Wimmer Spins, Recovers to Finish 8th at Richmond

Richmond, VA (September 8, 2006) – Heading into Friday night’s Emerson Radio 250, Scott Wimmer had four top-10 finishes in eight NASCAR Busch Series starts at Richmond International Raceway.  Wimmer improved his record to five for nine with an 8th place finish in the United States Postal Service Ford Fusion. 

The United States Postal Service Ford was fast all weekend.  Wimmer was 12th in first practice and 10th in final practice.  Wimmer qualified 21st; right behind his new Brewco Motorsports teammate Casey Atwood.

Wimmer quickly proved the United States Postal Service Ford was better than the qualifying position indicated, breaking into the top 15 just 17 laps in.  “A little tight off” was the first report from Wimmer back to his crew.  Newt Moore decided to make a track bar and air pressure adjustment during the first pit stop.  The adjustments proved too much as Wimmer went from tight to loose.  Wimmer was running 15th when he spun on lap 61.  “I’m just too loose,” he told the crew.  Wimmer came back down pit road for four tires and another track bar adjustment and restarted 26th on lap 70.

The adjustments proved accurate as Wimmer quietly moved his way up through the field.  The United States Postal Service Ford Fusion was in the top 10 by lap 110.  Moore decided to keep Wimmer on the track when the caution flew on 112.  With the rest of the leaders pitting, Wimmer restarted in the lead on lap 118. 

Wimmer was holding strong inside the top 10 when the caution flew on lap 146.  He told Moore “I need to be tightened up.”  Moore decided to drop the track bar and give Wimmer four fresh tires.  This was to be the last pit stop of the night for the United States Postal Service crew.  Moore knew the leaders would have to pit once more, clearing the way for Wimmer to stay out front.

When cautions started flying late, Wimmer stayed on the track and quickly began to pick up positions.  The United States Postal Service Ford was back in the lead with just 75 laps remaining.  Wimmer said the car was “starting to get tight but pretty good.”   Wimmer’s old tires couldn’t withstand the late charge of a few strong cars but when the checkered flag flew Wimmer was firmly in the top 10, finishing 8th.   

For the second time this season, Wimmer and the No. 66 team won the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive Thru Challenge award for spending the least amount of time on pit road.  They previously won the award at Gateway International Raceway.

”That was a lot of fun,” said Wimmer.  “The United States Postal Service Ford Fusion was really good after that spin.  We got way too loose early and I just lost it coming off of four.  We didn’t loose too much, though and that next long green flag run really helped us.  Newt came up with a great pit strategy that allowed us to keep track position at the end.  Pit stops were awesome all night.  It was just a good night all around.  With 10 or 15 fewer laps on my tires at the end I think we would’ve had a top-5 but we’ll take a top-10.  It was a good night for the entire United States Postal Service team.”