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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Federated Auto Parts 250 Preview: #16, Ron Hornaday

13 August 1997

#16 Ron Hornaday, NAPA Brakes Chevrolet
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Federated Auto Parts 250 Advance
Nashville Speedway USA
 
         NAPA BRAKES TEAM LOOKING TO SING IN THE MUSIC CITY

 
NASHVILLE, TN - NAPA Brakes driver Ron Hornaday scored a victory for the Dale 
Earnhardt Chevy truck team this past weekend at Flemington Speedway, in 
Flemington, N.J. The win was his seventh of the 1997 campaign (the sixth in 
the past eight races).

 - Hornaday's win in Flemington was his 17th NASCAR Truck Series career 
victory. With this win he now has the record for the most victories in the 
series. 

 - The Truck Series roll into the Music City for Saturday's 250 lap battle at 
Nashville Speedway USA. Hornaday will campaign the truck named "Melissa" this 
weekend in Nashville, Tenn. She is the same Chevy he took to victory lane in 
Flemington (her 11th win).

 - Hornaday, the 1996 series champion, hopes to make music in Nashville. The 
historic 0.596-mile short track is the type of venue where he shines. His 
1997 short track record speaks for itself. In nine short track races run he 
has recorded six wins (five straight), nine top-10 finishes, and has led 42% 
of the possible laps (796-1877). NAPA crew chief Fred Graves, who joined the 
team in May, also has an impressive short track record, five wins in five 
tries. 

QUOTES

NAPA Brakes driver Ron Hornaday on his short track success:

"The bull rings are the type of track I cut my teeth on. It's great racing, a 
lot of fun if you have a good truck. I know the NAPA team will provide that 
Nashville is the type of track that separates the men from the boys. You 
have to drive hard, but also take care of your tires. That's the challenge. 
I hope to keep the NAPA Chevy up front and out of trouble all night."

Comments on the Truck Series record for most wins (17):

"You are only as good as your equipment, and the NAPA Brakes Chevys are the 
best prepared out there. It is great that we have accomplished so much this 
year. But we want the championship, that's always been our goal. We got 
behind early but kept digging. We need to keep doing what we have been 
doing, running up front and being in a position to win. The points will 
take care of themselves."

                 Ron Hornaday Nashville Statistics  

          Date     St   Fn   Laps     Money Won      Status
          8/31/96   4    2   255(255)  19,900        Running

Ron Hornaday is currently fourth in NASCAR Truck Series points. 


By Champion Sports Group