Bristol: Scott Wimmer preview

Scott Wimmer hopes past Bristol success leads to Victory Lane this time around; Pole sitter for this race in 2008 says "Bring on Bristol"

MOORESVILLE, NC -- (March 17, 2008) -- Scott Wimmer is one driver who seriously loves racing the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway. And, he's hoping that short-track passion carries over from years past right to the top of the Goodyear garage this weekend.

That's where Victory Lane is in Turns 3 and 4.

Wimmer is making his fourth race attempt for Key Motorsports in the No. 40 Chevrolet. In their last outing together, Wimmer gave the team its best NASCAR Nationwide Series finish since 1995 by posting an 11th-place effort at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

And, team owner Curtis Key couldn't find a better candidate for the high-banked, half-mile mayhem of Bristol to get the job done than Wimmer. In 11 Nationwide races on the .533-mile concrete track, the Wausau, Wisc. native has one Coors Light Pole Award, three top-five finishes and six top-10s.

The pole was achieved for this race last year driving for Richard Childress Racing. Now, Wimmer would like to put his name on the winner's trophy for a NNS career seventh time.

What makes you so good at Bristol: "It's like the short tracks I grew up on racing in Wisconsin. The ones I raced up there weren't banked as high, but when you apply the short-track mentality everyone talks about it becomes very helpful. I just love racing that track and have been fortunate with my success there in the past. We had our best finish for Key Motorsports in a long time at Las Vegas, and I'm hoping we can improve upon that this week in Bristol."

What's it going to take for you to win: "The secret to Bristol is keeping your car clean and in one piece. You have to be there at the finish to finish. Fortunately for me, that's one thing I've been able to do at Bristol in the past and I plan on doing that again this Saturday."

Wimmer at Bristol: Three of his last four BMS starts have resulted in one top-five and three top-10s. The one non-top 10 was a 12th-place finish last year. He's completed 2492 of 2721 laps (91.6%) leading a total of 51 circuits. His pole last year was his best start and best finish was second in 2002.

Nationwide Career: In 171 starts; Wimmer has earned six wins, 29 top-fives and 68 top-10 finishes.

Change in crew chiefs: Gary Showalter has been brought on to lead the NASCAR Nationwide Series efforts for the No. 40 Chevrolet team. The veteran crew chief is a multiple winner with drivers such as Kenny Irwin, Butch Miller and Terry Cook, to name a few. His first race with Key Motorsports and Wimmer produced a decade-old best of 11th place at Las Vegas.

Did you know: Scott joined NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine, open-wheel driver Arie Luyendyk, Jr and drag racer Hillary Will for a 12-day tour of Iraq in December? While visiting US Troops, Wimmer drover Tanks and Humvees.

Car Facts: The team will utilize Chassis No. 003 which was last raced at the fall race at Bristol in 2008 earning a 28th place finish.

-credit: km