Front-Row Joe ready to go

The way Joe Nemechek finished 2004, it's hard to blame the guy for being eager to see a new season start.

And, for his Army team, it will start with this weekend's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway.

“When you're in the Bud Shootout, it means you're playing on the big field with the big cats," the driver said.

"This is anybody's race. You just have to make sure you're in the right position for the wild ride in the final few laps."

During the final 10 races of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup campaign,  Front-Row Joe had a win, three top fives, six top 10s and two poles. He ranked seventh in driver points during the 10-race Chase.

“We need to keep that momentum going,” Nemechek said. “There are so many variables in this sport that can throw you sideways and backwards. But I do know this: We will be good with what we have control over."

Preseason testing on Daytona's 2.5-mile tri-oval also went well for the No. 01 team.

“We were fast at the Daytona test with the same car we sat on the pole with at Talladega last fall,” recalled Nemechek. "It’s a proven thoroughbred and that’s why it will be our primary car in Daytona. Our new Chevy, which was equally fast in testing, will be the Bud Shootout car."

The team had three top-10 finishes in the four plate races last season, including a sixth in the Daytona 500. Nemechek's superspeedway qualifying average was 4.75.

“We have a shot at the pole and being one of the top cars in the race,” he said. “Everything is in place and it’s now up to us to go out there and get the job done.”

After the Army Chevrolet's victory at Kansas Speedway last season, a general just back from Iraq told Nemechek there was a buzz about the win among the troops.

"I would like to increase that buzz with a win at Daytona," the driver said. "This Army sponsorship is awesome and I want the troops to be proud of the team.

"This is their car and they deserve to have it running up front.”