TIRE ISSUES COSTLY FOR MANY AT FONTANA, INCLUDING ALEX HAASE

Source: Motorway Motorsports
Date: 08/17/2007

Alex Haase, the 17 year old rookie and the driver of the #88 Motorway/MRG/Kyle Busch Motorsports team was looking forward to the California "125" road course race in Fontana as he secured his career best finish at the last road course race at Miller Motorsports Park. After only 9 laps of figuring out the layout of the track, Alex was 11th fastest on the speed charts.

During the 2nd practice session Alex completed one lap which would have put him 4th on the speed charts, but as he exited turn one gaining speed on the big track he blew a right front tire that put him hard into the turn 2 wall going about 165mph. As a result of this crash the car could not be repaired. Having had this same issue happen to a few other teams, in the same location, NASCAR decided they would change the configuration of the track to delete the problem area that was causing alot of the tire issues.

"I really hated to see this happen to this car, it was one that I really felt comfortable in and had good success in but that is part of racing, taking the good with the bad." stated Alex. Our crew chief, Mike Naake could not recall a time that they did not have inner liners in the tires at a track going this fast. The team now had to get the oval back up car out and prepared with little time before qualifying. He ended up on lap 5 with a blown clutch and ended the day in the 20th position.

Alex will head next to the season finale at Altamont on September 15,2007 and will also start preparing for the Toyota Showdown in October. For more information on Alex visit alexhaase.com

See Also .:

• Alex Haase Driver Card
• California Speedway Road Course Track Page

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