Charlotte: Jason Leffler preview

All that glitters is not gold - it's silver for Leffler, Team ASE/Carquest Dodge as team commemorates its ninth season of NCTS competition with special siver paint scheme.

CHARLOTTE, NC (May 12, 2003) - If you see a sparkle in Jason Leffler's eyes this week, it could be the added determination the second year NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver has to win the inaugural truck race at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Friday night. If you see a sparkle on the racetrack, it could be the Team ASE/CARQUEST Dodge. In commemoration of Team ASE's ninth consecutive season of NCTS competition, Leffler's ride will sport a unique silver paint scheme, and Action Performance will produce a 1/24th scale die cast collectible that will be available at CARQUEST Auto Parts later this summer. Team ASE is the longest continuing team sponsor in the NCTS division.

"The Team ASE/CARQUEST silver truck looks great," Leffler said. "We just tested for two days at Lowe's Motor Speedway and it runs pretty good too. As a team we worked real hard on making the truck run good on long runs. This Ultra Motorsports team has shown in the past that we can run fast and win poles but now we want to show that we can win races. This is a brand new truck and we need it to be good over the long haul."

The Hardee's 200 at Lowe's Motor Speedway has all the trappings of a big event for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. This is the series' chance to impress the fans, team owners and fellow competitors in a NASCAR crazed city. The prime-time event under the lights is being coupled on the same weekend with NASCAR's Winston Cup all-star event providing maximum fan exposure.

"I think it is neat that the families and friends of the teams can come out and watch us race." Leffler stated. "There is a lot of excitement surrounding this event. The entire month of May is exciting for me whether you are in Charlotte or Indy. It is just a great time to be racing and I am really looking forward to Friday night."

While this is the first time for the trucks at Charlotte, this layout will not be a total surprise. The NCTS teams have been racing at its sister track, Texas Motor Speedway since it opened. After a two-day, albeit somewhat soggy, test last week most of the teams have a feel for the Lowe's Motor Speedway oval.

"It is similar but certainly not the same," Leffler said. "You can flat foot it around turns one and two just like at Texas. Charlotte is not as smooth as Texas and turns three and four can be tricky. This racetrack has a lot of history. It was the first of the 1.5-mile quad-ovals and it is unique. It is probably one of the most temperature sensitive places we run."

The Hardee's 200 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC is slated for Friday, May 16. The event will be broadcast live by the Speed Channel and MRN Radio at 8 pm EST

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