Fontana, CA (September 4, 2004) - The biggest change in the 2004 NASCAR Schedule was the change in Labor Day Venue. Instead of the teams driving down to Darlington, SC, the teams now loaded onto airplanes and flew out to the second event at the California Speedway. With a large Nextel Cup contingent, this would be a challenging race for the Busch Series Regulars.

Friday was a long day with first practice, qualifying & final practice all in one day. Mike Bliss and the #20 Rockwell Automation Chevrolet were strong finishing fifth in the first practice, seventh in qualifying and fifth again in the final practice of the day. Making hardly any changes to the car, the team was confident in their chances on a good finish for the weekend. As the temperatures soared into the 100's on raceday, the teams made all the final adjustments for the race. As the race began, the #20 car was fast early, but soon started loosing positions. As the laps began to wind off, the car became looser & looser as the long green flag run continued. Without the benefit of an early caution, Bliss began to drop positions quickly as he fell to the 36th position, one lap down to the leader, by the time a regularly scheduled pit stop took place. The #20 team made major adjustments while also picking up some positions and moving Bliss up to the 31st position.

By the time the first caution flag flew on lap 59, Bliss had gained two spots and was running in the 29th position. Bliss returned to pit road for some additional adjustments and a new set of tires. Crew Chief Steve Addington reminded Bliss that this was a long race and he had a car that could drive back to the front. As the race restarted, Bliss spent the next 30 laps passing lapped cars & lead lap cars working his way back on the lead lap. After the lap 74 caution, Bliss had worked his way back up to the 21st position and on the lead lap. He was driving hard trying to stay there as the leaders drove up to him from behind. Bliss continued to cruise in the lucky dog position (the first car one lap down) waiting for another caution.

As a second long green flag run took place, Bliss was forced to pit with the leaders for fuel & tires under green. As the field began to cycle through, Bliss began to pick up positions. When the checkered flag flew, Bliss was in the 16th position, the first car one lap down.