The off-season brought some changes to Johnny Sauter’s (No. 1 Miccosukee Resorts Chevrolet) life. On the personal side, he got married in December. Professionally, he returned to the NASCAR Nationwide Series following a one-year hiatus to race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

But with the change came one constant – his return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series reunited him with owner James Finch and Phoenix Racing, the organization he competed for during the 2005-06 seasons.

Two of Sauter’s four career poles and one of his three series wins have come while driving for Finch, as has one of his top-10 finishes in the final series standings (eighth in 2006). Despite the fact Sauter had success last year in NASCAR Sprint Cup driving for Haas-CNC Racing, he was seeking another ride at season’s end.

“Teams and owners do what they feel they have to do to get their programs going in a different direction,” Sauter said during the lunch break Sunday at Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona. “Last year was a good year. We did what we set out to do and accomplished some goals. I’m a firm believer that you can’t get ahead looking back, so why do it?”

After a topsy-turvy 12 months, the Necedah, Wis., native approached his return to the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a matter-of-fact outlook.

“You go back to Wisconsin and spend a couple of weeks in the off-season and see your buddies working in 10-20 degree weather building houses,” he said. “It’s a reality check for you. Racing’s great; I love it and I don’t consider this work. It’s 2008, a new year. I’m back in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and it’s going to be good. I don’t care what series I run in, I just want to run well. I feel like I can win some races this year and that’s what it’s all about for me. It’s right around the corner and I’m ready for 35 weeks.”

He seems ready – he’s been fast through the first three sessions of testing, ranking in the top 10 among the quickest drivers in each session. His top lap of 183.846 mph (48.954 seconds) came during Saturday’s afternoon drafting session. Now with his professional career settled, he can fully appreciate his newlywed status.

“So far, so good,” he said of married life. “I’ve never had so much food in my fridge at home. It’s a welcome change. Everyone you talk to says to run the other way but I never listen to a whole lot of people.

“Seriously, life is good.”

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Ryan Newman, Daytona 500 Champion!!
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