Mechanical Problems Foil Strong Start for Schrader, Brewco Motorsports

 Yard-Man Ford Finishes 37th

 

Date:                March 25, 2006

Event:               Sharpie MINI 300

Location:           Bristol Motor Speedway

Start:                24th

Finish:              37th

 

Bristol, TN (March 87, 2006) – In a cold, snowy weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, mechanical problems got the best of Ken Schrader and the Brewco Motorsports Yard-Man Ford Fusion.  After staying out of trouble for the majority of the afternoon, the right front lower A-frame broke on the No. 66 which put Schrader behind the wall for repairs for nearly 80 laps.  Schrader finished the race in 37th, 63 laps down.  

A mix of rain and snow cancelled all on track activities on Friday.  NASCAR added a Busch Series practice session to Saturday’s schedule, marking the first time this season that the Busch Series would attempt to practice, qualify and race in the same day.  Mother Nature didn’t like this plan, however, as heavy snow put an early end to qualifying and the field was set by 2006 owner’s points.

Schrader and the Yard-Man Ford Fusion rolled off 24th and quickly started moving through the field.  After 15 laps, Schrader reported that the car was “loose in, but that’s always how it goes at Bristol.”  Schrader was running 19th when heavy snow stopped the race on lap 30.  After a 70 minute red flag, the track was dry and the race restarted. 

The Yard-Man Ford Fusion was up to 16th when the caution flew on lap 60 and Schrader made his first pit stop of the day.  Crew chief Newt Moore made the call to take two tires and gain track position.  The decision led to Schrader restarting 13th.  Schrader was up to 11th when he reported that the car had gone to the tight side.  The Yard-Man Ford was seen in 23rd when the caution flew on lap 111.  Four fresh tires and a track bar adjustment later and Schrader was back on the track in 29th place. 

Schrader again made his way up through the field and was up to 20th when he reported that the car was “really tight in the middle and off.”  When the caution came out on lap 140, Moore called for four tires and a track bar and air pressure adjustment.  Schrader restarted 24th but quickly voiced concern over the tightness of the car.  “It got real tight real quick,” Schrader said. 

The Yard-Man Ford fell back to 31st during the subsequent green flag run and came down pit road for service under the following caution on lap 192.  The team detected a broken right front lower A-frame and brought the Yard-Man Ford behind the wall for repairs.  Schrader returned to the track with 15 laps to go and finished in 37th, 63 laps down.

“I’ve said it before but this definitely wasn’t the weekend we were hoping for,” said Moore.  “We’re going to get this thing figured out and give Kenny a good hot rod for Phoenix.  This Yard-Man team is a lot better than the results are showing this season and we will get it turned around soon.”