Boris Said Goes from Outside to Inside at Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen is one of the few, and most challenging, road courses on the NASCAR Cup circuit.  After racing the road course in the Nationwide series in Montreal, Boris Said was looking forward to his double header with the Cup race this weekend at the Glen.  

Said, born in upstate New York, considers Watkins Glen his home track and likes everything about it.  His love affair with the track began at his first official Cup race in 1999 and has continued through the years, in spite of the ups and downs in his performance there. 

He has competed in 14 NASCAR races at the Glen, seven in Cup, five in the Nationwide series, and two in the Truck series.  He has finished in the top 10 in two of the Cup races.  Said has also won many times there in the Grand Am series. 

In the 2003 Cup race he was close to winning when he was punted by Robby Gordon, who went on to claim the checkered flag.

While Boris was guaranteed a start in the Nationwide race, he knew that he had to qualify his No Fear Energy Drink Ford in order to make the Cup show.  And the only thing that could possibly stand in his way was the weather.

And wouldn't you know it, the rains did indeed come down, washing out Cup practice as well as qualifying.  With the qualifying order set on owner's points, Boris was on the outside looking in yet again.

Then along came Kyle Petty in the No. 45 car.  Kyle has never been a great fan of the road courses.  Recently, Kyle has been driving less and less, stepping out of the car for broadcasting duties.

But, most of all, Kyle is a charitable guy and he just knew that offering Boris his ride on Sunday would be the greatest gift that he could give the road course ace.

Even though Petty made this gracious offer, it was not a done deal.  Said had to get permission from Ford to go and drive for another manufacturer.  He had some anxious moments yet again as he waited for the verdict.

In the end, and much to the delight of the "Said Heads" who are always out in force at Watkins Glen, Ford granted permission for Boris to race.  He is in the starting field, driving the Petty Enterprise machine.

So, attention, all "Said Heads."  It's time to don your curly-haired wigs and get ready to go racing with Boris at the Glen!