Center Line, Mich. - The 2004 Copper World Classic started off outstanding for Nicholas Motorsports' Dave Steele. The team set a new track record in qualifying and went on to lead much of the feature event. Steele saw the ensuing victory slip away in the final stages of the race, taking with it his perfect sweep of the event.
If Steele has his way, don't count on a repeat in 2005.
"We're definitely going into this race to rewrite the way last year's event came down," Steele said. "We've had to wait all year to get our chance to redo last year's final lap. The key to Phoenix is being up front on the last lap.
You've got to play the draft well, and there's quite a bit of strategy involved in running this track. It really comes down to how well you position yourself in the end."
Known for his prowess on the pavement, Steele is notably the man to beat as the USAC National Midget Car Series heads to the Phoenix International Raceway
(PIR) this weekend. The No. 2 Nicholas Motorsports team has spent the off season gearing up for the opportunity to take the Copper World Classic title.
"This is the car that we set the track record with last year," Steele said.
"We're familiar with the setup we'll need, and the Mopar engine is a great long track powerplant. We're looking forward to getting a new season started and it would be huge to get another Copper World midget win."
Steele will be contending for his second Copper World Classic win in the USAC National Midget Series division. The No. 2 team set the current midget qualifying record at the PIR at 26.049 seconds in 2004. Steele's effort shattered the previous track record for the facility, which he had set in 2002.
The Copper World Classic is scheduled to take place at PIR January 29-30. For more information regarding Mopar, Steele, or the Copper World Classic, log on to www.moparspeed.com, www.davesteele.com or www.phoenixintlraceway.com.
Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep® vehicles.
If Steele has his way, don't count on a repeat in 2005.
"We're definitely going into this race to rewrite the way last year's event came down," Steele said. "We've had to wait all year to get our chance to redo last year's final lap. The key to Phoenix is being up front on the last lap.
You've got to play the draft well, and there's quite a bit of strategy involved in running this track. It really comes down to how well you position yourself in the end."
Known for his prowess on the pavement, Steele is notably the man to beat as the USAC National Midget Car Series heads to the Phoenix International Raceway
(PIR) this weekend. The No. 2 Nicholas Motorsports team has spent the off season gearing up for the opportunity to take the Copper World Classic title.
"This is the car that we set the track record with last year," Steele said.
"We're familiar with the setup we'll need, and the Mopar engine is a great long track powerplant. We're looking forward to getting a new season started and it would be huge to get another Copper World midget win."
Steele will be contending for his second Copper World Classic win in the USAC National Midget Series division. The No. 2 team set the current midget qualifying record at the PIR at 26.049 seconds in 2004. Steele's effort shattered the previous track record for the facility, which he had set in 2002.
The Copper World Classic is scheduled to take place at PIR January 29-30. For more information regarding Mopar, Steele, or the Copper World Classic, log on to www.moparspeed.com, www.davesteele.com or www.phoenixintlraceway.com.
Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep® vehicles.
