FITZPATRICK: Makes Third Start For KHI At Nashville
07-27-2009 6:06 pm

J. R. Fitzpatrick will be making his third career start for Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) and the No. 4 team at Nashville Superspeedway. In his previous two attempts for KHI, Fitzpatrick finished 11th at Dover (Del.) International Speedway in May and was involved in a crash at Michigan International Speedway in June resulting in a 21st-place finish.

Fitzpatrick's career best Truck Series finish came earlier in 2009 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway while competing for TRG Motorsports. He led 17 laps and finished fourth.

ROAD COURSE RINGER: Last week Fitzpatrick joined KHI team co-owner Kevin Harvick at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) for a test session to prepare for the Nationwide Series events at Watkins Glen International on August 8 and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on August 30. Fitzpatrick learned quite a bit from the boss who was quickest of the two at the session.

CANADIAN SUCCESS: The majority of Fitzpatrick's racing success has come from the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCTS). Fitzpatrick a Canada native has a total of 26 career NCTS starts accumulating three wins, 10 top-five and 14 top-10 finishes over three years of competition. Fitzpatrick's KHI teammate Cale Gale will compete in a handful of NCTS races in 2009 for Farewell Racing.

TYLER, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT RACING ON A CONCRETE SURFACE?  "I am excited. I have actually raced on a concrete surface before and really enjoyed it. I will study hard prior to leaving for Nashville and lean on the experience of my team and teammate Ron Hornaday."

COMING FROM A SHORT-TRACK BACKGROUND, HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE 1.333-MILE OF NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY?  "To be honest, I really enjoy the bigger tracks. I think the hardest thing is trying to get used to the trucks and their reactions to changes. I'm used to racing cars, so it's a bit of a transition. It's also hard because I'm not in the truck every week. I'm learning to lean on my team to quickly adapt to the track and give the proper feedback."

SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN APART OF THE KHI FAMILY, WHO DO YOU LOOK TO FOR ADVICE?  "I always keep my ears open when it comes to taking advice. Ron (Hornaday) and Kevin (Harvick) have been awesome in helping make me fast every week. I just have to be smart and patient when I approach these races because I do have limited experience."

CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 4 KHI team will unload truck chassis No. 023 at Nashville Superspeedway. Chassis 023 last competed at Texas Motor Speedway with Ricky Carmichael behind the wheel. Carmichael drove the chassis to an 11th-place finish.