Off to a career-best start, Nemechek likes LVMS odds

Mark Martin isn't the only Ginn Racing driver off to a fast start in 2007. Joe Nemechek is seventh in points with an 11.5 average finish in two races.

But while Martin's spot in this week's UAW-DaimlerChrylser 400 (4 p.m. ET, Sunday, FOX) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is secure, Nemechek's is not. Driving a brand-new entry into the Nextel Cup Series this season, Nemechek's No. 13 Chevrolet is not among the top-35 cars in owner points from last year guaranteed a starting spot through Bristol.

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In the history of LVMS, Joe Nemechek is one of two drivers to be running at the finish in all nine races.

Year	Start	Finish
1998	8	37
1999	3	35
2000	18	9
2001	23	35
2002	20	19
2003	26	9
2004	38	19
2005	12	19
2006	7	13

As the former driver of the 01 Chevrolet, the car that points-leader Martin now occupies on a part-time basis, having to make the race on time is something to which Nemechek is unaccustomed.

"There is a lot of pressure," Nemechek said. "I didn't think it would be that bad. But having to qualify [on time], you never know what's going to happen."

Nemechek has proven to be cool under pressure, however, making the season's first two races by combining a touch of speed with caution because his "cars have been fast enough to sit on the pole, but you have to be careful not to overdrive and miss the show."

Nemechek has qualified well in his past two Las Vegas races, starting 12th in 2005 and seventh last year. He has two career top-10s at LVMS and has completed all but one lap in the past five races there.

"We're going to some good racetracks for myself," Nemechek said of the upcoming schedule that includes Las Vegas, where he's "been close to winning a couple of Cup races."

Nemechek hasn't won a race since 2004, but believes all three of Ginn Racing's cars are capable of winning.

"I think between myself and Sterling [Marlin] and Mark, we definitely have the opportunity of getting to Victory Lane," Nemechek said. "Everything keeps getting stepped up. Anytime you are involved with a team you have to be able to step up; it's all about performance. [Ginn has] been able to step up our program."

Nemechek started noticing differences last year after Bobby Ginn acquired ownership of MB2 Motorsports. Since then the Florida developer has poured resources into the organization.

"We made huge gains toward the end of last year," noted Nemechek, who credited a doubled workforce and infusion of new ideas as reasons for the improvements. "We've changed a lot of people around, and when you change people around they sometimes see things differently.

"Having a new teammate like Mark Martin definitely helps, too."

One of the biggest changes personally for Nemechek was being reunited with crew chief Peter Sospenzo, who worked with Nemechek for parts of 2002 and 2003 -- and included a victory at Richmond -- at Hendrick Motorsports.

"Peter and I have worked together before. He knows what I like," Nemechek said. "He pays attention to detail and is very good at getting me the feel that I need."

Nemechek said he has adjusted to the feel for the 13 car after three full seasons in the 01. He will similarly approach renovated Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where speeds increased exponentially at preseason testing.

"The racetrack is different, but the basic principles still apply," Nemechek said. "You want to go as fast at you can all the time."