thedrifter
09-13-04, 11:38 AM
Heavy Traffic Leads to Trouble in Richmond for Team Marines Racing
RICHMOND, VA -- The Team Marines Racing Team ventured up Interstate 85 this weekend for a Friday night battle under the lights at The Richmond International Raceway. The Emerson 250 was held in front of 100,000 race fans with 43 drivers aiming for the winner’s trophy. Team Marines NASCAR Busch Series driver Mike McLaughlin began the weekend by qualifying his Team Marines Ford in the 12th position on Thursday afternoon. Luck wasn’t on the team’s side as McLaughlin was an early qualifier and the track temperature dropped after McLaughlin made his run, improving conditions for the remaining drivers. An earlier rainstorm delayed the track schedule and forced NASCAR to cancel the final hour of practice.
Crew Chief Harold Holly went back to his notes to give McLaughlin a new setup for the race. From the drop of the green flag, McLaughlin began to move forward, quickly moving inside the top-ten. McLaughlin raced as high as sixth position before making his final planned pit stop of the evening. With many teams varying their pit stops strategies during the midpoint of the race, some of the faster cars, including McLaughlin’s became stuck in the back of the pack, behind slower cars.
With heavy traffic keeping McLaughlin from the front, the action became dicey just in front of the Team Marines Ford. Kasey Kahne was forced high just ahead of McLaughlin, as McLaughlin attempted to avoid Kahne, his Ford became caught in “marbles” (loose tire debris that gathers on the top of the track) and spun, collecting the wall with his rear end. The damage was significant and the crew went to work to make repairs. Despite the damage, McLaughlin remained on the lead lap until five laps were remaining in the race. The checkered flag waved with McLaughlin standing in 24th position.
“We had a really good racecar and were working the Team Marines Ford into the top-five, we just got stuck behind some slower cars and then trouble hit,” McLaughlin said. “Harold and the guys gave me a great car, it just wasn’t our night. It was a real honor to have all the Marines with us here in Richmond. I hope they all had a good time and will come back to see us race again. Next time maybe the luck will go our way and we can take a whole bunch of them to Victory Lane.”
Robby Gordon took advantage of a bump by Martin Truex, Jr. on the leader Casey Atwood late in the race to win his first ever Busch Series race. The Busch Series takes a week off before heading to Dover International Speedway in two weeks.
FAST FACTS
Started: 12th
Finished: 24th
Laps: 249/250
$ Won: $20,880
NOTE: Team Marines Racing moved up one spot in the NASCAR Busch Series Team Owner standing to eighth after Friday night. Only 17 points separates the team from seventh position.
http://www.bgnracing.com/news/2004/26richmond/091304_25.htm
Ellie
RICHMOND, VA -- The Team Marines Racing Team ventured up Interstate 85 this weekend for a Friday night battle under the lights at The Richmond International Raceway. The Emerson 250 was held in front of 100,000 race fans with 43 drivers aiming for the winner’s trophy. Team Marines NASCAR Busch Series driver Mike McLaughlin began the weekend by qualifying his Team Marines Ford in the 12th position on Thursday afternoon. Luck wasn’t on the team’s side as McLaughlin was an early qualifier and the track temperature dropped after McLaughlin made his run, improving conditions for the remaining drivers. An earlier rainstorm delayed the track schedule and forced NASCAR to cancel the final hour of practice.
Crew Chief Harold Holly went back to his notes to give McLaughlin a new setup for the race. From the drop of the green flag, McLaughlin began to move forward, quickly moving inside the top-ten. McLaughlin raced as high as sixth position before making his final planned pit stop of the evening. With many teams varying their pit stops strategies during the midpoint of the race, some of the faster cars, including McLaughlin’s became stuck in the back of the pack, behind slower cars.
With heavy traffic keeping McLaughlin from the front, the action became dicey just in front of the Team Marines Ford. Kasey Kahne was forced high just ahead of McLaughlin, as McLaughlin attempted to avoid Kahne, his Ford became caught in “marbles” (loose tire debris that gathers on the top of the track) and spun, collecting the wall with his rear end. The damage was significant and the crew went to work to make repairs. Despite the damage, McLaughlin remained on the lead lap until five laps were remaining in the race. The checkered flag waved with McLaughlin standing in 24th position.
“We had a really good racecar and were working the Team Marines Ford into the top-five, we just got stuck behind some slower cars and then trouble hit,” McLaughlin said. “Harold and the guys gave me a great car, it just wasn’t our night. It was a real honor to have all the Marines with us here in Richmond. I hope they all had a good time and will come back to see us race again. Next time maybe the luck will go our way and we can take a whole bunch of them to Victory Lane.”
Robby Gordon took advantage of a bump by Martin Truex, Jr. on the leader Casey Atwood late in the race to win his first ever Busch Series race. The Busch Series takes a week off before heading to Dover International Speedway in two weeks.
FAST FACTS
Started: 12th
Finished: 24th
Laps: 249/250
$ Won: $20,880
NOTE: Team Marines Racing moved up one spot in the NASCAR Busch Series Team Owner standing to eighth after Friday night. Only 17 points separates the team from seventh position.
http://www.bgnracing.com/news/2004/26richmond/091304_25.htm
Ellie