SELLERS FAST IN EAST/WEST CHALLENGE: FINAL TIRE CHANGE LIMITS FINISHING POSITION

Source: MediaFit, Inc.
Date: 05/20/2008

NEWTON, Iowa Peyton Sellers set out to impress Sunday in the Camping World East/West Challenge, with new sponsor Specialty Fertilizer Products. The 20,000+ fans on hand at Iowa Speedway were not disappointed in the show.

Sellers had been fast in practice sessions all weekend, and posted the fifth fastest qualifying time among the field of 55 drivers vying to make the race. This weekend marked the only time drivers from Camping World’s East and West Series would come together during the regular season.

Sellers maintained a top five position through lap 74, when he pitted for tires. Iowa Speedway pit rules require that a driver can not take both tires and fuel in the same stop. After quickly moving back through the field, another caution on lap 93 pushed Sellers back into 6th position. He continued to advance with dramatic 3-wide passes that brought the near capacity crowd to its feet. By lap 114, he had closed to second, and was making up ground on the leader.

Another caution flag flew on lap 123, and the team pitted twice – once for right-side tires, and again for a final fuel stop, in what should have been a perfect setup to work the #44 Specialty Fertilizer Products Chevrolet back towards the front and challenge for the win of the 200 lap race. The new tires, however, tightened the car up significantly, and Sellers fought the Chevy to hold on to a 14th place finish.

“There were just too many laps between the left-side tires we took on earlier and the new right ones”, said Sellers. “It was all I could do to hold on to the spot I had and take care of the car. It’s hard to swallow knowing how good we were running before that, but it’s just part of the sport. You make the best decisions you have to at the time. The good thing is we’re running really well right now, and the team’s really motivated. We’re in this for the long haul, and we’re in this to win.”

Sellers is now 19th in the series overall points standings, with 11 of 13 races remaining. A harsh decision by NASCAR after his win in the season opener in April left Sellers in 29th place prior to the race Sunday. Sellers is used to rising to the challenge though, and this week just added more fuel to the fire.

“He ran a good race”, commented Dr. Larry Sanders, President and CEO of the team’s latest sponsor, Specialty Fertilizer Products, who was on hand for the race. “He’s a great competitor and a fine young man.” SFP will be the primary sponsor of the team for upcoming races in Mansfield and Dover later this season. The team’s other sponsors include Casella Waste Systems and Strutmasters.com.

Sellers now returns to his home track at South Boston, Virginia on May 31st, where he finished second last year. The race will be broadcast live on HDNet and tape delayed on SPEED Channel. Check your local listings.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend