|
Carolina
Dodge Dealers 400 |
| Darlington, SC.
(March 16, 2001)
“Darlington is a track that takes total concentration all day long. You have to work on getting your car to run up top. If you can do that and run all day long, you will have a good day. If not, you’re in for a long day.” –Ron Hornaday, Team Conseco Driver Darlington, SC.
(March 18, 2001) - Ron Hornaday learned first hand
why competitors call Darlington Speedway “The Track Too Tough
to Tame” in Sunday’s Carolina Dodge Dealers 400. He made
contact with Darlington’s famous wall and finished a
disappointing 42nd. After
the Saturday morning practice was cancelled due to a lingering
fog, NASCAR was forced to cancel qualifying as well and had to
set the starting line up by owner’s points.
As a result, Hornaday lined up in the 24th
position. Hornaday
was running in the 27th position on lap 115 when he
and Todd Bodine made contact sending the Conseco Pontiac into
the outside wall.
Team Conseco went to work replacing the right front
suspension and repairing the body damage.
Hornaday emerged from the garage area more than 100 laps
later.
By rejoining the race, Hornaday did gain one position to
finish 42nd.
“I guess that’s why they call this place the track too tough to tame,” Hornaday said while Team Conseco worked to repair his damaged car. ”I was under the 11 car getting into turn three. We touched a little bit and got into the wall. It’s hurt pretty bad, but I think we'll get it fixed and get back out again. I just hate it for Team Conseco. We go to Texas for a test tomorrow and then head to Bristol. This is a strong team. We’ll pull together and go on." |
Team
Conseco will use chassis 1410 this weekend in Darlington. This
chassis was raced five times last season delivering three
finishes in the top 13, including a 12th-place finish at
Darlington in the Southern 500.