Lap-Three Spin Ends Night Early for Texaco/Havoline Team
CONCORD, N.C. (May 22, 2006) --- Casey Mears and the Texaco/Havoline team waited out the rain for the NEXTEL Open at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but the car spun on lap three ending their night earlier than they hoped. The team was credited with a 29th-place finish.
Mears started the 30-lap transfer race for the All-Star Challenge from the 10th position on Saturday night. He radioed crew chief Donnie Wingo on lap two and let him know the car was really loose. Just one lap later, Mears hit the wall coming off of Turn 4 before spinning through the grass. He took the mandatory trip to the infield care center and was immediately released.
“I was really loose in qualifying, and it was loose tonight,” said Mears. “I wish we could have got a few more laps. I feel bad for all the guys that worked hard on the Texaco/Havoline Dodge this week. I think it was starting to come in better, but we were just too loose. The cars tighten up as you go. It’s disappointing, but fortunately this isn’t a points’ race. It would have been nice to have a shot at that million. I probably should have taken it a little easier.
“At least I mowed the grass and didn’t hit the wall a second time. I was a little worried about coming back around and hitting the outside wall hard again. I stayed away from it and thought I’d be able to fire it up and get it going, but when I got sideways in the grass I think I over revved the engine and hurt it, too.”
Mears’ teammates David Stremme and Reed Sorenson finished sixth and 14th respectively. The Texaco/Havoline team will return to Lowe’s Motor Speedway this weekend for the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday.
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