Take Two For Texas
October 31, 2006
Furniture Row Racing’s Cup program heads to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend. The team will revisit the track for the second time this season. Texas can certainly be deemed a competitive track. In the eleven races at TMS, there have been eleven different race winners. TMS generates some of the fastest racing in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, and turn four is where the most passing happens.
This weekend’s race follows a strong 35th place finish by Furniture Row Racing at last weekend’s Atlanta Motor Speedway. Due to rain, qualifying was cancelled. However, the team had accrued enough owners’ points to secure the 43rd starting position in the race.
By avoiding crashes and racing hard, Kenny Wallace fought his way through the field to advance eight positions and finish the race.
Crew chief Joe Garone comments on last weekend, “Atlanta was interesting for us because we were able to work with NASCAR Craftsman Truck series driver Terry Cook. Terry filled in initially for Kenny who was in Memphis to fulfill a prior commitment with the Busch Series. Terry was scheduled to run qualifying practice, but unfortunately we were rained out. This was Terry's first time in a Cup car and he did a good job of helping us set up the car for Kenny.
Initially Kenny wasn't completely satisfied with the set up during the race, however he felt it was close enough to adjust. We spent the first half of the race adjusting the car to fit Kenny’s driving style. In addition, the pit crew had great stops considering all the adjustments we were doing. This helped Kenny bring home another finish for the program. The high note of the weekend was the horsepower. Dave (Capriotti) and the engine department really brought it to the table. Kenny was pleased with what he felt under the hood, and you could see the power on the track.
Texas is next race on the schedule, and we’re all very excited to have Kenny behind the wheel for the complete weekend. With our new found power, and a new chassis, we are looking to better our highest finishing position of the year.”
The eighth race in the 2006 Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Sunday’s Dickies 500 at TMS, will begin with a re-shaped battle at the top of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series standings. Only 84 points separate the top five drivers – the closest such margin after eight events in the Chase’s three-year history. Although Furniture Row’s Cup program is not participating in the Chase, the team is racing for owner’s points and experience.
Furniture Row® Companies is one of the largest family-owned specialty home furnishings and bedding retailers. The company is comprised of five specialty store brands including: Sofa Mart®, Oak Express®, Bedroom Expressions®, Denver Mattress Company®, and Big Sur Water Beds®. For more information, please visit www.furniturerowracing.com.
