Ken Schrader Makes Strong Run with a Tight Car in Talladega

 Yard-Man Ford Finishes 22nd    

 

Date:                April 29, 2006

Event:               Aaron’s 312

Location:           Talladega Superspeedway

Start:                20th

Finish:              22nd

Talladega, AL (May 1, 2006) – The season’s first restrictor plate race did not end well for Ken Schrader and the Yard-Man team and the Brewco Motorsports crew was determined to change their luck heading into Talladega.  The Yard-Man Ford was running in the top 15 for most of the Aaron’s 312, but after losing the draft on a late race restart Schrader brought the No.66 Brewco Motorsports entry home in 22nd place.

The Yard-Man Ford unloaded strong and posted the second fastest time in final practice.  Said Schrader during final practice, “it’s driving good, it’s running good, let’s see what happens.”  Schrader went on to qualify 20th. 

With the rain quickly approaching Saturday afternoon, Schrader and the Yard-Man team readied for the Aaron’s 312.  Schrader wasted no time getting to the front of the field and had broken into the top 10 by lap 10.  The field was stacked up three-wide nose to tail when Schrader radioed the crew that “video games don’t get you ready for this stuff.” 

Schrader reported that the Yard-Man Ford had gone to the tight side when the caution flew on lap 43.  The Yard-Man Ford came down pit road for four tires and a wedge adjustment and restarted 16th on lap 48.  Schrader remained quiet over the radio and patiently held ground in the top-15 for the first half of the afternoon.

The Yard-Man Ford was seen in a season-high fourth position on lap 90 but got shuffled to the outside and fell back to 16th.  A caution flew with just six laps remaining in the race.  Schrader restarted 15th with four laps to go but lost the draft and ended up in the 22nd position. 

“This car was pretty good,” said Schrader.  “We had a strong run going there but just lost help there at the end.  It’s so easy to drop back here, that’s what happened to the Yard-Man Ford today.  We avoided all the wrecks and the car is in one piece, so it was a decent day for us.” 

The Yard-Man Ford returns to action this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.  Scott Wimmer will be making his Yard-Man racing debut in the Circuit City 250 presented by Funai.