A Complete Turn Around as Raines Returns to Dover

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (September 17, 2002) - Entering the first event at the Dover (Del.) International Speedway, Tony Raines, driver of the No. 33 BACE Motorsports Chevrolet, was coming off of a run of disappointing finishes scoring only three top 10s in the first 13 events of the season.  This weekend the NASCAR Busch Series returns to the "Monster Mile".  Since leaving Dover in June the story has been a different one for Raines as he has accumulated four top-fives and seven top-10s in the past 12 races.

The attack by the No. 33 Team on the summer portion of the 2002 schedule has resulted in a seven place jump for Raines in the Busch Series point standings, moving him just one spot out of the top-10 into the 11^th position.  In fact, Raines ranks as one of the top-five drivers in performance since leaving Dover. He has only been outscored in points by Greg Biffle, Jason Keller, Scott Wimmer and Jamie McMurray.  Raines looks to continue his second-half surge in the Busch Series as he will attempt to break into the top-10 in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings. At present he sits 176 points out of the tenth spot currently held by Randy LaJoie.

While Dover has been pivotal for Raines and his Busch Series entry this season, it is also the track where the Indiana native made his Winston Cup debut less than four months ago. In the June event, Raines piloted the No. 73 BACE Motorsports Chevrolet from the 17^th starting position.  Since then, he has added running a limited Cup schedule to his already full Busch Series plate.  This weekend Raines looks to make his fourth career Winston Cup start, marking his second at Dover in as many attempts.

Tony Raines, who will pilot both the No. 74 StaffAmerica Chevrolet (NWC) and the No. 33 Alka-Seltzer Plus Chevrolet (NBS) this weekend, talks about Dover and its impact on his 2002 season:

Let's start simple.  Tell us about Dover.

"It's a track that keeps you on top of your game because things happen really fast so I really like it for that reason.  We've have had good runs here in the Busch car before with a couple of top-10s here last season and a top-five during my rookie year.  It's important for us to keep our momentum up this weekend with a good run.  I think we had a really good car here in the Spring race but with the trouble we had early on pit road, we didn't really get to see everything it could do.  We'll apply what we learned from that race to this weekend and we hope to keep our string of strong finishes going."

The Turn Around Since Spring Dover.

"Minus a couple of finishes, we have had a lot of strong runs since leaving Dover.  It's not fair to say that Dover was a turning point for us. The truth is we had been running well all season but we just didn't have the finishes to show for it because of problems out of our control.  We have learned quite a bit as a team though as the season has progressed and pulled together as a team. A big plus for us is that our confidence is high now because of our recent success.  That confidence puts a great deal of momentum behind you each week and that makes a big difference."

Michael Kadlecik, crew chief for the No. 33 BACE Motorsports Chevrolet on the success of the No. 33 Team in the last 12 races. 

"I think that the Richmond race (fourth place finish) was a good example of the strength of this team and the growth that we have experienced this season.  I believe that had the rains held off at Darlington we would have a top-five run there also because I believe that car was as strong as our Richmond car.  We have developed and grown as a team this season and it's starting to show in the consistency of our finishes."

"I'm looking forward to the remainder of the season.  We had a good test last week at Kansas with some strong qualifying runs as well as race runs there. Our goals haven't changed since the beginning of the season and the top priority is to go out each weekend and win.  If we can continue to apply the knowledge that we've gained this season, I believe a win is within our reach.  There is no doubt that we're definitely getting closer."