Bires Pumped For Road Course Debut In Mexico
Kelly Bires has achieved a lot already in 2008 and the Clorox driver is excited about the next challenge on his schedule with the Mexico Corona 200 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City this weekend.
The event will be Bires’ first road course event in NASCAR and his first race on a road course since his days racing karts back in his native state of Wisconsin.
23-year-old Bires has already achieved his first NASCAR Nationwide Series top five this season with a great run at Nashville Superspeedway. Bires currently sits 10th in the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series standings, having occupied a spot in the top 10 for three consecutive weeks in the #47 Clorox Ford Fusion.
Bires heads into Mexico City after a strong road course test at Virginia International Raceway earlier this month, his first drive of a NASCAR on a road course. Bires and crew chief Scott Zipadelli quickly found rhythm and confidence at that test ahead of this weekend’s road course event and exceeded their expectations. JTG Racing team-mate Marcos Ambrose will also be on hand to offer advice over the weekend for Bires.
With a streak of seven top 20 finishes from eight races so far, Bires is excited about the prospect of continuing his strong start to the season by finishing in the top half of the field in his debut NASCAR road course event around the tough and twisting Mexico City venue.
Kelly Bires - #47 Clorox Ford Fusion
“I’ve never been to Mexico so I am looking forward to heading down there,” said Bires.
“You’ve really got to approach every race the same way, with the same focus and the same preparation, but being honest, I am really, really looking forward to going road course racing.
“The road course test at VIR was something new for me in terms of driving a NASCAR on a road course but I really enjoyed it. The car was great and I think we’ve got a good Clorox Ford Fusion for Mexico.
“Everyone looks at a track differently, so I will get down there and have a good look at the track myself. Then after first practice I can compare my thoughts to what Marcos (Ambrose, JTG Racing team-mate and skilled road course racer) has to say.
“It’s great that I can go to Marcos for information in Mexico. It will be a big help, but I think that I can do the job myself and be aiming for a top 15 finish, while I hope Marcos can get the win.
“If luck goes your way on a road course you could end up right up there. We’ll see how we go, but I will be giving it everything.”
2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Standings - After Race 8 of 35
1. Clint Bowyer 1189
2. Car Edwards 1165
3. Kyle Busch 1083
4. David Ragan 1068
5. David Reutimann 1065
6. Brad Keselowski 1011
7. Mike Bliss 998
8. Kevin Harvick 977
9. Jason Leffler 962
10. Kelly Bires 926
2008 NNS Prizemoney after 8 races:
Kelly Bires: US$250,214
RACE SCHEDULE
Local Mexico City (US Central) Times
Practice 1
Friday 18 April 2008
1:00pm – 2:15pm
Final Practice
Friday 18 April 2008
3:05pm – 5:00pm
Qualifying
Saturday 19 April 2008
10:35am
Race – 80 laps
Sunday 20 April 2008
1:00pm US Central
2:00pm US Eastern
UNITED STATES TV SCHEDULE
Sunday 20 April 2008
ESPN
1:30pm US Eastern
ABOUT AUTODROMO HERMANOS RODRIGUEZ
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Track Length: 2.518 miles (4.05km)
Race Distance: 80 laps – 201.44 miles (324.19km)
Circuit Type: Permanent Road Course
NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES RECORD BOOK
Defending Nationwide Race Winner: Juan Pablo Montoya
Defending Nationwide Polesitter: Scott Pruett
Kelly Bires – road course debut and Mexico City debut
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