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Ragan Finishes Strong in Season Opener at Daytona |
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Daytona Beach, Fla. (February 16, 2008)
David Ragan and the No. 6 Discount Tire team had a hard
fought top-10 finish in the season opening race at Daytona
International Speedway. After an average qualifying effort,
Ragan and the young team rebounded to finish ninth in the
NASCAR Nationwide Series Camping World 300 on Saturday afternoon. |
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Ragan and the No. 6 Discount Tire team wanted to start the
season with a bang in the Camping World 300. Ragan was
instructed by crew chief Mike Kelley to hang back early and
let the race come to him. It was clear that Ragan was doing
just that, running in the 23rd position the first 20 laps. On
lap 13, Ragan said his Ford Fusion was free on entry into the
corners and tight on exit. The handling problems did not affect
his performance. Ragan had moved into the 19th position by lap 35. |
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Ragan and the team made their first pit stop under a green-flag
on lap 39. Crew chief Mike Kelley ordered four tires, fuel and
an air pressure adjustment. Ragan exited the pit stall in the
18th position. |
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The race was caution-free until lap 55, when a three-car wreck
in turn two slowed the action. Ragan was called to the pits on
lap 56 for minor adjustments. Kelley ordered four tires and fuel.
A great effort by the pit crew allowed Ragan to gain two spots
upon exiting the pit stall. The great pit stop seemed to ignite
Ragan and the Discount Tire team. Ragan managed to weave his way
through traffic and use the draft wisely to secure the 13th
position by lap 63. |
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During a 15 lap green-flag run, Ragan fought an ill-handling race
car. Ragan commented his Ford Fusion was tight into the center. A
much needed caution flew on lap 78. On lap 79, Ragan was ordered
to the pits for adjustments. Kelley called for fuel, four tires
and an air pressure adjustment. Ragan exited the pit stall in the
15th position. |
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Green-flag racing resumed on lap 81. Ragan gained five positions
over the next 10 laps and was in the top 10 when an untimely caution
flew on lap 96. Kelley called Ragan to the pits on lap 96 for the
final time of the race. Kelley ordered four tires, fuel, an air pressure
adjustment and a track bar adjustment. |
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When green-flag racing resumed on lap 107, Ragan was in the 15th position.
The last 13 laps of the race were some of the most exciting laps in Ragan's
career. On lap 111, Ragan tried to maneuver to the bottom of the track, out
of the draft and nobody went with him. This move cost him five spots, and
a caution flew one lap later. The race went green on lap 114 and Ragan still
fuming from his gaffe made his move. He fought through traffic with
aggressive and daring moves. By lap 119 he was in tenth, and when the
checkered flag waved he had a ninth-place finish. |
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Ragan claimed his 10th top-10 finish of his Nationwide Series career. |
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"Everybody there at the end is trying to pick-up that extra spot. We drove
99% conservative the whole time from the first lap to 120. Everyone is
racing hard and everyone still wants to take care of their race car.
They get excited and I think I'm right there with them. You're pushing
and beatin' and bangin' and taking your car to the limit. That's what
it's all about. We put on a good show for the fans and I wish I could
have had a little better track position and contention for the win.
It's a top-10 finish and we'll take it going to California." |
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About Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR's largest team operating 13 motorsports teams,
five in NASCAR Sprint Cup with drivers Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle,
Carl Edwards and David Ragan; seven in the Nationwide Series with Kenseth, Biffle,
Edwards, McMurray, Ragan, Erik Darnell and Colin Braun; and three in the Craftsman
Truck Series with Braun, Darnell and Joey Clanton; and one in the ARCA/REMAX Series
with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
For more information on any of the Roush Fenway Racing teams, log onto
www.RoushFenway.com.
For sponsorship inquiries please contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645. |
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