Marlin Motors to 12th-Place Finish at Darlington Raceway

Contact: Jennifer Powell, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, cell:
(704) 746-5066, jpowell@ganassi.com

 

For Immediate Release

 

Marlin Motors to 12th-Place Finish at Darlington Raceway

 

DARLINGTON, S.C., (November 14, 2004) --- Sterling Marlin rocketed into
the top-10 by lap 32 of the Mountain Dew Southern 500 and survived a
late race spin to take the checkered flag in the 12th position at
Darlington Raceway.

 

After rain forced qualifying to be canceled, the field was set by
current car owner points with Marlin lining up in the 21st spot.  The
Coors Light Dodge had worked its way up through the field and was
running fifth when green-flag pit stops started on lap 55.  Marlin
reported that the car was good as he brought the Coors Light Dodge down
pit road for four fresh tires and fuel on lap 63. 

 

When the second caution came out on lap 82, Marlin was running sixth and
still radioing that the car was "really good."  After another four tire
and fuel pit stop Marlin restarted ninth on lap 87.  Marlin continued to
run in the top-10 for the next 63 laps.  After racing resumed on lap 150
following the third caution, Marlin was 11th.

 

Marlin radioed that the car was getting loose on lap 179.  However, the
Coors Light Dodge continued to gain positions and Marlin had worked his
way up to eighth when the yellow flag flew on lap 194.  The Coors Light
crew made a wedge and air pressure adjustment and took on four tires and
fuel and returned to the track 11th.  

 

The Coors Light crew continued to make air pressure and wedge
adjustments over the next 106 laps before Marlin tangled with the No. 21
car on lap 302.  Marlin sustained damage to the right front and left
rear of the Coors Light Dodge.  The Coors Light crew put on four fresh
tires, added fuel and fixed the damage before sending Marlin back out on
the track in the 15th spot.

 

Marlin continued to fight during the final 58 laps, gaining three spots
and finishing 12th in the final fall race at Darlington Raceway.

"The car was extremely fast in the beginning of the race," Marlin said.
"Then the track started to change and the crew continued to make the
adjustments needed to make the car better.  We'll continue to go after
it and hopefully end the season with a win next weekend at Homestead."

Marlin's 12th-place finish elevated him one spot to 20th in the NEXTEL
Cup championship points.  Ganassi teammates Jamie McMurray and Casey
Mears finished fourth and 26th respectively.

The Coors Light team travels to Miami-Homestead Speedway for the final
race of the 2004 season.  Marlin has two top-five finishes in four
starts at Miami-Homestead Speedway.  The Ford 400 will be broadcast live
on NBC and MRN radio on Sunday afternoon.

 

 

XXX

 

 

Jennifer Powell

Media Relations

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates

office: (704) 662-9642 x1147

cell: (704) 746-5066

jpowell@ganassi.com