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Fike Ends Season on a High Note

 

HOMESTEAD, FL (Nov. 19) - Ending the season on a high note can carry a lot of weight during NASCAR's three month off-season, something Aaron Fike took to heart prior to this weekend's Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  Fike, driver of the #43 Cottonelle® / Dollar General Ford, started 32^nd and finished 16^th in the NASCAR Busch Series season finale.  Despite several "close calls" and a minor "set-back" on pit road, Fike persevered and finished the season in strong fashion.  Even though he only competed in 24 of 35 NBS events this season, Fike managed to crack the top-30 in points, finishing a solid 28^th in the final tally.

 

Having experienced a season of highs and lows, it became increasingly important for 22 year old Aaron Fike to finish out the 2005 season with a strong run.  "There's no denying we have had an up and down year.  The competition level this season has been unreal.  A lot of times, it was an accomplishment in itself just to make the race.  This team really turned a corner about half way through the season and it's been a lot of fun racing ever since.  To finish out the year with a good finish, will really help us get prepared for 2006," Fike added prior to the Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

Despite struggling with a tight condition in Friday's practice sessions, Fike managed to get the car dialed in prior to Saturday morning's time trials.  "This thing wouldn't turn in a forty acre field, but we kept digging and finally got it where we wanted it.  I don't have very much experience here, so it took a little getting used to, but come race time we should be fine," Fike added.

 

After securing the 32^nd starting position for the Ford 300, Fike and his Curb-Agajanian Motorsports teammates set their sights on the 200 lap race.  At the drop of the green flag, Fike patiently worked his way through the field.  As an early caution flag fell, many competitors seized the opportunity to change four tires.  Not Aaron- following the lead of teammate David Green, Fike elected to take on fuel only.  When the race restarted, he would find himself running inside the top-ten.  The gamble proved successful, as he managed to say up front for most of the race.

 

When asked how his car was handling, Fike radioed, "I'm a little loose in the center, but not terrible."  Crew chief Joe Shear told his young driver to turn off the brake duct blowers, a change that helped tighten up the #43 Ford.  As the race progressed, Fike held his own running comfortably inside the top-15.  A final pit stop late in the race proved to be only a minor set back as one of the air guns jammed significantly slowing down the stop.  After changing four tires, Fike would return to the race in 24^th place.  Despite the slow stop, Fike dug deep and raced his way back inside the top-15.  A late race accident brought out the caution with only a handful of laps remaining.  When the checkered flag fell, Fike crossed the finish line in 16^th place- a solid finish and a great way to end the season.

 

"After everything we went through, I think it was a great day.  There's no doubt this was a top-ten car, but we had a little trouble in the pits which cost us some time.  All in all, a good day," Fike said after the Ford 300.

 

While most drivers are at home relaxing this week, Aaron Fike is heading to Irwindale Speedway to compete in the 65^th running of the Thanksgiving Night Grand Prix.