NASCAR Cup

Dover II: Casey Atwood preview

Atwood set for an encore performance at the "Monster Mile". DOVER, Del., September 17, 2002 - Casey Atwood, driver of the No. 7 Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge, has consistently run well at Dover during his career, earning his second career victory ...

Edited: Sep 19, 2002, 1:15 AM

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Atwood set for an encore performance at the "Monster Mile".

DOVER, Del., September 17, 2002 - Casey Atwood, driver of the No. 7 Sirius Satellite Radio Dodge, has consistently run well at Dover during his career, earning his second career victory in the 1999 Busch Grand National race. During his last visit to the "Monster Mile," Atwood never fell below 20th position on the track - often running in the top-10. Atwood and the Sirius Racing crew thought a top-five finish was within reach until contact late in the race cost the team some track position. Regardless, Atwood managed to finish the race in 14th.

The Sirius Dodge has been performing well lately. Atwood and the Sirius Racing crew believe they have the momentum they need to finish the season on a high note, and they are looking forward to returning to Dover this weekend.

Are you glad to be returning to the "Monster Mile" this week?

"I've always enjoyed going there. It's one of the tracks I won a Busch race on, and I've usually run well there every time. The Sirius Dodge was dialed in real well there last time. I think we got up to fifth or sixth that day. We got a bad set of tires and then got knocked out of the way once, but it was a good day for us. I love this race track. We're taking the same car back that we ran last time, so we know we've got a good car for this weekend and a good set up. We know we can have a good run there, so I'm really looking forward to Dover."

What is it about Dover that makes you like it so much?

"It's a track that you can overdrive and not get into trouble. A lot of these tracks you can't over drive; you got to let off early and roll through the corners. Being high banked and concrete, you have a tendency to over drive it and be aggressive with it but still go fast. That's the reason I like it - it's kind of like Bristol, except a lot faster."

You've said that the flatter tracks suit your driving style better, but Dover does not fit that mold. What is it about Dover that makes you successful there?

"I don't know if it's the concrete or what, because I run well at Bristol and Dover, and they're both high-banked. I usually run well on the flatter tracks, but I've also had good success on tracks like Dover. Maybe one day I'll figure out what it is about those tracks, but right now, I'm just glad to be going back there this week."

Dover Stats & Facts

* This will be Atwood's fourth Winston Cup visit to Dover International Speedway. During his last visit to the Monster Mile, Atwood never fell below 20th position on the track - often running in the top-10. Atwood and the crew thought a top-five finish was within reach until contact late in the race cost Atwood some track position. Regardless, Atwood finished the race in 14th.

* Atwood started 18th and finished 9th at the fall race last season.

* After starting 36th in the 2001 spring race at Dover, Atwood was collected in a third-lap accident. The damage slowed him down, but Atwood was able to finish the race and bring the car home 29th.

* Atwood won his second-career NASCAR race here in the 1999 Busch Grand National Series MBNA Gold 200. He started the race from the 5th position.

* Atwood made five Busch Grand National starts at Dover.

* Atwood won the Pepsi ARCA 200 from the pole at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, June 27. He drove the No. 19 Evernham Motorsports-owned Dodge Intrepid R/T as part of the team's research and development program. Atwood's former crew chief Sammy Johns led the team from the pit. This was Atwood's first ARCA start.

-um/em-

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