Mooresville, NC

John Andretti made his second start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Billy Ballew Motorsports this past Saturday night at Memphis (Tenn.) Motorsports Park and came home with another impressive finish.  After starting in the 28th position, Andretti made his way through the field, with the help of some pit strategy as well, to finish in eighth place.

After struggling to find the right setup on the No. 15 Juice Plus +/Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau Chevrolet during practice, Andretti qualified in the 28th position.  Starting in the back wasn’t unfamiliar to the team, as they had to start last the previous time Andretti drove for them at Kansas.  Driver, and team alike, knew they wouldn’t stay in the rear for long.

Thankfully, the race got underway as the sun was beginning to set.  The teams had battled extreme temperatures in the 100s all day, and it wouldn’t cool down during race conditions either, as the 36 competitors battled it out for 202 laps on the .75-mile paved oval.

When the first caution flag waved on lap nine, Andretti radioed in that the truck was tight in the center of the turn and loose off, but it was still too early to tell how it would play out.  By the time the second caution of the night came out on lap 33, Andretti was still complaining of tight conditions for the No. 15 Juice Plus +/Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau Chevrolet.  Crew Chief Ritchie Wauters made the call to bring Andretti in for four tires, fuel and a trackbar adjustment.

By pitting early, it also helped the team gain valuable track position when the leaders decided to pit later in the race.  Andretti was able to move into the top-10 by lap 75 and remained there for the rest of the race.  A long stretch of green during laps 74-114 allowed the No. 15 machine to get better.  Andretti made his way up to the third position when the sixth caution of the night occurred.    During that stretch, Wauters had radioed Andretti about his brakes.  “Be easy in,” said Wauters.  “Your front rotors are beginning to glow.  Don’t kill your brakes.”  Andretti pitted for four sticker tires and two rounds up on the trackbar on their second and final pit stop on lap 114, anticipating another long green flag run.

Unfortunately, they didn’t get the long green flag run they hoped for, as caution after caution waved, including one red flag period that lasted over eight minutes.  Andretti was pushing as hard as he could, persevering through the heat, while battling to remain in fourth position.  A slight nudge in the rear sent Andretti to the high side allowing three competitors to get by, but remained in control and focused to finish the 200-lap event.  Smoke in turn four on the final lap caused the leader to spin out and cause a huge traffic jam coming to the checkered flag.  Andretti slowed up a little to weave his way through and in the process got passed for one more position, as the No. 15 Juice Plus +/Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau Chevrolet wound up finishing eighth.

“The truck was just a little too tight all night,” said Andretti.  “I was tight when I was around other trucks, but on my own, I was much better.  We really needed those long green runs to help us free the truck up a bit, but we just didn’t get it.  I’m pleased to have finished in the top-10 again for Billy Ballew Motorsports, Juice Plus + and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.  I had a great time, other than having to deal with such extreme temperatures and heat.  I hope to once again get the call from Billy to drive another truck race.  I enjoy competing in this series, especially when I have as good of truck as I have here with Billy Ballew Motorsports.”

Billy Ballew Motorsports moved back into the fourth position in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owners’ Points Standings, 59 points out of second place with 11 races remaining on the 2005 schedule.  The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series take a week off then return to action at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday, August 5.