LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb. 24, 2009) – Ken Butler III left the Auto Club Speedway with a respectable top-20 finish for his first career NASCAR Nationwide Series start last Saturday. This week, Las Vegas Motor Speedway is next up on his schedule and he’s setting his sights a little higher up in the finishing order.
KB3 brought the No. 23 Aaron’s Lucky Dog Dream Machine back to the garage in one piece registering a 20th-place finish. Everyone on the R3 Motorsports team was pleased with the 26-year old driver’s series debut; except the driver. In addition to his driving debut, KB3 also made his TV commercial debut for Aaron’s. The fan favorite series of commercials have featured his dad, Ken Butler – COO of Aaron’s, in the past along with Aaron’s-sponsored drivers Michael Waltrip and David Reutiman.
LOOKING BACK ON YOUR FIRST START: “You know, I was a little bummed out about it when I first got out of the car. But, looking back on it now and listening to what everyone has said I guess it was better than I thought. I know we have great equipment and I just want to make everyone proud. The only way I can do that is by doing it one race at a time.”
WHO’S BEEN MOST HELPFUL TO YOU: “It’s more like who hasn’t been helpful. Rob Fuller has been giving me driving advice because he’s worked with me in Late Models and knows my driving style. His uncle, Jeff Fuller, is a former modified ace who has driven in all three NASCAR series. Slugger Labbe (Daytona 500-winning crew chief) comes by and gives me advice, too. It’s great to have people like that you can go to for advice. Trust me; I’m taking it all in, too.”
EXPECTING IN VEGAS: “I’m looking forward to the first practice so I can get a good handle on the track and how our car will respond. That was the biggest thing at California was getting the car to drive just right. Some of it was adjustments, and some of it was how I was approaching the turns. So, I’m looking forward to working with the team to get our car better on every run. Last week, we made great improvements in the last practice and they paid off in qualifying.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN VEGAS: “Actually, this is the first time I will ever be in Las Vegas. Not just at the track, but the city itself. I’m looking forward to seeing all the sights and taking in some of the casino action. Someone has to help keep the lights on, right? I am looking forward to meeting all the fans and Aaron’s associates on Friday night.”
COME SEE KB3: Fans are invited to join Ken Butler III and fellow Aaron’s driver David Reutimann on Friday, Feb. 27 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Aaron’s located at 3224 W. Craig Rd in Las Vegas.
TUNE IN FOR THE WIN: Qualifying for the Sam’s Town 300 is on Saturday at 12 p.m. (ET) on SPEED TV with all 200 race laps later on ESPN2 TV at 1:30 p.m. and heard on MRN Radio and SIRIUS/XM NASCAR Radio Ch. 128
Aaron’s Sports Marketing Director – Rich Lamprey – 404-915-1683 - Richard.Lamprey@aaronrents.com
R3 Motorsports Media Relations Contact for Ken Butler III – Tim Packman - 704-507-1838 – timpackman@yahoo.com