Catchfence

Phoenix Combines Short-Track Racing with Speed

Statesville, N.C. (November 9, 2010) - The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule couldn’t have been designed any better for Tony Raines. The short-track specialist will run his final race of the season for Front Row Motorsports this weekend at his favorite track – Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway. He looks to end his 2010 Cup run on a high note with a strong performance in the No. 34 A&W All American Food Ford in Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500.

The event will be Raines’ ninth Sprint Cup start at the one-mile oval. His best Cup finish at the track is 14th. He also has earned one top-10, two top-15 and seven top-20 finishes at Phoenix in the Nationwide Series.

Comments from A&W All American Food Team Driver Tony Raines on Phoenix International Raceway and Approach to End of Season:

“It’s a tie between Phoenix and Richmond for my favorite racetrack, and I think I lean a little more toward Phoenix. I was there at the very first Cup race. That’s gives away some of my age, doesn’t it? It’s just a unique track. It’s got short-track tendencies in the corners but it’s a little over a mile so it’s got some speed. Race fans have always been very supportive of the track, too.

“It’s usually nice to go out there about now because it’s starting to cool off a little at home. So you get a little bit of sun, like an Indian Summer, before the year ends. And usually there’s only a race or two left after Phoenix, so it’s kind of a high point. You’re almost at the year end, but Phoenix is a good place to cap off the season because it’s a favorite of mine. I’ve had some good qualifying efforts there and also some good races, so I always look forward to going there.

“As you head into the last couple races of the season, you have kind of a mixed mentality. You can see the finish line, so there’s kind of a feeling of relief that you made it through another season and you get to have time off to recharge. But when you’re racing at one of your favorite tracks, like Phoenix is mine, you want to end the year strong. So if you can run well at one of the last few races, then it gives you that perk for the off-season and gets you mentally ready to look forward to next year.

“Phoenix has always been a track that I’ve enjoyed, even when I’ve had a rough day and didn’t run as good as I wanted to. It’s still a fun track to drive. And it’s a good trip. It’s not as far as California, so it’s not as hard getting the team and equipment there and back. I also like the area around Phoenix. Sometimes I’ll get out a day early just to enjoy the scenery.”

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