BUSCH: Ragan Memphis test

MEMPHIS- Sammy Ragan's test at the Memphis Motorsports Park for next month's Sam's Town 250 was magic, according to Ragan. It was the first time he sat in the TDS Motorsports Chevrolet that was purchased from Petty Enterprises earlier this summer.

Ragan felt after the times posted at the track, it's going to provide him with a good seat for the October 13 NASCAR Busch Series race.

"This car has been fun to work on over the last few months," said 21-year-old Ragan from Memphis. "Usually a new car will present a lot of different problems but this Chevrolet has come together easy, and today it just went faster with every change."

"This car definetely has some magic in it...it really does," added, Ragan whose smile grew larger as he talked about the day.

The TDS Motorsports Team received some help from a fellow competitor as Chad Chaffin of Nashville made the trip to Memphis to tutor Ragan.

"He's really stepped up Sammy's learning curve," said team owner Terry Ragan. " He's raced a lot of tracks and he understands the things Sammy wants out of his car."

The Sam's Town 250 will mark Sammy Ragan's third race at the facility located only a few miles from his home. He made his NASCAR debut last October and competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Memphis 200 in June.

"The times we made today would have put us high in last years starting lineup, which is a plus, because Goodyear has changed the tire compounds which is supposed to slow us down, so today's results look even better," Ragan stated.

Sammy looks for a better showing next month after starting the 2000 Sam's Town event from the 36th position, finishing 37.

"That was my first NASCAR race and I was really interested in just staying out of trouble and learning. This year is different... it's my track, my hometown, and my turn."

-SammyRagan.com-