The Coors Light Dodge Gets a Treat with 19th-Place Finish at Atlanta

Contact: Jennifer Powell, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, cell:
(704) 658-8540, jpowell@ganassi.com

 

For Immediate Release

 

The Coors Light Dodge Gets a Treat with 19th-Place Finish at Atlanta

 

HAMPTON, Ga. (October 31, 2004) --- Sterling Marlin spent the afternoon
of Halloween fighting the handling of the Coors Light Dodge and
eventually taking the checkered flag in the 19th position in the Bass
Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. 

 

"We tried a little bit of everything," Marlin said.  "The car was just
really loose the first two runs and after that we were battling back
from going a lap down.  The Coors Light crew made a lot of changes today
and after where we started, a 19th-place finish doesn't seem all that
bad.  We'll continue to go after it next week in Phoenix."

 

Marlin started the race 41st after a tough qualifying run on Friday
forced the Coors Light Dodge to take the first provisional of the
season.  Marlin got a quick jump when the green-flag dropped and by the
time the cars came back around was 36th.  The Coors Light Dodge
continued to work its way through the field and was running 24th when
the first caution came out on lap 53.

 

 Marlin radioed the crew that the car was extremely loose so the Coors
Light crew made several chassis adjustments including adjusting the
trackbar, air pressure and wedge as well as putting on four fresh tires
and adding fuel.  Marlin was able to hold his spot and restart on lap 62
in the 24th position. 

 

The handling of the Coors Light Dodge continued to be a problem during
the next 56 laps until the second pit stop on lap 118.  The Coors Light
crew made a quick green-flag stop making a wedge and air pressure
adjustment, putting a rubber in the left rear and changing four tires
and adding fuel.

 

When the second yellow flag waved on lap 137, Marlin was sitting 23rd,
one lap down to the leaders.  Marlin reported that the car had gotten
better after the last pit stop but was still loose.  During the pit stop
on lap 140, the crew put on four fresh tires, added fuel and made
another air pressure and wedge adjustment.

 

When racing resumed on lap 143, Marlin restarted 22nd.  Marlin continued
to battle for the remainder of the race and was able to finish 19th in
the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500.  

 

Marlin dropped one spot to 20th in the NEXTEL Cup championship points
after his 19th-place finish in Atlanta. Ganassi teammates Jamie McMurray
and Casey Mears finished eighth and 13th respectively.

 

The Coors Light team races at Phoenix next weekend.  The race will be
broadcast live on NBC television and MRN radio on Sunday, November 7th
at 1:00 p.m. EST.

 

XXX

 
Jennifer Powell
Media Relations
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates
office: (704) 662-9642 x1147
cell: (704) 746-5066
jpowell@ganassi.com