(Richmond, VA.) It was supposed to be the latest and greatest chassis out of the RCR Busch Series stable,  but a case of the new car blues and a shortened practice schedule put the ACDelco team too far behind to solve all the problems in Friday night’s Emerson Radio 250.

From the minute Ron Hornaday got behind the wheel of chassis No. 33R, the list of problems began.  The gas pedal was bent at an incorrect angle, making it nearly impossible for the driver to extend his foot.  The team worked on fixing the pedal and had it ready for the opening practice.

The rain left over from Hurricane Frances forced the NASCAR officials to amend the Busch Series practice schedule.  They cancelled the final “happy hour” practice, giving the teams the two hour morning practice only.  This hurt the ACDelco team as they used most of the morning practice to sort out the new car problems, including having to cut and remount the left front shock mount as it was hitting the left front tire.

With very little time to actually “practice” the car, Hornaday went out for qualifying with his teammate Kevin Harvick’s setup.  It was the first qualifying attempt Hornaday made all day and without knowing what Harvick’s setup felt like, he was cautious on both the laps.  The ACDelco Monte Carlo qualified 30^th.  Kasey Kahne won the Busch Pole.

There was excitement in the ACDelco pit area as Gene Simmons from KISS met with the team and Hornaday before the race.  At the drop of the green flag, Hornaday looked like he put the “KISS” energy to good use.  He picked up three spots on the first lap. 

The race saw three cautions in the first 40 laps.  Hornaday climbed as high as 22^nd before pit stops took place on lap 40.  Since the No. 2 ACDelco Chevy was extremely loose, Butch Hylton and the ACDelco “Real Car Guys” changed four tires and made a trackbar adjustment.  Hornaday left pit road in 23^rd.

The loose condition was one that the team just couldn’t conquer.  Hornaday fought the car all night long and never felt in control.  He raced as high as 16^th in the standings, but the car proved to be too unpredictable and Hornaday held on for a 21^st place finish.  It was a disappointing night to say the least.

The battle for the win at Richmond was one of the best ever.  Casey Atwood held the lead late in the race and was being challenged by Martin Truex, Jr.  Truex got into the side of Atwood in turn four, forcing both cars to slow and regain control.  That contact allowed third place driver Robby Gordon to pass for the lead.  Gordon led the final laps despite a heavy challenge from Atwood to score his first career NASCAR Busch Series win.  Atwood was second and Truex, Jr. third.   Hornaday moved up one position in points and now sits in sixth place, just 96 points out of fifth.

The next race for the NASCAR Busch Series is Saturday, September 25th at Dover International speedway.