RTD Motorsports, Inc. release for 7-6-09

FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Tough night yields 16th
place finish for RTD Motorsports’ Phil Dugan

 

Steven
Blakesley / RTD Motorsports Inc.

 

North Highlands, Calif. – 21 year-old Drive for Diversity
participant Phil Dugan of Boise, ID guided his #34 DJ Safety / RTD Motorsports,
Inc. Chevrolet to a 16th place finish in Saturday night’s “King Taco
200�?? at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif.

 

Dugan’s
plans to test a Late Model on Friday night were nixed and he instead was
focused on making the most of his Saturday afternoon practices. The NASCAR
Camping World Series West rookie of the year candidate was making his first
career appearance at the half-mile oval near Los Angeles.

 

After
improving half a second between the first and second sessions, Dugan improved
once again in qualifying but was still 20th overall.

 

“I’ve
never ran up against the wall like and it took some courage to get used to
driving it in so deep like that,�?? Dugan said. “Overall it was a great
experience.�??

 

Despite
repeated efforts for help the handling of the race car, Dugan struggled a tight
condition that quickly put him several laps off the pace.

 

“We
fought a push all day and were just terrible in the middle of the corner,�??
Dugan said. “We got into the corner as good as anyone it was just trouble
getting off.�??

 

Dugan did
his best to yield to the faster cars, earning congratulations and thank you’s
from the other spotters in the spotter’s stand.

 

But on
lap 170, he was caught up in a fierce battle for position, resulting in Dugan
being spun into the turn one wall.

 

The
former Meridian Speedway champion returned to action with damage to the rear
bumper but was able to bring the car home in good condition.

 

Dugan
will now turn his attention back towards road racing at Portland International
Raceway on July 19.

 

“I’ve
been told that Sonoma is the most challenging road
course we’ll face and now that I’m used to shifting I think Portland will be ok.�??

 

Dugan has
his long-term view focused on the NASCAR Camping World Series West’s September
event at Iowa Speedway. In 2008, RTD Motorsports led 31 laps en route to a
strong finish there.

 

“Our
focus is keeping the car ready for Iowa,�?? Dugan said. “Irwindale was a
frustrating night for everyone on the team but we learned from it and we have
to just keep finishing races.�??

 

The
Irwindale race will be taped delayed on SPEED Channel on July 16. Check your
local listings.

 

Race fans
can learn more about RTD Motorsports, Inc. and its Drive for Diversity efforts
at www.rtdmotorsportsinc.com 

 

RTD
Motorsports, Inc. is brought to you by: Drive for Diversity, TriCo Welding,
Longacre Racing Products, DJ Safety, Inventory Sales Company, PCB Solutions,
Oregon Tool & Supply, PitImage.com, Gone Racin’, and Blakesley Sports
Media.