Pennzoil Dodge Race Report: Raines Finishes 11th in Season Finale Truck Race
10 November 1997
#19 Tony Raines, Pennzoil Dodge NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Carquest Auto Parts 420K Race Report Las Vegas Motor Speedway November 9, 1997 RAINES POSTS 11TH IN SEASON FINALE LAS VEGAS, NV - Pennzoil Dodge driver Tony Raines recovered from a first-lap incident that nearly ended his day to finish 11th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season finale. Raines started 32nd, but made contact with Brian Cunningham in turn three on the first lap and brushed the wall. The Roehrig Motorsports crew changed all four tires and topped the rookie off with fuel and sent him back into battle, running 39th. By halfway, Raines had worked his way to 19th, surviving the first 90 laps with a truck that grew tighter each lap. But the changes made at the break proved beneficial as Raines steadily worked his way through the field, eventually finishing 11th. The race capped off Raines' first season in the truck series, which was highlighted by a win and seven top 10 finishes. Raines and the Pennzoil crew will return to action January 18th at Walt Disney World Speedway in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the 1998 series opener. By Cohn & Wolfe