but first, these notes of interest:

--Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch will be the special featured guest for Friday's NEXTEL Wake-Up Call at Atlanta Motor Speedway.  The special Q & A session with KB will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the deadline room of the A.M.S. Infield Media Center.  Practice will begin at 3:30 p.m., with qualifying set for 7:10 p.m.

--Miller Lite Dodge team testing at Kentucky before heading to Atlanta --  "We're testing at Kentucky in our continuing quest to get a better handle on what we need to be the most competitive on these intermediate tracks," offered Roy McCauley, the first-year leader of the No. 2 Penske Racing South entry.  "Our immediate goal is to determine the best direction to go in preparation for this weekend's race at Atlanta.  We're testing our (PRS-0) 78 car ('04 model Dodge) and our (PRS-0) 53 car (Dodge Charger) at Kentucky. Kurt knows how to win at Atlanta and we're determined to put a car under him there that's capable of getting the job done."

--KB's really been "tested" -- It's a different type of "testing" that Miller Lite Dodge crew chief Roy McCauley has been most impressed with in his driver, Kurt Busch, thus far this season. "You want to talk about being tested -- just look at all the adversity Kurt has already endured this  year," McCauley offered.  "We had a car strong enough to win the Daytona 500 and we got taken out there late in the race.  We won the pole at California, but were off on our race setup.  Kurt almost got crashed out of that one, too.  At Las Vegas last Sunday, we missed the setup again and he drove his tail end off to get all we could out of it, especially after getting slapped with the speeding penalty late in the race. Kurt has really been calm and cool under fire and he's been able to impress even the biggest doubters out there."

--Speaking of testing, it was KB, Roy and the Miller Lite No. 2 Team helping out with the Goodyear tire test at Atlanta back in January --  "We were there on Jan. 10-11 testing for Goodyear with the 99 team (Carl Edwards) and we think everyone was pleased when we were finished," Roy explained.  "We were actually using one of our Dodge Chargers in the test and we're not completely sure what we'll run there this weekend.  Goodyear was testing several new constructions and compounds during the two days.  The way it worked was the guys utilizing us in determining the construction they'll go with this weekend.  The 99 car helped them focus on what compound we'll be using.  Both teams got in many longer runs - 30 laps at a clip - so Goodyear really got tremendous data to use in coming up with the best tire possible for this weekend."

--KB's new team morale-building catch phrase:  "10-4, Roger baby!"  See release for details.

--A Dodge has never won on the current 1.54-mile configuration of Atlanta Motor Speedway and it hasn't been since Richard Petty won the spring race of 1977 that a Dodge has visited the Atlanta Victory Lane.  When KB claimed a victory at A.M.S. in his fourth career Cup start on the 1.54-mile layout --  on Oct. 27, 2002 - the win marked the first victory for Ford on the new track configuration.  Can he be the first to do it in a Dodge?

--"Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious." -Peter Ustinov

Contact: Tom Roberts
Scott Bussen    

KURT BUSCH HAS TRULY BEEN “TESTED” ENTERING ATLANTA
-Miller Lite Dodge Driver Hitting Kentucky Speedway Prior To This Weekend’s Golden Corral 500 At A.M.S.-

HAMPTON, Ga.  (March 14, 2006) – It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Kurt Busch and his Roy McCauley-led Miller Lite Dodge Team could be found early this week testing at the 1.5-mile racetrack near Sparta, Kentucky.  The visit there marked the sixth different test outing the group has executed so far, entering only the fourth NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race of the 2006 season this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

            “We’re testing at Kentucky in our continuing quest to get a better handle on what we need to be the most competitive on these intermediate tracks,” offered McCauley, the first-year leader of the No. 2 Penske Racing South entry.  “Our immediate goal is to determine the best direction to go in preparation for this weekend’s race at Atlanta.  We’re testing our (PRS-0) 78 car (’04 model Dodge) and our (PRS-0) 53 car (Dodge Charger) at Kentucky.  Kurt knows how to win at Atlanta and we’re determined to put a car under him there that’s capable of getting the job done.

            While Busch, McCauley and crew have tested at tracks ranging in size from the three-quarter-mile USA International Speedway at Lakeland, Fla., to the massive 2.5-mile Daytona track (with a two-day tire test for Goodyear at Atlanta fit in between), it’s a different type of “testing” that the crew chef has been most impressed with in his driver thus far this season.

            “You want to talk about being tested -- just look at all the adversity Kurt has already endured this year,” McCauley offered.  “We had a car strong enough to win the Daytona 500 and we got taken out there late in the race.  We won the pole at California, but were off on our race setup.  Kurt almost got crashed out of that one, too.  At Las Vegas last Sunday, we missed the setup again and he drove his tail end off to get all we could out of it, especially after getting slapped with the speeding penalty late in the race.

            “The great thing about it is that our team morale is still up there sky high,” continued McCauley.  “Kurt has really been calm and cool under fire and he’s been able to impress even the biggest doubters out there.  Our pit crew has really been working well together the last two races and our stops have been fast and consistent.  They’re giving it their all and they’re really turned on by seeing the great job Kurt is doing behind the wheel.

            “We’ve chalked up the last two races as big learning experiences,” McCauley concluded.  “We’re coming into Atlanta ready to demonstrate the high competitive level that’s capable by Kurt and our team.” * * * ROY MCCAULEY ON THE ATLANTA GOODYEAR TEST:  “We were there on Jan. 10-11 testing for Goodyear with the 99 team (Carl Edwards) and we think everyone was pleased when we were finished,” said McCauley.  “We were actually using one of our Dodge Chargers in the test and we’re not completely sure what we’ll run there this weekend. -more- -2-

            “Goodyear was testing several new constructions and compounds during the two days.  The way it worked was the guys utilizing us in determining the construction they’ll go with this weekend.  The 99 car helped them focus on what compound we’ll be using.

            “Both teams got in many longer runs – 30 laps at a clip – so Goodyear really got tremendous data to use in coming up with the best tire possible for this weekend.”

* * *

“10-4, ROGER BABY!”:  Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch was on his final parade lap before the start of Sunday’s UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway when this banter could be heard on the team radio:

            “Remember now, Kurt…float it in there…float it in there,” said team owner Roger Penske, who was located in the spotters’ stand high above the action and ready to offer coaching support for his driver.

            “10-4, Roger baby,” Busch shot back, without any hesitation.

            “It’s really cool that the rapport is so great between Kurt, Roger and this entire team,” offered crew chief Roy McCauley.  “I don’t know where Kurt came up with that phrase, but he’s been using it in all the races.  It’s his way of getting everybody pumped up and it sure does do the job.

            “I’ve been joking around with Kurt that we’re going to get the souvenir guys to make up some tee shirts with his new catch phrase on them,” chuckled McCauley.  “I better not laugh, though, because that actually might just happen.”

* * *

KURT BUSCH KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN AT ATLANTA:  “It’s the fastest track we race on, so that means you have to stay on your toes,” said Busch, who has one win and three top-10 finishes in 10 career Atlanta starts.  “Our deal has been that we’ve always been a threat when we’ve been around at the finish of the race.  We’ve been plagued with more than our share of engine problems and tire problems.  Penske-built engines are known for their durability and we tested at Atlanta for Goodyear.  I’m confident that we can be around for the end of this one and that we’ll have us a really solid weekend at Atlanta.”

            Busch claimed a victory at A.M.S. in his fourth career Cup start on the 1.54-mile layout, which came on Oct. 27, 2002.  In that race, he started eighth and was up to fourth, before adverse weather temporarily stopped the action.  He took the lead for the first time of the day on Lap 49.  He went on to lead four times for a total of 84 laps (led most laps) en route to his third career victory.  He took the lead for the final time on Lap 206 and had a healthy advantage over second-place Joe Nemechek when rain forced NASCAR officials to call the race after completing 248 of the schedule 325 laps.  The win marked the first victory for Ford on the new track configuration at Atlanta.

* * *

This weekend’s Golden Corral 500 schedule begins on Friday afternoon with practice at 3:30 p.m.  Qualifying for the race is scheduled for Friday night at 7:10 p.m.  Sunday’s 500-mile race has a 1:30 p.m. EDT starting time and features live coverage by FOX-TV and PRN Radio.

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