WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 9, 2009) — With over a dozen road-course races to his credit in the Canadian Tire Series, J.R. Fitzpatrick and the No. 4 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) team had high hopes for Saturday’s Zippo 200 despite it being the 21-year-olds first-career Nationwide Series start at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.
On the pace laps, crew chief John Monsam reminded the rookie that he could not win the race on the first lap, he could only lose it. With that advice in mind, Fitzpatrick began the 82-lap event from the 16th position and quickly settled into a rhythm.
Early in the race, Fitzpatrick reported to the team that he switched to the car’s second ignition box and was experiencing a tight-handling condition into and through the center of each of the turns. With encouragement from spotters Andy Houston, Bob Jefferies (Tony Stewart’s Cup Series spotter) and Butch Hylton, the Canadian continued to maintain a comfortable race pace, settling into the top 15.
Staying true to their pre-race strategy of a two-race stop, the No. 4 team hit pit road for their first scheduled pit stop of the day under green on lap 20 for four tires, fuel and minor adjustments to address the tight condition. As varying pit strategies began to play out, Fitzpatrick rejoined the race in the 30th position.
Running consistent laps times, comparable to those of the race leaders, Fitzpatrick continued to experience a tight condition in the turns. “I’m just having fun right now guys,” reported the driver of the No. 4 car. “I’m being patient and letting the race come to me.”
Fitzpatrick had worked his way back into the top 15 as the caution waved on lap 44, putting the team near their last scheduled pit window of lap 50. Knowing they would be close on fuel, the No. 4 came down pit road on lap 45 with the rest of the lead-lap cars for four tires and fuel. An air-gun malfunction caused the team to lose several valuable positions, but in turn gave them an opportunity to come back down pit road on lap 46 to top of with fuel. Fitzpatrick restarted the race in the 25th position on lap 47.
Methodically picking his way through the field, Fitzpatrick was scored in the 13th position with five laps remaining in the event.
Coming to the checkered flag, contact with several other cars sent the No. 4 for a spin off the last corner of the 2.45-mile course. Gathering it back up, with minimal damage, Fitzpatrick was able to cross the finish line 18th.
“We had a solid top-10 car today,” said Fitzpatrick following the race. “I had fun and the guys did a great job preparing the car. The finish doesn’t show how good we were.”
Marcos Ambrose scored his second-career Nationwide Series win, with both victories coming at Watkins Glen, followed by Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, KHI teammate Kevin Harvick and Ron Fellows.
STATS RECAP
August 8, 2009
Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International
Race: Zippo 200
Driver: J.R. Fitzpatrick
Started: 16th
Finished: 18th
Race length: 82 Laps/ 200.9 Miles
Track layout: 2.45-mile
Shape: Road Course
Number of Race Cautions: 6 for 20 Laps
First Practice: 33rd (76.156 seconds; 115.815 mph)
Final Practice: 25th (75.055 seconds; 117.514 mph)
Qualifying: 16th (73.826 seconds; 119.470 mph)
Next on the Nationwide Series Schedule:
Date: August 15, 2009
Track: Michigan International Speedway
Event Name: CARFAX 250
Driver: Kevin Harvick
Sponsor: Jimmy John’s
Broadcast Time: 3:00 p.m., ET on ESPN2; 3:00 p.m., ET on MRN Radio