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BUSCH: Young drivers test at MIS

Young drivers look to gain experience during test session at MIS. Parker Jr. and Sauter look to add their name to the prestigious list of Busch series winners at MIS. BROOKLYN, Mich. - Michigan International Speedway has hosted the NASCAR Busch ...

Edited: Apr 16, 2008, 12:40 AM

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Young drivers look to gain experience during test session at MIS.

Parker Jr. and Sauter look to add their name to the prestigious list of Busch series winners at MIS.

BROOKLYN, Mich. - Michigan International Speedway has hosted the NASCAR Busch Series annually since 1992 and the list of past winners reads like a "Who's Who" of the sport. Labonte, Martin, Earnhardt, Jr., Burton and most recently Ryan Newman have etched their names in the record books at the historic two-mile D-shaped oval located in the Irish Hills of southeastern Michigan.

The series returns to MIS August 17 for the Cabela's 250 and two determined men are ready to break into the top-ten in point standings by season end.

Hank Parker, Jr. and Johnny Sauter participated in a two-day test session at MIS August 5 - 6 along with eight other Busch Series drivers in preparation for next weekend's Cabela's 250.

Parker, Jr. currently sits 15 in the series point standings and hopes this test session at MIS will enhance his performance next week and steer him closer to the top in the series point standings.

"I really enjoy this race track and I like racing here," said Parker, Jr. "Hopefully we'll be able to get everything we need to get it together here in the test so we can be good when we come back. Our goal is win another race and I feel like we can get into the top-10 in points. If we could do that, I would be happy."

After recently winning Dodge's first race in the Busch Series since their return last year, Parker, Jr. discusses the changes and opportunities his team has faced this season.

"It has been an experience and a bigger challenge than I thought it was going to be," Parker, Jr. explained. "It has taken us a long time to try to figure everything out. We've had some really good cars in races; we've just had some poor luck. It's awesome to be associated with those guys; they've given us a lot of information and we won the first Busch race in a Dodge, so that was a good experience for me."

Sauter, driver of the #2 ACDelco Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, currently sits 13 in the series point standings and recently captured his first Busch Series win at Chicagoland Speedway. This test session will be Sauter's first appearance at MIS.

"This is the first time I've ever been here," Sauter said. "so I'm just trying to get up to speed and get comfortable during this test. Obviously, next weekend is an important weekend for us, because ACDelco is in the MIS's backyard.

Sauter, the 2001 ASA National Champion, raced in only five Busch Series races in 2001 and would like to end his rookie season solidly in the top-ten in points.

"We've been really good the last five or six weeks, we've been the top finishing rookie, has some really strong runs and won our first race, so we'd like to be in the top-ten by the end of the season."

Reserved seats still remain for the Cabela's 250 NASCAR Busch Series race on August 17. Fan hospitality packages are still available for the Pepsi 400 presented by Farmer Jack on August 18. Fan hospitality packages include the best available seating for MIS' events as well as catered meals, guest speakers and entertainment. For ticket and fan hospitality ordering information, call the MIS ticket hotline at (800) 354-1010 or log on to www.mispeedway.com.

-mis-

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