Harrisburg, North Carolina - Andy Santerre, the defending 2002 NASCAR Busch North Series
Champion, made a huge statement about his intentions to defend his title in 2003 by winning
both the Bud Pole and the season-opening Freedom 150 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, New
Hampshire on Sunday, April 27, 2003.

The 34-year old Santerre joined forces with Bessey Motorsports and owners, Joe and Nancy
Bessey, during the off season. Some questioned his dramatic change, but Santerre knew all
along it was the best possible scenario to improve his program.

“I am in the best situation I have ever been in since I started racing in NASCAR,” the Cherryfield,
Maine native confirmed. I have the majority of my team back from last year and the addition of
two full-time employees helping in the shop and driving the truck. I am free to focus on my race
car and do whatever I need to be competitive without having to worry about the daily operations
of running a race team.”

Last year left Santerre frustrated when it came to his qualifying efforts. Since there was only so
much time per week to prepare the car, Santerre opted to focus more on his race package than
on his qualifying set-up. Inadequacies in his qualifying package were evident throughout the
season as he struggled to gain consistency. He knew this was the first aspect of his program he
wanted to change this season.

“I struggled in qualifying last year,” Santerre admitted. “I didn’t worry about making the field, I
just wasn’t as consistent as I knew I should and could be. I made a conscious decision to focus
more on the qualifying aspect of my race program.”

The additional focus has already paid dividends as Santerre turned a lap of 15.673 (86.124 MPH)
to score his 15th career Bud Pole and the first Bud Pole of the Busch North season for the
Freedom 150 at Lee USA Speedway.

Off season rule changes, aligning the NASCAR Busch North Series with the Winston West Series to
form the NASCAR Grand National Division, changed Bud Pole procedures and allowed Santerre to
start at the front of the field rather than redraw his starting position.

The #6 Aubuchon Hardware/Brickmill Marketing Services Chevrolet started on the point and led
for the first nine circuits battling side by side with Busch North veteran, Kelly Moore. Moore was
anxious to lead early so Santerre let him go, opting to save his car for the later stages of the
150-lap event.

Pit strategy played into the equation at a lap 65 caution when Santerre’s crew called him to pit
road for two Goodyear Racing Eagles. Race leader, Kelly Moore also pitted. When the green flag
flew again at lap 70, Santerre was 7th and the race was on to get back to the front of the field to
battle for the lead.

Santerre followed Moore through the pack measuring his strengths and weaknesses.
“We (Moore) pitted one, two and came out in the middle of the field,” Santerre said of his pit
stop.. “We had a solid stop, my guys did a great job!” Santerre continues, “Not everyone had
the same pit strategy that we did and several cars stayed out which mired us in the middle of
the pack.”

By lap 123, Santerre was 3rd behind Moore and race leader, Joey McCarthy. With time running
out, he knew he had to make his move. The #47 of Moore was having trouble getting by
McCarthy and Santerre was getting impatient. On a lap 129 restart, Santerre committed to go
with Moore to the outside of McCarthy, but it was soon evident Moore couldn’t complete the
pass so Santerre went under both drivers for the lead.

Santerre took the point for the final time on lap 133 and pulled away from the field. A lap 143
restart continued to see Santerre pace the field and race unchallenged to the checkered flag.

“I couldn’t be happier!” Santerre smiled in victory lane. “I wanted to prove we were as good as
we were last year, if not better, and I think we did that today.” Santerre adds, “I never used to
like Lee, I had a hard time getting hooked up here, but I am started to like the track better
every year.”

Santerre’s win marked the 14th of his career, tying him for 4th on the Busch North Series all-time
win list with Bobby Dragon.

The #6 Aubuchon Hardware/Brickmill Marketing Services racing team will enjoy a week
off before heading to Stafford Motor Speedway on May 9, 2003 for the New England
Dodge Dealers 150.


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