NASCAR NCS (MEMPHIS) - Bliss takes second in Memphis

Mike Bliss and the No.22 Supercuts/Family Dollar Dodge will go down in history as the second place finisher of the record-setting-25-cautions race at the Memphis Motorsports Park. Bliss was able to dodge the wrecking cars left and right, and post his best finish of the season so far for Fitz Motorsports. The track was green and slick Friday afternoon from the hours of preceding rain. First practice started late, but Bliss was quick to post a fourth place average speed for the session. Recently re-signed crew chief Paul Wolfe had confidence in the car from the get-go. “We were really satisfied with our set-up of the Supercuts Dodge, and we knew we would be fast, but we were faced with a challenge when we spun in practice. Luckily the damage was minor and we were still able to qualify in the top-twenty,” Wolfe stated. “Bliss does a great job of telling us what he needs to get the car running better, and that is really important.”

The NASCAR Busch Series Sam’s Town 250 had a mere seven laps on the board when the first caution flag flew. Mike Bliss had already begun his charge to the front and was up to the top-ten by the second caution. The Supercuts Dodge was running a little tight, and Bliss called for an adjustment on the next pit stop. Brand new tires and a few gained positions from the speedy pit stop had Bliss running just outside the top five. A wrecking competitor on lap 45 made slight contact with the right front fender of the No.22, and had the crew holding their breath, but the damage was only cosmetic and did not require any extra pit time. The Supercuts Dodge continued it’s outstanding performance, racing in the top-five for the majority of the day. With no more than twenty consecutive laps under green all afternoon, the race was a test of patience for everyone. Being a deviation from the norm, it was also a true test of the driver’s skills and the power of their cars. With limited opportunities to make passes, those few laps under green were crucial. It didn’t take long for the elite to stand out. Nine laps until the checkered flag, the Supercuts Dodge was on the tail of the No.99, and it was clear that one of those two cars would take the win. An outside move by Bliss almost captured the lead, but the No.99 had just enough speed to pull away.

The special paint scheme designed by Joey, a six-year old patient at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, looked great crossing the finish line in second place. The driver and crew were glad to see their hard work pay off. Bliss stated, “Wow that was crazy. It felt like a [Nextel] Cup race because it was lasting so long. I guess it’s cool to be a part of history, but man every time I got excited to race again there was another caution! We started off a little bit tight, but after the second pit stop we ran great. Even with the damage we had to the right front we still ran fast. I tried to make that pass there at the end to take over the lead, but that No.99 was fast and got away. All in all I'm glad to bring home a runner up position for Supercuts. Paul and the crew did a great job with that car.” Mike Bliss has now earned three top-five finishes in twenty starts for Fitz Motorsports, which remains eighth in owner points. The Supercuts/Family Dollar Dodge will take to the track again next week at the Texas Motor Speedway. Anyone interested in an interview with Mike Bliss or Paul Wolfe, please contact Sarah Tatum. For more information please visit www.gofitzmotorsports.com.