Track: California Speedway (two-mile oval) in Fontana, Calif.
Race: Sony HD 500 Date: 09.04.05
NASCAR Nextel Cup driver points position: 33rd (same as last week) Owner points: 33rd (same as last week)
Notes:
- The No. 22 CAT Dealers Dodge Charger at California Speedway this weekend is Chassis No. 65 It most recently raced at Michigan International Speedway where Scott Wimmer and his Caterpillar team overcame more than one obstacle to post a top-25 finish (started 22nd, finished 23rd). Before that, it was run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Wimmer and team worked to overcome two back-to-back, early-race setbacks and took a little gamble toward the end of the race to eventually finish the day where they started, in 26th place.
- CAT Dealers on board with Wimmer This Labor Day weekend, Caterpillar is saluting its global network of 220 independently-owned dealers in 200 countries by running the No. 22 CAT Dealers Dodge in the Sony HD 500. Caterpillar thought this Labor Day weekend would be an appropriate time to show its appreciation for its CAT Dealers that provide superior Caterpillar products and world-class service and are valued long-time supporters of the CAT Racing program. To learn more about the Caterpillar Global Dealer Network, go to www.cat.com
- Look left for a glimpse of the past As fans, industry workers and guests enter the infield of California Speedway this weekend, they need to look to the left after they come through the infield tunnel, as they will see a glimpse of the past. The Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club (ACMOC) will showcase some of its prized pieces for all race attendees to enjoy and reminisce. Multiple pieces of antique Caterpillar equipment will be on display, including a 1917 HOLT 75 that was purchased in Boulder, Nev., where it had helped develop some of the early casinos in Las Vegas; a 1925 BEST 30 that was viewed as a transition model when the Caterpillar Tractor Co. was formed in 1925; a 1929 CAT 60, which is one of only 55 units ever made; and a 1932 CAT 20, a rare wide-gauge orchard model that was used in the California fruit orchards in the early 1900s. To learn more about ACMOC, go to www.acmoc.org.
- Bill and Gail join select group Bill and Gail Davis NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory with Mike Skinner and the No. 5 Toyota Tundra team at Bristol Motor Speedway last week put them in an elite group in the NASCAR community. Not only was it their 17th win in the top three series of NASCAR, but it also entered them into being part of only six other team owners who have been to Victory Lane in all three NASCAR touring series. The Davis join Richard Childress, Dale and Teresa Earnhardt, Rick Hendrick, Jack Roush and Darrell Waltrip, as the only team owners in the sport to record victories in the Nextel Cup Series, Busch Series, and Craftsman Truck Series.
- Testing at RIR Weather permitting, the No. 22 Caterpillar team is planning a one-day test at Richmond International Raceway today (Wednesday, Aug. 31).
- Meet Wimmer in California Wimmer will stop by his merchandise trailer on souvenir row just outside California Speedway to meet fans and sign autographs from 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. PT, Saturday, Sept. 3.
- Dont miss any of it Qualifying for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Sony HD 500 is scheduled to start at 2:20 p.m. PT (5:10 p.m. ET) Saturday, Sept. 3, and will broadcast LIVE on SPEED (TV), MRN (radio) and XM Radio Channel 144. The Sony HD 500 is scheduled to start at 5:10 p.m. PT (8:10 p.m. ET) Sunday, Sept. 4, and will broadcast LIVE on NBC (TV), MRN and XM Radio.
The last time you visited California Speedway, you had a pretty good run. What did you learn the first time around? We did have a pretty good effort at California earlier this year. It was the first impound event for us, so that definitely presented a whole new undertaking. We were still able to improve my qualifying position, compared to my past attempts at the California track. It still didnt put us where we had hoped to be, so we had some making up to do on Sunday. Then, come race time, the No. 22 Caterpillar car was losing a ton of grip off the corner and it was very tight through the middle of the corner. The guys made multiple changes to the car throughout the race and really got it to come around to me. I know we made an air pressure adjustment that really helped with the grip issues, then we came back down pit road to take some wedge out and that really helped with the tight handling. Just like this past weekend at Bristol, we recuperated from a lap deficit and came back to grab a pretty good finish.
Speaking of Bristol, you beat your season-best finish there this past weekend and it was not an easy task by any means. Yeah, we had quite a night under the lights this past weekend at Bristol. It was exhausting, but so rewarding. I had two great guys looking out for me that night. Derrick Finley [crew chief] did a great job making the calls from top of the pit box and Mike Brown [spotter] did a great job keeping me out of trouble more than once. We had some close calls that night and couldnt escape one cars bump from behind, but then we came back just at the mid-way point of the race. I think that is what made the top-15 finish even more sweet. It definitely wasnt handed to us and wasnt any easy accomplishment by any means. We worked for every spot. It was one of those nights when you get out of your car and just feel real good about what you and your guys accomplished that night.
Did I see Hayden on pit road during the pre-race show Saturday? Yes, Jody and I decided it was time to bring our son to the track and we thought Bristol would be a great first for him. It also was an easy trip from High Point. He slept the whole way, which was pretty nice. Once we got to the track, he spent the majority of his time on our bus, because it is so loud inside that track we didnt think it would be real smart to have him in there when the cars were on the track. But, Jody brought him out to see me before I got in the car that night to go racing and it was great to get to hang out with him a little bit before going to work. I also got to show him off to a few more folks who hadnt seen him, yet. I think he liked it because his eyes opened pretty wide once we got him inside.