Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY, UT July 14, 2006 – The newest track in America, Miller Motorsports Park, near the shores of the Great Salt Lake, has one of their twenty-four turns named “Satisfaction.” Butch Leitzinger had the fulfillment of setting a time a second and a half quicker than his weekend’s best to start third tomorrow in the inaugural Utah Grand Prix. “The car is really good,” said Leitzinger. “It has a nice balance and tomorrow we are going to have a nice scrap in the front with six or seven cars on the point.”

Guy Smith fought understeer exacerbated by the 100 degree heat here at the longest track in America, and will start sixth. “The car had too much push, but otherwise we are there,” said Smith. “We race later in the day tomorrow and the coolness of the evening will help both the power and grip.”

This new 4.5 mile track outside of Salt Lake City (whose denizens consume more Jell-O per capita than any other city), has played to solid reviews. “Larry Miller and Alan Wilson have done a great job,” noted Chris Dyson. “This is a great facility. They have invested a tremendous amount of resources in it and executed it well from a lay-out standpoint.” Added Leitzinger, “The facility is top notch. They have definitely talked to the right people and sought a wide variety of input.” In addition to the first class facilities, the viewing areas are arranged so that the fans can see the whole track. Being a new track, it is devoid of landscaping and when James Weaver was asked how he finds his way around a long track without identifying landmarks, he replied, tongue in cheek, “By divine guidance.”

But deity preordination is not a determinant of racing results. “We have the speed, the strategy and the preparation,” said Leitzinger. “Whoever puts together the best package wins and we have shown before that we can do it and we will do it again.”

Tomorrow’s race will be broadcast on CBS on Sunday, July 16: 2:00 – 4:00 PM EST.