Wimmer Overcomes Tire Issues, Loose Car for Top-25 at California 

Fontana, CA (September 5, 2006) – Brewco Motorsports’ Duraflame Ford Fusion was a handful for Scott Wimmer for most of the Ameriquest 300 at California Speedway.  The No. 66 team unloaded fast but struggled to find a winning race setup.  Despite handling issues, Wimmer held on for a 25th place finish.

Wimmer posted the 5th fastest time during first practice, saying the car was “really, really, really good.”  Wimmer was equally happy with the car following final practice but he got too loose during qualifying and started the Ameriquest 300 25th. 

When the race started, Wimmer quickly made his way toward the top-20.  Staying out under the first caution, he told his crew he had “no grip at all.”  Continuing to struggle with the handling of the Duraflame Ford, Wimmer thought he had a tire going down.  Crew chief Newt Moore decided to bring Wimmer down pit road on lap 27 for four tires and a track bar adjustment.  As soon as Wimmer returned to the track, the caution flew.  Wimmer was the Lucky Dog recipient and restarted the race 35th.

Wimmer was up to 27th on lap 42 when he said under caution that the Duraflame Ford was “still free - just way too loose.”  After four tires and a track bar adjustment, he restarted 29th.  The adjustments seemed to help as Wimmer broke into the top-20 on lap 71.  The Duraflame Ford was up to 16th when Wimmer said the car was “a little free center off but a lot better.” 

Pit strategy came into play during a long green flag run at the end of the race.  Moore brought Wimmer down pit road for four tires and a track bar adjustment on lap 131.  Wimmer was caught a lap down with just 19 laps left; a position he would remain in when the leaders opted not to stop.  The Duraflame Ford ended up 25th. 

“That was a long night for sure,” said Wimmer.  “The Duraflame Ford was so loose at the beginning of the race I couldn’t believe it.  I thought I had a tire going down and we got behind early stopping under green.  Newt made good calls on adjustments and the handling slowly improved but it seemed to be too little too late.  I hate it for Duraflame and all of the guys because we’re capable of a much stronger showing that that, but we’ll take what we learned and move on to the next one.”