Marlin finishes seventh in rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600

CONCORD, N.C. (May 25, 2003) --- Sterling Marlin might not know how to qualify well but he sure does know how to move his Coors Light Dodge to the front of the field.  Marlin, who started the Coca-Cola 600 in 36th position, moved up to race in the top-10 by lap 83.  He remained in the top-10 until the race was called for rain on lap 276, leaving him with a seventh place finish.

Marlin was quiet on the radio for the majority of the race - an indication that his car was good.  Only minor adjustments were made during pit stops.  

Following the seventh place finish, Marlin moved up to ninth in the NASCAR championship point's race.  Marlin has finished in the top-15 in the last five point's races in a row.  

"It's late," Marlin said after he got out of his car for the rain-delay.  "I'm ready to drink some Coors Light. We really didn't do anything to the car. I don't know if it's me or what in qualifying. We've got to work on it. I think we had a better car than seventh. We easily had a top-five car. We lost some spots in the pits. The guys beat us out. They speeded on pit road and beat us out. We had a good car on the long runs. I'd say from 40 laps on we were better than the leaders."

Ganassi teammates Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears finished 25th and 35th respectively.  McMurray is currently leading the Raybestos rookie of the year standings while Mears is in third place.

The Coors Light team will head to Dover International Raceway for the MBNA America 400 on June 1, 2003.  The race will be broadcast live on FX television and MRN radio at 1:00 p.m. EST.