At first, Kelly Bires seemed overwhelmed by the opportunity to prepare the No. 21 Bush’s Baked Beans/Bubba Burgers Ford for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing – especially since he’s getting it ready for Mark Martin.

Rain at the Michigan International Speedway last weekend created several postponements of the Nextel Cup Series race. That forced Martin to stay in Michigan as the Bristol Motor Speedway opened for business on Tuesday. Bires, who’s scheduled to race Friday night in the Busch Series race, will drive the truck during Tuesday’s practice session.

Bires has seven Craftsman Truck Series starts with a career-best 10th-place finish earlier this year at Atlanta. Martin has 21 truck starts with seven career wins. He finished fourth in the No. 21 Ford earlier this year at Charlotte, N.C.


WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY

Kelly Bires, driver of the No. 21 Bush’s Baked Beans/Bubba Burgers Ford F-150:
“This is a tremendous opportunity,” he said. “There’s a lot of pressure to get everything right, especially since Mark knows exactly what it takes to win in one of these trucks. We’re going to Bristol with every intention of winning, but I feel like I can get something out of it that’s just as valuable – experience. It’s going to be interesting to see how Mark and I work together.”

Mark Martin, driver of the No. 21 Bush’s Baked Beans/Bubba Burgers Ford F-150:
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the new track, so I can’t wait to get there and see it for myself,” he said. “The new pavement is supposed to open up a second racing groove, so that should make it really exciting.”

John Monsam, Crew Chief No. 21 Bush’s Baked Beans/Bubba Burgers Ford F-150:
“The one thing about having a roster of good drivers is we don’t have to go far for Plan B,” he said. “The rain in Michigan forced us to change plans and be flexible, but Kelly stepped up to help. He and Mark are about the same size, so we will keep Mark’s Seat in the truck. This could have presented a big problem, but it’s going to work out all right.”

FAST & FUN FACTS:

-Pole qualifying for the O’Reilly 200 is at 4 p.m. on Speed. The main event is later that night at 8, also on Speed.
-Mark Martin has four starts in the No. 21 Bush’s Baked Beans/Bubba Burgers Ford this year with two Top-10 finishes.
-Martin has 35 Nextel Cup, a series-record 47 Busch and seven Craftsman Truck series victories in a NASCAR career that started in 1981.
-Bires is in his first NASCAR season. He’s made seven Craftsman and nine Busch series starts.