BUSCH: Memphis: Aaron Fike preview

Fike and #43 Ollie's Bargain Outlet Curb-Agajanian Dodge Ready To Rock at Memphis

- 21-Year-Old Open Wheel and Busch Series Star Recovering From Two Tough Weekends -

CORNELIUS, NC (October 20, 2004) -- Aaron Fike and the #43 Ollie's Bargain Outlet Curb-Agajanian Team will be taking on the "Sam's Town 'He Dared To Rock' 250 benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital" at Memphis Motorsports Park this Saturday, October 23. This race follows two tough weekends, with on-track incidents taking out the #43 at both Kansas Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway.

This is Aaron's tenth Busch start and his first Busch race at the .75-mile Memphis Motorsports Park oval. He feels that the Ollie's Bargain Outlet Team's luck is about to change. "Kansas and Charlotte were tough for me and the whole team," he said. "I do feel that our DNF streak will end in Memphis. We know we can run well and the cars are strong, now all we have to do is put all the pieces together for this weekend. I think it'll happen."

"The progress of Aaron this season is truly remarkable," said Cary Agajanian, co-owner of the #43 and the managing director of Motorsports Management International (MMI), a company representing many of NASCAR's most successful drivers and brightest stars, including Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray. "With only nine starts under his belt, it's impressive to see him taking on and turning faster laps than some of the more experienced and well-funded teams in the Busch Series."

Aaron Fike, USAC Star Challenging The NASCAR Busch Series

Like NASCAR Nextel Cup stars Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne, Fike started his professional racing career in open wheel cars. He met with considerable success, winning more than 20 feature races in United States Auto Club (USAC) Midgets, Sprint Cars, and the premier Silver Crown Series. He is a two-time National Midget Driver of the Year. In 2001, Aaron broke Jeff Gordon's record and became the youngest driver ever to win in a USAC Silver Crown Series race. Aaron has limited experienced in full-bodied stock car competition, having driven in nine 2004 NASCAR Busch Series races and two 2003 ARCA events. His best finish was a 17th place in September's Busch Series race at Dover International Speedway.

Ollie's Bargain Outlet -- The Perfect Team Partner

Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Inc. is the primary sponsor of the 2004 #43 Curb-Agajanian NASCAR Busch Series Dodge. Ollie's purchases overproduced, overstocked and discontinued goods from manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers and offers a compelling value to its customers by selling these products at prices typically 40% to 50% below suggested retail prices. "Partnering with the Curb-Agajanian #43 team is an ideal situation for Ollie's, as this race team has frequently outperformed its competitors while maintaining a significantly lower budget," said Mark Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Ollie's Bargain Outlet. "Ollie's thrives on selling brand-name, top-quality products at deeply discounted prices, so being associated with a race team that over-delivers is a perfect match for our brand."

SCHEDULE FOR THE "SAM'S TOWN 'HE DARED TO ROCK' 250 BENEFITING ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL"

Practice for the "Sam's Town 'He Dared To Rock' 250 benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital" at Memphis Motorsports Park begins at 1:00 PM EST on Friday, October 22. Qualifying will be held at 4:30 PM EST, televised live on SPEED. The race telecast will start on Saturday, October 23 at 3:30 PM EST on TNT

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