Olympia Racing News

Phoenix, AZ. (Nov. 11, 2006) - The race weekend started out promising for Willie Allen and the No. 14 Family Dollar team after posting a solid qualifying time, the Dodge would end up starting 29th for the ARIZONA.TRAVEL 200.

With 18 laps into the 200-lap race Allen maintained his mid-pack position. He radioed that the car was free off turn two and not wanting to turn. A caution came out one lap later and the No. 14 pitted taking four sticker tires and one round down on the right rear jack bolt.

"The change didn't help the center, I'm still free off both ends of the track," said Allen.

On lap 57 the caution flag came out and the No. 14 came down pit road and took four sticker tires, fuel and two rounds down on the track bar.

Eleven laps later the caution came out again, Allen reported that the car was better but it was taking too long to come in. John Rachels, stand-in crew chief, said, "your lap times are getting better just keep your runs smooth and you'll get it."

During the next set of laps two cautions came out, but the No. 14 stayed out to try and gain track position. Then a caution on lap 103 would bring the Family Dollar Dodge down pit road to take four sticker tires, fuel, one round down on the right rear jack bolt and one pound in each left side tire.

On lap 111 Willie Allen turned his fastest lap of the day, which was only two tenths off the leader.

For the next set of green flag laps Allen radioed that the car wouldn't turn and that it had gotten tight.

By lap 169 a much-needed caution came out and the No. 14 came down pit road and took four scuff tires, one round down in the right rear jack bolt, one pound up in the left front and right rear, rubber out of the left rear and top off of fuel.

A few laps later, Allen radioed that the car wouldn't set or get grip.

On lap 185 the No. 14 drove into turn three too deep and got into the No. 90 car causing both cars to spin. Damage to the front end of the No. 14 would end the race early for the Family Dollar team.

The next race for the No. 14 Family Dollar Dodge is the FORD 300 on Saturday, November 18th at Homestead/Miami Speedway.

Olympia Steel Buildings is a proud co-sponsor of the No.14 Dodge owned by FitzBradshaw Racing

Fort Worth, TX. (Nov. 4, 2006) - Shock adjustments and fuel strategy played a big part of the race this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Armed with a fast car, Mike Skinner started the 200-lap event in the 15th position.

During the first caution early in the race, Skinner radioed to the crew, "by its self the car is pretty good, but I lose the down-force when I'm behind a car."

On lap 29 when the caution came out, the No. 12 Dodge came down pit road for fuel and adjustments to tighten the car up in the corners.

A green flag run would once again be interrupted by a caution on lap 63 when crew chief Paul Wolfe brought the Supercuts Dodge down pit road again, for fuel, one pound in the right front tire and a shock adjustment.

Following this sequence of successful adjustments, the No. 12 Dodge was running the fastest laps of the day, and would continue to do so during the long green flag run that followed.

During the last 30 laps of the event, the leaders started to pit. It was then decided that Skinner stay out on the track hoping that a caution would come out to put those cars a lap down before Skinner himself brought the Supercuts Dodge to pit road.

Unfortunately, the strategy would not pay off, as the green flag remained and the Supercuts Dodge was eventually forced to pit for fuel.

Skinner would finish the O'Reilly Challenge in 23rd place, but not without rolling the dice in an attempt to capitalize on the fast car that could have finished in the top-10.

The next race for the Supercuts Race team will be the ARIZONA.TRAVEL 200 on Saturday, Nov. 11th at Phoenix International Raceway.

Olympia Steel Buildings is a proud co-sponsor of the No.12 Dodge owned by FitzBradshaw Racing

Fort Worth, TX. (Nov. 4, 2006) - The weekend for the No. 14 Family Dollar Dodge was not as promising as it could have been; when a faulty shock made for a long race for Ted Musgrave and crew in Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series O'Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway.

After a successful practice session, hopes were high for the Family Dollar team, who successfully qualified into the event on time, forced to do so because of limited NASCAR Busch Series attempts for the No. 14 Dodge.

Early in the event and armed with a good car, the excitement of the Family Dollar crew quickly turned into confusion, when just five laps into the race Musgrave began sliding back in the field. He radioed that the car was feeling really tight on exit and had no front end.

During the ensuing caution, Musgrave brought his Dodge into the pits and took fuel and went two rounds up on the track bar. "This should free the car up a bit," said crew chief Ron Otto.

On lap 30 the caution came out again, affording the Family Dollar Dodge to return to pit road for more adjustments. The crew had a quick and efficient stop, and continued to work on the handling of the car. It was then discovered that a faulty shock was the culprit that would plague the team for the remainder of the race.

Disappointed with the misfortune of a technical malfunction, Musgrave and the Family Dollar crew were forced to settle for a 34th place finish.

The next race for the No. 14 Family Dollar car will be the ARIZONA TRAVEL 200 this Saturday, Nov. 11th in Phoenix, AR.

Olympia Steel Buildings is a proud co-sponsor of the No.14 Dodge owned by FitzBradshaw Racing