BUSCH: Beating around the Busch, chapter 11

Beating Around the Busch: Chapter Eleven, Nazareth Speedway
By: Thomas Chemris

Braun Racing and Chad Blount have parted ways. Blount who has been in the car since Daytona was twenty-third in the series' points prior to the Nazareth race. The team opted to skip the event and have named Ganassi driver Casey Mears to fill the seat for the remainder of the season.

Call it Jr, Jr, and now Jr. S2 Motor sports has announced that the part time ride left vacant by Steve Park will be filled by two time race winner Hank Park Jr. Parker will join team owner Dale Jr, and Martin Truex Jr as drivers for the number eight Monte Carlo. "First of all, this is just a really good opportunity," Parker said. "It's really cool of Dale Jr. and Teresa to let me drive their Chance 2 car. I don't know if I've ever had the race equipment like they have here at Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

He debuts at Charlotte in the Carquest 300.

Parker's start at Charlotte will make for a busy weekend, as he and Lyndon Amick will co-host the annual Ashe County Civic Center Golf Tournament. In its ninth year, the tournament pairs fan and NASCAR drivers in a day of golf to benefit local activities.

A pair of drivers made career starts at Nazareth

Sophomore Johnny Sauter marked his fiftieth start in the Busch series. Sauter who is the only driver in the championship points race who competes for two different teams currently sits eighth in the standings.

"It's hard to believe that I'm about to make my 50th start in the Busch Series this weekend," Sauter said. "I've been lucky enough to make all of my starts with top-notch programs.

Also posting career numbers was Jason Keller who marked his three hundredth start in Busch.

"I am extremely proud of running this long in the NASCAR Busch Series and remaining so competitive," said Keller. "When you look at how many drivers have competed in the Busch Series, it is pretty elite company that I'm joining this weekend." Keller becomes only the fifth driver in NASCAR Busch Series history to reach the milestone joining Tommy Houston, Elton Sawyer, Randy Lajoie and 1999 Winston Cup Champion Dale Jarrett.

Brian Vickers is changing his luck. The Hendrick driver who has had his share of bad luck changed his lucky charm from an old dollar bill to a lucky quarter prior to his start at Gateway. Vickers received the quarter from a fourth grader in Trinity N.C.

After making the change, Vickers scored his career best finish at Gateway, only to better himself to the runner up position at Nazareth.

2002 series Champion Greg Biffle will return to the Busch series in a car fielded by Roush racing and sponsored by Kraft foods." I appreciate everything that has been done at Roush Racing and Kraft to put this together," said Biffle. "This is a great opportunity for all parties involved and hopefully we can put the No. 9 Uh-Oh! Oreo Ford in Victory Lane next Saturday."

Biffle's' presence in the event will pack the field with former champions as he joins, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Green, David Green and Randy Lajoie for the event that takes place in what many consider there home track.