Loudon, N.H. (July 15, 2006) - Tracy Hines battled adversity and a torn up racecar to finish 34th in the New England 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway Saturday afternoon.
For the second consecutive week, misfortune struck Hines and the Supercuts team. Just two laps into the event, the No.12 Supercuts Dodge brought out the day's first caution flag as Hines was sent spinning losing his respectable 21st starting position.
Questioning whether the spin occurred due to contact with another competitor or a cut Goodyear tire, crew chief, Eddie Buffington called Hines to pit road. The crew quickly went to work bolting on four new tires and assessing the damage to the right side of the Supercuts Dodge.
Hines rejoined the action with what appeared to be only minor right side sheet metal damage to his machine. Just a few short laps later, Hines quickly determined the damage to the No. 12 Supercuts Dodge was more than cosmetic.
"The steering wheel is moved to the right," Hines said. "It's all messed up, I think the tow's knocked out."
"Hang in there buddy," replied Buffington. "We'll get you fixed up."
The day's second caution flag would wave on lap 55 allowing Hines a chance to bring the No.12 Dodge Charger to pit road.
"It's tight!" Hines radioed. "The right front is hopping around. The tow is definitely knocked out."
Forced to make numerous trips to pit road as the crew struggled to adjust the tow of the Supercuts Dodge, Hines would lose three laps before returning to the race.
Hines troubles would continue on lap 79 as he battled his ill handling machine. Contact between he and two other cars would send the No. 12 Supercuts Dodge to the garage with severe left side damage.
Buffington and his young crew, intent on fixing their wounded racecar assessed the damage. With sledgehammers, sawzalls, and bearbond in hand, they quickly went to work repairing the Supercuts Dodge.
Determined not to end the day with a DNF, Hines would return to the race in his wounded racecar on lap 110 after spending 32 laps behind the wall.
Battling his torn up racecar, Hines would gain three positions to bring the Supercuts Dodge home in 34th place.
The NASCAR Busch Series heads to the historical half-mile Martinsville Speedway this weekend for some short track racing. NBC and MRN Radio will carry all the racing action live Saturday July 22nd starting at 3:30 p.m. ET.
To review photos of this race, please view our Olympia Racing Photo Gallery.
Olympia Steel Buildings is a proud co-sponsor of the No.12 Dodge owned by FitzBradshaw Racing
# posted by Olympia Steel Buildings @ 12:17 PM
