Hendrick Ready for Fireworks in Daytona Return

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 5, 2002) -- Ricky Hendrick will have some unfinished business when the NASCAR Busch Series heads for Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and the Stacker 2/GNC Live Well 250 on Friday. "There is something special about Daytona," said the driver of the No. 5 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet Monte Carlo. "Everyone wants to win there. “It's worse for me because I have been close twice. I really love the speed and the crowd, just being able to race there is enough, but I would love to win at Daytona." Hendrick nearly won the Discount Auto Parts 200 ARCA ReMax Series event at Daytona in 2001, finding trouble on a final restart and dropping from first to ninth in just two laps. A week later, Hendrick again found himself battling for the win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race against Joe Ruttman and Scott Riggs, finishing second in the Florida Dodge Dealers 250 and again barely missing a trip to the famed Daytona victory lane. "First loser is what we call second," said Hendrick. "We were surprised and thrilled to be up front at the end of both races. The ARCA race will haunt me forever. We should have won that, but I made a rookie mistake. We hope we can use the experience this time around to get our first Busch Series and Daytona win." Earlier this year, Hendrick and his GMAC Chevy had success at the 2.5-mile Daytona oval, qualifying ninth. The young Charlotte, N.C., native was running in the top-10 before being collected in a late-race accident not of his making on lap 103, relegating Team GMAC to a 27th- place finish. "With every race we gain knowledge and experience," said Hendrick. "We are a young team and we are building for the future. “We have had more than our share of disappointments this season, but that is part of racing and you will have those years. What really makes a good team is how you handle the bad times and stay positive. Team GMAC is doing just that." Hendrick and his No. 5 GMAC Financial Services team will take the green flag under the lights in The Stacker 2/GNC Live Well 250 on Friday, July 5 at 8 p.m. EDT. The event will be telecast live on FX and broadcast worldwide MRN Radio affiliates.