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Ragan Earns a Third Place Finish in Wild Race at Memphis |
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Memphis, Tenn. (October 27, 2007)
David Ragan and the No. 6 Discount Tire team survived one of the
wildest races in NASCAR Busch Series history. The race was marred
by a record 25 cautions for 117 laps. The scene at Memphis Motorsports
Park on Saturday afternoon looked like a demolition derby. Ragan and
the No. 6 Discount Tire Ford Fusion started in the back of the pack
but managed to survive and work through the field to claim an
unbelievable third-place finish. It was Ragan's third-straight Top-10. |
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The NASCAR Busch Series Sam's Town 300 was a wildly entertaining race
that tested many drivers' skill and patience from the outset. It only
took seven laps to bring out the first caution for a two-car wreck at
the start-finish line. The second caution of the day flew just nine
laps later and it appeared it was going to be a long day in Memphis.
A 25 lap green-flag run ensued and Ragan improved his track position
each lap. Ragan and the team were able to avoid the early mishaps but
on lap 34 Ragan commented that the Discount Tire Ford Fusion was tight
through the center. A much needed caution flew on lap 40. On lap 41,
Crew chief Mike Kelley called Ragan to the pits. Kelley ordered fuel
and a wedge adjustment. Upon exiting the pits Ragan gained 17 positions
and was in the 15th position. |
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Ragan appeared to be in a great rhythm, but multiple cautions on lap
44, 52 and 60 prevented any jump in track position. The race turned
into survival of the fittest early and continued throughout the day.
On lap 71, Ragan was the fastest car on the track. It was obvious the
lack of green-flag racing was starting to frustrate Ragan and the
Discount Tire team. The caution flew five more times the next 32 laps.
By Lap 109, the race had tied the season mark for most cautions in a
race with 13, and then that mark fell eight laps later. Ragan managed
to fight his way through the wreckage and settle into the 10th position
by lap 115. Kelley told Ragan to concentrate on hitting his marks at every
turn and be prepared to pit when the next caution waved. That caution flew
on lap 117 and Ragan was called to the pits one lap later. Kelley ordered
four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. The strategy to take four
tires put Ragan in the 20th position on the restart but it paid off with
great results later in the race. |
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The race went green on lap 125. It took nine laps to bring out the 15th
caution of the day. The race was red-flagged moments later for oil and
water on the front-stretch. Ragan stayed out of trouble for much of the
afternoon and by lap 160 he worked his way back in the top 10. As each
lap passed and more cautions flew, the race took on a surreal feeling.
The Discount Tire Ford Fusion was among the elite in the field, but the
team wondered if they were going to have an opportunity to contend for
a win. Ragan and the team got the chance during a nine lap green-flag
run on lap 169. Ragan gained four positions in a matter of minutes, and
eyed the top five as the caution flew on lap 179. |
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The next 40 laps were filled with limited green-flag racing, but Ragan
took advantage of every green-flag run. During a 10 lap run on lap 223,
Ragan gained two positions and snatched the fourth position away from Cup
Series regular J.J. Yeley. Ragan was able to secure the third position by
lap 239, but time was of the essence as the end of the race loomed. |
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In the end NASCAR went on to penalize many drivers for rough driving and
parked two others. Ragan and the Discount Tire team brought home a remarkable
top-five finish after starting in the back of the pack. |
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"Well, we actually started 43rd after dropping to the back," David Ragan said.
"The #6 Discount Tire car was pretty good.
The first part of the race we stopped and put tires on and make an adjustment.
It was all about track position. We didn't have enough laps to do a lot of racing so
track position meant a lot. We had a top five or six place car. I think there were a
few other guys, Carl (Edwards) probably had as equal or better car than we had until
he got jammed up. But certainly a top-five, we'll take it. It's great for the points
and certainly it's a good finish to help us in rookie points also. It was a fun race
for the time we were racing. Riding around under caution was pretty boring but other
than that, I like this race track. It's a fun track and we always run well when we
come here and hopefully we'll carry some momentum with us when we go to Texas next week." |
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The third-place finish leaves Ragan 5th in the Busch Series point standings.
Ragan and the team will return to action Saturday, November 3 at Texas Motor
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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DTC Motorsports Home for the Latest Racing News |
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The Racing News Archive to read previously featured stories. |
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