This was a long week leading up to the race at Dover. We had a two-day test at Pocono and then traveled straight to Dover. Even though we had the team plane to travel on, I rode in the hauler from Pocono to Dover since it was only a three hour trip! It was pretty cool and I had a lot of fun. Even though practice went really well, qualifying didn’t. After qualifying 35th we had two more practices the following day to get things better.
The weather was not very good on Saturday for the practices. It looked like it could rain at any time. We were able to get in the entire first practice and about half of the “Happy Hour” final practice. I think the car was the best at the end of the first practice. After the rains came we were done and it was time to get the car ready for the race. Brian made just a few minor adjustments to the car and even though we were starting deep in the field I was looking forward to the race.
Dover is a very difficult race to spot. There are many different lines the drivers can take. Some can run the bottom and make good lap times and some guys can run really high in the center of the corner and use the very steep banking to get HUGE runs down the straightaway. Some can run both and switch as needed in traffic to make passes. You really need to pay attention in front and behind you to stay out of trouble! As you saw on lap 17, the front and back straights are the most potential for danger. The speeds are really high and the track is really narrow. It is very difficult to avoid trouble even if you see it coming. The 19 car spun and the 20 car hit him which started a huge chain reaction crash. Luckily that particular lap Juan had a little bit of room to maneuver. He had passed quite a few cars and was in really good position. My first glimpse of trouble was seeing the 19 car slide up the track and hit the wall. I immediately keyed up the radio and told Juan to “Check up…Check up!” Just like I always do. This was much worse than normal! I came back on and said “Get it stopped….get it stopped all the way!” He was nearly stopped when a path finally came and made it through the wreck unscathed! It was an unbelievable crash with cars absolutely destroyed everywhere. They just kept pilling in! After NASCAR put out a short red flag for clean up, it was back to racing. I was really relieved we missed the wreck and knew we had to be smart the rest of the day.
Juan did a good job of driving and Brian did a good job calling the race. We made steady progress all day and with the help of two “Lucky Dogs” and getting laps back the day went pretty well. The 18 car set an unbelievable pace and it was difficult to stay on the lead lap during an entire green run. There were only six cars on the lead lap at the end of the race. Juan used a lot of patience and drove a good race. The car does not have a scratch on it! I was happy with that. The guys worked hard on the car all week during the practices and the pit crew did well during the race. We came out of there with a solid 12th-place finish. We needed that after a rough last couple of weeks.
Now it is off to Pocono to see if we can carry some momentum from a good test there and a good finish in Dover. Hope everyone is doing well and I will talk to you after Pocono.
-Tab
Comments
Thanks for the possible answer.
As for Pocono, well, unless ya wreck, probably 1 lap down won't be too bad. I see 33rd with those recent test times, the horsepower is just not there with all three cars.
Just think, Sonoma is around the corner to heal things up. Fortunately Robbie Gordon won't have a fast car this time around (dodge now), so the race should be wide open.
I'll see you in San Fransisco !!
Jeff G
Really good to see Juan and the team getting back towards the front. Its been painful on the last weeks and its good to see that hopefully it will be a thing of the past.
I like the communication on the radio between you guys a lot better than when Jimmy came to the Team. I am very optimistic that Brian will settle even more and hopefully the 42 will be closer to the chase on the races to come. I have to admit that I am impressed on the way Brian has made the best of the car given the circumstances in which he was brought to the team
Keep up the good work and Like you said, I hope the good momentum carries you guys forward!
K.G.
Now I really want to see you guys show up with a car that is top 5 ready and with the calls you guys have been making, the results should be awesome.
Mike
To James,
As someone who has watched American oval and circuit racing for years, trust me Pocono is bizarre.
Mike
The reason Juan does not drive in the Nationwide series is because the cars handle VERY different. The cars actually handle good and although some guys do drive both it is very different driving both series. Juan prefers to concentrate on the Cup car and focus his driving with it for now. There may be some Nationwide races in the future but for now it is only Cup. Hope this helps you out! Thanks, Tab
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