FORT WORTH, Texas (November 8, 2009) — Starting the Winstar World Casino 350K from the ninth position at Texas Motor Speedway, Ricky Carmichael and the No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado ran as high as sixth before crossing the finish line in the 12th position. The finish marked Carmichael’s sixth top-15 finish of the season.
“We just lost the handling there a little bit,” said Carmichael following the race. “It was a good run. I’m happy. It’s nice to finally finish a race with nothing wrecked. I had a blast this year with these guys. I’ve got to thank KHI and obviously Monster Energy. I’m happy to bring this thing home in one piece and get a solid run.”
Making the final start of his 16-race schedule with KHI this season, Carmichael slipped from the ninth starting position to 16th before the first caution of the night waved. The team decided to make no changes to the handling of the truck and brought Carmichael down pit road first for four tires followed by a second stop for fuel.
Restarting the race from the 21st position, Carmichael told the team the truck was awesome and began to make his move toward the front. By lap 50 Carmichael was able to move into the top 15. Several laps later on lap 54, the caution was again displayed for debris. Fighting a loose-handling truck, Carmichael came down pit road for right-side tires and a second time for fuel. With help from crew chief John Monsam, Carmichael opted to turn his fans off to help tighten the truck rather than make adjustments to the truck. The race restarted on lap 59 with the No. 4 Monster Energy Silverado in the 12th position.
Continuing to run fast laps, Carmichael moved into the top 10 on lap 65. On lap 88 under the final caution of the race, running in the ninth position, Carmichael radioed the team that the truck was a little loose. The team pitted for four fresh tires with an air-pressure adjustment and a second time for fuel. With a fast stop, Carmichael restarted the race on lap 93 in the ninth spot.
Maintaining his position in the top 10, Carmichael was running eighth when he radioed the team on lap 114 to say the truck was really loose. Several laps later he again said the truck was bad loose, falling to 12th on lap 118. Making adjustments to the handling of the truck by adjusting the fans, Carmichael remained in the 12th position when he crossed the start-finish line on lap 147. The 12th-place finish marked Carmichael’s sixth top-15 finish in 16 Truck Series starts this season.
Kyle Busch scored the win followed by Matt Crafton, KHI teammate Ron Hornaday, Todd Bodine and Colin Braun.
STATS RECAP
November 6, 2009
Texas Motor Speedway
Winstar World Casino 350K
Race: 23 of 25
Driver: Ricky Carmichael
Started: 9th
Finished: 12th
Race length: 147 Laps/ 220.5 Miles
Banking/Turns: 24-degrees turns; 5-degree straight-a-ways
Track layout: 1.5-mile
Shape: Quad-oval
Number of Race Cautions: 3 for 14 Laps
Next on the Truck Series Schedule:
Date: November 13, 2009
Track: Phoenix International Raceway
Event Name: Lucas Oil 150
Driver: Kevin Harvick
Broadcast Time: SPEED 7:30pm EST