Fontana: Matt Kenseth preview

NAPA Auto Parts 500
California Speedway
Fontana, Ca
April 28, 2002

Matt Kenseth's thoughts on racing at California Speedway:
"I love racing at California Speedway. Robbie and I have shared great success there, with the exception of last year. In 2000, we led 120 laps, dominated and ended up losing the race in the pits. We pitted in the closing laps of the race, and took four tires. Everyone else took two and we ended up deep in the field. We raced back to third, and just ran out of time to catch the leader. I will never forget that day. Performance wise California is my best track. I've had tremendous success there in the past and really want to win there."

Crew Chief Robbie Reiser's thoughts on California:
"We are taking car 6 to California. It's the car we won the Coca Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway with in 2000, and the car we ran in Atlanta and Texas this year. That car has two wins on it now, and we are ready for a third."

Spotter Mike Calinoff's views from above California Speedway:
"I remember our first time in Fontana very well. We had an awesome car and a legitimate shot to win our first race. Unfortunately, a caution came out with a few laps to go and we finished third. That's probably when I first realized what kind of potential the DEWALT team really had. At one point in the race Matt had an eight-second lead on the field, so there was not too much for me to say. He came over the radio and asked if I was still there. I told him that I was, but I was doing a crossword puzzle since I was so bored! We kid like that all the time on the radio but its best when we are winning!"

NOTES OF INTEREST:

Kenseth Sits In Second
Matt Kenseth sits in second place in the point standings, 109 behind leader Sterling Marlin. The runner up position marks a career high for Kenseth in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

Impressive in California
Kenseth has won two Busch Series races at California Speedway. Prior to the 2001 season, Kenseth never finished out of the top-3 in his four Busch starts, and one Winston Cup start. Additionally, he has completed every lap of every race with the exception of one.

Lap Leaders at California Speedway
Three drivers have led more than half of the 1,250 laps raced at California: Jeff Gordon (329), Mark Martin (194), Matt Kenseth (122) and Rusty Wallace (110).

Top 10 Miles Leaders:
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 548.50
2. Tony Stewart 485.68
3. Matt Kenseth 410.80

Top 10 Lap Leaders:
1. Tony Stewart 467
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 406
3. Jeff Gordon 345
4. Matt Kenseth 305

Appearances

-Matt Kenseth will sign autographs at the Home Depot at 11884 Foothill Blvd. Rancho Cucamonga, CA 92405 from 7-8pm Friday April 26th. The store phone number is (909) 948-9200.

-He will also appear at the DEWALT Rolling Thunder trackside display on Sunday morning, April 28th.

DEWALT Million Dollar Challenge
Be the fastest to drive five screws into a piece of wood and you could have a chance to win a million dollars during a nationwide contest from DEWALT Power Tools. DEWALT, the familiar yellow-and-black power tool company, is launching the Million Dollar Challenge, a promotion that runs from April to November to see who's quickest with a cordless drill. DEWALT will hold qualifying events in more than 50 cities nationwide, stopping at various power tool distributors, construction sites, NASCAR races, and other special venues to see who can drive screws the fastest. Those with the fastest times from each city will advance to one of 16 regional contests, which will be held at select Chevrolet Truck dealerships throughout the country. From there, the top 16 winners will each receive a new 2003 Chevy Express utility van filled with DEWALT tools. They also earn an expense paid trip to the Million Dollar Challenge finals to be held November 8-10 in Phoenix, AZ during NASCAR's race weekend.

During the final round, the 16 contestants will compete to see who will become America's fastest screw driver. The champion will win a chance to beat the clock for a million dollar prize in front of 110,000 fans at the Winston Cup race.

The DEWALT Million Dollar Challenge is presented by DEWALT Power Tools and Accessories, Chevrolet Trucks, Bombardier ATVs and the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau. (Courtesy Todd Walter, SWB)

DEWALT prepares to FRAME IT UP
DEWALT Power Tools is introducing a promotion that will leverage their field marketing's presence on job sites and heighten the focus on it's new lineup of framing products. For the next month (ending April 30th, 2002) the DEWALT Field marketing (Swarm teams) will be focused on the Framing Contractor, and the FRAME IT UP promotion will be in full swing.

For the first time in its history, DEWALT is able to offer every tool the Framing Contractor uses and needs. From framing nailers to compressors, and generators to circular saws, saw blades to tool belts, DEWALT's new lineup is Guaranteed Tough and eager to tackle even the hardest applications.

The Frame It Up promotion encourages the framing contractor to purchase his tools and accessories at the outset of the Framing season. The program allows those who purchase $500+ in select framing products to receive free merchandise. The more you purchase the more your redemption becomes.

The concept is simple, reward folks for their loyalty to DEWALT Power Tools. No matter where they make their purchase. So be on the lookout for the DEWALT field marketing team in your area because FRAME IT UP is coming to a job site near you.

-jrr/dewalt-