Amick Finishes 29th - Team Amick NAPA Auto Parts 300 Report
13 February 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Daytona Beach, Florida (February 13, 1999)-Lyndon Amick, driver of the #35 SCANA/Powertel Chevy Monte Carlo, finished 29th today in the NAPA Auto Parts 300 after having led the race under caution. Amick was in position to win the race with only 35 laps remaining when he experienced transmission problems on the restart. "Coming up on the restart I had my hand in the air to signal Dale Jr. that I was about to go." "I hit 7800 RPMs and then lost second gear." Amick says he waved Dale Earnhardt Jr. around after realizing his transmission had failed. A number of front-runners were then involved in a wreck attempting to pass Amick as he pulled the #35 SCANA/Powertel Chevrolet to the bottom of the apron. "I feel really bad for those guys that were behind me because the last thing I wanted to do was lose my transmission, and for the guys behind me to get into a wreck," says Amick. "I feel bad that this happened, but there really was nothing I could do." "I tried to wave them by, but things happen so fast on the track, especially here in Daytona," he continues. The day proved to be a tough day for Team Amick, but it also showed that the team is working hard to be competitive. Amick's Chevrolet ran second and fourth fastest during practices prior to the race. Team owner, Bill Amick, has recruited and hired both veteran manager, Barry Dodson, and crew chief Buddy Barnes. Their leadership and talent was reflected in part by having solid pit stops, although according to team members, the pit crew has accomplished faster times in practice. On Amick's first stop, he moved from mid-pack into the top ten. Overall Team Amick remained positive despite the outcome of today’s event. "We were running up front when the transmission broke, but the important thing was not that a part broke, but that we were up front," Amick says. "It lets us know we're doing the right things at the race shop and on the track, and hopefully we'll be back up front next week at Rockingham." ###