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Boris Said to Sub for John Wes Townley at Watkins Glen International


Concord, NC (7-20-09) - RAB Racing announced today that road course
specialist, Boris Said will pilot the No. 09 Zaxby's Ford Fusion in the
upcoming Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International on August 8th.

Said, who has six NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at The Glen including one
top-5, two top-10's and one pole to his credit will be making his debut for
RAB Racing at the 2.45-mile road course filling in for rookie John Wes
Townley.

"I'm really excited to drive a Ford for RAB Racing at Watkins Glen," stated
Said. "I'm really fond of Zaxby's and I love their chicken! I've eaten
enough of their new chicken parmesan sandwiches to feed a small army. But,
when it comes down to it, I really like driving these cars on road courses
and we will get some good things going at Watkins Glen."

Boris Said, who has been touted a perennial "road course ringer", has helped
other notable drivers such as Kasey Kahne, Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
and Kevin Harvick.

John Wes Townley, a 2009 Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender in the
NASCAR Nationwide Series, has one start on a road course to his resume;
finishing 18th in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Loud Energy Drink 150 at New Jersey
Motorsports Park in 2008. The Watkinsville, GA native currently has three
top-20 and seven top-25 finishes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and sits
25th in the driver point standings and 34th in the 2009 championship owner
point standings; 271 points outside the top-30.

"I haven't raced on a road course since September of 2008," stated Townley.
"Even then that was my first attempt at a road course and to be quite honest
I struggled. At this stage in the game we are outside of the top-30 in
points and required to qualify in the field on time and more than anything
every point counts to get us out of this hole. I know that Boris will help
this team not only excel at a solid qualifying effort he will also be very
competitive all weekend, and therefore I am willing to step aside."

In preparation for the Zippo 200 RAB Racing will attend a test at Road
Atlanta on Tuesday, July 21st with both Said and Townley. While at the
2.54-mile road course Said will help Townley with road course racing
technique in a two-seater car.

"This test is not just about Boris testing the car for Watkins Glen.  It is
a learning experience for me as well," Townley said. "Boris is such a
talented, accomplished and respected driver in the series but his road
course racing resume speaks for itself."

Although Townley will not be behind the wheel of the Zaxby's Ford Fusion,
the Watkinsville GA native will be in attendance during the August 8th race
weekend at Watkins Glen International. The 19-year-old rookie will spend
valuable time with Said at the track taking in everything and learning as
much as he can.

Flag-to-flag coverage of the Zippo 200 at The Glen is scheduled to begin at
2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 Saturday August 8th. Practice for the event is
scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday, August 7th.
Qualifying is slated for 10:10 a.m. ET on Saturday, August 8th.

Townley will be back behind the wheel of the No. 09 Zaxby's Ford Fusion the
following weekend at Michigan International Speedway for the Michigan 250 on
August 15th.

 

Last Updated on 07/24/09
By George Campbell or Greg Fish
Email: neracing@neracing.com