Atlanta: Chad Chaffin preview

Chad On Atlanta:

Chad is coming off two disappointing finishes to start the 2005 season.

Despite having strong runs at both Daytona and California, the Nashville, TN native has come home with results that have not reflected the solid runs for his #30 Toyota.

"Atlanta is one of the toughest tracks that NASCAR races on all year and it really means something when you run well there. I have had some success at the track in the past and I expect a strong run there this week. The trucks put on a great performance wherever they go but this race has been called one of the most exciting of the year -- the finish last year was incredible and I look for much of the same again this time around."

Chad On NASCAR's New Rule Changes For Trucks:

"NASCAR puts a lot of research and development into the safety of these trucks and I am sure that their research showed them that the side skirt extensions and increased cowl flaps will help the stability of the trucks. I took a wild ride late in the race at Daytona and I am in favor of any improvements to the stability of these trucks. I think the race conditions this week will give us the true test of the effect of these changes. We always fight these trucks getting loose in traffic as they are just more sensitive to movement of the air than the cars.

Atlanta Testing:

"We tested our Toyota Tundra last week at Atlanta and we feel good about where things ended up at the end of the day. When we unloaded for the test we were not where we needed to be - but we made our truck better over the course of the day and picked up some significant time. This is why you test and I think it will help us tremendously this week for the race."

Career at Atlanta:

Chad will be making his fifth career start at the 1.54-mile oval of the Atlanta Motor Speedway. He has to his credit at the track an outside pole start earned in the 2000 NASCAR Busch Series event -- one of three Busch Series starts at the track for him. His career best finish at Atlanta is a ninth place finish that he earned last season is the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.