DOTTER: Illinois Natives Come Home
08-24-2009 4:21 pm

Bobby Dotter, general manager at SS Greenlight Racing, is among Illinois natives "coming home" to Chicagoland Speedway this week.

Dotter finished 13th at Chicago Motor Speedway in 2001 when the series last visited his hometown. Dotter began his driving career at area short tracks and expects many family and friends in the stands this week.

"We've tested (there) two or three times so we're kind of familiar with it," he said of the track. "We did a big test with Chad McCumbee (No. 07 ASI Limited Chevrolet) and went to Nashville Superspeedway and he qualified second. We really like it."

Two Kevin Harvick Inc. employees have Illinois roots. Ron Hornaday Jr.'s crew chief, Rick Ren, is from Danville in eastern Illinois.

Craig Noble is the team engineer for the No. 4 Monster Energy Drink Chevrolet driven by Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Ricky Carmichael. Noble hails from Farmer City, near Bloomington.