NASCAR Craftsman Truck Federated Auto Parts 250 Preview: #16, Ron Hornaday
13 August 1997
#16 Ron Hornaday, NAPA Brakes Chevrolet NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Federated Auto Parts 250 Advance Nashville Speedway USA NAPA BRAKES TEAM LOOKING TO SING IN THE MUSIC CITY NASHVILLE, TN - NAPA Brakes driver Ron Hornaday scored a victory for the Dale Earnhardt Chevy truck team this past weekend at Flemington Speedway, in Flemington, N.J. The win was his seventh of the 1997 campaign (the sixth in the past eight races). - Hornaday's win in Flemington was his 17th NASCAR Truck Series career victory. With this win he now has the record for the most victories in the series. - The Truck Series roll into the Music City for Saturday's 250 lap battle at Nashville Speedway USA. Hornaday will campaign the truck named "Melissa" this weekend in Nashville, Tenn. She is the same Chevy he took to victory lane in Flemington (her 11th win). - Hornaday, the 1996 series champion, hopes to make music in Nashville. The historic 0.596-mile short track is the type of venue where he shines. His 1997 short track record speaks for itself. In nine short track races run he has recorded six wins (five straight), nine top-10 finishes, and has led 42% of the possible laps (796-1877). NAPA crew chief Fred Graves, who joined the team in May, also has an impressive short track record, five wins in five tries. QUOTES NAPA Brakes driver Ron Hornaday on his short track success: "The bull rings are the type of track I cut my teeth on. It's great racing, a lot of fun if you have a good truck. I know the NAPA team will provide that Nashville is the type of track that separates the men from the boys. You have to drive hard, but also take care of your tires. That's the challenge. I hope to keep the NAPA Chevy up front and out of trouble all night." Comments on the Truck Series record for most wins (17): "You are only as good as your equipment, and the NAPA Brakes Chevys are the best prepared out there. It is great that we have accomplished so much this year. But we want the championship, that's always been our goal. We got behind early but kept digging. We need to keep doing what we have been doing, running up front and being in a position to win. The points will take care of themselves." Ron Hornaday Nashville Statistics Date St Fn Laps Money Won Status 8/31/96 4 2 255(255) 19,900 Running Ron Hornaday is currently fourth in NASCAR Truck Series points. By Champion Sports Group