USAR: New River Valley: Jimmy McClain race notes

24th place at New River Valley.

A return trip to a familiar race track was welcome adventure for Jimmy McClain and the Team Chevrolet Monte Carlo. With Jimmy's experience racing here in 2001 Hooter's ProCup race he knew how to get around the .4 mile oval track.

Having a good practice run, Crew Chief Doug Phifer and Car Chief Kenny Seamen felt that they would qualify the car on the race setup. Jimmy qualified the car in the 20th starting spot. At the start of the race Jimmy was moving the Team Chevrolet Monte Carlo up though the field. Jimmy took it easy the first part of the race staying out of trouble. Caution came out on lap 55 allowing him too close back up on the leaders.

On lap 80 the 46 car blew a engine going into the first turn and took a couple of cars out with him. Fortunately Jimmy was able to miss the crash. USAR officials red flagged the race to clear the track of cars and debris before restarting the race. Still on the lead lap Jimmy did need the red flag because when his tires cooled down and restarted the race the grip seem to go away and effect the handling of the car.

The lead car put Jimmy a lap down on lap 118 just before the half point of the race. On lap 130 jimmy radioed the crew and said that with 4 stickers that on a restart he could get his lap back with a little luck. Caution came out on lap148 and on two trips down pit road Jimmy had four stickers and a fill tank of fuel. On the restart Jimmy got stuck in traffic and had to work his way around some slow cars but was moving towards the front. But on lap 180 misfortune stuck the Team Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The car had been bottoming out and wore a hole in the oil pan. After pitting and inspection the damage, Jimmy was forced to park the car for the night. Jimmy quoted that he thought he would had finished in the top 10 if bad luck hadn't stroked.

Jimmy McClain and J&J Motor Venture Monte Carlo will return to the southern division at Hickory Motor Speedway on July 28 to run the USAR Hooter's Pro Cup Race. Tom Dillard and local dealership will help sponsor Jimmy McClain's J&J motor Venture Chevy Monte Carlo along with Charlotte Fence Builders, Perc Racing Chassis, Lowes Lug Nuts, VED Engines.

-j&jm-