Casey Smith Lanier preview

Casey Smith Ready to Return To The Sight Of His "Near Win"
His Fresh New Outlook Continues With His New Website

AUSTIN, TX (April 26, 2004) -- One year ago, it was beginning to look like the improbable may actually happen. Casey Smith, running with a family-owned team in just his eighth-career start, looked like he might just win the ASA event at Lanier National Speedway (GA). Smith took the lead from race leader Kevin Cywinski with just a handful of laps to go, but a little bump from Cywinski quickly knocked Smith back to fourth. The 18-year-old recovered nicely though, coming home third, recording his first career podium finish in ASA competition.

Now, Smith is excited about his return to the site of his near win on May 1st in Georgia, especially after finishing fifth at the season opener in Lakeland (FL).

"I've competed at Lanier a few times and I like it because it's one of those tracks where you have to stay up on the wheel," said the 18-year-old Smith. "We ran third there last year with a car that wasn't really great. We even had a chance to win it late, but we had a strategy that most teams didn't have. We didn't take tires or fuel all night long. I talked to (Mike) Garvey after the race and he said he wished he didn't take tires during the race because he thought it hurt his chances.

"We ended up racing in the middle of the race with Robbie Pyle and everyone that was up front. Before you knew it, we were third and then we were passing for the lead. I didn't even realize that we were going for the lead at the time. Then Cywinski got into me and we got knocked back to fourth. After that, we finished third; I was determined to finish well."

Smith is again determined to finish two spots better than he did last season. With a brand new car and help from team consultant Joe Shear Jr., this could be Smith's year.

"I think I have a lot more experience and I've calmed down a lot since last year. I think going back there for the second time in an ASA car will help me out. I won't have the learning curve to get over like we did last year. I think we will have a great shot at winning.

"With the car we have this year, and Joe Shear's knowledge, I don't see why we can't be up there at the end of the race. But the main thing we are trying to do this year is focus on a top-five every week. If you do that, you can finish at the top of the standings at the end of the year."

Recently, Smith spent a lot of time browsing the NASCAR Busch Series pits at Texas Motor Speedway. Being only 18 years old and full of talent, Smith might have a future in the NASCAR ranks, but is still focusing on honing in his talents at the Short Tracks and speedways of the American Speed Association.

Along with his new car, new paint scheme and new number, which was well documented before the season opener a couple weeks ago, now Casey has a new website to go along with it. And he's hoping everyone can check out the new caseysmith.com.

"It's pretty cool, so I hope everyone else can enjoy it too," stated Casey. "I'm young and I hope to race in the upper parts of NASCAR someday. I am already racing in the series (ASA) that builds champions and now I have a website to keep everyone informed of what I am doing. I encourage everyone to visit it. When I'm not working on the car, I'll be on the site's message boards."

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