Daytona Debrief: The Drivers Talk
by CP Staff
When you get both Koni Challenge classes on the track at the same time, it is going to be an interesting race - even on a track as big (3.56 miles) as Daytona. Drivers' post-race comments are always interesting.
Scott Maxwell, who would take second place at the end of the race, was working his way through the field earlier. On lap 65, the green flag fell to end anohter full course caution. Running in ninth place at the time, Maxwell ran into the back of Randy Pobst's VW in Turn 1.
Maxwell: "I think it was the second flying lap and they warned me that the brakes were a bit glazed, and I went down into one and I was full blown on the brakes and couldn't stop and I thought I was actually going off for a nice little crash and I think I clipped one of the Volkswagens on my way in, I think it was a Volkswagen, -- one of the little cars I hit on the way in. Anyways I stopped about three feet shy of the wall and kept going."
|
|
Rehagen Racing drivers Hugh Plumb and Dean Martin were running first and second when Joe Foster (Hyper Sport #55) stopped on the track entering the west horseshoe. This brought out the safety car and when the pits opened on lap 62, all the top cars headed in for fuel and/or tires, as needed. Sharing the same pit space, Martin had to wait until Plumb's car was looked after. Martin rejoined the field in 19th position.
According to John Clark, Motorsports Manager for Roush Performance, "Unfortunately, miscommunication and confusion during a late pit stop dropped both cars back in the field with precious few minutes remaining in the three-hour race to make up the ground."
"One mistake got us today," confirmed a dejected Jack Roush, Jr., who started the No. 59 ROUSH/Valvoline Mustang in 11th position, his career-best. "It looked like we had a real chance for a win today. We'll get it figured out, though."
Sometimes, it's not a single incident that sinks the ship. JBS Motorsports was looking forward to a strong race, but ended up in 18th place at the end. Co-driver James Gue (top photo, right) explained.
"We had a great pit strategy. I think we got up to sixth for the restart with about 25 minutes to go, but we've been struggling all week. We blew and engine right before the race around the last practice and that really hurt us. We put a new engine in and it was just terrible and we were a lot slower than we were in practice. We didn't have the car, at best we would have been eighth or ninth. On the restart we got together and just grazed one of the ST cars as it went by on the inside and knocked our tires and we got a flat and had to come in."
Everyone will have a long period of time to reflect on what they accomplished - or threw away - in the Fresh from Florida 200 this weekend. The next race on the schedule is at Lime Rock Park in May. That track is short and tight, which does not favor a Mustang victory.
|
