Pennzoil Dodge Racing Preview: Raines Looks Forward to Short Track Finale
7 October 1997
Raines Looking Forward to Short Track Finale at Mesa Marin Mesa Marin Raceway marks the last of the short track races for the 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In the seven previous races held this year on tracks one-half mile or shorter, Pennzoil Dodge driver Tony Raines has thrived. The Indiana-rookie has grabbed one win, two top fives and four top 10 finishes during those events and hopes that his appearance Sunday in Dodge's California Truckstop 300 will be equally successful. Raines on... ...approaching his first race at Mesa Marin: "I know going in that some other guys might have an advantage on me because they've run there before. But, I still think we will be plenty competitive, as we have at most of the short tracks we've run this year. Mesa Marin looks like a pretty straight-forward short track, so it should just be a matter of getting the Pennzoil truck working real well." ...the importance of this race: "This race is important, but no more so than any of the other races we have left. I would really like to get another win before the season is over, and if it comes at Bakersfield, that's great. We've experienced it all this year, from one end of the spectrum to the other. We just want to be able to say, `Look, we did it again.'" ...goals for the remainder of the season: "I really think we are going to finish up on a good note this year. We're just going to go at it race-by-race. Whether we finish 15th, 16th or 17th in the points doesn't make much difference at this point. We want to go out and win another race or at least get a top three. That way, we could go into the winter -- all four weeks of it -- with a gratifying feeling and knowing we have a winning combination. "Phoenix probably stands out as one place that I'd really like to have a good run. That place really put a stick in my eye when we were there the last time, so I'll really be ready to get after it this time. Having a good run there would be sweet revenge." For More Information Contact: Al Larsen Cohn & Wolfe (404) 880-5267 al_larsen@cohnwolfe.com
