USAR: For Tom Pistone, Ace Is Not the Place

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

April 17, 2001

Early Accident Hinders Good Qualifying Effort

Altamahaw, NC - USAR Rookie competitor Tom Pistone and the Don Sprouse owned Bully Hill Vineyards Ford Taurus encountered the Friday the 13th curse. The team is competing in the Southern Division this year

After a season best 9th place qualifying effort, the team was excited for the race. “We made a few changes this week personnel wise at the shop. Don Sprouse appointed Danny Ray Willis as the Operations Director for my car. Danny, along with my long term Crew Chief, Gregg “Bone” Morgan, had everything going super smooth all day long. I credit Don Sprouse with what I feel is a rookie team that is capable of a win any night. Once we get the monkey off of our back I know we will win us one of these Hooters Races. Don had us get real fast on old tires. We never had any tires better than 200 laps old until qualifying. I have never qualified within a tenth of the pole before, so this was a surprise.” Says Driver Tom Pistone. Pistone is quick to point out a list of people who help on the team. “Jeff Morgan, Mike and Pat from the CLR ARCA Team help with our pit stops as well as Wally Bender and Tom Fox. I also have Jean Brown who has been my scorer since last year. We are starting to see the results from hard work in the shop.”

When the green flag fell, going into turn one on the first lap the 84 car got washed up and everyone checked up. I was hit hard from behind and turned towards the inside wall. Contact from another car ripped the oil filter off. After pitting several times to replace the filter and oil. It was quickly discovered that the suspension damage would prevent the car from handling properly. After running many laps off the pace the Bully Hill Taurus’ night finally ended with a blown motor.

“The costs of these motors is pretty high. We should have shut it off and waited for the next race. But we came to get as many positions as possible. The Team wishes to thank its sponsors, Bully Hill Vineyards, a wine available anywhere you purchase wines. Please ask your local retailer to carry Bully Hill Wines. Also Performancenter Racing Warehouse in Statesville, NC.

Text provided by Tim Southers

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