NASCAR 2006: Who is David Gilliland? Remember the name It's not too often a win on the Busch Series takes over the NASCAR headlines. But it's not too often a driver like David Gilliland comes around. You may not see Gilliland's name on the odds list for Sunday's Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. But he'll at least be part of the field provided he qualifies, driving the No. 72 Dutch Quality Stone Dodge Charger for CJM Racing. Get used to him. Gilliland is the talk of the town after his Busch Series victory on June 17 at the Meijer 300 in Kentucky, making him the first non-Nextel Cup driver to win a Busch event this season. FOX's Hermie Sadler called it "the biggest upset in Busch Series history." Gilliland is not new to the winner's circle. He was the crew chief for his father, former Winston West Series champion Butch Gilliland. The younger Gilliland was also the 2004 West Series Rookie of the Year in NASCAR's Grand National Division, and has accumulated more than 70 wins in his racing career. Now Gilliland is striking while the tire iron is hot. With a number of Nextel Cup teams in search of a new driver for 2007, Gilliland picked exactly the right time to attempt his Cup debut. For the quickest and easiest depositing methods available, sign-up today at BetUS.com, "for over 14 years they have been the Pioneers and World-wide Leaders in Online Sports, Poker, Casino and Racebook Gaming!" Always receive great odds, huge bonuses and fast payouts only at BetUS.com! BET ON FOOTBALL! Deposit $300 and get $100 in Bonuses! For one thing, Sonoma is just a lug nut's throw away from Gilliland's native Riverside. Also, he has a victory driving at Infineon Raceway as part of NASCAR's Southwest Tour. That experience will be of particular value this Sunday. Because the Dodge/Save Mart 350 is a road race, the field is wide open for anyone comfortable with turning right to post a decent result. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are the easy favorites for Sunday's event; they've won six of the last eight years, thanks in no small part to their familiarity with open-wheel racing. But the other drivers getting relatively short odds include a cast of "road race ringers" who usually only pop up at Sonoma and at Watkins Glen - drivers like Ron Fellows, Scott Pruett and Boris Said. It's within reason that Gilliland could join the ringers in the Top 10 when Sunday's checkered flag has been waved. There is, however, the matter of Gilliland's car. CJM Racing is only part-time on the Cup circuit, rising from the ashes of Victory in Jesus Racing. The No. 72 Dodge Charger (formerly No. 89) has finished just two races out of 23 since making its Cup debut in 2004. But Gilliland seems happy with his ride. "We tested at Virginia International Raceway two weeks ago and were really pleased," Gilliland told the Associated Press. "The motors are strong and (crew chief) Doug George and I are working well together. I think it would be foolish to expect a repeat finish from Kentucky, but a solid top-20 is not out of the question." It may be somewhat ironic that Gilliland's chances Sunday on the Cup circuit are tied in to Saturday night's Busch Series race in Milwaukee. Eight drivers will pull double duty and compete in both races: Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Reed Sorenson, J.J. Yeley and Denny Hamlin. Those eight men won't be getting much sleep over the weekend. Between the road race ringers and the fatigued Buschwhackers, Gilliland is in as good a position Sunday as a rookie driver with the No. 72 car could hope for. For NASCAR odds click here. Comments or Questions? Email FaceOff@BetUS.com. --- by BetUSradio at 1800-sports.com on June 23, 2006
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