Square D Racing Review/Preview

Square D Racing Review/Preview -----------------------------------------------

CHARLOTTE, N.C., (June 7, 1999) - Okay, so it wasn't the MBNA Platinum 289. But up to that point, Square D Chevrolet driver Kenny Wallace was having a stellar run at the one-mile Dover (Del.) Downs International Speedway.

After starting fourth for Sunday's MBNA Platinum 400, Wallace ran in the top-10 all day. Consistently quick pit work and a tenacious drive had Wallace running with the leaders in seventh place until misfortune struck.

Coming out of turn two on lap 290, Wallace grazed the wall before being hit and turned by Jeremy Mayfield. The Square D Chevy backed hard into the wall, and Wallace's day was over.

"When you come here all you want to do is survive," said Wallace, who finished 39th. "I was in the wall before I knew it, but our car was excellent. We showed what this team is capable of doing. We're on the right track." * * * It was The Beatles who had the 1969 hit "Come Together." After three straight qualifying efforts in the top-four, and strong runs at Charlotte and Dover (Del.), members of the Square D Racing Team are singing the same tune.

"Our engine program, our aero technology and our chassis setups have really come together," said driver Kenny Wallace. "It's a complete combination that's allowed everyone on the team to really focus on their individual responsibilities."

Horsepower has been an important ingredient to the recent success of the Square D Racing Team. T&L Engines have been working in concert with Andy Petree Racing (APR) all year, supplying both qualifying and race engines. But as APR moves toward bringing all of its engine technology in-house, race powerplants built by APR chief engine specialist Jerry Vess will be used in the Square D Chevy, while T&L will continue to provide qualifying power.

"The T&L motors have just had a tremendous amount of horsepower," said Wallace. "The qualifying engines have been awesome this month, and Jerry's been building us equally strong race motors. It's given Jimmy (Elledge, crew chief) and the guys the ability to concentrate on the cars, and I've been able to concentrate on my driving."

Heading into Sunday's Kmart 400 at Michigan International Speedway, horsepower joins downforce and fuel economy as keys to success at the two-mile oval.

"We've put a lot of effort into the aerodynamics of our bodies," said Wallace. "Not just in creating downforce, but in creating an overall balance with the car. You don't want the front of the car to have so much downforce that the rear of the car is picking up. Combine that with our motor program, and the end result is better fuel economy. I feel as good as I've ever felt going into Michigan."

Kenny Wallace's Michigan Performance Profile ---------------------------

Year                   Event                  Start              Finish              
Status/Laps            Earnings
1998             Miller Lite 400              23                39                    
Running/194              $18,880 
1997               Miller 400                    33                43                    
Engine/1                    $21,780 
              ITW DeVilbiss 400              44                32                    
Running/198              $22,640 
1996               Miller 400                    16                33                    
Running/392              $10,385 
               Goodwrench 400              13                37                    
Accident/84                    $13,690 
1995               Miller 400                    33                36                    
Engine/78                    $9,900 
               Goodwrench 400              10                24                    
Running/196              $10,915 
1994               Miller 400                    22                19                    
Running/198              $9,825 
1993               Miller 400                    33                29                    
Running/196              $9,965 
                 Champion 400              14                23                    
Running/199              $10,565