona for theJuly race.

"I have a great team and a great crew chief (Frank Stoddard)," offered Said. "It's been a pleasure to drive for the CENTRIX Financial team -- a bunch of good guys and also a bunch of good teammates with the Army and Valvoline teams. I want to finish 2005 in style -- just like a golfer wanting to birdie the closing holes."

-mb/sm-

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