Kvapil's secret weapon: A winning car

By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
$util.encode.html($content.photo.alt)

John Harrelson
Getty Images for NASCAR

Travis Kvapil has a secret weapon for this weekend’s Food City 500: Last August’s winning car.
 
Yates Racing, as part of its alliance with Roush Fenway Racing, bought the Ford Fusion that won last year’s Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Carl Edwards drove it in the race then, but now Kvapil has his chance in the car, which has been renumbered from No. 99 to No. 28.
 
“So based on that, I’m feeling pretty good about our chances,” crew chief Todd Parrott said.
 
Kvapil, too, is carrying some confidence into the 0.533-mile short track, which he calls “one of my top-three favorite tracks on the circuit.”
 
“It’s a track that reminds me of Friday and Saturday night dirt-track racing in Wisconsin growing up,” Kvapil said. “The atmosphere is great at Bristol, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a lot of success there. I think that one of the main reasons I enjoy racing there is because I have a pretty good feel for what it takes to get around the track.
 
“Bristol makes you charge hard when you’re in the thick of the pack, and you have to be confident enough to keep on the gas. You also have to be aware of what’s going on around you because it’s so easy to get caught up in a wreck there.”

Parrott said qualifying will be important because it’s easier to hold onto track position than try to get it throughout the race.

“Our goal is to stay up towards the front of the pack and have a clean race so that we can be there at the end of 500 laps with a strong finish,” Parrott said.
 
And finishing is obviously crucial, since 43 cars jammed on the high-speed track usually results in mayhem.
 
“Bristol does test the patience of a driver because it’s in our nature to want to pass cars that may be slower than our own, but you realize that in order to be there at the end of the 500 laps still intact, sometimes you need to bide your time and wait for the correct opportunities to make your move,” Kvapil said.

Mentioned Drivers: Travis Kvapil

Comments

2 responses to "Kvapil's secret weapon: A winning car". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    doug pacifico said:
    Mar 13, 2008 at 6:32 PM

    Go out there and win that race 28 crew,that will secure a sponser guaranteed.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report
  2. 2
    doug pacifico said:
    Mar 17, 2008 at 9:17 PM

    Go out there and win that race 28 crew,that will secure a sponser guaranteed.

    Report Abuse

    This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.

    » Confirm Abuse Report

Post a Comment

Disclaimer: All comments are subject to filtering for language, and libelous content. Comments are intended to encourage spirited debate and discussion about the subject matter contained within the articles and ARE NOT intended for personal or demeaning attacks directed at other users. We reserve the right to remove any comments deemed inappropriate. Users who violate this policy may be banned from posting comments on the site.

Comment Preview

Nov 5, 2009 at 10:46 PM
You said:

You must login before you can post comments or rate content.

If you don't have an account you can create a free one here.

2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings

Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500

1 Jimmie Johnson 6248
2 Mark Martin -184
3 Jeff Gordon -192
4 Juan Pablo Montoya -239
5 Tony Stewart -279
6 Kurt Busch -312
7 Greg Biffle -340
8 Ryan Newman -402
9 Kasey Kahne -414
10 Carl Edwards -437
11 Denny Hamlin -448
12 Brian Vickers -556

NASCAR Schedules

abc

Dickies 500

Texas Motor Speedway
03:31 PM, 11/08/2009

Poll PositionView All

What should NASCAR do to make the racing at Talladega better for fans and drivers?

Promotions

  • Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!

  • Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.

  • Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.

  • Cast your vote for the NASCAR Illustrated 2009 Person of the Year, presented by Old Spice.

  • Make weekly pics for the Chase and be entered to win weekly SPEED Merchandise.

NASCAR Community Join the Community

In the Forums View All

Presented by

Don't have an account yet?

Insiders Guide to NASCAR

Register with SceneDaily.com and get access to the following features:

  • FREE Insider’s Guide to NASCAR (available as a PDF download)
  • Daily NASCAR news updates delivered directly to your e-mail
  • Pre-race and Post-race emails delivered each race week
  • Ability to comment on blog and news articles
  • Information on new website features and upcoming contests
Create my Account

Login

Forgot Password?
Login or Create an Account