AARON FIKE NEW HAMPSHIRE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY PREVIEW

FIKE’S RACING SCHEDULE: Aaron Fike hasn’t been behind the wheel in the NASCAR Busch Series in the last three weeks. His last race was at Kentucky Speedway driving the No. 33, but that’s doesn’t mean he hasn’t been behind the wheel of a race car. Fike’s been busy racing in other series across the Midwest. In the past three weeks, Fike has driven a dirt modified and an asphalt midget. Fike’s racing background is entrenched in the United States Auto Club (USAC) divisions.

CREW CHIEF’S RECORD AT NEW HAMPSHIRE: No. 33 crew chief Wally Rogers has a great stat sheet attached to his name, but NHIS stands out for Rogers as a track where car’s he has prepared run very well. Rogers has made seven trips to NHIS as a crew chief (five Busch, two Truck) and has six top-10 finishes, with the one finish outside the top-10 an engine failure, while running in the third position. Rogers will look for another strong finish again this weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?: Hard work on pit road pays off on the race track. KHI teams practice pit stops at least four times a week, along with workout programs in the KHI gym three days a week. Guided by pit stop coach Tim Goad, all three KHI teams have been very solid on pit road all year long. Competing against Cup Series teams, the KHI pit crews have held their own. Every member of the KHI pit crews all have full-time positions at the race shop during the week. Each individual manages their time to complete their shop duties, practice pit stops and workout in the gym.

HORNADAY RETURNS TO VICTORY LANE: Ron Hornaday visited victory lane for the second time this season in the NASCAR Truck Series. Hornaday drove KHI’s No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado to victory at Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Speedway early in the season, backing that up with a win Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway. Hornaday outlasted a late-race charge from second-place finisher Rick Crawford for the win. In addition to Hornday’s full-time effort behind the wheel of the No. 33 in the Truck Series, Hornaday also has a limited Busch Series schedule behind the wheel of the No. 33 Outdoor Channel Chevrolet. In Hornaday’s first six Busch Series starts in 2006, he has one top-five and two top-10 finishes. Look for Hornaday to be back behind the wheel of KHI’s No. 33 in the Busch Series following NHIS for the next three weeks, beginning with Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

KHI QUOTEBOOK

Driver: Aaron Fike

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE GREAT RESOURCES AT KHI- “It’s been great to come to KHI and have so many great people to draw from. The equipment is first class, and the people are awesome. From top to bottom there are very experienced people in place to work with. From Kevin Harvick and Rick Carelli, to my crew chief Wally Rogers and all the other drivers and crew chiefs, it’s a great team to be apart of. I’m very excited to race each week and learn from all these guys.”

HAS IT BEEN TOUGH NOT DRIVING THE BUSCH CAR FOR A FEW WEEKS? “It’s been tough not going to the track and not racing the Busch car. I’ve been watching the races and talking with the team every week though. I have been able to race something every week, so that’s been good getting seat time in something and staying behind the wheel. I’m looking forward to New Hampshire and I know the Outdoor Channel crew will give me a great car.”

Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

WOULD YOU CONSIDER NHIS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE TRACKS? “Definitely I would consider New Hampshire one of my favorite tracks, if not my favorite. I’ve been lucky to have a lot a good cars and trucks at New Hampshire. We’ve always had solid top-10 runs, and I’m looking for the same this weekend with Aaron (Fike).”

WILL YOUR MILWAUKEE NOTES CARRY OVER TO NHIS? “For years Cup teams have tested Milwaukee in preparation for New Hampshire. The two tracks are very similar since they are both flat, one-mile tracks. We had a good car with Ron (Hornaday) in Milwaukee a few weeks ago, before a brake failure. So that’ll be a good starting point for us this weekend

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend