BUSCH: Talladega: Robert Richardson preview

TALLADEGA -- A FAVORITE TRACK FOR RICHARDSON

McKinney, Texas (April 24, 2007) -- Robert Richardson will return to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend for the first time since earning his career-best NASCAR finish of 16th behind the wheel of a Craftsman Truck last season. This weekend Richardson will return to the driver's seat of the No. 28 Checkers / Rally's Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Jay Robinson Racing as the NASCAR Busch Series takes to the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway for the Aaron's 312. Richardson's best career NASCAR races have come at the larger superspeedways so returning to Talladega is a welcome relief for the rookie.

"I don't really know what it is about the superspeedways that I like so much," said Richardson. "But I know last year in the trucks, Daytona and Talladega were my two best races of the season. And when I drove the NBS car at Daytona earlier this season, I felt pretty good about how I was able to work through traffic. Now that I am getting more comfortable behind the wheel of these Busch cars, I am really excited about getting out on the track at Talladega."

Richardson has made five superspeedway starts in his racing career including two starts at Talladega. In 2005, Richardson made his first start at Talladega behind the wheel of an ARCA RE/MAX Series car for Bob Schacht Motorsports. Richardson started the race in the 33rd position and finished 30th due to an engine failure. Last season Richardson piloted his father's Richardson Racing NCTS entry from his 35th place starting position all the way to 16th at the drop of the checkered flag. Richardson also finished 17th in the Daytona NCTS race in 2006 for his second-best career NASCAR finish.

"We haven't had the best of luck so far this season in the No. 28 car," said Richardson. "But the team is working hard and I think we are making gains. We had some bad luck in Nashville with a fuel leak and missing the field in Texas was pretty disappointing for me. But I am putting that all behind me because I know that I can race well at Talladega and I want to log my career-best Busch Series finish here this weekend."

-credit: jrr