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Unlucky Break Costs Ragan at Daytona |
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Daytona Beach, Fla. (July 7, 2007)
David Ragan and the No. 6 Discount Tire team had a disappointing
end to a promising day in the Winn Dixie 250 at Daytona International
Speedway. After Friday night's race was postponed due to rain the race
was rescheduled for Saturday morning. Ragan ran in the top 15 all day
until he spun out on the last lap to finish a disappointing 34th. |
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Although Ragan qualified 24th the Discount Tire Ford Fusion was among
the fastest cars in the field from the outset of the race. The team knew
they had a fast race car but crew chief Mike Kelley ordered Ragan to
take care of his car for the first few laps. Ragan effortlessly gained
10 positions the first 20 laps. A competition caution flew on lap 20 so
teams could assess their equipment. Upon entering the pit stall on lap
20 Kelley ordered four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment in the
left rear. |
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Ragan exited the pits in 16th position. On the restart on lap 24, Ragan
maneuvered through the field, gaining four positions over the next 14 laps.
On lap 46 Ragan commented the car was tight through the center and it
lacked front grip. Ragan lost seven positions over the next 11 laps. But a
much needed caution flew on lap 50 when the No. 66 car driven by Steven
Wallace was involved in a wreck with the No. 99 driven by David Reutimann.
Ragan was ordered to the pit stall on lap 51. Kelley called for four tires,
fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Ragan was 19th on the restart on lap 56.
The Discount Tire Ford Fusion came to life on the restart and Ragan settled in
the 13th position 10 laps later. |
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The car roared through the pack over the next 10 laps picking off good race
cars one by one. Ragan's momentum was slowed by a debris caution on lap 74.
Ragan lost control of the car and slid into the pit stall sideways on lap 75.
Kelley ordered four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment in the left rear.
A great effort by the pit crew allowed Ragan to exit the pit stall with a
minimal loss of track position. The race went green on lap 78 with Ragan in the
19th position. By lap 93 Ragan was threatening to crack the top 10 when the yellow
flag waved. Once again Ragan's momentum was slowed. On the restart on lap 95 Ragan
seemed poised for a strong finish, but the caution flew yet again on lap 98. |
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In a green-white-checkered-flag finish Ragan was running in 11th place when was
tapped from behind on the last lap. He spun in the grass which put him at the
end of the lead lap with a 34th-place finish. |
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"We had 99 great laps today," said Ragan. "I wish I could take back that last lap.
We had a great race car and we were supposed to have a top 10 at Daytona. But
unfortunately it did not work out like that and nobody is more disappointed with
our finish then I am. We know there is a lot of ground to be made up, so we are
going to stay positive and work even harder to get ready for Chicago." |
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The 34th-place finish leaves Ragan sixth in the Busch Series point standings.
Ragan and the team will return to action next Saturday, July 14th at Chicago. |
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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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