EL CAJON, California -- The #03 Jim Pettit Racing/HotWood Ford team is eager to get to El Cajon Speedway for the Coors Light 125 in El Cajon, California. Coming off their third straight podium finish the team is confident about their chances on Saturday night. Pettit has started the Coors Light 125 near the back of field for the last two years but has been able to get to the front. He finished out of the top 5 in 2002 with an 11th place finish. In 2001 Jim finished behind MK Kanke in the 2nd position. With 20 years of short track experience Pettit is a threat to win regardless of his starting position. This was proven in 2003 with Jim passing over 130 cars and winning the PowerAde Move of the Year Award.
Jim Pettit II ended 2003 with the best average finish in races of 1/3 of a mile or shorter with an average of 3.6. He already leads that category for this season by winning at Madera Speedway. Pettit has an average finish of 2.0 right now after 3 races overall and looks to continue that trend this week. The #03 has a 30 point lead over past champion Eddie Mckean, and is setting a near record pace. Only MK Kanke in 2001 with two wins and a 2nd in the first three races has started off as strong as Pettit. Finishing 3rd in season-ending points for the last two years, the #03 team is used to being in a points battle.
2004 marks the 4th year that Jim Pettit II has run in the
NASCAR Southwest Series full time. He knows what kind of
commitment it takes from everyone for the team to finish
well. The Jim Pettit Racing team hopes that their early
success will help attract a primary sponsor for the remaining
2004 season. A primary sponsor would make a world of
difference during the long run for the championship.
California HotWood came aboard after the first race and both
parties have enjoyed the renewed partnership. LRP and DPI
have continued to support the team and are a major factor in
the consistency that #03 team has enjoyed early in 2004. Meet
Jim and the entire team in the pits after the race in El
Cajon.
