Center Line, Mich. - The USAC 4-Crown Nationals event at Eldora Speedway always presents a dramatic finish to the USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series championship, but this year's event hits a little closer to home for Team Mopar's Josh Wise. Heading into this weekend's four-series event, Wise is only 31 points behind Silver Crown Series leader Dave Steele. The Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises hotshoe is focused on winning what could be the first leg of the 2005 USAC Triple Crown.
"We've just got to go out and win," Wise said. "We need to be as perfect as possible in order to win the Silver Crown championship. We're at an advantage, as Eldora is a dirt track. Steele's best finish on the dirt this season has been ninth. We're going to go into the event to earn as many points as possible and hope that he finishes somewhere below ninth or tenth. With the title on the line, I'm not going to be too tentative at any point during the two days."
If Wise succeeds in winning the first leg of the 2005 USAC Triple Crown, he will set the stage to become the youngest person in history to do so. His team owner, Tony Stewart, captured the title in 1995, and No. 20 car predecessor, J.J. Yeley, repeated the feat in 2003.
Wise is confident as the team heads to Ohio's Eldora Speedway, as the legendary half-mile has become a favorite for the young driver.
"I've really come to like Eldora," Wise said. "I didn't care for it too much in 2004; I think I really tried to overdrive the car. I've learned this year that you have to slow down in order to be fast. You've got to run straight and drive through the corners and not steer so much. I think Eldora has been one of our best tracks this season, and I'm looking forward to getting to run all three cars this weekend."
Wise will lead the USAC National Midget Car Series points into the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event. He is currently ranked fourth in the USAC National Sprint Car Series points chase, and will look to overcome a 31-point deficit
to win the USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series title.
Gates open at 4 p.m. EST on September 23-24 for the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event. For more information regarding Mopar, Wise, or the USAC 4-Crown Nationals, log on to www.moparspeed.com, www.mopar.com, www.joshwiseracing.com, or www.eldoraspeedway.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.
"We've just got to go out and win," Wise said. "We need to be as perfect as possible in order to win the Silver Crown championship. We're at an advantage, as Eldora is a dirt track. Steele's best finish on the dirt this season has been ninth. We're going to go into the event to earn as many points as possible and hope that he finishes somewhere below ninth or tenth. With the title on the line, I'm not going to be too tentative at any point during the two days."
If Wise succeeds in winning the first leg of the 2005 USAC Triple Crown, he will set the stage to become the youngest person in history to do so. His team owner, Tony Stewart, captured the title in 1995, and No. 20 car predecessor, J.J. Yeley, repeated the feat in 2003.
Wise is confident as the team heads to Ohio's Eldora Speedway, as the legendary half-mile has become a favorite for the young driver.
"I've really come to like Eldora," Wise said. "I didn't care for it too much in 2004; I think I really tried to overdrive the car. I've learned this year that you have to slow down in order to be fast. You've got to run straight and drive through the corners and not steer so much. I think Eldora has been one of our best tracks this season, and I'm looking forward to getting to run all three cars this weekend."
Wise will lead the USAC National Midget Car Series points into the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event. He is currently ranked fourth in the USAC National Sprint Car Series points chase, and will look to overcome a 31-point deficit
to win the USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series title.
Gates open at 4 p.m. EST on September 23-24 for the USAC 4-Crown Nationals event. For more information regarding Mopar, Wise, or the USAC 4-Crown Nationals, log on to www.moparspeed.com, www.mopar.com, www.joshwiseracing.com, or www.eldoraspeedway.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.
