Brickyard 400 • August 4, 2002
Indianapolis Motor Speedway • Indianapolis, Ind.

Matt Kenseth’s Performance Summary at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Winston Cup
Date	Start	Finish	Laps	Money	Status
08/05/2000	37	26	159/160	$97,435	Running
08/05/2001	23	42	2/160	$91,435	Accident

Matt Kenseth’s thoughts on Indy

“Indy is a tough track for stock cars to run side by side on, so track position is really, really important. During the test we spent a lot of time on qualifying setups. We need to qualify up front so we can race up front. The history that goes along with a track like Indianapolis would make a win that much nicer. Most drivers would pick the Brickyard 400 and the Daytona 500 as races they aim to win throughout their career.”

Crew Chief Robbie Reiser’s Thoughts on Indy

“We are taking car 20 to Indy this year. We had an excellent test there and are ready to get the job done. The Brickyard is a big race for us and our car was really fast. Last year we had a good car, but qualified in the middle of the pack. We ended up being taken out on lap two, and could not fix the car. This time our goal is to qualify up front and stay there until the end.”

Spotter Mike Calinoff’s Thoughts on Indy

“Last year, David Hoots of NASCAR lobbied to get the spotters on the roof of the Pagoda on the infield. There, we can see about 90% of the track. The only portion where we can’t see is on the front stretch and the crew chiefs will be able to handle that. It’s much better than it’s been in the past where we had to use more than one spotter.”

NOTES OF INTEREST:

UNOFFICIALLY, THE FASTEST… During the test session on July 15 and 16, Matt Kenseth and the DEWALT team recorded the fastest unofficial stock-car lap in track history,181.596 mph.

APPEARANCES... Matt Kenseth will sign autographs at the Ford Fan Day on Thursday, August 1, at Indianapolis Raceway Park from 4:30–6:30pm. He will be at the Lowe’s Jamboree on Friday, August 2, from 6–8pm along with Jimmie Johnson. The appearance will be held at White River State Park in the Military Park area in Indianapolis.

MATT KENSETH’S COMMENTS ON TESTING AT WATKINS GLEN: “We wanted to test at Watkins Glen because last year we had a bad experience there. We only run two road courses every year and we don’t have a lot of road course experience in building cars and knowing what to do. So we built a new car and went up there to test it out so we could be more competitive during the race. We found some things during the test, but it was kind of the middle of the road as far as satisfaction with the results.”

SPECIAL AWARDS… Matt Kenseth currently leads in the Gatorade Front Runner and Outback Steakhouse “Bloomin’” Favorite Awards. Kenseth has won both awards four times and if leading at the end of the season will receive an additional $75,000 from each sponsor. He is currently the runner up in the following additional special awards: True Value Driver of the Race Award, Waste Management “Picking Up Places” Award, and the EA Sports “Move of the Race” Award. Crew chief Robbie Reiser is runner up in the Infogames “Pit Strategy” Award.

2002 TOTALS
POINTS	2,435 / 10th
MONEY WON	$ 2,297,012
LAPS COMPLETED	5,531/5,882= 94%
STARTS	20
POLES	1 Dover
WINS	3  Rockingham, 2/24 Texas, 4/07 Michigan, 6/16
TOP FIVE	6
TOP TEN	10

CONCORD, N.C. (July 25, 2002) — The success of NASCAR’s so-called “young guns” has been the dominant story of the 2002 Winston Cup season and Lowe’s Motor Speedway is recognizing their accomplishments by featuring eight of the young superstars on a limited-edition collectible ticket for Bojangles’ Pole Night on Thursday, Oct. 10.

“They’re the ‘sensation generation’,” said H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “These twenty-something drivers have won races, thrilled fans and even ruffled a few feathers. They have definitely left their mark and it is only fitting that we recognize them on this collectible ticket.”

Featuring fully embossed images, NASCAR Winston Cup “young guns” pictured on the Bojangles’ Pole Night ticket are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Casey Atwood, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Elliott Sadler and Matt Kenseth.

Production of the collectible ticket, the 21st in a series of Pole Night ducats, was limited to 25,000. The ticket, printed in vibrant four-color on quality stock, sells for $15 in advance and will be $20 the day of the event.

Time trial runs during Bojangles’ Pole Night on Thursday, Oct. 10, will determine the 43-car starting field for the Oct. 13 UAW-GM Quality 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race. After qualifying, the ARCA RE/MAX Series, featuring such rising stars as Chad Blount and Chase Montgomery along with such as veterans Frank Kimmel and Tim Steele, will conclude its 22-race season with the EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 150. The ticket is also good for admission to qualifying for the “Little Trees” 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on Friday afternoon, Oct. 11.

The limited-edition Bojangles’ Pole Night tickets, along with tickets for all October events at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, can be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or ordered online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

LONG POND, Pa. (July 28, 2002) — Matt Kenseth said he had a hard time passing cars in the running of the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, but he made his way from 22nd to eighth in the rain-shortened event. NASCAR made the decision to run 175 laps instead of 200 because of darkness and threatening weather. Bill Elliott won the 175 lap event followed by Kurt Busch, Sterling Marlin, Dale Jarrett and Ryan Newman.

With the same car they had at Pocono in June, Kenseth and the DEWALT Team ran well during practice sessions throughout the weekend. Even though the race started on time after early morning rains, and the threat of bad weather would play its part during the race.

On lap one, a grinding crash occurred between Rusty Wallace, Steve Park and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Park’s machine hooked up with Earnhardt Jr.’s and they slid across the grass in turn one. After hitting the retaining guardrail, Park’s car flipped end over end before coming to rest on the drivers side. Both Park and Earnhardt Jr. were uninjured. The race was red-flagged for over an hour in order for the track to make repairs to the damaged guardrail.

When the field started to move again, they only ran 30 laps before another delay for rain showers moving through the area.

The racing resumed about two and a half hours later. At first Kenseth said his car was tight, but he began to move through the field. Matt was in 12th position when he brought the car into the pits for adjustments. The DEWALT crew lowered the track bar and made an air pressure adjustment before sending Kenseth back out onto the track.

It was difficult for Kenseth to get within four car-lengths of the competition because his car was so tight. “If it wasn’t for the car being so tight when I was behind other cars, we probably had a top five car if we had the right track position,” said Kenseth. “Today was the worst I’ve seen it as far as passing.”

The team attempted all day long to alleviate the tight condition for Kenseth. When the day was finished, Kenseth crossed the stripe in eighth.

“This is the same car we had last time and it didn't seem that bad,” explained Kenseth. “But today was just difficult all around. I don’t know if we should have brought that car back, or if we were just off on everything. We all had a bad day I guess, and you can’t win races like that. At least we got a decent finish out of a bad situation.”

Kenseth’s eighth place finish actually cost him a position in the point standings. The DEWALT Team is now 10th in the championship points and will test at Watkins Glen Monday and Tuesday before heading to Indianapolis.

Matt Kenseth to be Honored at Oneida Bingo & Casino 250

(KAUKAUNA, WI) — NASCAR Winston Cup driver Matt Kenseth is scheduled to be honored for his achievements in racing and for the great sense of pride he has instilled in race fans statewide during the upcoming Oneida Bingo & Casino NASCAR ReMax Challenge Series 250 to be held on Tuesday, August 6, at Wisconsin International Raceway (WIR) in Kaukauna, Wis. Kenseth, a native of Cambridge, Wis., will be present for the August 6 event, and will even be available to sign autographs for one hour that evening. At the age of 30, Kenseth has had a relatively short yet notable racing career. In 1991, then just 19 years old, he became the youngest winner ever in ARTGO Challenge Series history, now the NASCAR ReMax Challenge Series. Then in 1996 Kenseth was named Track Champion and Champion of the prestigious Red, White and Blue State Championship Series at WIR, the first driver ever to accomplish both in the same year.

Matt Kenseth raced his first NASCAR Busch Grand National Series in April of 1997, driving for former Wisconsin competitor and current crew chief, Robbie Reiser of Allenton, Wis. Kenseth was runner-up in the rookie of the year points battle that year even though he missed several races at the beginning of the season. Kenseth’s first Winston Cup race was in 1998 when he was called up to substitute for Bill Elliot, finishing a strong sixth at Dover Downs, Del. In 1999, Kenseth finished third in Busch points while also running a limited five-race Winston Cup schedule. He was named NASCAR Winston Cup Raybestos Brakes Rookie of the Year in 2000, finishing 14th in points that year and 13th in points in 2001.

We are pleased to announce that Matt Kenseth will be joining us for the Oneida Bingo & Casino NASCAR ReMax Challenge series 250, Tuesday, August 6. Gates open at 3p.m. with racing starting at 7p.m. Tickets $20 for adults, $15 in advance and $10 for kids 15 and under, or just five dollars in advance. VIP tickets include food and beverages in the Dick Trickle Pavilion and are just $50 for this event. Tickets for this exciting and memorable event go on sale Monday, July 15 at area Express Convenience Centers, Oneida One Stops, D.J.'s Speed Zones, TicketStar and ticketstaronline.com, or by calling the race promoter direct and toll free at 877-902-1177. www.gamedayracing.com is the site for individual, VIP and Group ticket package prices and information, and all the Race event details. The site also includes a RE/Max Challenge Series race history, a celebrity history, a complete listing of ticket vendors and details on sponsorship opportunities available.

Pocono 500 • July 28, 2002
Pocono Raceway • Long Pond, Pa.

Matt Kenseth’s Performance Summary at Pocono Raceway

Winston Cup
Date	Start	Finish	Laps	Money	Status
06/19/00	29	14	200/200	$48,665	Running
07/23/00	24	5	200/200	$71,590	Running
06/17/01	31	6	200/200	$59,715	Running
07/29/01	24	14	200/200	$46,840	Running
06/09/02	4	35	161/200	$53,865	Running

Matt Kenseth’s thoughts on racing at Pocono

“We always go to Pocono trying to do the best we can. It’s one of my favorite tracks, and its been really good to us. Pocono is like a speedway because its 2.5 miles and it has a really long straight-away. Each corner is unique. We have to downshift into the first turn and shift up to go down the back stretch. Turn two, called the tunnel turn, is like a road course turn. It has rumble strips at the bottom of it and is shaped like a road course. It’s pretty challenging to get your car set up to handle good in all three turns.”

Crew Chief Robbie Reiser’s Thoughts on Pocono

“We are taking car 5 to Pocono. It is the same car we took there in June and ran well with until the input shaft broke. Matt is very easy on our equipment, so it was a freak deal. Hopefully this time we can finish the job.”

Spotter Mike Calinoff’s Thoughts on Pocono

“Pocono is one of the tougher tracks to spot. Because the front stretch is so long, it is really difficult to see turn one. Additionally, the cars are actually going away from you on the backstretch and that makes it tough to judge if someone gets out of line to pass.”

NOTES OF INTEREST

HELPING OUT… Matt spent time with Aazie Zimbelmann at a Hickory test on Monday in preparation for his USAR Hooters Pro Cup debut this Saturday night.

2002 TOTALS after 19 of 36 events
POINTS	2,293 /9th
MONEY WON	$ 2,232,247
LAPS COMPLETED	5,356/5,707= 94%
STARTS	19
POLES	1
WINS	3
TOP FIVE	6
TOP TEN	9

LOUDON, NH (July 21, 2002) — The DEWALT Racing team stood on the pit wall and watched the potential fourth win of the season slip away like the slow leak in the right rear tire of the No. 17 car. After leading the most laps and showing the way to the checkers with ten laps to go, Matt Kenseth’s tire went flat, and he ended up 33rd.

Throughout the entire weekend, Kenseth was either the fastest car on the 1-mile track, or within the top six. Since the win in Michigan four races ago. Kenseth and the DEWALT Team showed the competition the bad luck they’ve run into lately could not keep a a good team down.

Crew chief Robbie Reiser told the team track position was going to be important for the 300 mile race. Kenseth was starting in the sixth position and it was going to be a total team effort to keep him in contention.

On lap 2, two cars tangled in front of Kenseth, and the DEWALT/AT&T Broadband car suffered some sheet metal damage. Kenseth was shuffled back to the 33rd position after previously running 5th. After a few near-misses, Kenseth worked his way though the field and passed his way to the front.

Matt took the lead from Jerry Nadeau on lap 125. From there, Kenseth and old Busch Series rival Dale Earnhardt, Jr. swapped the lead a few times. The biggest complaint Kenseth had all day was the car took a little longer to warm up the tires, and he was loose. Although this was the case, the DEWALT team made very few adjustments to keep Kenseth in the lead. The car usually adjusted after ten laps, which helped Kenseth put some real estate between himself and the rest of the field.

With thirty to go, Kenseth took on four tires during a pit stop. He was back in the field in 15th when the race went green again. Matt passed four cars in two laps, on a track where passing was extremely difficult. Kenseth said his car was really tight at that point, but he was running lap times four-tenths faster than those of the leaders.

He eventually worked his way to fourth, and then to first in an exciting battle. With the moral support of his crew chief, team and spotter, it was evident Kenseth was going to be the man to beat when the race went green with 10 laps to go.

The race restarted on lap 290 and Kenseth got loose off of turn one. He was then passed by second place car, Ward Burton, and eventually by 32 more cars. A rear tire went flat on the No. 17 car, and spoiled all chances for a decent finish.

“These guys need to keep their heads up,” said crew chief Reiser. “We had the best car, and sometimes things just aren’t meant to be. I just feel pretty bad, its kind of unbelievable.”

“I think it was obvious we had the best car,” said Kenseth. “You don’t win every time you have the best car. The way luck is and the way racing is, you’re going to have bad times even when you’re running good. Every time you put yourself in position to win doesn’t mean you’re going to win.”

Even though Kenseth finished 33rd, he gained a position in the point standings. The DEWALT team is now ninth and 311 points out of first.

The NASCAR Winston Cup Series will head to Pocono next weekend for the Pennsylvania 500.

JOLIET, Ill. (July 15, 2002) — The DEWALT Racing team showed potential early on in the Tropicana 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday. Matt Kenseth motored from a 16th place starting position to the lead, but troubles plagued the No. 17 car and they finished in 14th position.

Kenseth was in the top 15 of the speed charts all weekend long. Driving the car that finished third in the Winston and second in the Coca Cola 600, Kenseth knew his knack for the 1.5 mile tracks would pay off.

Last year, the team took a provisional starting position (37th) and battled to 7th at the finish. Kenseth hoped to better that position, and grab his fourth win of the season at a track close to his home state of Wisconsin.

The DEWALT car was loose early on, so the team made adjustments in the pits early on. The car came around to Kenseth’s liking, and he began to move up in the field.

On lap 147 Kenseth came into the pits third, and a 14.18 second pit stop sent him out with the lead. Unfortunately, Kenseth dropped a cylinder and also had a bad set of tires — and he began to lose ground rapidly. The car was so tight, Kenseth did all he could to keep from blowing a tire. That was the beginning of the end for the DEWALT team at Chicago.

“I’m really disappointed about today,” said Kenseth after the race. “We came here with a top-5 car, and left with 14th. I have no idea why everything happened like that, but I guess we will take the car back to the shop and see what happened.”

Kenseth drooped to 10th in the point standings. He is 264 points behind leader Sterling Marlin.

On a lighter note, the DEWALT crew became the first recipients of The Golden Benny Award. NBC commentator Benny Parsons has sent out a challenge to all pit crews calling for performance and fast pit stops. The DEWALT crew received the award for their outstanding and consistent work in the pits, helping Matt Kenseth to three wins this season.

After two days of testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kenseth and the boys will head to New Hampshire International Speedway for 1-mile flat track racing.

Tropicana 400 • July 14, 2002
Chicagoland Speedway • Joliet, Ill.

Matt Kenseth’s Performance Summary at Chicagoland Speedway

Winston Cup
Date	Start	Finish	Laps	Money	Status
07/15/02	37	7	267/267	$70,650	Running

Matt Kenseth’s thoughts on racing at Chicago

“I really like Chicago. It’s a great facility and its fan friendly. We took a provisional last year and raced up to seventh. That was a good run for us considering last year was pretty bad all around. This year we should be able to race side by side. It’s a track like Vegas and fast as Texas. There’s a good chance the DEWALT team may rebound back to where we need to be this weekend. We’ve got some ground to make up.”

Crew Chief Robbie Reiser’s thoughts on racing at Chicago:

“We are taking car 19 to Chicago. This is the car we raced in Charlotte a few weeks ago and finished second with. I think it should be a decent showing for us — we should have a good opportunity its just up to us to capitalize on it.”

Spotter Mike Calinoff’s thoughts on Chicago:

“I am excited to go to Chicagoland again. It’s a very spotter-friendly facility that offers us a totally unobstructed view. Last year we came from a provisional spot to finish 7th, so we are all pretty confident that we’ll be strong.”

NOTES OF INTEREST:

Appearances…
Matt Kenseth will sign autographs for the public on July 12th at Joliet Home Depot from 7-8pm. The store address is 3001 Plainfield Road (Route 30) Joliet, IL 60435 (815)577-9854. He will sign autographs at the DEWALT Rolling Thunder trackside display on Sunday, July 14th from 9:45-10:15am for the first 200 people in line.

Local guys…
Rear tire carrier Bryan Dunaway is from Momence, IL and second catch can man Daniel Walkup is from Dwight, IL.

2002 SEASON TOTALS
POINTS	2,093 /8th
MONEY WON	$ 2,085,222
LAPS COMPLETED	4,789/5,140= 93%
STARTS	17
WINS	3
TOP FIVE	6
TOP TEN	9