Morgan-McClure Daytona 2 post race notes

<pre> RACE: 17-Daytona International Speedway--7/7/01 Pepsi 400 Started: 20th Finished: 31st Laps Completed: 158 of 160 Points Position: 41st , 899 points Owner Points: 36th, 1307 points, 257 points out of 25th position

{TC} HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Shelton "RUNT" Pittman. Runt is the head engine builder for Morgan-McClure Motorsports. The Wilmington, N.C., native was born on July 14, 1941. He entered the NASCAR circuit 32 years ago. His favorite foods are butterbeans and fried cornbread. From July 1991 until February 1993, his engines won three straight poles at Daytona. Pittman accomplished nine victories at Daytona and Talladega in the 90's. He has built engines that have won at both road courses, Bristol, Martinsville and Darlington.

Rain delays interrupted practice, leaving little track time for teams to prepare for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Qualifying, which was originally scheduled for Thursday night, was also delayed until Friday at 12:00 noon due to inclement weather. The No. 4 Kodak MAX Film Monte Carlo awaited the qualifying effort with much anticipation following a fast practice run on Thursday evening. With 11 cars remaining to qualify, and only two ahead of the Morgan-McClure Motorsports entry, thunder, lightning and rain moved over the speedway, thwarting the effort once again to solidify a starting spot in the Pepsi 400. Hours passed. As the track finally dried, the cars were able to once again attempt to complete the starting field. Lepage turned a lap of 49.580, which placed him in the 20th starting position.

Lepage battled tight conditions during the first of the race, while others battled loose race cars. Scott Eggleston, crew chief, and the Morgan-McClure pit crew worked on the car during the first pit stop on lap 52. Adjustments were made to loosen-up the No. 4 Chevrolet. By lap 106, the team moved into the 17th position. Misfortune came into play on lap 142, following a green flag pit stop by the team on lap 140. After going down a lap due to the caution, the team had to pit once again because of tires that were flat-spotted when Lepage had to get on the brakes to avoid the spinning cars in front of him.

On lap 145, NASCAR informed the team's spotter that they were going to hold Lepage an extra lap due to ignoring their commands to stop following a race back to the caution flag. Lepage had stopped the No. 4 KODAK MAX Film Monte Carlo on the front stretch, waiting to get back into line when he was told that he did not get his lap back by racing to the caution flag. Eggleston and Larry McClure presented their side the NASCAR officials, but they still held the Monte Carlo an extra lap on lap 146. This caused the team to get two laps behind. Morgan-McClure Motorsports is still confused over the decision by NASCAR, even though a meeting with the NASCAR brass took place after the conclusion of the event. However, the team moves on to new territory next week.

Chicagoland Speedway, located in Joliet, Ill., is next on the schedule with the cars hitting the track on Thursday, July 12th, for an extra day of practice at the new mile and a half facility.

Congratulations to Kevin and Donna Lepage on their first pole position as car owners. Scott Pruett drove the No. 71 entry this past weekend at the Busch Grand National event in Watkins Glen, NY. The car finished eighth at the road course event.

-MMM