A solid qualifying effort by Burney Lamar and the No. 77 Dollar General stores Chevrolet crew saw the team line up 11th on the starting grid for Saturday’s Sam’s Town 250 Busch Series event. After a competitive showing from the drop of the green flag, Lamar was tapped from behind by another competitor and sent spinning in turn four. Lamar was forced to restart deep in the field and raced his way back into the top-15 by lap 170. The day ended early for Lamar after contact by a competitor put him hard into the wall in turn one on lap 178. The No. 77 Dollar General stores machine sustained heavy front end damage and was unable to continue the race. Lamar, who was not injured, finished 38th.
The Dollar General stores crew jumped through hurdles during the extended practice session on Friday afternoon. Due to frequent rain showers throughout the morning to afternoon, Friday’s first practice session was cut short. NASCAR allowed teams to have an extended time period for final practice. Approximately 30 minutes into final practice the No. 77 Dollar General stores car slowed on the track and Lamar came across the radio reporting there was a problem. The Dollar General stores crew went under the hood to investigate eventually concluding that the ignition box needed to be swapped out on the car. The No. 77 machine was able to make it back to the track to conclude final practice and ended the day 10th on the speed charts.
Teams would return early Saturday in the crisp morning air for Busch Series qualifying. The Dollar General stores Chevrolet went out third, laying down a lap of 23.048 seconds putting Lamar 11th on the starting grid. After visiting the Dollar General stores merchandise trailer for an autograph session, Lamar returned to the garage to strap into the No. 77 machine for a 250 lap sprint to the checkers.
At the drop of the green flag Lamar jumped into the top-10, battling for ground with rookie teammate Cale Gale. With 15 laps into the event, spotter Rick Carelli was commenting on how good the car looked off of turn two. The first caution flag flew on lap 44 after Lamar was sent by another competitor spinning in turn four. Lamar regrouped and reported that the car was tight through the center and brought the No. 77 machine down pit road for adjustments. The Dollar General stores crew went over the wall changing four tires, an air pressure adjustment, a track bar adjustment and fuel.
On the restart, Lamar lined up 30th on the score board and was the first car in line in the lap down lane, positioning him in the top spot to receive the lucky dog pass. On lap 59 the field was slowed by another caution and crew chief Gene Nead told Lamar to stay out even if the other cars came down pit road. Lamar would restarted on lap 64 in the 21st position on the lead lap.
On lap 100 Lamar brought the Dollar General stores machine down pit road under yellow flag conditions, calling for four new tires and no adjustments. Battling his way past competitors, Lamar was inching his way closer to the top-20. During another caution period on lap 142, Lamar ducked to pit road for four tires, no adjustments and fuel, now able to race until the end without another pit stop.
Lamar was contending for position in the top-15 when he was hit from behind by another competitor on lap 177. The Dollar General stores machine turned hard into the turn one wall. The No. 77 Monte Carlo SS sustained major front end damage and was forced to retire to the garage. As Lamar climbed from the damaged machine he was escorted to the infield care center and released with no injuries. The Dollar General stores Chevrolet was scored in the 38th position at the end of the event.
The Dollar General stores crew will return to Texas Motor Speedway for race 33 of 35 in the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season. The O’Reilly Challenge can be seen live on TNT at 2:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, November 4. Bobby Labonte will be behind the wheel of the No. 77 Dollar General stores Chevrolet in Texas.
