NASCAR Cup

Homestead: Ward Burton preview

"After the season got off to such a good star with the win in Daytona then we fell hard with a lot of inconsistency throughout the season. It would certainly be nice to end the season the way it began - with a win." -Ward Burton, No. 22 Caterpillar ...

Published: Nov 16, 2002, 5:42 PM

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"After the season got off to such a good star with the win in Daytona then we fell hard with a lot of inconsistency throughout the season. It would certainly be nice to end the season the way it began - with a win."
-Ward Burton, No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge

BURTON ON HOMESTEAD...
"We'll see how we can finish up the year this weekend. The CAT team has qualified real well there in the past and that is more important than ever, so we'll look to get a great starting spot. It is just so hard to make back valuable track position and I think it is the key to good finishes, especially now. You have to gamble on tires to get track position when you don't qualify well and we don't want to have to do that. I am looking for us to have a strong qualifying run and a strong finish to end the year strong. We can regroup, build some new cars and get ready for next season. I think everyone just needs to regroup after a long 20-week stretch."

STODDARD ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE...
"Things are certainly interesting that's for sure. You want to be in the 20 car's position, but at the same time you'd like to be in the 6 car's position. If you look back to last week, the 18 car blew up and that's all it would take for the 20 car to lose the championship. Mark needs to run well, just like he's been doing and not be concerned with what the 20 car is doing. He (Martin) can't finish any worse than second, so the championship is his to win.

"The race is for third through seventh. Those guys are separated by just under 25 points and I think that will be the best race this weekend. I look for some wheeling and dealing on the track between teammates to get positions for the yearend standings. It has been a great year to be in the championship hunt because you didn't need to be perfect. You could have a few blown motors and wrecks and still be right there. It has certainly been an interesting season for the points. We'll see if the 20 car can finally get his championship."

CAT EQUIPMENT...
The No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge competing in this weekend's race at Homestead-Miami Speedway is the same car that the team raced in Atlanta a few weeks ago. Burton was charging through the field when the handling went away in the closing laps. When the car returned to the shop and was disassembled, the crew noticed that the wedge bolt had backed out and Burton was racing with just 42% wedge, a condition that would have put many drivers into the wall. Burton hung on to the car and finished 16th.

FAST FACTS...
Bill and Gail Davis will continue to put some miles on their motorcycles. Following the on driving the Winston Cup season ending-race on Sunday, the Davis' will ride throughout the keys before heading to Orlando, Fla., for the Busch Series banquet. Their driver, Scott Wimmer, will finish third in the point standings for the 2002 season. He also has claimed three victories this year and looks to add another this weekend.

-bdr-

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