Sieg has Solid Day in Dover
May 31, 2008Shane Sieg in the No. 15 Miccosukee Resorts Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota Tundra has a solid 14th place finish at the Dover International Speedway in the running of the AAA Insurance 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.
Sieg struggled in practice but picked up in qualifying placing the Tundra in the 19th place position for the 200 lap event Friday, May 30th posting a time of 23.820 seconds at a speed of 151.134 mph.
From the start of the event on the one-mile track nicknamed the “Monster Mile” Sieg reported being loose through the corners but maintained a position in the top-20 until they could come down pit road for adjustments. Sieg became the victim of the leader going a lap down during a long green flag run but on lap 52, was able to take on fresh tires and some track bar adjustments.
Sieg restarted after the stop in the 21st place position and was determined to advance to the front. Sieg worked on his corner entries and made his marks during the long green flag runs pitting on lap 94 for another set of Goodyear Tires knowing the fresh rubber would help him in his quest.
Sieg moved to the through the field and advanced to the 16th place position where he received the Lucky Dog award putting him back on the lead lap. With different pit strategies in play, Sieg was able to advance to the second place position on lap 138. Sieg a natural racer traded the second and third place position with the No. 30 but on old tires Sieg fell back to the fourth place position.
With thirty laps to go in the 200 lap race while running in fourth place, the caution flag flew. Billy Ballew Motorsports team led by Doug George had to make the call whether to stay out on old tires or come in for the last set. The situation was a gamble either way, with the race trucks behind him on newer tires they ran the risk of getting passed or blowing out a tire and a possible disaster. George made the safe call bringing Sieg down for four tires and fuel giving up the track position.
Sieg returned to the track in the 12th place position for the restart with only 22 laps remaining. Sieg battled for a coveted top-10 spot but was just not able to get back through the traffic bringing home a solid 14th place finish on the concrete track.
“It was a tough call to come to pit,” Sieg said. “Doug (George) had no choice but to bring us in especially since Todd (Bodine) had a tire go down putting him out of the race. This Billy Ballew equipment was fast all day; we had that top-five car but not enough laps to get back up there. We struggled a bit in practice but Doug and Richie (Wauters, crew chief No. 51) put their heads together and they got us where we needed to be. It was a great race and I look forward to the opportunity to drive for this team again.”
Marc Mitchell will return to the No. 15 Ergon Toyota Tundra in Texas for the running of the Sam’s Town 400. The race is slated for Friday, June 6th at 9:00pm ET.





