The Dollar General 300 Preview and Race Thread

Ah, Charlotte, North Carolina. Home to many race teams, and race drivers. NASCAR may have it’s HQ in Daytona, but they have 4 different offices in North Carolina. Charlotte is NASCAR country which is exactly why Charlotte always has two races in both Nationwide and Sprint Cup.

Charlotte was first run in the Cup series in 1960. They landed in Nationwide in 1982. Lately the track has been owned by King Nationwide Kyle Busch. Busch has 6 wins, the first coming in 2005. Busch won 4 of the last 5 races here, Mike Bliss broke up Busch’s dominance last year in the #1 Phoenix Racing Chevy.

The biggest difference that we will see in this race is that the Nationwide COT will be gracing the track for the final time in 2010. Get used to this type of racing, since 2011 will mark the first year we get the Nationwide COT full time. The entry list for this race is one less then the spring race. Only 45 cars are entered, so two COT cars will be hitting the old dusty trail back home. Thankfully, that will only be about a 20 minute drive for some teams.
Entry List and More after the JUMP!

It will be Truex vs Truex Round 2, as Martin returns to the #00 Toyota, and Ryan takes the wheel of his 2011 ride, the #99 Toyota. Here’s hoping for the awesome reverse scheme that Martin has been running.

David Starr returns to the #05 with sponsor Cash America.

Danica Patrick will attempt to build on her solid run from last week. Patrick just hopes that it ends better.

David Reutimann makes his first start in the #11 Toyota, moving Buescher over to the #10 Toyota. I have no idea why this was done, Reuti has been driving the #10 for select races all year.

Kelly Bires returns in the #25 Ford for Rensi Racing.

Parker Kligerman returns to the #26 this week. Good chance that he will attempt to run the entire race. Still no word on what car he will drive next year, but it sounds like he could take over for either Keselowski or Allgaier.

Hermie Sadler the Third returns to the #27 this week. He is joined by the return of the #43 Ford. Josh Wise will pilot that ride.

Carl Long attempts another race in the #68 Chevy. The team is trying to set up for a full time run in 2011.

What better race than a COT race to run under the lights. Tune in to ESPN2 at 7:30 eastern time this Friday the 15th for the Dollar General 300 from Charlotte, NC! Enjoy!