BGN: Tony Stewart and Shell Team Ready for IRP
29 July 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SHELL TEAM READY FOR SUCCESS AT INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK TONY STEWART LIKES CHANCES ON HOME TRACK INDIANAPOLIS, IN - July 28, 1998 - Tony Stewart and the Shell team have one goal in mind - to capture their first NASCAR Busch Grand National victory at Stewart's home track, Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP). On the way to his multiple USAC open wheel championships, Stewart was a regular competitor at the .686 mile oval. This week's Kroger 200 presented by Fifth Third Bank will be Stewart's second BGN event in his home state of Indiana. "It would be very gratifying to get my first Busch win in the Shell Pontiac at IRP," said Stewart. "I've been fortunate to have great success at this track throughout my racing career. Last year's race was my debut with the Shell team. We qualified well and ran consistently during the race before an accident sent us to the garage. "Having an experienced crew at Joe Gibbs Racing has helped advance my learning curve in the Busch car," Stewart continued. "Bryant (Frazier, crew chief) and the crew have worked hard preparing for this race. We had a successful test last week and feel we have a good race set-up. The track has been resurfaced making it smooth and fast. There will be more opportunity for side-by-side racing and passing. It should be an exciting race for the fans and the drivers. "We've been close to that first win for Shell this year," concluded Stewart. "But have fallen just short of taking the trip to victory lane. Capturing a win this week at IRP would be an excellent way for me to thank my fans, crew, Joe Gibbs Racing and Shell for their support during my transition into NASCAR." First round Bud Pole qualifying to determine the first 25 starters of the Kroger 200 presented by Fifth Third Bank is scheduled for Thursday, July 30 at 4:05 p.m. CT. The remainder of the 43 car field will be set in second round qualifying on Friday, July 31 at 2:00 p.m. CT. The race will begin at 7:30 p.m. CT Friday night with live television coverage provided by ESPN. The race will be broadcast by MRN to over 400 radio station affiliates nationwide. Shell Oil Company is one of America's leading oil and natural gas producers, manufacturers, transporters and marketers of oil and chemical products. It is a recognized pioneer in technology for oil and gas exploration and the largest gasoline marketer in the United States. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Shell Oil is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies. # # # SHELL OIL PRE-RACE FACT SHEET=20 WHO: Joe Gibbs Racing/Shell Oil Products Company Pontiac Driver: Tony Stewart - Crew Chief: Bryant Frazier WHAT: KROGER 200 PRESENTED BY FIFTH THIRD BANK 200 laps - 137.2 miles Race 21 of 31 - NASCAR Busch Grand National Series WHEN: July 30 - 31, 1998 WHERE: Indianapolis Raceway Park Indianapolis, IN STEWART NASCAR BGN STATS: YEAR STARTS POLES WINS TOP 5 TOP 10 WINNINGS 1996 9 0 0 0 0 $45,140 1997 5 0 0 1 2 48,625 1998 13 1 0 3 3 171,180 STEWART IRP BGN STATS YEAR STARTING POSITION FINISHING POSITION 1997 7 34 (Accident) SHELL MOTORSPORTS: NASCAR In August 1997, Shell announced their title sponsorship program with Joe Gi= bbs Racing. The Shell car is being driven by NASCAR rookie racing sensation To= ny Stewart on the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series. CART Shell is the proud sponsor of legendary CART driver Bobby Rahal and his motorsports team, which includes rising star and Rahal protege, Bryan Herta. Shell recently renewed its sponsorship of "Team Rahal" to extend through the end of the century. CRAIG BREEDLOVE'S SPIRIT OF AMERICA Shell's sponsorship of Craig Breedlove, the 5-time "World Land Speed" record holder, dates back to the 1960's. Breedlove is the first person ever to break the 400, 500 and 600-mph marks in a land vehicle. Breedlove's jet-powered, 48,000 horsepower Spirit of America runs on Formula Shell Premium Gasoline. SECONDARY SPONSORSHIP NASCAR Shell is secondary sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR Winston Cup Series Racing team. The Pontiac Grand Prix is driven by Bobby Labonte who has established himself as one of the top drivers in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The 33-year-old Labonte grabbed his first victory at the 1995 Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina. To date, he has captured seven wins in NASCAR's premier series. Gibbs is the former head coach of the National Football League's Washington Redskins and has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. NHRA Shell is a secondary sponsor of both Joe Gibbs Racing NHRA teams. The Top Fuel car is driven by Cory McClenathan and the Funny Car is driven by Cruz Pedregon. The 35-year-old McClenathan is a 23-time NHRA national event winner. At 34 years old, Pedregon has garnered 19 NHRA national event victories. # # #