Atwood Picks-Up 23 Positions; Takes No. 27 VIVA® Towels/Breast Cancer Research Foundation Ford To 17th Place Finish in Kansas

Kansas City, KS (October 2, 2006) – Casey Atwood didn’t let the flu or starting in the back of the field slow him down Saturday. He ran as high as second place in the Yellow Transportation 300 and took the No. 27 VIVA® Towels/Breast Cancer Research Foundation Ford Fusion to a 17th place finish at Kansas Speedway.

Atwood and the Brewco Motorsports crew ran a special pink paint scheme at Kansas – one element of a partnership between VIVA® Towels, the BCRF and Brewco. The car drew a lot of attention from the media and fans alike, and Atwood helped spread the word about the need for breast cancer research through media interviews, an appearance on SPEED Channel’s “Trackside,” and by visiting with guests at Kimberly-Clark’s hospitality tent.

Atwood made a trip to the track’s infield care center just before the first practice session and struggled with flu symptoms most of the weekend. After the second practice, the No. 27 Brewco crew made a motor change to prepare for qualifying and the race on Saturday.

An early qualifying draw led to a 26th place starting spot, but Atwood had to start from the back of the field because of the changes to the car. However, he moved the No. 27 VIVA Towels®/BCRF Ford quickly through the field, and was in 28th place by lap 20 of the 200-lap Yellow Transportation 300.

Crew Chief Stewart Cooper brought Atwood down pit road for the first time on lap 26 for four tires and fuel. Atwood narrowly missed a wreck on lap 36 by sending the VIVA® Towels/BCRF Ford into the grass. The team pitted again to check for damage and make adjustments. After the stop, Atwood reported that the car was “jumping sideways” out of turn four, and that he was a bit loose off the corners. The loose conditions would plague the team for much of the remainder of the race, but by the halfway mark, Atwood was running in the second position.

Atwood narrowly missed another wreck on lap 139. The No. 27 Brewco crew pitted several more times to work on the handling of the VIVA® Towels/BCRF Ford and finished in 17th place. There were ten caution flags in the race, which tied the event record.

“We had a great car to start, but we just couldn’t get the track position we needed,” Atwood said. “With so many cautions it was tough to get a run going. We were able to pass cars early, but something happened in the front end of the car and we lost the handling.

“I wish we could have gotten a better finish for VIVA® Towels and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” Atwood continued. “I feel good though, knowing that we were able to reach a lot of fans at the track and viewers at home this weekend, and raise awareness for the need for breast cancer research. The whole team can’t wait to get to Charlotte, to continue to spread the word about this good cause and put the VIVA® Towels/BCRF Ford Fusion in victory lane.”

Following an off-weekend, the No. 27 Brewco team will prepare for the Dollar General 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Friday, October 13. The No. 27 Ford will once again bring its special pink VIVA® Towels/Breast Cancer Research Foundation paint scheme to the track. Television coverage of the race begins at 8:00 pm EST on TNT.

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