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Green 22nd at Rain-delayed Watkins Glen Saturday

WATKINS GLEN, NY (August 13, 2005) - After a four year absence, David Green and the Kleenex/Scott Products team were primed and ready for the NASCAR Busch Series’ return to Watkins Glen International this weekend.  Green is one of three drivers ranked in the top-10 with experience at “the glen,” and has three top-five finishes and one pole to his credit at the 2.45-mile road course.  His veteran prowess had the #27 crew excited about their chances of improving his career best fourth-place finish at the race track, however an accident on pit road, along with a transmission malfunction, held Green to a 22^nd place finish in the Zippo 200.

On his qualifying lap, Green rounded Watkins Glen in 75.913 seconds.  His speed of 116.185 mph put the Kleenex/Tops Ford on the inside of row 19 for the start of the race.  “We made a lot of changes after practice on Friday which made the car 100% better,” said Green after qualifying.  “It turned so much easier through the corners, unfortunately, I didn’t hit my marks like I should have.  I wasn’t expecting the car to drive as well as it did, so I was a little off on my entry and exit points.  I’m excited about the race, though.  We’ve got an awesome car and it has what it takes to get through the field.”

Rain showers delayed green flag action.  The first 17 laps of the race were held under caution before the track was dry enough for the competitors to mix it up.  When the race got underway, several cars hit pit road for fuel, which moved Green up to 14^th place for the initial stages of the event.  Green held his ground until lap 27, when the yellow flag waved for fluid on the track.  Green reported that his car was “good, but a little loose,” so crew chief Stewart Cooper called for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment on the #27 machine.  After the crew executed their pit stop and Green exited his stall, a car driving down pit lane forced Green into the car directly ahead of him and damaged the front end of the Kleenex Ford.  The crew rolled Green back into his stall and worked to repair the injured Taurus.  The team hammered out the dents and pulled the sheet metal away from the tires.  Green returned to the track in 38^th place.

Another caution ensued on lap 31, which gave the team more time to fix Green’s vehicle.  Green radioed that his car developed a bad push, most likely because the tow was out of line, so the crew aimed to fix the alignment of his vehicle.  After getting the “one to go” signal, the team sent Green back on the track, still in 38^th place. 

The race resumed on lap 34.  Two laps later, a stalled car on the race track brought out the caution and gave the team another chance to make repairs on Green’s car.  The crew targeted the tow of the car again, looking to correct the steering on the #27 machine.  Following the repairs, Green returned to the track in 38^th place.

On lap 39, the race returned to green.  Only two laps were completed before the yellow flag waved again.  Copper used the caution period to bring Green in for service one last time.  The crew changed the tires and topped off the fuel cell.  Green rejoined the field in 38^th place.

Green flag action returned on lap 44.  Green had enough fuel to go the distance, so when other cars began making their final pit stops, the #27 car began picking up positions.  Green got all the way up to 21^st place, but the car’s upset handling kept him from driving up through the pack.  Green settled back in the 26^th position for the remaining laps. 

A wreck brought out the race’s final caution flag on lap 75, setting the stage for a green-white-checkered finish.  Green shot past the car in front of him on the restart, but lost 3^rd gear in his transmission.  Unable to shift, Green had to settle for a 22^nd place finish.

“We made a big comeback today,” said Green following the race.  “We didn’t finish where we wanted to, but considering the trouble that we ran into, 22^nd isn’t that bad.  We never quit and salvaged a decent finish considering the circumstances.  I’m proud of my Kleenex team for not giving up.”

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