Gilliland, Kvapil both hoping to score Yates another Brickyard win
By SceneDaily Staff
Thursday, July 24, 2008
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There was a time when the team now known as Yates Racing ruled Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Dale Jarrett won the Brickyard 400 for what was then known as Robert Yates Racing in 1996 and 1999. Ernie Irvan was in contention to claim the inaugural Brickyard trophy in 1994 until tire problems ruined his day near the finish and all but handed Jeff Gordon his second career victory.
In 1996, Yates cars finished 1-2 at Indy with Irvan following Jarrett to the finish line after losing the lead to Jarrett with six laps to go. Heading into this weekend's Allstate 400 at Indianapolis, Yates’ current drivers, David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil, are both seeking their first career NASCAR Sprint Cup wins.
Maybe they can recapture some of the old Yates magic Sunday.
“Indianapolis is one of those very special tracks that we have the chance to race on throughout the year and it is a track that holds a special meaning to me,” said Gilliland, who started 38th and finished 17th in his lone Indy start which came last season. “The Brickyard is one of the tracks our organization looks at and always wants to perform well at because it has such a steeped history in racing.”
Todd Parrott, who serves as the crew chief on Kvapil’s No. 28 Ford, was the crew chief on Jarrett’s car for both his Indy victories. It’s fair to say that Parrott knows a little something about running well at the 2.5-mile track.
“Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a place I always enjoy going to because it’s such a historic facility for auto racing that having a good run there means a lot to a driver and his team,” Parrott said.
Kvapil finished 37th and 25th in his two Indy starts which came in 2005 and 2006. Maybe this time, he’ll have a run like the Yates cars of yesteryear. “A win at the Brickyard would be something very special to me and this team,” Kvapil said.
- Mentioned Drivers:
- David Gilliland
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