Riding With A Rookie: Chris Bingham
by Chris Bingham-Staff Writer and Busch Series Driver
02/28/2003

Hello Race Fans -

For those of you who do not know who I am, my name is Chris Bingham. This season will mark my first year in the NASCAR Busch Series as driver of the No. 49 Jay Robinson Racing Ford, for owner Jay Robinson. I am also excited about the opportunity to join Catchfence.com as a staff writer to share with you all my experiences in the NASCAR Busch Series.

Unfortunately, I was unable to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series opener Koolerz 300, because I was not approved by NASCAR. This was due mostly to lack of experience on Superspeedways. However, that was not going to keep me from competing on one of the most recognizable tracks on the NASCAR Circuit.

During the course of Speedweeks 2003, I would turn my attention for one week to the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where I would compete in their season opener from DIS.

Rich Woodland and his racing team were kind enough to turn the No. 83 Pontiac over to me for Daytona, in order to prove to NASCAR that I could compete on the Superspeedway.

I am pleased to say that our on track performance with the ARCA machine during the course of practice sessions and qualifying was absolutely fabulous.

As a driver, I was learning more about the cars, related that back to the crew, and they would make the necessary adjustments. This would make us more competitive on track and on the speeds charts.

We qualified our No. 83 Reality Entertainment Group Pontiac, 16th and I was pretty impressed with that. However, the team worked throughout the week making spring and height adjustments, so when the starting lineup was released I could not complain.

Heading into the final ARCA RE/MAX Series practice session on Friday, we wanted to have a good solid practice and we did just that.

Once we crossed the line for the final time before race day we ended up fifth fastest on the speed charts. It was a real testament to the entire team that had worked so hard throughout the week to be at that stage.

Heading into the race on Saturday, our goal was simple. We wanted to finish the race. During the early stages of the race, I was trying to be as competitive as possible while also trying to be patient as well.

We were racing in the lead draft throughout most of the event, and unfortunately we had an accident.

I was racing in the high line battling several drivers including Rookie Christi Passmore. As she tried to move up, she clipped the rear of the No. 83 Pontiac which made my car really loose. I did all that I could to try and save the car but I got clipped again and that pretty much ended our day.

It was a shame, not only for me but also for the entire Woodland Racing crew. We were credited with a 27th place finish. Obviously, our finish did not show where we were capable of running.

I have to thank the whole Woodland Racing team for their help and support, along with my spotter Tom Legaman, my sponsors Reality Entertainment Group for their support and Jay Robinson and Derrike Cope for their encouragement and support throughout the weekend.

All in all, I had a great time competing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. It's is an incredible series with a tremendous amount of talent and I hope that I am able to compete in some more ARCA races soon.

A week later in the Koolerz 300, I watched Derrike pilot the No. 49 Ford as he did a fantastic job and finished in the top 15. I am hoping to be just as competitive once I am behind the wheel in April and July for both Superspeedway races from Talladega and Daytona.

North Carolina Motor Speedway was going to mark my NASCAR Busch Series debut and I was excited.

The goal was plain and simple, we wanted to stay out of trouble and finish the race. The team faced several obstacles throughout the weekend including Mother Nature.

I headed out for the first time in a NASCAR Busch Series machine on Friday for our first practice session for the race. We wound up 38th after the first practice, looking to change the car to improve out track time for qualifying.

Later in the afternoon on Friday, I made my first BGN qualifying effort and we clocked a time of 25.501 with a speed of 143.571 mph. The time was a little slower than our qualifying run but we were able to make the show with a provisional and I was going to start my first NASCAR Busch Series race.

The goal in "Happy Hour" was try to see if we could get more speed out of the No. 49 Ford. However, darkness fell upon the North Carolina Motor Speedway and we were unable to have a Happy Hour.

The race was pretty interesting for the Jay Robinson Racing team to say the least. We were steadily working our way towards the front, avoiding all the accidents before engine problems started to materialize in the engine.

Apparently, we had a bad plug wire in cylinder #1. The guys tried to replace it during the course of the race but were unable to, as we were losing too many laps in the pits. It was very frustrating to say the least. The problem would cost us our first DNF (Did Not Finish) of the season and we ended up 34th on the final rundown completing 157 of the possible 197 laps.

The engine was a backup engine and not the intended engine for the car. The original engine actually broke on the Dyno the same day the car was leaving. The team will switch to a T&L Motor for Las Vegas and then we will make the switch to Robert Yates horsepower beginning at Darlington.

Since then, the team has regrouped and is ready for Las Vegas. I am proud to announce that we will have Reality Entertainment Group, which was our ARCA RE/Max Series sponsor. on board for the race on Saturday. I have high hopes for the race and I strongly believe that we are going to have a good run.

The Sam's Town Las Vegas 200 is schedule to start at 3 :00pm EST and can be seen live on FX. I look forward to talking to you all after Vegas!

Take care,

Chris Bingham

You can reach Chris Bingham at: cbingham@catchfence.com