BUSCH: Alexander Ready to change Luck at Hickory

Alexander set to "Blaise" the asphalt in Hickory

HICKORY, N.C. (April 7, 1998) After coming off of two disappointing finishes in Bristol and Texas, Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender Blaise Alexander and the Keystone Motorsports team are ready to change their luck beginning with the Galaxy Foods 300 at Hickory Motor Speedway this weekend.

The team is optimistic of its chances this weekend as Alexander returns to his short track roots. While he has never visited this track it is similar to those he ran on while competing in the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series.

One thing is for sure -- he will have a great race car to compete in. The car that will be in Hickory is the same one he led Bristol in and ran so well with in Nashville. With Jimmy Spencer behind the wheel the car won a race last year and had several top-5 finishes.

"We've already put the last two weekends behind us and are looking forward to getting to Hickory," Alexander said. "I like short tracks. It seems that we are able to get a handle on them pretty quick.

"This place lends itself to damaging sheet metal. We have to qualify up front and stay there to keep out of trouble. There will be a lot of beating and banging out there but that's no different than what happens at any other short track. We just gotta bang back when we have to and be there at the end."

Crew chief Al Cretsinger has won at this track before with Spencer at the wheel and is optimistic about the team's chances this weekend.

"The kid does not get down on himself or the team and bounces back quickly," Cretsinger said. "He has a good short track record in the ARCA series and knows that on these tracks you have to be patient and take what is given to you. He qualifies well and that's what you need at these short tracks so that you start up front. The car is capable of keeping him up front and he's got the ability to use the car to stay there."

Source: NASCAR Online