Olympia Racing News
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Tracy Hines To Pilot The No. 12 Beach Bash Dodge
Event: Winn-Dixie 250 Date: June 30, 2006 Track: Daytona International Speedway Laps/Miles: 100/250 TV/Radio: FX/MRN 7:30 p.m. ET. - Busch Series rookie Tracy Hines returns to the No. 12 Beach Bash Dodge Charger for the running of the Winn-Dixie 250 Friday night at the Daytona International Speedway.
- Hines has three previous starts at the Daytona Int. Speedway. Two starts came in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2004 and 2005, finishing 20 th and 22nd respectively.
- Hines only Busch Series start was in February 2006, finishing 20th.
- Hines average start on the 2.5-mile tri-oval is 21st, with an average finish of 20th.
- FitzBradshaw Racing will unload chassis # 05 this weekend.
Hines On Racing At Daytona"I'm looking forward to getting back in the No. 12 Beach Bash Dodge this weekend at Daytona. I have always liked restrictor-plate racing, I'm comfortable in the draft. Plate races are always exciting not only for the fans, but for the drivers as well. It's always a good show for the fans. Hopefully we can stay out of trouble, and better our 20th place finish we had here in the spring."
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Monday, June 26, 2006
31st Place Finish For Kauffman, Supercuts Team in Milwaukee
West Allis, WIS. (June 24, 2006) - Heading to the oldest track on the Busch Series circuit, Joel Kauffman and the Supercuts crew were hopeful the Milwaukee Mile would be the site of their best finish of the 2006 season. An ill-handling car for most of the 250-lap event would result in a 31st place finish. "I really had hoped for a top-20 finish," said Kauffman. "The car was just so tight the first half of the race, the tightest car I've ever driven I think. My guys worked so hard all night trying to get me freed up. The car actually was pretty decent there at the end of the race." After qualifying 31st for the AT&T 250, Kauffman quickly worked his way through the field cracking the top-25 before a tight condition would hamper his efforts to continue his climb through the field. The night's first caution flag would wave on lap 62 allowing Kauffman to bring the No.12 Supercuts Dodge to pit road for significant chassis adjustments. The crew quickly went to work removing spring rubbers, changing four tires, and adding Sunoco fuel to their racecar. Kauffman would restart the race in 36th position. The caution flag would again wave to slow the field on lap 90 allowing the Supercuts crew another chance to adjust on their machine in hopes of alleviating the tight condition plaguing Kauffman. Pitting for fuel, four tires, and an air pressure adjustment, the No.12 Supercuts Dodge would return to the race in 34th position. Kauffman would return to pit road to the attention of his crew numerous times throughout the remainder of the race for track bar, wedge, and air pressure adjustments. With the help of spotter Scott Clodfelter, Kauffman would manage to steer clear of the trouble late in the race, taking home a 31st place finish. The NASCAR Busch Series heads to the Daytona International Speedway next weekend for the third restrictor-plate race of the season. The Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo will be run under the lights Friday night, June 30. All the racing action will be broadcast on FX and MRN beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. About FitzBradshaw RacingFitzBradshaw Racing is owned by NASCAR veterans Armando and Mimi Fitz and Pro Football Hall of Fame member and FOX broadcaster Terry Bradshaw.The team fields two Dodge Chargers in the NASCAR Busch Series: the No. 12, sponsored by Supercuts, Bluegreen Resorts, Olympia Steel Buildings, Goulds Pumps and the Sunshine Group and the No. 14, sponsored by Bluegreen Resorts, Jani-King and Goulds Pumps. Last season, NASCAR applauded FitzBradshaw Racing for being certified by the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council as a minority-owned business. FitzBradshaw Racing is the only Busch Series team that offers its sponsors exposure in NASCAR, the NFL and on television. FitzBradshaw is one of two teams featured on the SPEED Channel reality show NBS 24/7 'The Rookies'. The show airs Monday nights at 8:30 p.m. and re-airs Mondays at 12:30 a.m. and Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. throughout the season. More information regarding FitzBradshaw Racing can be obtained by visiting www.FitzBradshawRacing.com.
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Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Joel Kauffman Milwaukee Mile Preview
 - Supercuts once again returns as the primary sponsor of the No. 12 FitzBradshaw Racing Dodge Charger.
- Saturday's AT&T 250 at the historic Milwaukee Mile will be the first time young rookie Joel Kauffman visits the one-mile oval.
- In four previous starts at the famed one-mile track, the No.12 Dodge Charger has an average starting spot of 23rd, an average finish of 21st, and has completed 92% of all possible laps.
- Fitzbradshaw Racing is taking chassis # 22 this weekend. This car was previously raced at Nashville Superspeedway, scoring a 23rd place finish.
Kauffman on The Milwaukee Mile:"I'm excited about this weekend, I like short track racing, and it definitely suits my driving style. This is the first short track non-companion race of the season, I'm looking forward to it. I feel this is the best opportunity to get our best finish of the season so far this year."
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Monday, June 19, 2006
Kauffman Salvages 27th Place Finish at Kentucky
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
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Friday, June 16, 2006
Kauffman Returns to the Supercuts Dodge for Kentucky Debut
Event: Meijer 300 presented by Oreo Date: June 17th, 2006 Track: Kentucky Speedway Laps/Miles: 200/300 TV/Radio: FX 7:30 p.m./ MRN 7:30 p.m. ET. Rookie Joel Kauffman returns to the seat of the No.12 Supercuts Dodge Saturday at Kentucky Speedway in the Meijer 300 presented by Oreo. This will be his first start at the fast 1.5-mile oval. - In four previous starts at Kentucky, the No.12 Dodge Charger has one top-10 finish. In 2005, the No.12 Dodge was relegated to a 40 th place due to a late race accident.
- The Supercuts team will unload a brand new chassis this weekend, FB #29 for its Kentucky debut.
Kauffman on Racing at Kentucky Speedway:"It will be good to get back in the car this weekend in Kentucky after a couple weeks off. This will be another new track for me so I'm looking for ways learn the track quickly and gain some experience. I've been watching all the old tapes, so I have somewhat of an idea of what to expect. It looks like a great place to race and I hope we have a good showing on Saturday night."
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Pardo's Scores Top-20 in Busch East Debut
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.
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Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Heartbreak for Kauffman and Team at LMS
DOVER, DE (June 3, 2006) — Mike Skinner and the Supercuts team took on the "Monster Mile" in the Stonebridgeracing.com 200, and brought home a top-25 finish in their first battle together. The No.12 Dodge was fast right off the truck posting the second fastest time in Friday's morning practice session. Although fighting a loose racecar, final practice still found the No.12 tenth on the board, raising the confidence level of this young team and their veteran driver. Unfortunately rain would wash out qualifying, relegating the No.12 to a 35th starting spot despite having a car capable of a top-fifteen starting spot. The rain that fell Saturday over Dover International Speedway couldn't dampen the spirits of the Supercuts team as they readied the No.12 Dodge Charger for the Stonebridgeracing.com 200.With a fast racecar and Mike Skinner behind the wheel, the team was optimistic as the green flag waved over the 43-car field. The veteran quickly went to work picking up four positions in just six laps before the loose condition that had plagued him in practice returned. "I'm pretty loose!" Skinner radioed Crew Chief, John Frattura. "Big time loose!" he added. "Hang in there, we'll get you fixed up on the first caution," responded Frattura. The first caution flag of the day would wave on lap 31 allowing Skinner to bring his Supercuts Dodge to pit road. The team quickly went to work changing four tires and adding fuel, as well making both wedge and air pressure adjustments in hopes of alleviating the loose condition. Two more quick caution flags allowed Frattura to call his driver back to pit road for adjustments as they continued to battle the persistent loose condition. "I think we're gaining on it a little." Skinner told his crew. "Let's see what we got. I think we can still come out of here with a decent finish." The fifth caution of the day on lap 60 couldn't have come at a better time for the Supercuts team. Contact between Skinner and another car on a restart had cut down the right front tire forcing the No.12 back to pit road for two new right side tires. As the race continued, the loose condition plaguing the No. 12 Dodge remained an issue despite the numerous changes made throughout the race. "The son of a gun has loosened up on us again!" Skinner radioed his crew. "I can't get back in the gas; it wants to spin out on me." Frequent caution flags late in the race allowed the Supercuts team to continue making adjustments in hopes of alleviating the persistent loose condition Skinner had battled throughout the day. "This is the best we've been all day here, it's the first time today I can touch the throttle." Skinner radioed his team. "We're definitely going the right way with it, man that first half just killed us, but let's just try and see if we learn something here today for next time." Although two laps down to the leader, Skinner was able to make progress picking up six spots in the last 40 laps of the race to bring the Supercuts Dodge home in 25th place. "This was not the finish we had hoped for; man we were just so loose." Skinner stated. "The guys did a good job, we adjusted on the car every chance we got, and it was actually pretty good there at the end. I would definitely like another opportunity to drive the Supercuts Dodge again sometime soon." Mike Skinner will once again pilot the No.12 FitzBradshaw Dodge next weekend as the team heads to Nashville Superspeedway for the Federated Auto Parts 300. FX and MRN will carry all the racing action Saturday night starting at 7:30 PM. EST. - Veteran Mike Skinner returns to the No.12 Supercuts Dodge in his fourth start at this 1.333- mile concrete oval. Skinner has one previous NBS start at the track in 2001 scoring a top-ten finish.
- In two previous starts in the Craftsman Truck Series, Skinner has one pole, one top-five finish, and one top-ten finish.
- Supercuts once again will share space on the FitzBradshaw Racing Dodge with country music recording star Trent Tomlinson. His debut album, Country Is My Rock will adorn the hood of the No.12 for Saturday's race under the lights.
- FitzBradshaw Racing will unload chassis # 10 this weekend. This car was raced previously at Atlanta in March 2006.
- The No.12 Supercuts Dodge has three top-ten finishes in 9 previous starts at the Nashville Superspeedway.
"Nashville's a great track for me, I really like the place. I have some real good finishes there; sat on the pole last year in my truck, I'm excited about this weekend." "I'm looking forward to working with this team again. It's a young team; they've got some good stuff to work with there, good motors, good people, a good foundation to build on. Communication is the key, and I think if we can work on that, the good finishes will come. I'd really like to get this team running better and back up in the points, the potential is definitely there. It's a good challenge for me, for all of us, but we're up for it." Both FX and MRN will broadcast the race live Saturday night beginning at 7:30 PM. EST
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