Sparta, KY. (June 17, 2006) - Rookie Joel Kauffman returned to the seat of the No. 12 Supercuts Dodge Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway in the Meijer 300 presented by Oreo, finishing 27 th despite a 200 lap battle with his ill-handling machine.
Kauffman rolled off the starting grid in the 31st position and managed to stay clear of the early trouble out on the racetrack, avoiding the spinning cars to climb into the top-25 by lap ten.
The caution flags would wave often and early in the 300-mile event. The night's fourth caution flag would wave on lap 28 offering crew chief, Eddie Buffington the chance to call his young driver down pit road for tires and a chassis adjustment.
Restarting 30th, Kauffman would settle in and begin slowly picking his way through the field. The night's sixth caution would come on lap 48 with a spin on the backstretch by the No. 38 of Jason Leffler. Seizing the opportunity to gain track position, Buffington opted to leave the Supercuts Dodge out on the racetrack.
Restarting in the 4th position, Kauffman would run briefly with the lead pack until an increasing tight condition would cause the Supercuts Dodge to fall out of the top-20.
"I'm really tight center off," Kauffman radioed his crew. "It's just plowing the nose."
A timely caution on lap 60 would enable the No. 12 to enter pit road for some much needed adjustments.
Armed with four fresh tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment, Kauffman restarted the 200-lap event in 24th. Battling both a loose and tight condition Kauffman would remain in the top-25 although falling on lap down to the leaders.
The frequent caution flags would allow the Supercuts crew a chance to adjust on their ill-handling machine. Kauffman would pilot his racecar down pit road on lap 118 for fuel, four tires, and a significant air pressure adjustment.
Restarting 24th, Kauffman quickly radioed Buffington with an update. "It's twice as tight now, twice as bad!"
"Let those pressures come up," replied Buffington. "Just give it a couple laps, hang in there."
Kauffman would continue to battle his tight machine fighting to stay in the top-25 much of the race. The Supercuts crew would be busy, as the caution flags would continue to fly with frequency allowing the team more than one opportunity to adjust on the Supercuts Dodge.
A late race caution on lap 182 gave Buffington one final opportunity to call Kauffman to pit road for fuel and a wedge adjustment hoping to improve the handling of the Supercuts Dodge.
Kauffman would continue to battle his ill-handling machine in the closing laps, recording a 27th place finish.
The NASCAR Busch Series heads to the Milwaukee Mile next week for the AT&T 250 Saturday night under the lights. FX and MRN will carry the race live beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The #12 car is co-sponsored by
Olympia Steel Buildings
# posted by Olympia Steel Buildings @ 11:42 AM
