NASCAR Cup

Talladega: Ward Burton preview

"We were all concerned about the racing at Daytona with the new rules and I think for the most part the racing was good and people were happy with the way things were. It was a lot better than running three wide for 500 miles in one big pack. I ...

Published: Apr 19, 2002, 4:18 PM

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"We were all concerned about the racing at Daytona with the new rules and I think for the most part the racing was good and people were happy with the way things were. It was a lot better than running three wide for 500 miles in one big pack. I think NASCAR keeps trying to make it safer and better for the drivers without taking away the good show for the fans."
-Ward Burton, driver of the Caterpillar Racing Dodge

Talladega Superspeedway
Aaron's 499

BALDWIN ON CHANGES TO RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACING...

"It has been a hot topic of discussion for the past couple of years and I think everyone wants to see more changes, but I think they will be slow coming. NASCAR is in a very different position. They have to analyze things without the emotions that drivers and teams sometimes feel at those tracks. I know they are in a very difficult situation where they're trying to make the best of the situation, but it is hard to accomplish over night. As long as they keep tweaking the rules and trying to make it safer for us and still put on a good show for the fans, they are moving in the right direction"

BALDWIN ON WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND AT TALLADEGA...

"The rule changes that NASCAR has made should prevent the same type of racing we saw here last year, where you couldn't get away from each other. The handling should eventually come into play after awhile and of course the horsepower will also play into who can win that race. The CAT team definitely has the horsepower to win the race, so we'll concentrate on getting Ward a good handling racecar. We feel like we should have a good qualifying car too, since we didn't miss the pole in Daytona by much (qualified fifth). We'll work hard at starting up front and then hope to avoid any wrecks and finish up there too."

FAST FACTS...

The No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge team is forced to return to restrictor-plate racing at Talladega Superspeedway with a new car. The teams most successful speedway car is on display in Daytona USA following Burton's Daytona 500 victory. The team tested the new car last week with Tom Hubert behind the wheel. Hubert is a mechanic and tire changer at Bill Davis Racing, but has seen racing action in the Busch and Truck Series.

Travis Kvapil, driver of the No. 60 CAT Rental Store Craftsman Truck, will wed his high school sweetheart this weekend. Kvapil was the 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year. He also posted his first Truck Series win at Texas and produced a fourth-place finish in the point standings.

-bdr/cat-

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