NASCAR BUSCH MEXICO: Robinson shakes off rust in practices

Mexico City –  For Shawna Robinson, driver of the #23
Vassarette Chevrolet Monte Carlo, things have been
happening a little fast lately, even for a race car
driver.
	The whirlwind has seen her sign with Keith Coleman
Racing (KCR) and compete at Daytona and California in
the last month. Add to that a trip to Mexico City and
the challenge of driving a road course and it is easy
to see how she might be a little rusty.
	The rust showed early on Friday as she was limited
just a couple of hot laps during the first practice
due to cautions. In her time on the track Robinson was
well off the pace at 102.418 seconds, more than 14
seconds behind the leader. But she showed marked
improvement in the second session, picking up nearly
10 seconds on her time as she adjusted to the track.
He best time during the eight-lap session was 93.918
seconds, more than six miles an hour faster.
	“The first time out everything was coming at me very
fast and I haven’t driven a road course in a long
time,” said Robinson. “The cautions didn’t help
either. Every time we started to get a run going we
had to stop. We didn’t even make any adjustments
between sessions because we never got a chance to see
what the car was doing.
	“But in the second session I was able to run 8
straight laps and get a better feel for the track. By
the time I came out of the car I had settled down and
was having fun driving the course. I’m really looking
forward to Sunday.”
	Crew chief Kenneth Campbell said the improvement in
practice speeds put the team in a good position.
	“We’re right where we need to be,” he said. “We’re to
the point now where we’re looking at picking up
tenths, not whole seconds and we’re confident we will
have a good qualifying run tomorrow.”
	Qualifying begins at 12 p.m. CST and will air live on
pee. The race will be broadcast on Fox at 2 p.m.
CST.


 

-KCR-