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Ragan Has Bad Break in Busch Race at Richmond |
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Richmond, Va. (September 7, 2007)
David Ragan and the No. 6 Discount Tire team caught a bad break
in the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond International Raceway on
Friday night. The race featured eight cautions and a red-flag
period that lasted six minutes. Ragan stayed out of trouble much
of the race until contact with the No. 21 driven by rookie Tim
McCreadie on lap 184, caused severe damage to the Ford Fusion.
Ragan was ordered to the garage for repairs. He managed to finish
the race with a 39th-place finish. It was a disappointing end to
a promising night. |
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Ragan started the race in 28th but quickly gained eight positions
the first 40 laps. The Ford Fusion struggled a bit in practice and
qualifying, but it was fast from the outset of the race. Ragan had
very few handling problems until lap 35 he said the front of the car
was not cutting properly. The second caution of the night flew a lap
later. Upon entering the pit stall crew chief Mike Kelley ordered four
tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. A great effort by the pit
crew allowed Ragan to restart the race in the 20th position. |
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On the restart on lap 40, Ragan drove his Ford Fusion with patience
and aggressiveness, gaining six more positions the next 14 laps. Ragan
said little on the radio, focusing on picking up valuable track position.
By lap 89, Ragan was in 14th place and threatening to crack the top 10.
The caution flew again on lap 121. Ragan was ordered to the pits on lap
121 for minor adjustments. Four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment
was the call. Another great effort by the Discount Tire pit crew allowed
Ragan to gain valuable track position. |
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When green-flag racing resumed on lap 126 Ragan was in the 11th position.
Ragan stayed in the 11th position for the next 20 laps, but minor handling
problems forced him to lose three positions on lap 147. Ragan said the Ford
Fusion was a little tight on exit but it was manageable. On lap159, the fourth
caution of the night flew. Ragan was called to the pits on lap 162. Kelley
ordered four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Upon exiting the pit stall,
Ragan was in the 15th position. |
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The race was restarted on lap 167. Ragan settled in the 15th position for
the next 17 laps, but on lap 184 Ragan came out of turn four side by side
with the No. 21 driven by McCreadie. As they approached the start-finish
line McCreadie made a move up the track inadvertently making contact with
Ragan. The caution flew as Ragan's Ford Fusion stalled. Ragan managed to
get the car to the garage for major repairs. A great effort led by Kelley
allowed Ragan to get back on the track and finish the race. It was a
disappointing day for the Discount Tire team, but they worked hard as a
team and never gave up through all the adversity. |
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"We had some bad luck there towards the end of the race," said Ragan.
"We had a decent run going until we got run over on the front stretch.
I don't think it was intentional, but it was unfortunate that it happened.
The Discount Tire team worked hard all night to get the Ford Fusion just
right. I wish we could take back that last lap. We have to put it behind
us and get ready for Dover." |
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The 39th-place finish leaves Ragan fifth in the Busch Series point
standings. Ragan and the team will return to action Saturday, September
22 at Dover International Speedway. |
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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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