GALLEGOS SURVIVES NASCAR WEST SERIES AT INFINEON TO FINISH 22ND

Source: RTD Motorsports
Date: 06/22/2008

SONOMA, California. – A solid run for RTD Motorsports, Inc. and driver Mike Gallegos of Wheat Ridge, CO yielded a 22nd place finish at Infineon Raceway.

The NASCAR Camping World Series West event, the Bennett Lane Winery 200, was run in conjunction with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series activities at the 1.99 mile road course in the Sonoma Valley.

The run to 22nd was relatively clean despite the crash-filled nature of the event. For the one car team coming off four straight top-ten finishes on the oval, Infineon Raceway was an event that Gallegos wanted to just finish on the lead-lap.

“We survived and it was a good points day,” Gallegos said. “We just needed to finish the race and not get real stupid. The pressure is off and we can focus on Irwindale.”

Gallegos suffered a broken transmission in the first practice session on Friday, and with limited practice time qualified 31st.

Unexpected car woes continued as Gallegos finished the race with a right rear shock mount broken.

The 25 year-old Drive for Diversity participant picked up two positions on the opening lap and pitted on lap two when the caution flag-flew.

Team owner and crew chief Rob Dixon scheduled a fuel-only stop for Gallegos. Gallegos returned to the pits under the same caution to top-off.

On lap 35 Gallegos was forced to take evasive action with Jason Patison blew in an engine in the tricky turn 10. Gallegos spun and pit for repairs on the left-rear.

A problem with the left-rear shock mount was fixed and Gallegos returned to action.

“The car had a few small issues,” Gallegos said. “By the caution the left-rear shock mount had broken and we were also bottoming out so we had to raise the car up.”

By lap 52, Gallegos cracked the top-20. Gallegos up further before a red flag on lap 55.

Two laps later on the restart, Gallegos spun after contact from Johnny Borneman in turn eight.

A green-white checkered restart saw Gallegos lined up near the rear of the field due to a scoring miscue, forcing him to come home to a 22nd place amongst several lapped cars.

“Now we can get back to the high expectations again,” Gallegos said. “Everybody worked hard this weekend and now we can try to get a top-five at Irwindale.”

Gallegos and RTD Motorsports, Inc. will carry an eighth place standing in the points to Irwindale Speedway on July 4. The event will be covered live on HDNET.

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