Trivia  If you have a question or a comment, write: NASCAR This Week, c/o The Gaston Gazette, P.O. Box 1893, Gastonia, NC 28053

Time NEXTEL CUP SERIES ,NO. 77 KODAK Test your memory in re- gard to the 2004 Nextel Cup season: Questions 1. Who won the pole for the ? 2. Ryan Newman won a se- ries-best nine poles in Stepping It Up 2004. Who was second in that statistical category? 3. How many drivers won races? After success in truck series, Kvapil taking on Nextel Cup 4. What was the only By Monte Dutton track where a record for NASCAR This Week average in a race was set? In 2003, Travis Kvapil won the Crafts- 5. How many races ended man Truck Series championship after under caution? led the standings enter- ing the season’s final race. 6. How many races ended Fast-forward a little more than a year. with “green-white-check- ered” finishes? Now Kvapil is replacing Gaughan in the Nextel Cup Series. The 28-year-old driver 7. How many drivers won from Janesville, Wis., will take over the poles? No. 77 Dodge Gaughan piloted for Penske 8. At how many tracks Racing South in 2004. were qualifying records The move came as no surprise after established? Kvapil competed in three races for the team at the end of the season, although he Answers did not actually replace Gaughan. Those races gave Kvapil some practical 1. perspective on what he’s up against in a 2. (6) bid for Raybestos Rookie of the Year. “It was quite a bit different,” he said. 3. Thirteen: Jimmie John- “The races are longer, and more pit stops Special to NASCAR This Week son (8), are involved in the Cup Series. The Travis Kvapil, shown here driving the Line-X in a Craftsman Truck Series race at Lowe’s Jr. (6), Jeff Gordon (5), biggest difference I noticed was how im- Motor Speedway in Charlotte in 2004, will drive for next season in a Dodge in the (3), (2), Ryan New- portant the team aspect of it was. In the Nextel Cup Series. man (2), Truck Series, you could have a 16-second (2), (2), and maintain your position, or you come back the next year and finish eighth you? “I’m not sure what his role will be Greg Biffle (2), Mark Mar- might even gain a spot or two. In the Cup in the points, but getting those two wins yet. I know the little bit of testing I’ve tin (1), Series, if you have a slow stop or you’re were great.” done he’s been there offering advice. I (1), (1) off a little bit, you’re really going to lose ■ Why do you think Roger Penske imagine he’ll be there. I look forward to and (1). positions. picked you to drive his ? “I think working with him. He was a very success- 4. . “The competition is so close. You could he believes in me and thinks I can get that ful driver with a ton of experience, and he be running 25th on the track and running 77 Dodge in victory lane and be a good knows what it takes to go fast around the 5. Five: Talladega, Lowe’s similar lap times to the guys running in (Charlotte), Pocono, spokesperson for Penske/Jasper Racing race track.” the top five. The depth of the competition ■ Michigan, . and Kodak. I want to make the 77 car like It looks like will be your and the importance of every member of the 2 and 12 car, a car to contend with main competition in Raybestos rookie of 6. Three: Indianapolis, the team make Cup a lot tougher.” every week. We ran a few races last year, the year competition. Will that be your Phoenix, Homestead. Kvapil won the Truck championship and apparently he liked the way I race.” main objective? “I feel like the 77 team 7. Twelve: Ryan Newman driving a , but he joined the new ■ Have you had a chance to talk to Rusty will be a contender to win the rookie title (9), Jeff Gordon (6), Toyota contingent in 2004. and Ryan yet? “Ryan and Rusty were real- next year, and I’d have to say that’s proba- (4), Jeremy ■ After winning the Truck Series title in ly good to me at the three races I did last bly my No. 1 goal for 2005. I think we’ve Mayfield (2), Casey 2003, was 2004 a tough season? “We had a year. They offered free advice and any in- got a great shot at it. I know we’ve got the Mears (2), Joe Ne- pretty big mountain to climb in 2004 with formation I was looking for they were team and sponsor and people behind me to mechek (2), Brian Vick- a new manufacturer and a new team and a right there to help me out. You couldn’t go ahead and do that. I want to finish in ers (2), Greg Biffle (1), new owner. We had a lot to overcome. My ask for two better teammates. You’ve got a the top 20 or top 15 in points. Anything (1), Bob- expectations were to go out and win the by Labonte (1), Ricky young guy like Ryan who’s doing a great better than that would be great. I want to Rudd (1), Kurt Busch (1). championship last year in the Truck Se- job and someone like Rusty who’s got a win a race next year and be in contention ries, but we fell a little short of that. We bunch of experience and a of to win races and I know I’ll have the 8. 10: , Rich- won a couple of races and picked up a years under his belt. I think I’ve got both equipment to do it. I feel like as a driver I mond, Lowe’s (Charlotte) pole, but the last part of the year we start- sides of the coin to draw from. Hopefully can do it. I’m sure there will be a bit of a twice, Dover, Pocono, Infi- ed to struggle and dropped out of the we can all work together and make all learning curve and things to get used to, neon (Sonoma), championship chase. It was a bit of a dis- Chicagoland, Indianapo- three successful next year.” but I want to win next year and I’ll be dis- lis, Martinsville, Phoenix. appointment to win the championship and ■ Will be working with appointed if we don’t.”