Martinsville, VA. (July 22, 2006) - Veteran Ricky Craven's return to the NASCAR Busch Series ended just 66 short laps into the Goody's 250 Saturday at Martinsville Speedway. The No. 14 Family Dollar Dodge succumbed to brake failure resulting in a disappointing 39th place finish.
Craven's qualifying effort, hampered by a tight condition, forced the Family Dollar Dodge to start near the rear of the 43-car field. Unfazed, the young crew knew that with a veteran like Craven the Family Dollar Dodge would quickly charge to the front once the green flag flew.
Craven, as expected, expertly maneuvered the Family Dollar Dodge through the field making his way up to the 29th position in just 13 laps.
Despite complaining of a worsening tight handling condition Craven continued his steady climb through the field picking off cars one by one.
Misfortune would strike Craven on lap 34, as contact from another car would cause the Family Dollar Dodge to spin, bringing out yet another caution to slow the field.
"I'm locking up the left front brake!" Craven radioed his crew. "It's way too tight, I think we have a problem with the brakes."
Craven would bring the No. 14 to pit road to the attention of his crew for four tires and Sunoco racing fuel before returning to the race in the 38th position, one lap down to the leaders.
The Family Dollar Dodge's troubles would continue not long into the green flag run as Craven radioed crew chief, Greg Ely with an update.
"I can't get this thing stopped," radioed Craven. "I've lost the front brakes completely. We've got to come in and take a look at them."
Sitting helplessly behind the wall Craven could only watch as his crew worked feverishly to replace both front brake rotors in an effort the get the Family Dollar Dodge back out onto the track.
Craven would briefly return to the race before terminal brake woes would force the No. 14 Family Dollar Dodge to the garage, resulting in a disappointing 39th place finish.
"It's unfortunate that we didn't have the opportunity to really show how good the car really was," said Craven. "Had we not suffered brake problems, I think we could have had a solid top-10 finish."
The NASCAR Busch Series heads to Gateway International Raceway this weekend for the Gateway 250 presented by Shop n' Save. TNT and MRN Radio will broadcast all the racing action live beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Olympia Steel Buildings is a proud co-sponsor of the No.12 Dodge owned by FitzBradshaw Racing
# posted by Olympia Steel Buildings @ 7:18 AM
