Richmond International Raceway NASCAR Marlin enters top-10 in points

RICHMOND, Va. (May 3, 2003) --- With his 13th place finish in the Pontiac Excitement 400 at Richmond International Raceway, Sterling Marlin entered the championship top-10 for the first time this season.  Marlin sits 10th in championship points.

The Coors Light Dodge started the race in 21st position but Marlin found that he had a top-10 car within the first 100 laps.  He radioed in to the Coors crew that the car takes about two to three laps to come in and then the chassis feels good.  Marlin consistently raced in the top-15 but was off the pit stop cycle with the leaders for most of the race.  Continuous cautions made it hard for Marlin to reach the front by the end of the race.  

"That was a pretty good run," Marlin said.  "It's tough to run one of these weather races. I thought we were going all the way, but we didn't quite make it. We almost got up there and finished in the top-10, but we moved up enough to finally get back in the top-10 in the standings. We're gaining on it, and we'll have this Coors Light Dodge back up there where we belong before long with a little luck."

This is Marlin's fourth top-15 finish in a row.  Ganassi teammates and rookies, Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears finished 22nd and 29th respectively. 

The Coors Light team will take Mother's Day weekend off and then head to Lowe's Motor Speedway for The Winston on May 17.  




Nealie Hamilton
Media Relations
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
office: (704) 662-9642 x1130
cell: (704) 500-6068
nhamilton@ganassi.com