Marlin Places 26th at Inaugural Labor Day Race at California Speedway

 

FONTANA, Calif., (September 6, 2004) --- Sterling Marlin piloted his
Coors Light Dodge to a 26th-place finish at California Speedway in the
Pop Secret 500.

 

"It was a long, hot night in the car," Marlin said.  "We never could get
the car right.  We kept making adjustments but the car needed more grip
all day.  The Coors Light crew worked hard today to try and make the car
better but it just wasn't enough."

 

After starting the race in the 27th position, the Coors Light Dodge fell
back a spot to 28th by lap 15.  Marlin reported that the car "needed
more grip and the front end was skating."  The first caution came on lap
25 and Marlin told the crew that the car needed a whole lot of help.
The Coors Light crew put on four fresh tires, added fuel,  made an air
pressure adjustment and removed the rubber in the right rear to tighten
up the Coors Light Dodge.

 

Marlin restarted 24th on lap 30 and continued to slowly move up through
the field when the second caution flag flew on lap 42.  After the crew
made a slight air pressure adjustment and put on right side tires and
fuel, the Coors Light Dodge was able to gain spots and restart the race
on lap 47 in the 15th spot.

 

Marlin continued to fight his way through the field and had made it up
to 13th before the yellow flag came out on lap 104.  Crew chief Lee
McCall and the crew continued to try and give the car more grip over the
next 146 laps before taking the checkered flag in the 26th spot.

 

Marlin's 26th-place finish dropped him two spots to 21st in the NEXTEL
Cup championship points.  Ganassi teammates McMurray and Casey Mears
finished fourth and 29th respectively.

 

The Coors Light team returns to Richmond International Raceway for the
final race before the "Chase for the NEXTEL Cup" begins.  The Chevy Rock
and Roll 400 will be broadcast live on TNT and MRN radio on Saturday
night.