Dave Blaney's Darlington Preview

Race: Dodge Challenger 500

Location: Darlington Raceway

Date: May 10th, 2008

Darlington Raceway News and Notes

Darlington’s Ride…The Caterpillar Racing team plans to utilize chassis No. 47 for the Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. This is the first time this particular chassis will be utilized in an event.
Richmond Recap…Dave Blaney and the Caterpillar Racing team posted one of their best qualifying efforts of the season (17th) last weekend at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. Blaney drove the Bill Davis Racing Toyota Camry to the team’s highest finish of the season when he took the checkered flag in the 18th spot. The finish bolstered the team’s ranking by three positions in the fight for the top 35 in owners’ points. The No. 22 team now stands in 36th place, 71 markers behind 35th.
Blaney’s Career Stats…Blaney hopes to make his 278th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start when the green flag waves for the 367-lap event Saturday evening. He made his first career Cup Series start in October 1992 at [Rockingham] North Carolina Speedway and finished 26th (qualified 15th) for his first Cup Series start in Darlington in 2000. Like this weekend, Blaney was aboard a Bill Davis Racing-owned machine.
Blaney at Darlington…Blaney has made 11 Cup Series starts at the 1.366-mile track during his career. The veteran driver has started as high as 10th (2003) and finished as high as third that same season. Blaney has scored one top-five finish at the Darlington track in his Cup Series career.
BDR at Darlington…Competitors driving Bill Davis Racing-owned cars have been racing at Darlington Raceway since 1993 and have made 35 starts. BDR drivers have experienced a good deal of success at Darlington and have posted two victories, four top-five finishes and seven top-10 finishes at the track. Bill Davis Racing-owned cars have also earned one pole position.
Bring Your Sharpie…Look for Blaney to stop by the Caterpillar/Toyota Racing merchandise hauler to sign autographs this weekend. Please check with the trailer for exact times.
Practice Makes Perfect…The No. 22 Caterpillar team tested at Lowe’s Motor Speedway near Concord, N.C., Monday and Tuesday in preparation for the upcoming event there.
Darlington Broadcast Schedule…Qualifying for the event at Darlington is scheduled to start at 5:15 p.m. ET Friday, May 9. The 367-lap event is scheduled to start at 7:20 p.m. ET Saturday, May 10, and will broadcast LIVE on FOX (TV), MRN (radio) and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Blaney’s Thoughts on Darlington…

“Darlington is always a challenging place to race, and it will be especially interesting with the new pavement. From what I’ve heard from the guys that have been able to test, it sounds like they did a nice job with the project, and we’re looking forward to getting there. It will be as challenging as it always is, but probably faster and with more grip. We’re happy to have an extra couple of hours of practice on Thursday too. Being outside the top 35 in points, we often spend a good bit of the first practice making qualifying runs, so to have that extra practice will give us the opportunity to make some longer runs and see how it affects the handling of the car. It’s tough, you know, being out of the top 35. It really changes the way you approach the weekend. Last weekend our Cat Camry was pretty quick off the truck, and we were able to spend some time in race trim. I think it made a difference during the race. Hopefully we can start off strong again in Darlington.”

Dave Blaney - Darlington Raceway