Fuente: © Chip Ganassi Racing
http://www.chipganassiracing.com/

NASCAR: CHIP GANASSI RACING: David Stremme Wheels the Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon Dodge to a 24th-Place Finish

/noticias.info/ FORT WORTH, Texas (November 5, 2006) - After the Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon team had to revert to the back-up car , rookie David Stremme fought the handling of the car to bring home a 24th-place finish in the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

After earning the 17th-place starting spot on Friday afternoon, Stremme set out for the first of two practice sessions on Saturday morning feeling good about the car for the 334 lap event on Sunday. However, after just a few laps out on the track, the Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon Dodge got loose off Turn 2 and Stremme hit the wall hard. The No. 40 team, along with help from the other Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) teams that were present, began to get the back-up car prepared as quickly as possible so they could return to the track and get some practice time.

Rain showers hit the great state of Texas on Sunday morning, delaying the start of the Dickies 500 but when the green-flag finally waved an hour after the scheduled start, Stremme dropped back to the rear of the field. When NASCAR’s scheduled caution came out on lap 40, Stremme was 39th and reporting that the car was tight. The No. 40 crew made adjustments to free up the car and when the race resumed on lap 45 he had gained one spot in the pits and started 38th.

Stremme continued to battle the handling of the car over the first 173 laps but he was able to wheel it up to 23rd before the sixth caution came out. Stremme brought the car down pit road for four fresh tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment before returning to the track in the 22nd position.

He quickly radioed the crew and told them that the “motor had been running pretty good all day” as he continued to gain some ground on the track. However, track position continued to be elusive as he reported that the car was still tight. Crew chief Steve Lane made the decision to lead lap 259 under caution to help with the championship points standings.

After battling for 307 laps, Stremme was passed by race leader (and eventual race winner) Tony Stewart to go down one lap. When the checkered flag waved 32 laps later, Stremme was shown in the 24th spot. His teammates Casey Mears and Reed Sorenson finished seventh and 17th respectively. The No. 40 Dodge jumped to the 33rd position in the owner’s championship point’s standings.

The team will be traveling back to Phoenix International Raceway next weekend where Lane made his debut atop the No. 40 pit box back in the spring. The Checker Auto Parts 500 will broadcast live on NBC television and MRN radio at 3:00 p.m. EST Sunday, November 12. notas_de_prensa_archivo