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Travis Kittleson Lanier race notes

Travis Kittleson Proves Championship-Style Character at Lanier Now, It's On To the Superspeedway of Kentucky CONCORD, NC (May 3, 2004) -- Championships are built out of character-building experiences. That's something 24-year-old Travis Kittleson ...

Published: May 5, 2004, 6:21 AM

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Travis Kittleson Proves Championship-Style Character at Lanier
Now, It's On To the Superspeedway of Kentucky

CONCORD, NC (May 3, 2004) -- Championships are built out of character-building experiences. That's something 24-year-old Travis Kittleson is beginning to learn. At the end of ASA's Lanier 250 at Lanier National Speedway (GA) on Saturday night, Kittleson compared his car's appearance to that of a "mini stock on its worst night." Kittleson had just endured one of the toughest races, both physically and mentally, of his blossoming career. Yet, with all things considered, Kittleson was surprisingly upbeat after the race.

Despite all of the problems the team encountered during the second race of the ASA season, Kittleson was able to remain on the lead lap and come home with a 12th-place finish. Due to the hard work of his team, Kittleson is still very much a favorite for the 2004 ASA National Championship.

"Somebody told me this is a championship-style finish. We made the best out of a bad situation and that proves how strong this team is even with limited funding," commented Kittleson, who held the ASA point lead entering the event.

Kittleson, like many others during the race, was bit by ASA's new "choose rule" on race restarts. The rule dictates that drivers can choose which lane they want to start in (outside or inside) during each restart.

"Our car got torn up because of this restart rule," stated Kittleson. "Even though we got caught up and damaged in a bunch of stuff early, we never lost a lap, even though it looks like there is 1,500 lbs of duct tape on the car.

"The crew did a great job. I mean, I can't say enough about them. They made up for what the series is lacking. Because of Johnny Killen, Dan Walker, Tim Mooney, Bob Howard, Randy "Tank" Young and Gary Crooks busting their butts like they did, we will still be in the points hunt when we head to Kentucky.

"If we have an off night, we want to be able to make the most of it and get all the points we can, and we did that tonight. Our goal is this championship this year."

As Kittleson mentioned, the team now heads to Kentucky Speedway this weekend for the first of four superspeedway events on the 2004 schedule. Travis was one of the fastest cars in testing at Kentucky and was the fastest at Atlanta Motor Speedway (GA) last week. To say things are looking up for the second-year ASA driver would be an understatement.

"I really enjoyed the tests and enjoyed running on the big tracks. These cars handle great there. It is like being in a big go-kart. I think we should have a great race there and put on a hell of a show for the fans.

"I don't think the race will turn out to be like a Talladega or Daytona deal," added Kittleson. "There are so many grooves for these cars at the big tracks. You can pass a guy easier, as compared to a short track, where, if you are faster, you've still really got to work to pass. Here, there are so many grooves to choose from and that will make for some great racing."

The BFGoodrich Tires 125 at Kentucky Speedway will be televised live on SPEED Channel this Friday night, May 7 at 8 pm (EST).

-r/tr-

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