Kentucky: Toyota preview

Toyota, Huffman return to the site of their first victory; look for sixth super speedway win in a row

SPARTA, Ky. (June 14, 2002) - NASCAR Goody's Dash points leader Robert Huffman returns to the site of his first victory in a Toyota Celica this weekend at the "700 WLW 100" at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday, June 15.

Huffman made the switch to the Toyota Celica before the 2001 season, and he earned the manufacturer's first-ever NASCAR victory at the Kentucky track. It was also the first win in NASCAR history for an over-head cam, multi-valve engine.

"I'm really looking forward to going back to Kentucky," said Huffman, the four-time series champion from Claremont, N.C. "We've had a great record at the restrictor-plate races, including the last five in a row, which started last year at this track. Plus, the fans really turn out for the race and love the show."

In addition to winning the last five super speedway races in the No. 37 White House Apple Juice Toyota Celica, Huffman has claimed victory in eight of the last 11 races on tracks one mile or longer. His most recent win at the 1.5-mile Lowe's Motor Speedway was his third of the 2002 season and put him back on top of the NASCAR Goody's Dash championship standings.

Rookie-of-the-year challenger Brandon Ward will be making his fifth start in the No. 11 Ram Fabrication Toyota Celica. The Winston-Salem, N.C., native is currently in 14th-place overall and is fourth in the rookie-of-the-year chase, just 11 points back. Although he only competed in six events last year, Ward already earned his first career Goody's Dash victory at Bristol in 2001.

Wayne Edwards will re-join the Toyota ranks for the first time this season in the No. 75 Food Country/Highland Motorsports Toyota Celica. The Shepardsville, Ky., native finished ninth overall, and second in the rookie-of-the-year standings, last year while driving for Weaver Racing. Edwards earned five top-10 finishes in the Celica.

Weaver Racing will field Billy Baggley for the first time this season in the No. 77 Big Daddy's BBQ Sauce/Bi Lo Toyota Celica. Baggley's past Goody's Dash experience includes a pole at Homestead/Miami Speedway, a 1.5-mile track similar to Kentucky Speedway.

The 67-lap, 100-mile Goody's Dash "700 WJW 100" will run at 11 p.m. EDT on Saturday, immediately following NASCAR Busch Series race. The race will be televised tape delay on SPEED Channel at a later date.

Toyota made its debut in the NASCAR Goody's Dash series at Daytona in 2000. The 27-year-old series is part of the NASCAR ladder system, designed to help promote and develop driver's skills at tracks as varied as Daytona, Charlotte and Bristol. Originally called "Baby Grands," Goody's Dash cars resemble a scaled-down version of a Winston Cup stock car, and each is equipped with a V6 powerplant. Series alumni include Michael Waltrip, Hut Stricklin, Andy Houston and Shawna Robinson.

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