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NASCAR BGN: Mark Green Can't Get Monkey Off His Back

22 September 1998

Central City, KY -- "When you change out of your driving suit, be sure to shake it good and get the monkey off."

The words uttered by tire changer Ken Christerson to Mark Green after finishing 23rd in Saturday's MBNA Gold 200 NASCAR Busch Series race at Dover Downs International Speedway expressed the sentiment of the entire Timber Wolf/Brewco Motorsports team. For most of the 1998 season, the proverbial monkey has been 'riding' on the team's back and he was still holding on tight in Dover.

Green, driver of the No.37 Timber Wolf Chevrolet Monte Carlo, was on track to his career best finish at the track dubbed 'The Monster Mile', when a cut tire forced him to the pits for a change of rubber on lap 114. The unscheduled stop, which was made under green flag conditions, cost the Owensboro, Kentucky resident three laps to the leaders.

"The car was driving great," said Green, who started from the 21st position. "It was getting good tire wear and we were holding our own. Then all of a sudden the right rear tire went down."

After changing the deflated tire, crew chief Terry Shirley determined it was cut by a small piece of debris on the track.

"It's very frustrating to have situations out of your control end your chance at a solid finish," continued Green. "The one good thing which came from the race was that we proved we are still a strong team. If not for the cut tire, we probably would have finished near or in the top 10."