BUSCH: Richmond II: Tim Sauter race summary

RACE REVIEW:

Tim Sauter started in 12th position and climbed to as high as 8th in the early stages of the race. However, a bad set of tires put on in the first pit stop, gave the No. 19 Chevy a loose handling condition and relegated Sauter to 19th position. When the caution flew on Lap 136 the AP Performance Racing Team elected to stay out, securing the lead but placing him out of pit sequence with the leaders. Sauter managed to lead several laps, but was caught in 28th position two laps down when a caution flew just after his green flag pit stop on Lap 196. Sauter worked his way up to the 24th position before spinning when Ricky Hendrick contacted his rear bumper exiting Turn 2. Sauter's crew made swift repairs to the rear clip of his Chevy and he returned to the track, finishing in the 25th position.

TIM SAUTER POST RACE QUOTES:

On the handling of the No.19 Chevy "We had a good car. I thought we were going to be in really good shape after that first green flag run. When we put that second set of tires on we just fell off real bad."

On the decision to jump out of pit sequence with the leaders "We were on a bad set of tires, so we should have come in and fixed the car right away. We tried doing a fuel mileage deal and saving our good tires for the end, but we didn't catch the yellow right and had to pit under green. We threw away a really good finish. It is easy to second guess the decision now, but during the race staying out looked like the right call. There was a real long green flag run after that, which turned out to be bad luck for us because we needed a caution."

On the spin resulting from contact with Ricky Hendrick "It was just a stupid racing deal. Ricky got into the back of me, it wasn't intentional. We were both struggling at that point. It is too bad that we were running back there to begin with."

On making his first cup race "I am really thankful that Dave Marcis Auto Racing gave me the opportunity to drive their Wehrs Chevrolet Chevy. It's going to be an experience. I don't know what to expect. I am going to give it my best and do everything I can. We will be at a disadvantage on Saturday because Marcis' team races in a well equipped and funded series. We will make the most of it this weekend. I will just be happy to be a part of it when those grandstands fill up and the green flag waves."

-appr-