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BUSCH: Gibbs Racing Dover preview

DOVER, DE -- (May 30, 2001) Jeff Purvis enters the MBNA Platinum 200 on Saturday looking to meeting his sponsor, MBNA, in Victory Lane. The sixth place points driver tested at the Dover Downs International Speedway just two weeks ago in hopes of ...

Edited: Apr 16, 2008, 12:40 AM

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DOVER, DE -- (May 30, 2001) Jeff Purvis enters the MBNA Platinum 200 on Saturday looking to meeting his sponsor, MBNA, in Victory Lane. The sixth place points driver tested at the Dover Downs International Speedway just two weeks ago in hopes of putting on a great show for MBNA. With a home base less than one hour away in Wilmington, Delaware, Purvis can count on plenty of support from fans at the track.

"This is going to be a special weekend for our race team to have the chance of winning in MBNA's backyard," Purvis said. "We tested really well a few weeks ago and I believe we will have a chance to celebrate in victory lane on Saturday."

Last year Purvis started fourth and tenth and finished 12th and 17th in two races at the one-mile speedway.

McLAUGHLIN HOPES FOR SECOND DOVER WIN

Over the years Dover Downs International Speedway has formed a reputation for allowing drivers to win their first career Busch Series races at the track. Back in 1995 in Dover, Mike McLaughlin charged to his first of six career NASCAR Busch Series wins. This Saturday, the Waterloo, NY native hopes to drive his # 20 unsponsored Pontiac to his second win of the 2001 racing season, and second win at the "Monster Mile."

"That first win was really special for me in 1995," McLaughlin said. "Hopefully we can go back and win this weekend, especially since MBNA is such an important part of Joe Gibbs Racing."

McLaughlin recorded a tenth place finish in last year's MBNA Platinum 200.

PIT NOTES

Three members of the # 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Busch Series team were a big part of Tony Stewart's busy day on Sunday. Crew Chief Tim Shutt and Spotter Curtis Markham served as spotters in the Indy 500 for Stewart. Driver Mike McLaughlin served as back up driver for Stewart in the Coca-Cola 600. Despite a tight schedule, Stewart arrived in time to compete in the 600, finishing third.

Doug Richert, crew chief of the #18 MBNA Pontiac made his first racing start as crew chief for Joe Gibbs Racing one year ago. When Richert joined the team, Purvis stood in 25th place in the point's race, at the end of the 2000 season, Purvis was in 11th position. This year, Richert has led Purvis to a sixth place standing in the point's race.

JGR

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