Watkins Glen, NY. (August 12th, 2006) - After running in the top-10 for most of the Zippo 200, contact from a lapped competitor sent Carlos Contreras spinning into the gravel pit costing the No. 12 team their lead lap position. The Goulds Pump Dodge, unable to regain track position, finished a disappointing 32nd.
Despite qualifying in the 20th position for Saturday's Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International, the No. 12 team knew they had both a driver and car capable of scoring their first top-10 finish of the year.
From the drop of the green flag, it was quickly evident the No. 12 Dodge was a car to contend with. Although battling a loose condition, Contreras expertly worked his way through the field, breaking into the top-10 by lap 15.
Contreras radioed his crew the loose condition he battled was worsening. Paul Wolfe, crew chief, made the decision to call his driver to pit road for some much needed adjustments as the field worked lap 18.
Relinquishing the sixth position, Contreras brought the No. 12 Dodge down pit road. The crew sprang into action bolting on four fresh tires, adding fuel as well as going two rounds down on the track bar. Adjustments completed, Contreras returned to the racing action in the 29th position, with his work cut out for him.
It didn't take long for Contreras to radio his crew with an update on the handling of his machine. "It's still loose," relayed Contreras. "Now it's tight in, but still loose off."
"Nice and smooth Carlos," replied Wolfe. "We'll keep working on it, just keep it on the track."
Although Contreras battled both a tight and loose condition, he still managed to race his way back into the top-10 as the field came to the crossed flags indicating the halfway point in the race.
Continuing to update the crew about being tight in and "bad loose off", Wolfe called his driver to pit road for tires, fuel and more adjustments. The No. 12 returned to the race in the 20th position prepared to make it to the end.
With just 16 laps to go, Contreras received contact from the lapped machine of Jason Leffler sending the No. 12 spinning into the gravel pit. Unable to free his machine in time, Contreras could only sit helplessly and watch as the leaders passed him by trapping him one lap down.
Finally freed from the gravel, Contreras radioed his crew the car actually felt okay and after a quick assessment by the crew, restarted in the 38th position.
Contreras's troubles would continue as a severe left rear tire vibration forced the No. 12 to pit road two more times. Pebbles found in the bead of the tire from the earlier spin into the gravel was determined to be the cause of the vibration.
Contreras was able to pick up six more positions in the closing laps to bring the Goulds Pumps Dodge home in 32nd place.
"We had a great car today," Contreras stated. "This was a top-10 car for sure. I was being patient, trying not to make any mistakes. The 38, he just hit me. I don't understand, he was a lap down. I don't know why he would do that. After that we were never in position to get our lap back. I am very disappointed. I wanted to give Goulds Pumps and my team their first top-10 of the year. This was not the day we had envisioned."
The NASCAR Busch Series heads to Michigan International Speedway this weekend for the Carfax 250 Saturday August 19th. TNT and MRN Radio will broadcast all the racing action live beginning at 2:45 p.m. ET.
Olympia Steel Buildings is a proud co-sponsor of the No.14 Dodge owned by FitzBradshaw Racing
# posted by Olympia Steel Buildings @ 11:07 AM
