Must-qualifier Sauter off to solid Cup start

The start of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season has been both an exciting and trying time for Johnny Sauter and Team Yellow Racing. One of some 25 new teams entering Nextel Cup competition this season, Sauter faces the weekly reality of having to be one of the seven quickest qualifiers among new teams, or pack up and go home.

In the first two races, Sauter and his Team Yellow crew have not only put the Yellow Chevy in the show, but they've produced inspiring top-20 runs in each event. His performance has sparked an increase in attention both on and off the track as he currently occupies 13th in the point standings.

"It's been a wild ride these last few weeks," Sauter said, "and we still have three races to go before the pressure of qualifying is lifted. It's not that we can lay back when that time comes but I think everyone is very pleased with where we are at this point and that really gives the entire team a boost of confidence for the season."

While the team's performance thus far speaks volumes for their focus on preparation and execution of strategy, Sauter admits the pressure is still very evident.

"It's pretty intense knowing it's go-or-go-home in the first five races," Sauter explained. "There's so much riding on that one lap and I don't want to let anyone down. So, until I get that qualifying lap behind me, I'm definitely feeling the pressure. I haven't had much of an appetite leading up to qualifying, but once we're in the show, don't get in between me and the refrigerator."

At the Car of Tomorrow test at Bristol, Sauter's fastest time came in the afternoon session when he covered the short oval in 15.858 seconds, posting the seventh-fastest time overall.

"The team is working well together and Bootie [crew chief, Barker] and I are very much in tune," Sauter said. "Nobody knew what to expect coming into this test but toward the end of the night when others were on new tires and doing qualifying runs, we were on old tires doing race runs and we were still posting fast times.

"We've had a great start to 2007 and this test reinforces our confidence that the Yellow Chevy will be strong with the new package as well."

The teams will race the Car of Tomorrow for the first time March 25 at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Food City 500. Bristol, incidentally, is the last of the five races where qualifying is based on 2006 points.

The Cup Series returns to action this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400.