Tina Gordon Confident Heading Into Martinsville
04-09-03



Tina Gordon and the No. 31 Microtel Dodge crew are heading into Martinsville with high spirits. After the last race in Bakersfield, Gordon snagged the top spot on the Raybestos Rookie of the Year race. She also scored a top-10 in her Busch debut at Talladega Superspeedway last weekend.

Gordon used her week off from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to race with the regulars of the NASCAR Busch Series. Although the weekend began with some engine problems that forced her to the back of the field at the start, Gordon avoided the big wreck and made her way up to a tenth place finish in the Aaron's 312.

This finish combined with being 16th in overall points in the Truck Series and the current rookie points leader has given her confidence a real boost. Gordon is ready to tackle whatever the half-mile Martinsville Speedway can throw her and her team's way during Saturday's Advance Auto Parts 250.


TINA'S QUOTES:
"It's a great boost of confidence to be able to finish tenth in your first Busch race at Talladega. I'm really looking forward to going to Martinsville in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series leading the rookie points."

"I'm looking forward to running Martinsville with a guy like Darrell Waltrip. It is neat to be able to say you raced against a three-time Winston Cup Champion."

"This will be my first time at Martinsville so I really don't know what to expect but I am sure it will be a great experience and we will learn a lot like we have done everywhere else this season."

CREW CHIEF TODD MYERS' QUOTES:
"I'm expecting to go to Martinsville and have a good solid run. I want to run all the laps and finish the race on the lead lap. Anything above that will be gravy for us."

"Tina did a really good job in Talladega. To finish in the top-10 like she did is a big confidence builder for her. I'm sure that confidence will carry over to her truck program. I'm really proud of her."

"After the Bakersfield run, I feel confident she will adapt to Martinsville quicker and easier than she even did at Bakersfield. This track has a similar driving style to Bakersfield."

TEAM OWNER SHELLY BREVAK'S QUOTES:
"As owners, we're proud to be able to head to Martinsville with our driver Tina Gordon leading the rookie points and 16th in overall points. Martinsville will be another learning curve for Tina but she has proven she can adapt quickly. Our goal as a team will be to put together another solid run."

"It will be a very competitive event for everyone with current and former Winston Cup drivers entered. All of the regular Craftsman Truck Series drivers will have to dig a little harder with the additional entries but Tina and the No. 31 are up to the challenge."