Mooresville, NC. - Making his U.S. debut, FitzBradshaw Racing's Ruben Pardo scored a top-20 finish in his first NASCAR Busch East Division race Saturday night at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.
Pardo, a native of Mexico, was tapped by FitzBradshaw Racing to pilot the No. 12 Family Dollar Dodge in the An American Revolution 150. Saturday's race marked the first endeavor in NASCAR's Busch East touring division for FitzBradshaw Racing and sponsor Family Dollar.
Pardo quickly acclimated himself to the heavier American stockcars, qualifying the No.12 Dodge in 23rd position at a track also as foreign to him.
From the drop of the green Pardo expertly moved his racecar through traffic. By lap 91 the young rookie had raced the Family Dollar Dodge into 11th position. An altercation with another car on lap 102 sent the No.12 spinning, bringing out the caution.
Although forced to restart in the 21st position, Pardo once again moved through the field making his way to 14h in just 14 laps.
With just two laps remaining Pardo radioed crew chief, Ed Buffington that he may have a right rear tire going down.
With just one lap to go while running 14th, the right rear tire of Pardo's Dodge would indeed blow, forcing Pardo to limp his wounded racecar back to take the checkered flag in 20th position.
Pardo and his FitzBradshaw team head to Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut Friday for the TSI Harley Davidson 150.
Sponsors Family Dollar, Citizen, Supercuts, M&M Automotriz, Goulds Pumps, Dragon by Oakley, Take Me On Vacation.com, and Mopar, support FitzBradshaw Racing's Busch East effort.
# posted by Olympia Steel Buildings @ 1:50 PM
