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Ragan Steady in First Busch Start at Richmond |
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Richmond, Va. (May 4, 2007)
David Ragan and the No. 6 Discount Tire Ford Fusion team
continued a successful run in the Busch Series, capturing
a 14th-place finish in the Circuit City 250 at Richmond
International Raceway on Friday night. The race featured
a minimal amount of cautions and a lack of dramatics until
the last 30 laps of the race. Ragan stayed out of trouble
all day long and positioned himself for a top-15 finish,
a good day for the young Discount Tire team. |
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It was a cool night at Richmond International Raceway and
the track conditions seemed to be ideal for a clean race.
Ragan started the race in 14th but quickly fell four positions
into the 17th position. The brand new Ford Fusion was fast
all weekend but Ragan complained the car ran a little free
from the outset of the race. It was apparent the handling
was a problem but Ragan was able to hold the car steady
and run in the top 20 the first half of the race. |
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The first caution flew 17 laps into the race when the No.
66 driven by Steve Wallace made contact with the No. 12
car driven by Sam Hornish Jr. Ragan was ordered to stay
out, and green flag racing resumed on lap 20. Just four
laps later hometown hero Denny Hamlin hit the wall and
the caution flew yet again. The race went green again on
lap 36. Ragan complained the car was tight through the
center and free off. It was apparent the Discount Tire
Ford Fusion needed a pit stop. |
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The Discount Tire team would get a much needed caution
on lap 82. |
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Upon entering the pit, crew chief Mike Kelley ordered
four tires, fuel and a half pound of air pressure in
the right rear. A great effort by the pit crew enabled
Ragan to gain five positions, exiting the pits in 13th
place. |
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When green flag racing resumed on lap 85 Ragan moved
through the pack with aggression, challenging the
top-10 cars every step of the way. On lap 136 the
caution flew again and a second pit stop loomed. The
pits were open on lap 139 and Kelley ordered minor
adjustments on the Ford Fusion. A half pound of air
pressure out of the left rear, a pound in the right
rear and fuel was the call. Ragan would exit the pits
in 14th and resume racing hard, moving to 13th then back
to 14th for the next 70 laps. |
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By lap 220 the race dramatics would intensify. The
caution flew and Ragan and Roush Fenway Racing teammate
Carl Edwards stayed out to gain track position when the
top five made one last pit stop for fresh tires. They
led the field to the final restart on lap 228, setting
up a great finish. Ragan tried to drive away from the
field but was caught up in traffic on lap 231 and tried
to hold on for the last 19 laps. Ragan was able to
secure a 14th-place finish, a solid day. |
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"We had an awesome car tonight. I really thought this
would be our race to win," said Ragan. "To be in
contention at the end is all we ask for. I am so
excited about the direction this team is headed in.
I know every time the Discount Tire team gets to the
track we have one goal, and that is to win. I am
happy with this top-15 finish but we know we can do
a little bit better." |
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The 14th place finish leaves Ragan eighth in the Busch
Series point standings. Ragan and the team will return
to action next Friday, May 11 at Darlington Raceway. |
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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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