(Darlington, S.C.). The ACDelco Chevrolet arrived at Darlington Raceway looking to turn around two weeks of bad luck and poor showings.  But an early spin and pit road mistakes left Ron Hornaday clinging for hope with just one race to go.

The weekend got off to a sour note for the fans, as rain forced cancellation of qualifying.  The fans misfortune was a blessing for Hornaday.  Thanks to owner’s points, Hornaday started sixth, equaling his best start at the famed South Carolina track.  Expectations were high for race day.

The start of the race was filled with several cautions and Hornaday took advantage with his patented restarts.  He soon made his way into second place and began to run down his teammate Kevin Harvick for the lead. 

On lap 28 the day turned for Hornaday and the ACDelco team.  Kyle Busch tried to get underneath the “blue deuce” in turn one, but ran out of room and clipped the back of the ACDelco Monte Carlo.  Hornaday got completely sideways, but managed to save the car by mid corner.  Just about the time he straightened out, Busch and Greg Biffle piled into the back of Hornaday.  The No. 2 car spun again and received damage to the rear of the car.  Hornaday and Busch were able to continue, Biffle went to the garage.

Despite the early problems, Hornaday worked his way back into the top-10 during the race.  However, the race was just not to be for the ACDelco team.  Problems on pit road hurt the car, as tire miscues cost Hornaday any chance at a good finish.

On one stop, the left side rear tires were put on the right and the right’s on the left. That change in camber made the car unpredictable in the corners.  On a second stop, the set of tires from the shop used for setting up the car were put on by accident.  Again, the car didn’t handle like it needed and Hornaday fell several laps down before taking the checkered flag in 27^th.  Jaime McMurray held off Ashton Lewis, Jr. for the win.

Martin Truex, Jr. clinched the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series championship with his fourth place finish.  It was the first championship for Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s Chance 2 Motorsports.

Despite the disappointing day, Hornaday held on to the fourth position in driver’s points.  He now leads David Green by 62 points with one race to go.

The next race for the Busch Series is next Saturday, November 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in South Florida. The race can be seen on NBC at 1p.m. ET and heard on MRN Radio or XM 144.