All-Star Showdown: Jason Fensler race notes

JASON FENSLER MAKES BEST OF SHORTENED TOYOTA ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN

Suisun City, CA -- NASCAR driver Jason Fensler and the No. 25 MOLECULE Labs/Redline Oil/Hall Fabrication & Racing Chevrolet didn't have the weekend they planned, but the T.O.E. Motorsports team managed a 25th finish despite no testing, minimal practice and being involved in two race incidents.

There seemed to be only one thing on the minds of drivers, crew members and fans this weekend at the 2009 Toyota All-Star Showdown from Toyota Speedway...rain. Car owner Tony Oddo and the T.O.E. team took advantage of the rain delay to pass out samples and educate teams on MOLEUCLE Labs numerous products for the safety, care and maintenance of driver and crew suits.

"We were really happy to have MOLECULE Labs/Redline Oil/Hall Fabrication & Racing onboard for the Showdown," explains Oddo. "I know Jason would do a great job in the car and was glad the sponsors gave us that chance."

T.O.E. Motorsports was unable to test for the Toyota All-Star showdown before the new NASCAR testing rules changed in 2009. Going into the weekends events the team knew they had more time to setup the car for race conditions, because of Fensler guaranteed starting position. What they didn't know, was due to rain delays, there would only be one short practice session before taking the track to qualify.

When racing started live on SPEED, Jason Fensler and the T.O.E. team still needed to make some adjustments to perfect the No. 25 MOLECULE Labs/Redline Oil Chevrolet. The team took the first few cautions to comedown pit road for adjustments. Navigating from the back of the pack accidents seemed to appear around every corner.

Using the first competition caution to make substantial adjustments, Fensler took the green and continued avoiding the numerous incidents while slowly making his way up to the 13th position.

On lap 155 Jason Fensler and the No. 25 MOLECULE Labs Chevrolet was heading full speed into turn one when two cars tangled. Unfortunately, the spinning car went straight up the track leaving Fensler with nowhere to go. The damage put the car out of commission for the rest of the evening, leaving Fensler to watch the remaining 95 laps from the infield.

"This was an action packed race," explains Jason Fensler. "With everything stacked against us this weekend, we still got the No. 25 MOLECULE Labs Chevrolet up to the front. I wanted to thank everyone that helped make this weekend possible. Special thanks to MOLECULE Labs/Redline Oil/Hall Fabrication & Racing for supporting this effort, and hope to work with them in the future."

T.O.E. Motorsports is looking to run a full 2009 Camping World Series, West season.

-credit: toem