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Ragan Roughed Up In First Busch Start At Phoenix |
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Avondale, Ariz. (April 20, 2007)
David Ragan and the No. 6 Discount Tire Ford Fusion
team endured one of the toughest nights of the season
at Phoenix International Raceway. The team was at a
disadvantage from the outset due to mechanical problems
beginning on lap 16. Ragan and the Discount Tire team
tried to claw their way back in the race, but on this
day it was not meant to be. Ragan got caught up in a
wreck ahead of him on lap 101. It was an unlucky break
and disappointing end to a promising weekend. |
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The Bashas' Supermarkets 200 began with fireworks as a
three-car wreck on lap two set the tone for the entire
evening. The race went under caution for the next nine
laps, slowing the drama that was about to unfold. |
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Green-flag racing resumed on lap 17, at the same time
Ragan complained about losing power on the straight-aways.
The next 40 laps would be a test of patience for Ragan and
the team. The No. 6 Discount Tire Ford Fusion would lose
seven positions by the time the next caution flew on lap 56. |
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Crew chief Mike Kelley ordered Ragan to pit right away so
they could address the mechanical problem. Upon exit Kelley
ordered Ragan back into the pits a lap later to get four
fresh tires and fuel. It was a move that seemed to pay off
right away. |
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Ragan picked up five positions over the next 20 laps
and it appeared the Discount Tire Ford Fusion had
finally come to life. But the caution flew again
on lap 92 and Ragan made his third pit stop on lap
95. Kelley ordered four tires, fuel and an air
pressure adjustment in the left rear. The No. 6
Discount Tire Ford Fusion had entered the pit in
29th and exited in 26th position. It was a great
pit stop that seemed to energize the whole team. |
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On lap 101 danger lurked as the No. 5 car driven
by Kyle Busch and the No. 12 driven by Ryan Newman
made contact sending Busch into the wall, who then
slid across the track into Ragan. The Discount Tire
Ford Fusion then rear-ended the No. 24 car driven
by Casey Mears. Ragan drove the car back to the
garage where the crew made a valiant effort to get
it back on the track for a few laps. |
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It was a bad break for Ragan and the Discount Tire team. |
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"It was definitely bad day for the No. 6 Discount Tire
Ford Fusion," said Ragan. "This was a tough pill too
swallow tonight. We got behind the eight ball early and
never recovered. I feel bad for the Discount Tire family.
We expected to go out there and compete but we were
unable to do so from the start. I am sure we will rebound
from this next week in Talladega." |
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The 35th-place finish leaves Ragan 13th in the Busch
Series point standings. Ragan and the team will return
to action next Saturday, April 28th at Talladega Superspeedway. |
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About Roush Fenway Racing
Roush Fenway Racing is NASCAR's largest team operating 13 motorsports teams,
five in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup with drivers Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle,
Carl Edwards and David Ragan; five in the Busch Series with Kenseth, Biffle,
Edwards, McMurray, Ragan, Todd Kluever, Michel Jourdain Jr. and Danny O'Quinn Jr.;
and three in the Craftsman Truck Series with Edwards, Peter Shepherd, Travis Kvapil
and Erik Darnell. 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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