Sterling Marlin Motors the Prilosec OTC Dodge to 12th-place Finish at Lowe's

Contact: Jennifer Powell, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates,
 

CONCORD, N.C., (October 18, 2004) --- Sterling Marlin came from the back
of the field and made it through two accidents to finish 12th in the
UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  Marlin's 12th-place finish
was his 14th top-15 finish of the 2004 season.

 

"We had a lot of close calls tonight and managed to slip through them,"
Marlin said.  "We managed to stay on the lead lap and got a decent
finish out of it. We had some trouble with grip after the right side got
messed up but the guys kept working hard and we were able to get another
top-15 finish.  I think the car was a lot better than a 12th-place car,
but we'll take it and get ready for next week at Martinsville."

 

After starting the UAW-GM Quality 500 in the 31st position, Marlin
sustained minimal damage when a multi-car accident brought out the first
yellow of the night during the first lap.  Marlin brought the Prilosec
OTC Dodge down pit road for four tires, fuel and repairs to the
right-front side.

 

The No. 40 Dodge restarted 34th, on lap 20 he radioed the crew that the
car was "pretty tight off."  Marlin continued to gain positions and was
back up to 31st when the race was red flagged on lap 28.  The No. 25 hit
the wall and NASCAR and track officials had to repair the damage before
restarting the race approximately 10 minutes later.  

 

Marlin brought the Prilosec OTC Dodge down pit road for four fresh
Goodyear tires, fuel and a slight air pressure and trackbar adjustment.
The Prilosec OTC pit crew was able to gain four spots in the pits and
Marlin restarted 27th on lap 31.

 

Marlin had worked his way up to 18th when the yellow flag waved again on
lap 76.  Marlin reported that the car needed more grip, so the crew made
another slight air pressure adjustment and put on four tires and added
fuel.  The Prilosec OTC Dodge restarted 14th, gaining four more spots in
the pits.  

 

On lap 167, the halfway point of the race, Marlin was 13th and reporting
that the car was loose.  Despite the handling of the car, Marlin was
able to work his way up to 11th just five laps later when the sixth
caution came out on lap 172.  The Prilosec OTC Dodge came down pit road
for four tires, fuel and chassis adjustment before returning to the
track ninth for the restart on lap 177.

 

The Prilosec OTC Dodge continued to run in the top 15 and was in the
13th spot when the No. 84 lost control in front of Marlin and hit the
No. 40 causing it to spin around.  However, Marlin was able to regain
control and the Prilosec OTC Dodge again only sustained minimal damage.
Interim crew chief Tony Glover made the call to stay out and lead lap
270 before bringing the No. 40 down pit road for a four tire, fuel and
repairing the damage pit stop.  

 

Marlin continued to battle in the top 15 before taking the checkered
flag in the 12th spot.  Marlin's 12th-place finish elevated him one spot
to 21st in the NEXTEL Cup championship points.  Ganassi teammates Jamie
McMurray and Casey Mears finished eighth and 20th respectively.    

 

The Coors Light crew goes to Martinsville Speedway for the Subway 500
next weekend.  The race will be broadcast on NBC television and MRN
radio.