Heartbreak for Hornaday in Nashville

(Nashville, TN.) – ACDelco Chevrolet driver Ron Hornaday came into Nashville looking to get back on track in the NASCAR Busch Series championship chase.  And for much of the afternoon, Hornaday showed his muscle in “Music City.”  But a mid-race crash cost him a chance at victory.

The weekend got off to a poor start for the ACDelco Chevrolet.  Hornaday qualified 28^th, which at the time was the fastest the car had run all day.  Hornaday explained that the poor time was the factor of bringing a high downforce car to help the “aero-tight” condition the team experienced at both Nashville races last year.  Martin Truex, Jr. won the Bud Pole with Johnny Benson qualifying second.

In happy hour, Hornaday’s downforce car was a sight to be seen.  The ACDelco Monte Carlo passed cars whenever and wherever it wanted.  “This car is awesome guys,” said Hornaday.  The No. 2 Chevy posted the ninth fastest lap of the day, proving it would race well.  Truex, Jr. had his good luck come to a fiery end, when his Monte Carlo crashed in turn four.  The Dale Earnhardt, Jr. owned team pulled out the backup car, sending Truex to the back of the pack on race day.

The forecast for Saturday was for heavy rain to hit the Nashville area.  But for once, Mother Nature spared the Busch teams and the race got underway right on time.  The “Master of the Restart” wasted little time in moving to the front.  On the first lap, Hornaday went to the high side and made a three-wide pass for 19^th.  By lap two he was 18^th and just six laps later, the ACDelco Chevy was 17^th.

Hornaday continued his march to the front.  On lap 11, the “blue deuce passed Tony Raines and Jason Leffler for 15^th.  Hornaday radioed the crew that the car was really good.  On lap 58, Mike Wallace spun in turn four bringing out the first caution.  The ACDelco Chevy made its first pit stop of the day.  The team changed four tires and refueled in 16.22 seconds.  Hornaday was now in the top-10.

On the restart Hornaday settled in for a long green flag run.  On lap 73, Hornaday passed Stacy Compton for ninth.  He then passed Michael Waltrip for eighth.  The yellow flagged waved on lap 82 for a spin involving David Stremme.  Only one of the leaders pitted, so Hornaday restarted seventh.  On the restart, both Bobby Hamilton, Jr. and David Green had problems.  Hornaday got around both cars and into fifth.

On the long green flag run, Hornaday showed his muscle.  On lap 117 Hornaday passed Benson for fourth.  He continued to charge to the front.  On lap 130, he passed Robby Gordon for third.  Hornaday was the fastest car on the track.  Three laps later he passed Kyle Busch for second.  On lap 139, Hornaday was forced to pit for fuel and tires under green and returned to the track in fifth, one lap down.

Three laps later, Hamilton, Jr. hit the wall in turn four bringing out the caution.  It was a bit of bad luck for Hornaday.  When the pits opened the leaders peeled off and made their stops.  Hornaday then became the last car on the lead lap, which with four cars on the lead lap put Hornaday at the front of the field on the restart.

On lap 153 the race was back under way and Hornaday led the pack.  He maintained the lead for one lap before Gordon hit the ACDelco Chevrolet in turn three, spinning Hornaday.  Waltrip collected the front of the No. 2 car, bringing out the yellow.  The ACDelco Monte Carlo received damage to the front suspension.  The team met the car behind the wall and repaired the damage.  He lost 25 laps and spent the rest of the race, just riding it out.  Hornaday finished a disappointing 31^st.

The race for the win was wild.  With just four laps to go, Hornaday’s RCR teammate Clint Bowyer battled with Busch.  Busch got by the Reese’s Chevy in turn two, but Bowyer gave him a little tap and regained the lead with three to go.  Busch battled past Bowyer on the high side in turn one and he took the top spot.  Coming off turn two, Bowyer and Busch made contact.  Busch turned sideways and Bowyer checked up to miss him.  Benson nailed the back of Bowyer collecting all three cars and Gordon.  Waltrip emerged from the smoke in first and won the Nashville 300 under caution.  Johnny Sauter was second and Kasey Kahne third.