BUSCH: Buckshot Jones Daytona/Milwaukee Preview

Buckshot Jones Pulls Double Duty on July Fourth Weekend

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (June 23, 1999) - - - In Buckshot Jones' short NASCAR racing career, he has made Milwaukee the site of several career firsts. Just four years ago, Jones made his NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division debut at the historic Milwaukee Mile. At the same track one year later, he visited victory lane for the first time in only his 18th start. During the weekend of July Fourth, Jones will set off fireworks of his own as he attempts to run at the Milwaukee Mile on Independence Day after running at Daytona International Speedway the night before. "I don't think running two races in the same weekend will affect me too much," commented Jones. "I will fly directly from Daytona to Milwaukee after the race, so hopefully I will be able to get some rest. I've never raced in two cities in two days before, so it will be a first." Since he can't be in two places at the same time, Jones will be unable to practice or qualify the Busch car in Milwaukee while racing in Daytona. NASCAR Craftsman Truck driver, Jay Sauter, is scheduled to qualify the No.00 Cheez-It® Pontiac in Milwaukee and Jones will then start from the rear of the field on race day. "I think that starting in the back will hurt us a little bit," Jones stated. "I'll just have to avoid any accidents in front of me and hopefully work my way to the front." Jones is a proven contender at Milwaukee regardless of his starting position. In 1996, he won his first career Busch Series race at Milwaukee after starting 32nd in the 42-car field. Looking ahead to his first Winston Cup race at Daytona International Speedway under the lights, Jones is excited about the weekend. "We had a rough time during the Daytona 500 in February after not qualifying for the race," said Jones. "I can't really gauge myself from that experience because we didn't have the aerodynamics package where it needed to be, so I don't know how I will do driving at this track a second time. We tested the track and had good results. I'm really looking forward to racing at Daytona, but getting a chance to do it at night is even more exciting." The Milwaukee Mile, known as the country's oldest continually operated speedway, has hosted automobile racing events dating as far back as 1903. Although Jones has competed in only four of several hundred events held at the legendary speedway, he has earned his place in the Milwaukee Miles' archives. Some of the distinctions he holds at the speedway include being tied for second on their all time Busch Series list in races led (2), times led (5), top fives (2) and top tens (3). He also resides 19th in laps completed (934), is eighth among active Busch Series drivers in laps led (60) and is fifth in all time money winnings ($63,750) at the speedway. The track is very special to Jones for more than just his accomplishments. "I always like going to Milwaukee for a lot of reasons," said Jones. "We've always been strong at Milwaukee and we've been quick from the time we unload the car. It also holds a lot of personal history for me because it's where my racing career really started to take off." With the excitement building about competing at Daytona under the lights and his proven track record at The Milwaukee Mile, Jones is sure to fill the July Fourth weekend with some fireworks of his own.