Force Protection/CJM Racing Dover Post-Race Report

No. 11 Force Protection Chevrolet / Jason Keller

Dover I Post-Race Report

 

 




Date: Saturday, June 2, 2007

Event: Dover 200

Track: Dover International Speedway, Dover, Del.

Pole Sitter: Denny Hamlin, 23.443 sec.

Keller's Qualifying Position: 22nd, 23.895 sec.

Race Winner: Carl Edwards

Keller's Finishing Position: 13th 

 

 

 

Determination and Hard Work Pay Off for the No. 11 Force Protection Team at
Dover

 

(June 2, 2007) Dover, Del. GPg PR - The opportunity to build on CJM Racing's
promising start at Darlington had finally arrived as the hauler pulled into
Dover International Speedway on Thursday morning to set the stage for
Saturday's Dover 200. The team would overcome several obstacles along the
way but would not disappoint as the No. 11 Force Protection Chevrolet
crossed the start/finish line in the 13th position. 

 

Not only did Dover signify the second start for CJM Racing in the NASCAR
Busch Series it also gave the team the chance to race a car built in-house
from the ground up. Chassis #01 had seen some previous track time at a test
session two weeks prior at Lowe's Motor Speedway where driver Jason Keller
posted the 12th fastest lap time one afternoon but it had never experienced
race conditions.

 

After working out a few minor handling issues in practice on Friday, the
team felt confident in their ability to become a top competitor in Saturday
afternoon's Dover 200. That confidence would not falter as driver Jason
Keller qualified the No. 11 Force Protection Chevrolet in the 22nd position
at the famed "Monster Mile."

 

"Dover has always been one of my favorite race tracks. Not only do I enjoy
racing on the concrete surface, one of my biggest career wins in the NASCAR
Busch Series came at this track. With 40-laps to go, I passed Mark Martin
for the win. That's a day I'll never forget," explained Keller.

 

As the Dover 200 got under way, Keller maintained track position despite
reporting in a tight handling condition to crew chief Todd Gordon. When the
caution flag flew on lap 37, Gordon made the call to bring the No. 11
machine down pit road for four fresh tires, fuel, a rubber in the right rear
and a slight left side air pressure adjustment. The Force Protection team
restarted in the 25th position with 155-laps to go. 

 

Unfortunately, the changes did little to alleviate the handling woes and
Keller fell a lap down to the leaders just before the midway point. Lady
luck would shine down on the CJM Racing team on lap 88 when the caution flag
flew again and the No. 11 was given the "Lucky Dog" award. Jason would
regain his spot on the lead lap and remain there for the rest of the 200-lap
event. 

 

The tight handling condition continued to plague the team and another pit
stop was made under caution on lap 118. The pit stop soon turned ugly as the
jack was dropped before the stop was completed, the crew made quick work to
rectify the situation and was able to restart on the lead lap with little
damage to the race car. 

 

As the laps continued, the on-track action heated up. Thanks to Jason's
driving capabilities and the spotter's quick calls, Keller managed to
maneuver his way through accidents that happened just mere seconds ahead of
him. 

 

With 20 laps remaining, Keller found himself the cause of a caution flag.
Juan Pablo Montoya, the driver of the No. 42 Havoline Dodge, got into the
back of Jason causing him to spin out but never make hard contact with the
wall. The Force Protection Chevy was brought down pit road for repairs and
on the restart Jason began his quest to the front. 

 

Keller would gain five track positions in the remaining 17-laps and bring
home a 13th place finish for the Force Protection team. 

 

"We endured a lot in this 200-lap event. I'm very proud of this team; no one
ever gave up regardless of what was handed to us. We battled everything from
handling, to a bad pit stop to even being spun out in the closing laps. To
walk out of here with a 13th place finish is a testament to this team's
dedication to make this program a success," remarked Keller.

 

Race Results:                     NBS Driver Points Standings:

1. Carl Edwards                                1. Carl Edwards
2270

2. Denny Hamlin                                2. Kevin Harvick
1798               -472

3. Scott Wimmer                               3. Dave Blaney
1598               -672

4. Casey Mears                                 4. Matt Kenseth
1591               -679

5. Matt Kenseth                                 5. David Reutimann
1511               -759

13. Jason Keller                              

                                                            

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Shayna Keller

#11 CJM Racing/Jason Keller

Media Relations Manager

Global Performance group, LLC

(704) 902-8381 Cell #

(704) 660-3467 Ext. 222 Office #

(704) 660-3466 Fax #

  shayna@gperformance.com