Iowa Speedway Race Report

March 18, 2008

It's a good feeling anytime you return to a track you've done well at. In this case it's Iowa Speedway having finished 3rd last year. ^{There were some challenges this weekend but overcame most all and ended up with a solid run.}
 

Saturday's practice session was encouraging. I knew not having had the opportunity to test here since last year would be a disadvantage and not having run this particular chassis would be a challenge. We started practice off a bit slower than we would have liked but with our new crew and all their help we made a lot of headway.
 

By the end of practice I was comfortable with it and knew it was going to be a long run set-up. Our mock qualifying run was conservative but respectable; all that was left was to back it up in qualifying.
 

A tire issue for our qualifying laps and trying to remain conservative put us 38th on the starting grid. Knowing the challenge that laid ahead Richmond (crew chief) put together a methodical plan for our race to improve on the chassis and our position.
 

After 200 laps and a lot of patience we came out with a 6th place finish. Overall it was a good day for Dale Earnhardt Inc. with my teammates finishing 4th and 5th. Next stop South Boston.