Check out this week’s Nationwide Series Notes & Quotes heading into Bristol Motor Speedway for the American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop Diabetes 300. (Updated up to Race Day)
The Nationwide Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is Saturday, March 15 with television coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and radio broadcasts on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Channel 90.
Kelly Admiraal joins RAB Racing for only his second career Nationwide Series start and first at Bristol. Admiraal, though, is no stranger to short-track racing. He most recently competed in the K&N Pro Series West race at Phoenix International Raceway and was running in the third position with just a small handful of laps remaining until a flat right-front tire relegated the Canadian native to a 19th-place finish. In just seven starts in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, Admiraal has two top-ten finishes, coming at Phoenix and Sonoma in 2013.
Kelly Admiraal Quotes:
“I’m really excited to have this opportunity with RAB Racing along with the support of Swan Rentals. Swan came on board for 2014 and I’m honored to be able to represent them this weekend in Bristol. Having this opportunity to race at the famed Bristol Motor Speedway is a dream come true! Over the past couple of months I’ve been able to spend some time in Concord at the RAB Racing facility and get to know crew chief Matt Lucas. Lucas is definitely a huge asset to me and this team, they are definitely top-notch and highly competitive. I’m really looking forward to working with them.”
Matt Lucas Quotes:
“Everyone here at RAB Racing is really looking forward to having Kelly Admiraal in one of our Toyota Camry’s at Bristol Motor Speedway. Our first goal is to get him comfortable running around the high banks at Bristol with the different lines and characteristics of a race track that he’s never seen before. Once he’s comfortable we’ll work on getting the No. 29 Swan Rentals Toyota Camry faster and getting Kelly to the checkered flag. A track like Bristol will be great experience for Kelly moving forward in his career.”
Don’t miss any updates from Admiraal and RAB Racing.Follow them on Twitter @Kelly_Admiraal and @RAB_Racing.
Armstrong to Make First Nationwide Start at Bristol, Third Career NASCAR Start
Dakoda Armstrong has a new look this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Fresh from Florida will make their 2014 début on the No. 43 Ford Mustang for their first of three primary races this season. They will also be featured at the Charlotte race in May and the Daytona race in July.
Dakota Armstrong Quotes
“Bristol is a fun place. I like the shorter tracks. It’s just one of those places that you need to get everything right. The line there has moved up too, and I’ve noticed that the Nationwide drivers really like to run the higher groove there. Usually, everyone starts off practice running the bottom and then move up before it’s over to make sure that your car is going to work in both areas and to make sure you’re able to pass and run well anywhere on the track. I’m really excited because I think we’ll be good there.
“I’ve raced at Bristol in the truck series, and I think it’s one of the places where there won’t be too much difference between the trucks and the Nationwide car. The power will be pretty close to the same and aero won’t be as important. The biggest thing is to get it to turn on such a fast track.
“I’m looking forward to having Fresh from Florida on the car this weekend. Obviously, I grew up in a family with an agricultural background, and WinField is an agricultural company, so to represent an entire state’s agricultural efforts is really, really cool. It’s the perfect tie in for our team, and I hope we can give them a strong finish. “
James Buescher returns to the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) in a NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) car for the first time since 2012. Buescher has a total of eight starts at BMS, three of which came in the NNS while five in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Buescher’s best finish at the BMS came in the Truck series in 2011 when he finished fourth. Buescher’s best finish in the NNS at BMS is 13th also in 2011.
James Buescher Quotes:
“I enjoy racing at Bristol, I’ve had some good results in the Truck series in the past. Bristol however can be a very tough race track. You constantly have to be on your toes and be ready for anything. Everything tends to happen quicker at Bristol. My Rheem team has had some solid races to start the 2014 season; we’re just lacking the results we’ve expected. I think if we can get some luck on our side, we’ll be able to string together some strong results.”
Don’t forget you can follow James Buescher and his race team, RAB Racing on all social media platforms including twitter and Instagram, @JamesBuescher, @RAB_Racing and on facebook at facebook.com/JamesBuescherRacing and facebook.com/RABRacing. Continue to stay up-to-date with in-race updates, frequent Q&A chats and giveaway contests!