David Ragan – Race Recap
Autism Speaks 400 presented by Visa-Dover, Del. / June 4th, 2007
Started 31st / Finished 14th

RAGAN GETS BEST COT FINISH AT DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

DOVER, Del.(June 4, 2007) –The Nextel Cup Series experienced the third rain out of the 2007 season this weekend at Dover International Speedway. When the race finally got underway on Monday afternoon, David Ragan rolled off pit road on in 31st position for the start of the Autism Speaks 400.

After showers moved through the area on Sunday, NASCAR postponed the 400- lap event to Monday at Noon EDT. With the rain washing all the tire rubber off the track, which might result in excessive tire wear during the event, NASCAR informed the teams there would be two competition cautions, on laps 25 and 65, to allow teams to inspect their tires.

When the green flag dropped, Ragan worked his way up to 29th position by the time the first competition caution flag was displayed. Ragan radioed to his team that his No. 6 Ford had a tight handling condition through the center of the turns.

The AAA pit crew quickly gave Ragan four fresh tires and fuel when he came down pit road on lap 28. They also went one round down on the right rear jack bolt to help with the handling problem.

By the time the second caution flag flew on lap 65, Ragan found himself dealing with the same handling issues.

“I still need the front to turn a little better,” said Ragan. “It’s tight through the center of the corner and on exit and the back end is ‘twitchy’ (loose) on the throttle when I’ve got wheel in it.”

The team once again brought the AAA Insurance Ford into the pits for adjustments, taking one pound out of the left front tire.

Ragan returned to the event in 28th position as the race went caution free for the next 70 laps.

Ragan was being shown in 25th position with the race leader three cars back when the caution came out on lap 135. Ragan told his team the air pressure change had improved his car’s handling, but he could use another adjustment to help the front end of his Fusion turn.

When he came to pit road, the AAA pit crew made another air pressure adjustment and went up one round on the right side track bar of Ragan’s machine.

Ragan reentered the field in 22nd position, as quick work by his pit crew allowed him to gain two positions on pit road.

Throughout the day, Ragan’s car continued to tighten up on long green flag runs. By lap 211, his Roush-Fenway entry was the third car one lap down, and Ragan found himself fighting for the ‘lucky dog’ position, which would put him back on the lead lap when the next caution flag was displayed.

Ragan wasn’t able to work his way up to the lucky dog spot before the caution came out on lap 270 for an incident involving the No. 20 and the No. 2 cars. Once pit road opened, Ragan pitted with the other cars not on the lead lap, taking on four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. He returned to the track in 17th position.

As the race moved closer to the 400-mile mark, Ragan moved into the top-15 but still struggled with a tight handling condition in the corners.

When the yellow flag came out on lap 355, crew chief Jimmy Fennig made the call to stay out on the track and not make a pit stop. This would give Ragan the opportunity to move into the lucky dog position and return to the lead lap if there was another quick caution, which could help the team gain a few more positions before the conclusion of the race.

Ragan was able to move into position as the first car one lap down, but the yellow flag did not come back out for the remainder of the race. Ragan crossed the finish line in 14th position, the highest finishing spot among the drivers vying for the title of Raybestos Rookie of the Year.

“We had a decent day, our best COT run so far,” Ragan said. “I felt like maybe we had a little better car at Martinsville (Speedway), maybe even at Richmond (International Raceway). To finish in the top-15 was a good points day.

“I couldn’t afford to go out there and race too hard because, if something was to happen, we kind of dug ourselves a hole last week by getting in that wreck. So I had to be conservative at times which, I’m sure, that hurt us a little bit. But we kept working on the car and our pit stops were good.

“There are always a few things we can improve on as a team. We’ll improve and try to get them next week. I like this place. It’s a fun track to drive. We’re just trying to find how hard we can run and take care of our cars.

“But, I have to say thank you to the fans and, of course, to AAA and it’s 50 million members for all your support.”

The next race for the No. 6 AAA team will be held at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, June 10th. Coverage begins at 1:00PM Eastern on TNT and MRN. Ragan is currently 26th in the Nextel Cup drivers’ points standings, and trails Juan Pablo Montoya by just five points in the competition for Raybestos Rookie of the Year after 13 of 36 events.