Stremme Brings Home 18th-Place Finish at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. (November 12, 2006) - Rookie David Stremme fought the handling of his No. 40 Discount Tire Dodge for most of the 312-lap event but was able to stay out of trouble to bring home an 18th-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR).

After an early qualifying draw resulted in a 36th place starting spot, Stremme had worked his way up to 23rd before the first caution came out on lap 70. The No. 40 crew put on four fresh tires and added fuel before sending Stremme back out in the 22nd position for the race restart on lap 77.

Over the next 73 laps before the second yellow flag of the day waved, Stremme had fallen back to 28th, gone a lap down to the race leaders and informed the crew that the car was plowing and had no front grip. The crew made a four tire, fuel and wedge adjustment stop before sending the Discount Tire Dodge back out in the 26th spot.

Stremme and the No. 40 crew continued to battle and keep themselves in contention for NASCAR's free pass, and with 49 laps remaining in the event they did just that. The Discount Tire Dodge restarted on lap 272 from the 29th position but a big wreck just one lap later put the No. 40 in the top-20.

When racing resumed on lap 282 Stremme was in the 18th position. He was able to take the checkered flag in that same position just 30 laps later. His teammates Casey Mears and Reed Sorenson finished 26th and 29th respectively. The No. 40 Dodge maintained the 33rd position in the owner's championship point's standings, just 15 points away from 32nd.

The team will be traveling to Homestead-Miami Speedway next weekend for the final race of the 2006 season. The 267-lap event will broadcast live on NBC television and MRN radio at 2:00 p.m. EST Sunday, November 19.