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Pennzoil Dodge Preview: Raines Ready for Richmond

31 August 1997

Raines Heads to Richmond After "Off-Week" in Minnesota


     Pennzoil Dodge driver Tony Raines is a racer.  So with the NASCAR 
Craftsman Truck Series off until the Virginia Is For Lovers 200 at 
Richmond Sept. 4, he'll use the opportunity to return to the American 
Speed Association (ASA) and compete at the Minnesota State Fair in St. 
Paul.

   Raines is the defending ASA champion, and already has one win to 
his credit in that series this year at Jennerstown, Pa.  He 
immediately followed that victory with his first truck series win at 
I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Mo., on May 24.


Raines on...

...using his off-weekend to race ASA:

   "It's a nice change of pace for me.  The Minnesota State Fair has 
always been a prestigious stop for the ASA, and I've run well there 
before. I still had a whole week off at home, which is different than 
usual.  It's different enough from the truck series that it's a good 
break from my regular routine.  It's really fun for me because I just 
kind of blow in, run the race and leave."

...approaching the race at Richmond:

   "I've never driven on it before, but it looks like a fun track to 
drive.  I'm feeling pretty good about it going in.  We should have a 
good handling truck, and with the new W-8 motor, we should have a 
little more power.  Plus, the Pennzoil truck is due for a good run."

...the importance of finishing the year strong:

   "Obviously, you want to end the year on a good note.  We had out 
share of ups-and-downs this year.  It's just that the last few weeks 
have been more of a `down' period for us.  But, I don't think it's 
anything to be concerned about.  We just need to go out and put 
together another string of good finishes to end the year on, and we'll 
feel alright.  Another win would make up for a lot of the 
disappointment, and I think that is within our grasp."

...his view of the truck series after 19 races:

   "The Truck Series and the Busch Series are both stepping-stones to 
the Winston Cup Series.  I really see them as two very equal series.  
The big difference is that the trucks go to some places that the other 
two series can't get to, and it fills a void for NASCAR fans in those 
particular areas. As the truck series grows, maybe we won't be able to 
continue to go to all of those smaller venues.  But for those that we 
do continue to race at, we can go in, put on a good show and give 
those fans their `NASCAR fix.'


For More Information
Contact: Al Larsen
Cohn & Wolfe
(404) 880-5267
al_larsen@cohnwolfe.com