Casey Smith to Drive the #9 at San Antonio

AUSTIN, TX (August 1, 2006) -- Casey Smith is geared up and ready to go for Part II of the USRA “Texas Two-Step Nationals” at San Antonio Speedway on Saturday night, August 5th, where the winner will bring home $5,000.

Disappointing runs due to circumstance have plagued the #99 team in recent weeks but a test with the back-up car he will be piloting has given Smith plenty of confidence to guide his team back to the winners circle in San Antonio.

The last time Casey was on the fast Texas ½ mile he led 100 laps, but fell short of the win when his axle broke on a restart with only 17 laps remaining.  Bouncing back from his disappointment in the USRA race, Casey’s hot-rod was quick from the time he unloaded his car at the ½ mile in Pensacola, Florida.  He led that event late in the race until he was wrecked on the restart just a few laps shy of the checkered flag.

With less than 2 weeks between races, Casey was unable to fix all the damage done to the #99 when he was forced into the wall at Five Flags Speedway.  So this week, Casey will be piloting his teammate’s #9 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that Casey has built for driver Gary Buchanan. 

“His car is pretty much identical to my car, but there are things about his car that I like better than mine.” Casey said.  “As far as the suspension parts, A-frames, Roll Center, Springs, Shocks, Transmission, Rear-End, Rotors, Brakes, all of that is identical to my car.  I like his body better, and his has the “spec” Mugunigil Sealed Motor that is fresher than mine.  The #9 seems to turn in the corners slightly better than the #99.  I am always happy when you unload out of the trailer to test and your fast when you first unload.  It is so much more productive to spend your time fine-tuning rather than thrashing to get fast.  I feel pretty confident– this week we go 150 laps and that is what we have tested, a good race-trim that will be fast at the end of 150 laps.  We have to focus on finishing the race before we can think about winning the race.  Hopefully lady luck will be on our side this week.”