Ragan Steady in Nationwide Race at Fontana

Fontana, Calif. (October 11, 2009) – David Ragan and the No. 6 America's Tire team battled a star studded field and a dominating performance by Joe Gibbs Racing to capture a top-10 finish in the Nationwide Series Copart 300 at Auto Club Speedway on Saturday afternoon. Ragan and the America's Tire team qualified in the ninth position and stayed in the top 10 most of the day. Ragan ran as high as fourth on lap 145, before finishing the race in the ninth spot. Ragan's 13th top-10 run of the 2009 season.

Ragan and the No. 6 America's Tire team started the race very steady, running in the top 10 the first 70 laps despite an ill-handling race car. Ragan commented his Ford Fusion was a little tight and bouncing all over the track. Ragan also needed the front end to turn a little better. The handling problems were evident when Ragan fell to the 12th spot on lap 71. A debris caution slowed the action and a much needed pit stop loomed large. Crew chief Mike Kelley called Ragan to the pit stall for four tires, fuel, a wedge adjustment and an air pressure adjustment. An average pit stop left the team in the 12th position on the restart on lap 75.

During the next 20 laps, Ragan ran fast lap times and began to close the gap between him and the top five. Ragan still needed his Ford Fusion to rotate better through the center, but he had already gained five positions when the action slowed for another debris caution. Ragan was called to the pit stall for four tires, fuel and a minor air pressure change. The America's Tire pit crew had a solid stop and got Ragan back on the track in the sixth position. Green-flag racing resumed on lap 106.

Over the next 17 laps the race was halted three times for different incidents on the race track. During that time, Ragan slipped to the ninth position, while the Gibbs racing contingent led by Denny Hamlin, opened up a big lead. During a caution on lap 119, Ragan and Kelley discussed an alternative race strategy. Ragan was unable to pass during the late stages of the race. The only way to gain track position was to possibly pit for tires and hope Ragan could make it back through race traffic before the close of the race. Kelley called Ragan to the pit stall on lap 121 for four fresh tires and a sight air pressure adjustment. When green-flag racing resumed on lap 123, Ragan was in the 27th position.

On lap 124, a five-car wreck ensued in turn one and two. The bad fortune for some worked with Ragan as he gained six positions in less than a lap. Ragan proceeded to put on a show during the closing laps. By lap 140, Ragan was in the top five and had a serious shot at winning the race. The America's Tire Ford Fusion came to life and was among the fastest in the field late in the race. A major wreck on lap 141 took Hamlin and Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle out of contention. On lap 145, Ragan created his own dramatics after moving to the high side of the track and challenging Roush Fenway Racing teammate Carl Edwards for the third position. It was Ragan's chance to steal one, but the caution flew with three laps to go, setting the stage for a green-white-checkered flag finish. On the restart the top five made heavy contact with each other. Ragan got shuffled back to the ninth spot and his hopes for another win were dashed.

Ragan and the No. 6 Discount Tire team will return to action Saturday, November 7th at Texas Motor Speedway.

"Our America's Tire Ford Fusion was pretty good today," said Ragan. "I'm a little disappointed in our finish, I felt like we could have had a higher finish if it weren't for that mishap on the last restart. We have to stay aggressive like that for the rest of the year. Competing with a field this strong can bring out the best in all of us. If we keep knocking on the door, it will open for us and we will be in victory lane again."