David Ragan – Race Recap
Coca Cola 600-Concord, N.C. / May 27, 2007
Started 13th / Finished 37th

RAGAN’S STRONG RUN RUINED BY MID-RACE INCIDENT

CONCORD, N.C. (May 27, 2007) –David Ragan was set to compete in the longest race of his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series career in last Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. He qualified 13th on Thursday evening and ran 32nd and 37th in the final two practices on Saturday afternoon.

The No. 6 AAA team had an unpleasant surprise on Saturday evening following practice when they blew an engine and were forced to replace it before the race began. Due to NASCAR rules, this unfortunate incident sent David to the back of the pack for the start of the Coca Cola 600 on Sunday evening.

Ragan’s battle to the front of the field was a gradual one. By lap 44, Ragan was passed by the leader putting him one lap down. Moments later the first caution flag of the day flew when teammate Greg Biffle blew a tire and wrecked.

Six laps later, the caution flag flew for the second time due to a major wreck. Ragan managed to avoid the mess and still stay in position to return to the lead lap.

He came down pit road on lap 57 for four tires and fuel and returned to the track in 27th position.

The third caution of the day came out on lap 61 when there was an accident involving the No. 96 and No. 24 cars. When the majority of the field came down pit road Crew Chief, Jimmy Fennig, opted to keep Ragan out to gain track position.

When the green flag dropped again on lap 69 Ragan was in 11th place with a strong race car. By lap 77 he moved into the top-10 and when the caution flag came out he once again was directed to stay out. He restarted on 4th place.

Ragan was forced to pit under the green flag on lap 118. The AAA pit crew gave him four fresh tires, fuel and made an air pressure adjustment to improve the handling on his race car. Ragan returned to the field in 23rd position, but moved back into the top-10 by lap 133.

Ragan came down pit road again on lap 142, this time under the yellow flag. He took four tires when a lot of the other teams only took two, giving him an advantage once the track went green again on lap 145.

Ragan’s biggest handling problem was losing grip in the nose of his Ford Fusion once he got about 20 laps on his tires. Jimmy Fennig continued to order adjustments to the AAA Ford which improved the handling and allowed Ragan to work his way up to 8th by the time they were ready to pit again on lap 185.

The plan was to take two tires and gain some spots on pit road. Due to a complication during the stop Ragan reentered the field in 11th position, losing three spots.

By lap 200 Ragan was in 7th place and still had a strong race car to compete with.

Twenty laps later Ragan was still in 7th place and playing shadow to his teammate, Carl Edwards, who held the 6th place position in his No. 99 Ford. Suddenly Edwards cut a tire and began to spin. Without any warning or time for Ragan to react, the 99 car collided with Ragan. The AAA Ford suffered damage that was beyond repair and Ragan’s strong run ended about 250 laps early.

“My spotter was doing a great job,” said Ragan. “He told me that the No. 99 was having a problem and of course I could see that. I just thought he would come up the track a lot faster. Tough night for the AAA team, but what a great race car. We had a lot of fun and we’ll get ‘em at Dover next week. Our AAA Ford Fusion was pretty strong. We started in the back. Really loose to start off with and the sun started coming down and just kind of played into our favor. I felt like at any given time we had a top-five or top-10 car and I was just kind of cruising, just trying not to do anything crazy and jeopardize a good finish. I’m real disappointed that we’re sitting in the garage right now.”

Ragan will compete next at Dover International Speedway on June 3rd at 1:00pm EDT on Fox and MRN. Ragan is currently 28th in the Nextel Cup Championship point standings.