Door open for new winner at Pikes Peak

CONCORD, N.C. -- This weekend, as the NASCAR Busch Series circuit steers to the great West to tackle Pikes Peak International Raceway, but one thing is certain: there will be no repeat winner.

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Veteran driver Jeff Purvis was utterly dominant on the flat, one-mile Pikes Peak oval in 2001, leading Richard Childress' No. 21 team to Victory Circle for the first time in team history.

But Purvis, who led a race-high 120 laps, including the final 75 that day, is currently at home in Tennessee rehabilitating injuries suffered at Nazareth Speedway back in May. Hence, he won't be in this year's field.

In fact, not a single past winner at PPIR will start Saturday's NetZero 250 (3:30 p.m., ET, TNT, MRN radio, RaceCast), leaving the door wide open for all takers.

One such gentleman is rookie Johnny Sauter, who two weeks ago played the fuel mileage game to perfection at Chicagoland Speedway to nab his first career NBS victory. He expects to be in a similar situation again this weekend.

"As long as we don't make any mistakes, I know we will be up front in contention to win in the final laps," Sauter said. "This team has been so good with their pit stops, and we have been on such a roll since Milwaukee.

	Jeff Purvis pulled off a mild upset with his win at Pikes Peak in 2001. Credit: ASP

"I let the race slip away my first time in Colorado by a mistake on my part. I'm not going to let that happen again."

Though Saturday's event will mark Sauter's first Busch Series start at Pikes Peak, he's had ample experience, albeit bad experience, at the one-mile venue before.

Four years ago, Sauter made his first career start on a one-mile oval, at Pikes Peak, in the American Speed Association. After qualifying 15th, he patiently worked his way into contention for the win. But a missed shift on the final restart with 10 laps remaining ended any shot at victory.

He wound up third, and hasn't yet let himself live the mistake down.

"I should've won that race," recalled Sauter, 24. "That was only the third year of my racing career, and I had never been to a place that big. We had a good car, and I knew I had a chance to win."

	Greg Biffle has won three of the past seven Busch events. Credit: Autostock

He could very well have that chance this weekend. Purvis won in an RCR Chevrolet last year, after all. To do so, however, Sauter must fend off the likes of Greg Biffle, Jason Keller, Scott Riggs, Bobby Hamilton, Jr., Ron Hornaday and Stacy Compton.

Keller finished fourth here a year ago, marking the best finish of his career at PPIR. In 2000, Biffle won the Craftsman Truck Series event while Riggs' No. 10 ppc Racing Ford bunch took the Busch race, marking just one of a record six wins that season for driver Jeff Green.

Hornaday? He won the inaugural Truck Series event at PPIR in 1998.

	Johnny Sauter has finished no worse than 12th in his last four races. Credit: Autostock

Since taking over the No. 26 Chevrolet earlier this season, Hornaday has been in contention nearly everywhere. Last week in St. Louis, he finished second after leading virtually the entire race.

"We've come to realize perseverance is the key," explained Hornaday. "I work hard to help keep the team's morale high. These guys put their hearts into the No. 26 car and I'd love to give them a well deserved win."

With its wide layout, Pikes Peak certainly lends itself to side-by-side racing, frequent passing and few cautions. Therefore, as has often been the case, this event could come down to fuel mileage.

"Pikes Peak is real smooth and wide with multi grooves," Bobby Hamilton, Jr. said. "You can run high, low, or in the middle - wherever works the best for you at any given moment throughout the race.

"There will be a lot of passing which makes it fun for us, as well as exciting for the fans."