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Nationwide Series: J. R. Fitzpatrick Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International Race Preview

08/03/09

MAKING TRACK DEBUT: This weekend Kevin Harvick Inc. newcomer J. R. Fitzpatrick will make his first Nationwide Series start of the 2009 season, his first at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International and his first in a KHI Chevrolet Impala.

This may be his first start on the 2.45-mile road course, but Fitzpatrick has run road courses in both Canada and Mexico. Mostly gaining his experience in his home country of Canada, Fitzpatrick looks to use the skills he’s learned and continue his success in the U. S. In prepation for this weekend’s race and the Montreal event, Fitzpatrick recently joined KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick at Virginia Intenrational Raceway (VIR) for a test session, taking notes from Harvick who has won at both tracks.

MONTREAL BOUND: In addition to running the No. 4 car at Watkins Glen, the Cambridge, Ontario native will climb behind the wheel of the No. 33 KHI Chevrolet at the end of the month to run the Nationwide Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. 

DOUBLE-FILE RESTARTS ANYONE?: While the double-file restarts are new to the Nationwide Series, they are no stranger to Fitzpatrick. For Fitzpatrick, it’s in his nature to have double-file restarts during races, a concept that has always been used in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Fitzpatrick has run in the Canadian Tire Series since he was 16, building his résumé with wins and Rookie of the Year honors.

BEFORE THE RACE: QUOTES WITH DRIVER J. R. FITZPATRICK:
This will mark your first start in the Nationwide Series since 2007 and your first at Watkins Glen International. What are your expectations heading into the weekend? “I really just want to finish without going off the track.  Watkins Glen is a place I’ve never been to so there will be a huge learning curve.  I think a top-15 finish would be a really good day.  Mainly I think we will be using this race in preparation to go to a place I know very well and that is to Montreal in a few weeks.”

This weekend you will have the boss, Kevin Harvick in the No. 33 car as your teammate for the weekend. He’s won at Watkins Glen in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series, how much will you look to him for advice on how to get around the course? “I have talked to Kevin a lot.  I have already asked him tons of questions and I’m sure I will learn quite a bit from him during the weekend.  I will most likely spend the entire first practice learning the track and then I will have to go to him to get his opinion on what I’m doing right and where I can improve.  It’s hard sometimes because we have such different driving styles but he can help me with the basics.”

Recently you tested at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) with Harvick in the Nationwide car. How much did you learn from that session that you will be able to apply to this weekend? “I think mainly it helped me get comfortable in the Nationwide cars at KHI.  I did learn that I need to be three things on a road course: Patient, Smart and I have to slow down to be fast.  If I can remember those three lessons I will be in good shape.”

CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 4 Kevin Harvick Inc. team will unload chassis No. 046, a brand-new chassis, this week for J. R. Fitzpatrick at Watkins Glen International. As Fitzpatrick makes his first-career Nationwide Series start at Watkins Glen, this chassis will make its first-career start as well.

KHI NATIONWIDE SERIES PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Most recently the Nationwide Series competed in the inaugural race at Iowa Speedway where Kevin Harvick and the No. 33 team finished 30th after suffering a parts failure mid-way through the race. Missing qualifying due to Cup Series practice at Pocono Raceway, Harvick had to move to the back of the field at the start of the race, but wasted no time moving to the front of the field. Making adjustments throughout the race, Harvick was able to move into the top 10 and was running fifth when the No. 33 car began to smoke. Determining the smoke was due to a broken line on the back of the oil pump, the team moved to the garage and feverishly worked to make repairs. Returning to the race 55 laps down, Harvick was able to finish the US Cellular 250 in the 30th spot.

ONLINE MEDIA KITS: Media members can now access KHI media kits online at KevinHarvickInc.com. Included on the site are driver bios, driver and team images, KHI history and statistics, team profiles and schedules. Please contact Alicia Deal (adeal@kevinharvickinc.com) at KHI for access to the new site.

QUICK NOTES

August 8, 2009
Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International
Zippo 200

Race length:  82 laps/200.9 miles
Turns: 11
Track layout: 2.45 miles
Shape: Road Course

Pre-Race Schedule:
Friday:
First Practice: 1:30 - 3:00 p.m., ET
Final Practice: 5:30 - 6:10 p.m., ET
Saturday:
Qualifying: 10:10 a.m., ET

TV: The Zippo 200 can be seen live on ESPN2 at 2:30 p.m., ET.

Radio: The Motor Racing Network (MRN) will broadcast the race live at 2:30 p.m., ET.

No. 33 KHI Chevrolet Specs:

Chassis: 046
Engine: ECR

About Kevin Harvick Inc.
Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001, is a 70,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. KHI houses two full-time Truck Series teams, including the 2007 series champions.  The No. 33 team is led by three-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday and the No. 4 KHI All-Stars team is comprised of Ricky Carmichael, the most successful motocross racer in American history, J.R. Fitzpatrick and a variety of NASCAR Sprint Cup stars. KHI is also home to the No. 33 Nationwide Series team competing full-time with drivers Kevin Harvick (a two-time Nationwide Series champion), 2008 Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman, Ron Hornaday, Cale Gale and Kelly Bires. The 2009 season marks KHI’s sixth year of full-time competition in NASCAR’s elite divisions. Visit www.kevinharvickinc.com for more information. 


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