Catchfence

Raines OK Being ‘On the Edge’ at Dover

Statesville, N.C. (September 21, 2010) - Not many people would call concrete “comfortable,” but that’s how Tony Raines feels when he races at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. The driver of the A&W All American Food Ford returns to the scene of his first NASCAR Sprint Cup race in 2002 to wheel the No. 37 Fusion in this weekend’s AAA 400.

Since that first start eight years ago, Raines has run 14 more races at the “Monster Mile” oval, with a best finish of 21st. Sunday’s race will be Raines’ fifth start for Front Row Motorsports in the Cup series this year.

Comments from A&W All American Food Team Driver Tony Raines on Dover International Speedway:

“My first actual Sprint Cup start was at Dover and we had a good car, so it was a good first impression there. Dover is a banked track and it’s concrete, similar to Bristol but larger. I’ve always liked Bristol and I’ve always liked Dover, too. I’ve had some really good races at Dover so, when I go there, I have a little bit of an air of confidence that sometimes you might not have at other tracks.

“I always look forward to going to Dover because I feel at home there. I’m familiar with the track, and I think I know what I’m looking for to run well there. So, I go there with as much confidence as I have anywhere else. I’m definitely looking forward to going there and racing.

“Dover is a concrete track, of course, so it’s got a different feel to it. Concrete is not as forgiving. When you get to the edge of adhesion on concrete, it’s usually gone and there’s no getting it back. Asphalt is a little bit more forgiving. And as the race goes on, the track gets slicker and slicker. Being able to know that and anticipate how the track changes, and the feel you’re looking for, will help you. And like Bristol, the track at Dover is always tight – unless you’re loose and then you spin out. You might think you’re really tight and all of sudden the rear end comes around. It can be a little tricky.

“It’s a track that seems to favor people who have a good feel for being on the edge. Not that you can always race on the edge, but it’s just hard to get used to that feeling. I did get used to it early on, so I always feel comfortable there and enjoy racing there. But I’m not saying it’s easy. When the ‘monster’ bites you, it bites you hard.”

About Front Row Motorsports with Yates Racing:

Front Row Motorsports was formed in 2005 by restaurant entrepreneur Bob Jenkins. Since that time the team has entered a car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series. In 2010, Front Row Motorsports will partner with Ford and Roush/Yates Engines to field a three-car operation based in Statesville, N.C. The team fields the Long John Silver’s Ford driven by Travis Kvapil, the Taco Bell Ford driven by David Gilliland and the A&W All American Food Ford driven by Tony Raines.

- Breaking Limits Marketing for Front Row Motorsports with Yates Racing, Press Release