Sadler Set to Make Great Run for Home State Fans in Richmond

Will use same No. 19 Stanley Tools Dodge that sat on outside pole in Phoenix

RICHMOND, Va. - If there is one place on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit Elliott Sadler would like to visit it is Victory Lane at Richmond International Raceway; where he races this Saturday night.

The Emporia, Va. native grew up 40 minutes away from the .75-mile oval, as did several of his Gillett Evernham Motorsports crew members. With family, friends and a large contingent of Old Dominion State fans in attendance, Sadler and the No. 19 Stanley Tools Dodge team couldn't think of a better place for a great race.

Team Director Rodney Childers will utilize the same Dodge Charger that sat on the outside pole at Phoenix International Raceway earlier this month.

Elliott Sadler Quotes

What is it about Saturday night racing that everyone likes: "We all started racing at some short track before we made it to this level, and most of them were Saturday night tracks. There's just something about a short track under the lights for the drivers and fans. It brings out an extra element that you don't normally get during Sunday races. I love the atmosphere that surrounds a night race. You never know what's going to happen during a short track race, but I guarantee you it's going to happen fast and someone is going to end up mad."

Will it be more intense with RIR being in your home state: "Oh, you can bet on that, for sure. I'm a very proud Virginian and those fans are proud of all their drivers who make it into NASCAR. But, yeah, you can hear the increased noise during driver introductions and calling of your name during the drive around. I used to sit in those very same stands when I was a kid with my family members. A lot of my crew guys are from Virginia, too, so it means a little more to all of us when we race at Richmond."

You're using the same car from Phoenix: "Yes, we decided when we got back from Phoenix to use that same car for Richmond. We sat on the outside pole and were running fourth when the oil pump belt was knocked off to end our night early. The car was a new one from the Gillett Evernham stable and we all liked how it handled. So, we're hoping to show what we can do with it at Richmond. It's great to climb into good equipment and Rodney (Childers, Team Director) and the guys have been building great cars."

Last race: Led three times for three laps (first of the year) and ranked fifth for most laps (141/188) in the top-15; which equaled 75% of race. Was sixth best in Average Driving Position and made 200, of 286, Quality Passes at Talladega Superspeedway.

Car info: The No. 19 Stanley Tools Dodge team will use GEM No. 243, which sat on the outside pole at Phoenix this year.

Autism Helmet Auction begins May 1: The helmet Sadler has worn at each track this month goes on the auction block starting Thursday, May 1. The highest bidder when it ends on May 19 - via www.sadlerfoundation.org - will receive it autographed with a certificate of authenticity. Funds go to raising awareness and finding a cure for autism.

Sadler at Richmond

• Has made 18 career starts completing 6538 of 7198 laps.

• Best finish was seventh (spring 05) and start was fifth (spring 05)

• In this race last year, started 40th and finished 27th.

© Copyright 2008 by ElliottSadler.com, All Rights Reserved

Copyright Notice:
Please note that all photos and images posted on ElliottSadler.com are copyrighted by ElliottSadler.com, and/or their respective source (including, but not limited to, CIA Stock Photo, Dodge and Gillett Evernham Motorsports) and all rights are reserved. There can be no reposting of such images without the written permission of ElliottSadler.com.