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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Hanes 250: Post Race Quotes (Dodge Drivers)

28 September 1997

 
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Dodge Post-Race Quotes
Hanes 250 
Martinsville Speedway
September 27, 1997

MARTINSVILLE, VA - The following provided by Chrysler Corporation, 
Motorsports Public Relations:
 
Martinsville Speedway lived up to its reputation as the short track bullring 
today. The #18 Dodge was running in the fifth position when something in the 
right front broke sending the truck into the wall in turn four. To add insult 
to injury the #14 truck smashed into the rear, destroying the truck. The best 
finish by a Dodge came from hometown hero Jimmy Hensley finishing in fourth 
place. Tony Raines' day was plagued by problems with the right front tire. He 
had to pit twice for flat tires; one of those stops included changing a 
right, front sway bar. The last race winner, Bob Keselowski, had his share of 
problems. The #29 truck had to replace an engine yesterday, then at the 
halfway break the Mopar Dodge had to replace the differential. Independent 
team Greenfield Dodge finished in 25th place. 

JIMMY HENSLEY (#43 Cummins Dodge) - Started 13th, finished 4th - "I'm happy 
with my fourth place finish. I just wished I could have done a little better 
for the hometown crowd. We had a good truck, and we could have probably 
contended for the win if we'd had a few more laps. But all in all I'm real 
pleased with the end results. It's always good to finish in the top five."

TONY RAINES (#19 Pennzoil Dodge) - Started 11th, finished 23rd - Spun in turn 
three on lap 17 - "It was a long day at the track. And it certainly wasn't my 
day today. We kept having to replace the right front tire. We think the 
brakes are getting so hot that it's breaking the bead on the wheel. After 
testing here 10 days ago we knew the brakes would get hot, so we tried to 
alleviate that by sending more coolant to the brakes. It obviously didn't 
help."

BOB KESELOWSKI (#29 Mopar Dodge) - Started 27th, finished 28th - "Well, this 
is not how we wanted to follow up our win from last race. I couldn't do 
anything right today. We burned two rear ends and broke a motor today. I'm so 
disappointed. We're going to have to regroup and go out on our West Coast 
swing."

JOHNNY BENSON (#18 Dana Dodge) - Started 15th, finished 34th - Involved in
accident in turn four with Rick Crawford on lap 75 - "We broke something in 
the right front, either a tire or an 'A' frame. It was one of those deals 
where the truck was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and there wasn't 
any stopping. We had a top three truck, easily. We wrecked the front end; 
there wasn't any reason for the rear end to get wrecked, too. I'm glad for 
the opportunity to drive Kurt's (Roherig) truck again. Every time I've driven 
for him he's had great equipment."


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