Headed back to Richmond International Raceway for the second time this year, Mike Bliss and his Rockwell Automation Team knew they would have to be on top of their game to better their spring finishing position of eighth. With remnants from Hurricane Frances heading to the track Wednesday evening the task would become more daunting as rain would play havoc with the race-weekend schedule.

As the rains continued to pour on Wednesday night, the teams learned early Thursday the track would not be ready for competition until later that afternoon. The new abbreviated schedule showed a two-hour practice followed by qualifying, with no final practice before the race. The teams worked furiously during their limited practice schedule to find a good race & qualifying setup. Thursday was considered a success as Bliss was able to secure the sixth starting position for Friday's race.

As the sun set on Friday evening, the engines were fired & the Emerson Radio 250 was underway. Bliss showed he had a strong car early, quickly moving within the top five. Bliss continued to remain in the top five until the leaders chose to make their first round of pit stops on lap 110. Reporting the car being a little tight, Bliss came in for four tires with an air pressure adjustment & fuel. As the stop concluded, Bliss was having trouble getting the #20 car back into gear & lost several positions on the track. When the race restarted, Bliss was on the move again. Working his way from the tenth position, he continued to fight his way back to the front. As the laps continued to tick off, several teams implemented different pit strategies for the evening's event. Bliss waited until the leaders pitted on lap 167 for what he expected to be his final stop of the evening. With his final adjustments, Bliss returned to the track in the 15th position & ready to race to the end.

Quickly, Bliss learned the last set of adjustments were not what he needed. The #20 Team was finally successful in loosening up the #20 car, however, now the car was much to free to be competitive. In an effort to get the car faster but sacrifice major track position, Crew Chief Steve Addington chose to pit Bliss again on lap 187. With four new tires & more changes Bliss would have a challenge to work his way from 25th back to the front of the field. The gamble quickly proved the right one as Bliss immediately started working his way through the field. Running close to a half second faster than most of the field, Bliss charged to the front. By lap 225, Bliss had reentered the top 10. With the final 25 laps marred by cautions, Bliss was only able to work his way up to sixth by the time the checkered flag fell.

"We had a really good car tonight," commented Bliss following the race. "I wished I would not have asked for the wedge adjustment halfway through the race. I thought it would make the car free, I just had no idea it would free the car up that much. This track is such a challenge trying to protect the track position especially with all the different pit strategies. This team is great though. They gave me a good car and we were able to prove that by getting back to the front. I wish I could take this car & run it tomorrow night."

Bliss was unable to run his #20 car in the Nextel Cup Race; however, he did run the #80 JGR Nextel Cup car in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Bliss patiently went from his 33rd starting position to finish in 4th , his best career Nextel Cup finish.