---

NASCAR Winston Cup CMT 300 Preview: #41, Steve Grissom

12 September 1997

 #41 Steve Grissom, Kodiak Chevrolet Monte Carlo 
 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
 CMT 300 Advance
 New Hampshire International Speedway
 
       GRISSOM AND KODIAK TEAM ITCHING FOR RETURN TO NEW HAMPSHIRE

 
LOUDON, NH - Kodiak driver Steve Grissom's best chance for victory this year 
came in July at New Hampshire International Speedway. That's why he and the 
Kodiak Team are so eager to try again at NHIS in this weekend's CMT 300 race. 

Grissom put the #41 Kodiak Chevrolet in the sixth starting spot back in July, 
then ran impressively, the entire race to post a fourth-place finish. It was 
his best finish of the year, and easily one of the Kodiak Team's best 
performances. 

"The July race at New Hampshire was very special to us," said Grissom. "That 
race was one where we ran really well, avoided problems, stayed on the lead 
lap, had a strong engine and produced a top-notch finish. 

"We've had some other strong runs this season," said the 34 year-old Alabama 
native. "But in some of them something would happen, and we didn't finish 
well. We're hoping not only to have a repeat performance this week at New 
Hampshire, but aiming at improving on what we did here last time."

The Kodiak Team and Grissom have shown steady improvement in the second half 
of the season. In the last eight races, Grissom has produced two top-fives 
(fourth at New Hampshire, fifth at Bristol), a top-10 finish (ninth at the 
Bud at the Glen), and at Richmond last week, rallied from a couple of 
problems to notch a 12th-place showing after starting 33rd. 

That continued improvement by Grissom and the Kodiak Team also has become 
more visible in the point standings. Since the June race at Michigan, Grissom 
has climbed from 31st-place to 24th-place in the current standings, and is 
knocking on the door on cracking the top-20.

Grissom, who is in his fourth full season on the Winston Cup circuit, but 
first year as driver for the Larry Hedrick Motorsports team, said, "One of 
our chief goals this season was to finish in the the top-20 in points. That 
chance is coming a lot more into view, and with a few more good finishes the 
rest of the way, I believe we can achieve that."

With only eight races left, Grissom trails 23rd-place John Andretti by just 
13 points (2,263-2,250), 22nd-place Sterling Marlin by 18 points 
(2,268-2,250) and 21st-place Ricky Craven by 23 points (2,273-2,250). Bobby 
Hamilton, who is 20th in points, is within reach, as well, only 37 points 
(2,287-2,250) ahead of Grissom. 

Thus, the Kodiak Team has an excellent opportunity at New Hampshire to gain 
some more ground in the points, and their focus is keenly on making that 
happen. 

"The #41 Kodiak race car we'll use at New Hampshire this week is the same car 
we ran so well in at New Hampshire earlier," Grissom stated. "It's also the 
car we drove at Richmond last week. It picked up a few bruises and dents in 
last week's race, but the Kodiak crew has worked hard at the shop this week, 
getting that car ready again, and they've done a terrific job with it."

Said Grissom, "With the season beginning to wind down, everybody's intensity 
picks up. That's true for us, and for all the other teams. Everyone wants to 
shoot for wins and high finishes, and that's when the racing really gets 
exciting. It's great for us, and great for the fans. Everybody's out to do 
their best, and make their mark before the season ends. Not only that, but 
solid performances towards the end of a season give you and the team a 
tremendous boost and a strong shot of confidence as you start to prepare for 
next year."

With emphasis, Grissom said, "Keep your eye on this Kodiak Team. We're not 
done yet. We're coming together race by race. We're on the move, and getting 
better."

By Muhleman Marketing