Wise changes focus for tackling the Monster

STATESVILLE, N.C. - Josh Wise and his No. 35 MDS Transport Ford team will take a different approach to the "Monster Mile" when they arrive at Dover (Del.) International Speedway this weekend. In his first full Sprint Cup Series race at the one-mile oval, Wise will want to ensure his car is good for the long run in Sunday's 400-mile event.

Josh Wise, Front Row Motorsports Ford

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

Last year, when Wise was required to make the race on qualifying speed, the team focused more on being prepared for time trials. The change in focus should have Wise better prepared for an afternoon with the 'Monster,' a unique track with high banking and elevation changes.

The No. 35 team will support the cause behind Sunday's FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks by carrying the Autism Speaks puzzle piece decal on Wise's car.

Comments from MDS Transport team driver Josh Wise heading to Dover: "Oh, I love Dover. It's always been one of my favorite tracks since the first time I ran a Nationwide car there. This will be my first full race in a Cup car there, which is pretty exciting. We'll just go there and try to really learn about race trim.

Last year we had to go there and really worry about qualifying, so we worked on qualifying trim a lot, obviously. This week we'll go and see how we get the car to drive in the long run and really try to learn as fast as I can to get the car working well to have a good weekend.

"It's kind of crazy. The straightaways are kind of flat compared to what the corners are, and then you literally kind of drop into the corner. So there's a really unique feeling that we don't get at any other track, especially entering the corner.

The track falls away from you and you fall into the banking, and then it loads up really heavy because you're in heavy banking and it's a tight corner, and then it compresses coming off the corner and unloads. It's a unique place and somewhere that I look forward to going to always."

Front Row Motorsports