BUSCH: Travis Kittleson to try for Memphis debut

Kittleson Plans To Make Busch Debut at Memphis
ASA Regular Will Test ¾-Mile Short Track With DEI

CONCORD, NC (August 17, 2004) -- While his 2004 American Speed Association season may not be going just as planned, Travis Kittleson isn't just sitting around. Instead, the 24-year-old is making things happen. And one of those things will be his NASCAR Busch Series debut, which he hopes will come October 23rd in the Sam's Town 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park (TN).

Travis and the R/T Racing/Bob Steele Chevrolet team will test at the Memphis track on September 13th and 14th between the Elko Speedway (MN) and Kentucky Speedway ASA events. The team recently purchased a Busch car and will enter it in hopefully two to three Busch events this season.

"I'm really looking forward to the Busch program," said Kittleson. "We've been working hard on everything over the last couple of months to get the car ready in between our ASA program. We are working out our motor options right now and once we do that, everything will be set. We'll be ready to head to Memphis and get our first taste of Busch racing."

Travis said the team, which will utilize the number 68 and the same style paint scheme as his ASA car, will test at Memphis with Dale Earnhardt Incorporated's Busch team.

"I'm not sure if it will be Martin Truex Jr.'s team or Paul Menard's team that we will be testing with, but either way, I'm really looking forward to it. Who better to be able to share the racetrack with than one of the DEI teams! They are one of the best in the Busch Series. Hopefully, by sharing the track with them, we will be able to learn even more about the cars and get some helpful tips."

Depending on the team's performance at Memphis, Kittleson says they would like to enter a couple of other races once the ASA season is done. Possibilities might include races at Atlanta Motor Speedway (GA) and Homestead-Miami Speedway (FL).

"It has been a tough year, thus far," said Kittleson of the progress of his ASA season. "We've had a good car, but we just haven't had the finishes to show for it. That doesn't, by any means, show the strength of this team or my ability. We ran second to start the year out and have raced well several other weeks, but we just keep running into problems during the races, be it mechanical problems or getting caught up in other people's messes. It is frustrating. We are a great team. One of the best in ASA, I do believe.

"So the Busch deal will be a nice little change of pace. I have a lot of faith that with the right help and a lot of learning, we can do well in the Busch car. My whole goal is to go out there and get experience. Seat time is key in those types of cars. After that though, of course, we want to get the best possible finish that we can. I hope if we go out there and can be competitive in a family-owned team, much like Martin Truex did a couple of years ago, maybe we can get noticed by some people."

Kittleson is also going to continue to stay behind the wheel of a race car as much as possible, even when not in the ASA or Busch car. Kittleson took his Super Late Model to Florida a couple of weeks ago to compete in a FASCAR Sunbelt Series race at USA International Speedway, but that event was rained out.

"We are going to keep racing. We are going to race as much as we can. But we are not going to take away from our ASA deal. That is still the main focus this year and we are still right there in the top-10 in the point standings and with some of the speedway races coming up, we could really make a shot toward the top of the standings.

"It will be hard to beat the guys like Kevin Cywinski, Mike Garvey and Robbie Pyle, but all it takes is one or two bad races for them and a couple of good top-fives for us and we are right back in it. It isn't over by any means."

-r/t racing-