Richmond II: Coleman Pressley race report

Coleman Pressley finishes 25th at Richmond, first time in new Nationwide car

RICHMOND, Va. (September 11, 2010) -- Coleman Pressley took on the new-style NASCAR Nationwide cars at the .75-mile oval of Richmond International Raceway on Friday night. After 250 laps of action, which included a 100-lap green flag run and only six cautions, Pressley raced the No. 23 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Chevrolet of R3 Motorsports to a 25th-place finish.

During the final practice session on Friday morning, Pressley registered the 21st-fastest time. However, during his qualifying run, he overdrove into Turn 3 and ended up qualifying 37th. So, when the race started under clear skies at dusk, he already has his work cut out to move up the scoring chart.

And, it didn't take long for the 21-year old, third-generation NASCAR driver to do just that clicking off positions right from the drop of the green. By the 10th circuit, Pressley was up to 32nd when the night's first caution waved.

Crew chief Steve Plattenberger elected to remain out with so few laps on the tires, while others chose to pit. This enabled the No. 23 Jasper Chevrolet to restart in 29th place on lap 16. When the caution waved again on lap 35, Pressley raced his way to 24th on the scoring chart.

Saying the car was just a little tight into the turns, but otherwise good, Plattenberger called for Pressley to remain out. With other cars hitting pit road, the Jasper Chevrolet lined up 19th on the lap-40 restart.

With cars behind him on fresh tires, Pressley fell a few positions to 24th by lap 58. He would remain there on the lead lap until the 108th circuit when eventual race winner Kevin Harvick would get by.

Many teams were forced to pit under this long, green-flag cycle. Such was the case when Plattenberger finally brought Pressley to pit road on lap 115. After taking four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment, the R3 Motorsports team returned to action in 33rd place.

Once everyone else cycled through their stops, Pressley had the Jasper Chevrolet in 21st place by lap 137. Another caution on lap 144 allowed for another pit stop. Being just one lap down, the team was hoping to take advantage of the wave around. However, not all the leaders pitted and this kept all cars one lap down in that position.

Adding to the team's troubles was the fact Pressley said the car was very loose in the turns and the scuff tires were chattering in the turns. This forced him back to pit road when the next caution took place on lap 145 for newer tires.

Now lined up in the Lucky Dog position in 20th place, he wasn't able to capitalize as two cars got by him on the restart. However, during this run, Pressley was running top-10 and top-15 lap times even passing five cars that were on the lead lap.

But, being caught down one lap to them with two cars ahead of him on his lap prevented him from capitalizing for higher running positions. When the checkered flag waved, Pressley was 25th across the line with 39, of 43, cars finishing the race.

The No. 23 R3 Motorsports entry remains in the top-30 positions in Owner's Points with eight races left on the schedule. The NASCAR Nationwide Series is off this upcoming weekend and will resume racing at Dover International Speedway on September 25; where Marc Davis will drive the No. 23 WHUR 96.3 FM Chevrolet for R3 Motorsports.

Coleman Pressley quotes: "This was not the finish we deserved or were capable of achieving in this car. I mean, we were passing cars on the lead lap when were already trapped down one lap. That's very frustrating to me as a driver. This Jasper Chevrolet was a lot better than what we showed. Tires and track position got the better of us. I messed up in qualifying, but the car was solid during the race allowing us to pass and work the track. We just got a little tight there at the end.

"The good news is I learned a lot about this new-style car, got to race hard for some positions and brought the R3 Motorsports Chevrolet home in one piece. I'd like to thank Jasper, the team for their hard work and Mr. Richardson for having me in the car. I'm looking forward to working with them again."

-source: r3 motorsports