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NASCAR Busch North Drivers Head for Watkins Glen

6 August 1997

NASCAR Busch North Heads Into The Glen


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GARDINER, Me. -- The Burnham Boilers 150 at Watkins Glen International on
August 9 represents one of the greatest challenges that the NASCAR Busch
North Series drivers will face this year.

The fact that Watkins Glen is a road course race for a series deeply rooted
in short and intermediate oval track racing is not the challenge. NASCAR
Busch North Series drivers have been road course racing at least twice a
year since 1993, and the drivers and teams have developed strong road
course programs and equipment.

It is the influx of high-profile road racing champions creating the
challenge that NASCAR Busch North Series drivers face and readily accept as
a testament to the popularity of this regional racing series.

Take the Simo brothers for instance. These identical twins from the Golden
State are both entered in the Burnham Boilers 150, NASCAR Busch North
Series race. Mark, who co-owns a NASCAR Craftsman Truck with Ernie Irvan
will drive a car owned by NASCAR Busch North veteran Jamie Aube while
Brian, who is currently a top runner in the SCCA Trans Am Series has
entered a car owned by A.J. Parker, a part-time NASCAR Busch North
competitor.

But, just as the concept of road racing no longer bothers the NASCAR Busch
North Series regulars, the idea of outsiders coming in to compete causes
little concern.

So far in 1997, more than 90 drivers have been awarded points on the NASCAR
Busch North Series, and  more than 125 drivers were listed in each of the
last two seasons. So, although more competitors creates more competition,
the different competitors are not as much problem as they might seem.

"The road racers certainly bring in a lot of experience at places such as
Watkins Glen, but the NASCAR Busch North Series regulars are all getting
better at road racing. We've been doing it since 1993 now. The road racers
are going to be tough, but I believe the Busch North Series regulars know
the cars a little better, and will come out on top because of that," said
1996 Burnham Boilers 150 winner Andy Santerre.

Strong, but confident words from one of the NASCAR Busch North Series' top
drivers.

The sheer competitiveness of the NASCAR Busch North Series became evident
last year as Santerre and runner-up Steve Park of E. Northport, N.Y. bumped
and banged their way to the checkered flag.

Park has gone on to drive for Dale Earnhardt, but Santerre knows that there
are a number of drivers - both NASCAR Busch North Series regulars and road
racers - who would like to take the same position on the final lap with
hopes of a different result.

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