Joliet, IL (July 10, 2009)— Coming in to the Dollar General 300 at Chicagoland Speedway, Eric McClure hoped to improve on his past performances at the 1.5-mile speedway. After qualifying in the 38th position, McClure advanced to 28th early in the event, and ran as high as 27th during a round of green flag pit-stops, only to finish in the 31st position after being misplaced by race officials while preparing for the final double-file restart. With this finish, the RHR team remains in the 29th position in the NASCAR Owner standings.
“Although the finish doesn’t look great, it was actually a positive race for me. I have struggled horribly here the past couple of years and went many laps down, but this year I only lost three, three-and-a-half on the track and the rest in the pits during green conditions. There were times tonight when we were decent and others where we weren’t as good, but near the end, our speeds were the best they had been all night. When the final caution came out, we came to pit-road as did most people and when I returned to the track, I maintained my position on the track like the new rule states and lined up accordingly for the double-file restart. NASCAR allowed a few drivers to pass me, although I beat them out of pit-road, including two guys I was racing for position. I was never able to regain those positions when the race resumed, but had we started up front we had a shot. There was some confusion with somebody up there.”
Starting the race from the 38th position, McClure quickly advanced through the field and was shown in the 28th position by lap 26. With the driver commenting that the car was “loose on entry, tight in the center, and loose off,” crew chief Chris Wright informed the team and driver of the changes they would make during the first pit stop.
The race continued under green conditions forcing teams to make green-flag pit stops. The No. 24 Hefty® Odor Block™ Ford was brought to pit-road on lap 55 to receive tires, fuel, and a track-bar adjustment. Once the stop was complete, the RHR team was scored in the 29th position, two laps down to the race leader.
As the race progressed, McClure continued to battle the handling of the car and slid back to the 31st position.
“It’s now on top of the track and I have no grip in the center,” stated the driver. The first caution of the night occurred on lap 91 and McClure brought the Hefty® brand Ford to pit-road to receive tires, fuel, and track-bar and wedge adjustments. After a solid stop by the RHR team, McClure was scored in the 28th position.
The characteristics of the car’s handling in the center of the turn continued to plague the Virginia native, although he was still able to maintain the 28th position as the race continued under green conditions. McClure had advanced his position by one (27th) when he brought his car to pit-road on lap 155 during green flag conditions to receive tires, fuel, and a wedge adjustment. As the stops cycled through, the RHR team was shown in the 29th position.
The second and final caution occurred on lap 184 and the team decided to come to pit-road for a chassis adjustment only. Before coming to the green flag, while running in the 29th position, NASCAR informed McClure that he exited pit-road ahead of them. McClure informed the crew that he understood the rule stated for cars a lap or more down to maintain the position you are in when returning to the track, but there was no time to argue the placement. In the end, McClure was never able to regain the lost track position to finish the Dollar General 300 in the 31st position.
