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NASCAR BGN Series Autolite Platinum 250 Report: #88, Kevin Lepage

8 September 1997

 #88 Kevin Lepage, TBA/Ryder Driver Recruiting Chevrolet Monte Carlo
 NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division
 Autolite Platinum 250 Race Report
 Richmond International Raceway
 September 5, 1997

                  LEPAGE HAS DISAPPOINTING NIGHT AT RIR

 
RICHMOND, VA - Kevin Lepage, driving the #88 TBA/Ryder Driver Recruiting 
Chevrolet, had a disappointing night at Richmond International Raceway Friday 
night. After a slower than expected qualifying effort on Thursday, Lepage and 
the Ridling Motor Sports Team decided to stand on their fast lap time of 
22.591 seconds (119.517 mph) so they could work on race setup. Busch Pole 
winner Michael Waltrip set a new track record with a time of 22.090 seconds 
(122.227 mph) around RIR's 0.750-mile oval. 
      
Lepage had worked his way up to fourth place by lap 107 of the 250-lap event. 
However, a problem on a mid-race pit stop left Lepage two laps down. Even 
though there where 10 caution periods for a total of 87 laps, Lepage was not 
able to regain his lost laps and ended the night in 23rd place. "We struggled 
tonight," commented Lepage after the race. "We just didn't catch the caution 
periods. Ten laps after we pitted under green, a caution came out, so that 
put us out of sequence. The guys really worked hard this weekend. I feel bad 
we didn't finish higher since we were running so close to the front at the 
beginning of the race."

Ridling Motor Sports is planning an Open House for Thursday, October 2, 1997, 
during Charlotte race week. Stop by to see their new shop and meet the crew.  

By Ridling Motor Sports Public Relations