2000 BUSCH SERIES WINNER SWITCHING TO FORD.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK MOTOR SPORTS

In a case of fixing what ain't broke, NASCAR Busch Grand National champion Jeff Green will be making a switch from Chevy to Ford for the 2001 season.

Green, in Los Angeles for tonight's Busch Grand National awards banquet in Beverly Hills, talked about his team's decision to switch cars after winning his first series championship. He also talked about what he plans to do to defend his title.

``Ford is allowing us more time in the wind tunnel,'' Green said during a luncheon at the NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway at Universal CityWalk on Thursday. ``Not that Chevy is bad. There is just more room to improve with Ford. We'll have a better opportunity to win more races.''

Green said he has already had four tests in a wind tunnel since the end of the season in November. Last season with Chevy, Green had one test all year.

Green, driver of the No. 10 Nestle NesQuik Ford Taurus, added that the extra test time will only make him a better driver.

``I don't think the team can improve, but I can,'' Green said, making references to his performances at Daytona and Dover. ``The Taurus is just more aerodynamic with the same horsepower.''

Green started his career on the Busch Grand National Series in 1995. He won his first race in 1997 and finished runner-up to Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the championship in 1999. Now that the 38-year-old Green has won his first series title, he said he hopes experience will lead him back.

``I'm smarter now and I know what it takes to be competitive,'' Green said. ``People were gunning for me pretty good last year. But we'll take it week by week. I don't think there's any bull's-eye on my car.''

--Irwindale Speedway awards dinner: Irwindale Speedway honored its top drivers and crews at its second annual awards banquet Saturday at the Glendale Hilton in Glendale. More than $50,000 in prize money and awards were distributed to the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series drivers and teams.

Rip Michels of Mission Hills led a list of division champions who were honored. The Grand American Modified champion was presented with a trophy, a track-championship ring and a season-ending bonus check. Other track champions were: Greg Voigt of Santa Barbara, Super Late Model; James Weston of Goleta, Late Model; Jeff Green of Long Beach, Super Stock; and Bob Reed of Riverside. They were also presented with trophies, rings and bonus checks.

Trophies were presented to the first- through 10th-place drivers in the five series divisions. Weston also received recognition for his first-place finish in NASCAR's Weekly Racing Series Pacific Region standings. Voigt received a $5,000 bonus from Miller Brewing for winning the Miller Lite Challenge Series.

The top five rookies in each class were also awarded specially engraved Swiss Army wristwatches. The top rookies were: James Bruncati of Glendora, Super Late Model; Tony Green of Oak Hills, Late Model; Tom Topping of Glendale, Grand American Modified; Dan Fitzgerald, Super Stock; and Pat Ackley, Mini Stock.

Lee Ladd of Thousand Oaks, a Mini Stock driver and stock car teams owner, was awarded sportsman of the year for his contributions to the sport at the speedway.

T.K. Karvasek of North Hills, a competitor in the Super Stock class, was awarded most popular driver.

Irwindale Speedway also announced opening dates for the five NASCAR Weekly Racing Series classes. Super Late Models will begin March 17 with a 100-lap opener. Grand American Modifieds and Super Stocks will also open March 17. The Late Models will begin March 24 and the Mini Stocks start their season April 7.

--NASCAR Winston West announces 2001 schedule: The NASCAR Winston West Series will make four stops in Southern California - three at Irwindale Speedway and one at California Speedway in Fontana.

The 14-race schedule also includes the series' first trip to Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Mo., one of four superspeedway stops.

The NASCAR Winston West Series will be companion events to Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series races four times this season.

The California Speedway race April 28 will accompany the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and Busch Grand National events being held there the same weekend.

The Winston West Series makes its first stop at Irwindale Speedway on May 12. It returns July 21 and for the 300-lap season finale Nov. 10.

The Winston West Series opens at Phoenix International Raceway on Feb. 4.

--USAC announces 2001 schedules: The United States Auto Club announced schedules for its top three circuits: the Coors Light Silver Bullet Series, the Freightliner Sprint Car Series and the National Midget Car Series.

The 14-race Silver Bullet Series makes one stop at Irwindale Speedway on March 24, the second race of the season. The Silver Bullet Series opens March 16 at Phoenix International Raceway and ends Sept. 22 at Eldora Speedway in Roseburg, Ohio.

The 35-race Sprint Car Series opens March 31 at Eldora Speedway in Roseburg, Ohio, and ends Oct. 21 at Salem Speedway in Salem, Ind.

The 24-race Midget Car Series makes one stop at Irwindale Speedway, on Nov. 22. The series starts March 10 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis for a special indoors nonpoint event. The season opens March 15 at Phoenix International Raceway.