Kentucky: Sean Caisse race report

TOUGH OUTING FOR SEAN CAISSE AND RAB RACING AT KENTUCKY

Sparta, KY (6-14-2010) -- Sean Caisse, who made his first start at Kentucky Speedway in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, weathered a stormy weekend to finish 27th in the Meijer 300 on Saturday, June 12. Handling related issues plagued the rookie and sophomore team for the bulk of the 200-lap event.

However, the No. 09 RAB Racing team maintained their position of 27th in the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series owner point standings. The team is a mere 28 points outside the top-25 and 79 markers outside the top-20.

Following a 33rd-place qualifying effort Saturday afternoon, Caisse started the 300-mile event deep in the 43-car field. A solid effort by the 24-year-old NNS rookie in the early goings had the Pelham, NH native scored 24th when the competition caution waved at lap 22. A call for two tires and fuel had the RAB Racing Ford Fusion scored in the 17th position when racing resumed on lap 25.

Shortly after the restart, Caisse was quick to radio in that, "something broke in the rear". Over the next 50 laps, Caisse dropped 10 positions on track and lost a lap to race leader, Reed Sorenson.

A welcoming opportunity for relief was displayed at lap 75 for an accident off turn-4 and Caisse was able to bring his No. 09 Ford down pit road to survey the damage. Three stops during the four lap caution for four tires, fuel and a major chassis adjustment left the Ford Fusion in the 31st position when racing resumed on lap 79.

Caisse, who was still struggling with the handling of his car, maintained his position on the track but lost another lap to the race leader before the evening's fourth caution flag was displayed on lap 113. The RAB Racing team used this opportunity to bring the No. 09 machine down pit road three times during the seven lap caution period to change four tires, make another chassis adjustment and ultimately replace the right rear shock before heading back out onto the racing surface. Caisse was scored three laps down in the 32nd position when green flag conditions resumed on lap 120.

Two more pit stops over the remaining 80 laps allowed the team to maximize their performance on the race car while six caution flags allowed the team to capitalize on track position. Sean Caisse would go on to finish 27th, three laps down behind race winner, Joey Logano.

Up next, the NASCAR Nationwide Series will travel north to Elkhart Lake, WI for the inaugural event at Road America on Saturday, June 19.

-source: rab racing