Richmond Preview: Emerson Radio 250 up next for CMM

Richmond, VA September 4, 2006 -- Chris Cook and the Christine Marie Motorsports caravan has packed up and headed to its latest destination: Richmond International Raceway.

Fresh off a spectacular showing at the "Mopar D1 All-Star Duel presented by ShiftIntoGear," Cook hopes to build momentum for 2007 with a good showing at Friday’s NASCAR Busch Series Emerson Radio 250.

"It’s a very technical track, but I like it," said Cook, who did several testing sessions at RIR this summer. "But I still have to learn about the specifics."

The most recent race for Cook and the CMM team was on Aug. 12, when he placed 34th at Watkins Glen International in the Zippo 200. In that race, Cook and his No. 43 Dodge were in the top 10 on two occasions, but a flat tire near the end forced him to pit.

Cook said he knows cracking the starting grid at Richmond will be difficult. NASCAR expects at least 50 drivers to try their hand during qualifying, so only a handful of spots will be open for teams such as CMM, which operate independent of major funding like so many other teams do.

"This will be one of the most competitive races to qualify for," Cook said. "Just making the show with a small independent team is a huge accomplishment. I think many Nextel Cup drivers with their resources will struggle at Richmond."

Having said that, Cook said he understands just how important qualifying will be. A good lap could set him up for a solid showing. A bad one sends him home.

"I will drive my tail off, as always," he said, "and hope for a good lap in qualifying."

About Christine Marie Motorsports, Inc. (CMM)

Christine Marie Motorsports, Inc. was founded in 2004 by Chris Evans, a successful Western Pennsylvania businessman and amateur racer. Evans met veteran driver Chris Cook while attending the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, where Cook was an instructor. The two developed a friendship and later a business relationship that led Evans to form Christine Marie Motorsports, which is named after Evans’ youngest daughter, for the purpose of competing in NASCAR with Chris Cook as the driver. For more information, go to http://www.christinemariemotorsports.com.

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