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Aaron Fike Records First Career Top-Ten Finish

 

FOUNTAIN, CO (July 23) - Despite having limited experience at Pikes Peak International Raceway, Aaron Fike, driver of the #66 Scott® Products Ford, scored his first career top-ten finish in Saturday's Salute to the Troops 250 NASCAR Busch Series race.  Fike, 22, started 13^th and finished 8^th in his 25^th career NBS start.  As a result of the finish, Team Brewco #66 moved from eighth to seventh in Busch Series owner's standings.

 

With temperatures topping 100° and an altitude of 5,500 feet, Team Brewco had a few extra challenges this weekend.  Despite the less than ideal working conditions, the Central City, KY based team never skipped a beat.  "We knew going out here that the altitude was going to make things difficult, but I don't think anyone was expecting the heat.  It's like an oven.  Fortunately, our guys have been working with a conditioning coach, so this shouldn't pose too much of a problem," crew chief Newt Moore added.

 

Heat or no heat, Aaron Fike was determined to have a strong showing at the one-mile paved oval.  Having competed in several USAC Sprint car races at PPIR, Fike felt confident of his chances heading into Saturday's 250 lap event.  "Even though this is my first Busch Series race at Pikes Peak, I feel like I have as much experience there as anyone.  We ran our Midget car out there a few weeks ago- that's more than a lot of people can say.  We've been having some good runs on the flat, one-mile tracks, so I'm pretty excited for this weekend," an optimistic Fike added.

 

With two practice sessions scheduled for Friday morning, Aaron Fike used the first hour of practice as a means to get comfortable with the car and find his rhythm.  It obviously worked, as Fike posted the fourth fastest time in the second session.  After a lengthy break in on-track activity, Fike anxiously awaited his turn to qualify.  Unfortunately, Fike was once again the victim of an early draw.  Despite the hot, slick track conditions he managed to qualify the #66 Scott® Products Ford in 13^th place.  "We definitely left some on the table there.  I really didn't know what the track was going to be like.  It looks like everyone fell off from practice.  I know we have a great car, so it shouldn't be any trouble moving to the front," Fike added his career best qualifying effort.

 

At the drop of the green flag, it appeared as though 22-year-old Aaron Fike had hit the nail on the head.  Wasting little time, Fike quickly cracked the top-ten where he would remain for much of the day.  By lap sixteen, he was running lap times as fast as leader Clint Bowyer.  Citing a slight "loose" condition, Team Brewco #66 made their first pit stop of the day on lap 26.  To help tighten up the car and gain valuable track position the call was made to take right side tires only.  Fike would restart the race in second place.

 

It was only a matter of time until the cars that took four tires would pass Fike.  Nevertheless, he held his own in the top-ten until pitting a second time on lap 96.  Still "loose," the call was made to take four tires and make a minor chassis adjustment to help tighten up the car for the long run.  Restarting the race in 14^th, Fike found himself in multiple three-wide battles for position, at one point getting shuffled back to 18^th place.  "It's a little frustrating to get caught in traffic when you know you have a great car.  There are a lot of lap-down cars trying there best to get back on the lead lap and they make it very hard to move forward.  I just tried to be patient and strike when the iron was hot," Fike said in reference to his charge to the front of the field. 

 

Driving like a ten year veteran of the series, Fike sliced and diced his way to the top-fifteen by lap 185.  Team Brewco made their final two-tire stop on lap 190.  In 15^th and out 2^nd, Fike was determined to hold onto his position in the final 50 laps.  The majority of the lead lap cars took four tires in their final stop, making it difficult for Fike to run up front.  Despite the disadvantage, Fike dug deep and salvaged an impressive eighth place finish, his first career top-ten finish.

 

"This was a really good day for all of us.  We had a great car on long runs and fortunately this race was relatively caution free.  We needed the track position late in the race so we took two tires.  It was definitely the right call.  This is a big confidence booster for me heading into Gateway next week," Fike stated.

 

Next up, Team Brewco #66 heads to Gateway International Raceway for the Wallace Family Tribute on Saturday, July 30^th.  TNT and MRN will provide live coverage of the event beginning at 8:00pm ET.

 

Thanks,
Jeff Moats
Account Manager
Brewco Motorsports #66
270.977.6000 (cell)
270.754.2264 (office)
270.754.4498 (fax)