Hornaday Rockets the Red Fusion Chevy and Dr Pepper Racing to a Top-5 Finish in Chicago
July 13th, 2002 - Joliet, IL – The #26 Dr Pepper Monte Carlo was given a different look for the weekend to celebrate the national launch of the new Dr Pepper Brand “Red Fusion”.   Ron Hornaday piloted the Dr Pepper/Red Fusion Monte Carlo to a Top-5, fifth place finish; despite battling extremely tight handling conditions throughout most of the afternoon.  The “Thirst Crew” worked all day on freeing the car up to where Ron could 

get the car turning out of the corners.  Their performance at Chicagoland Speedway marks the third Top-5 finish and fifth Top-15 for the Dr Pepper Racing Team since Hornaday has joined nine races ago.

The Red Fusion Monte Carlo unloaded from the Dr Pepper hauler and ran the majority of the first practice with a long run set-up to get the car tuned in for the Saturday’s Race.  When the Dr Pepper Crew brought the car on the pit road for qualifying, a Top-15 starting position is what was expected.  Hornaday ended up in the 14th starting position with a lap of 30.498seconds (177.061mph).  Todd Bodine sat on the pole with a lap of 30.206 seconds (178.772 mph).

The Green Flag waved for the Tropicana Twister 300 only to be followed by the first of eight Yellow Flags on Lap 1.  Hornaday blistered around the track on the initial lap and advanced up the leader board to the 8th spot.  Once Green Flag racing continued Ron noticed a huge aero-push (meaning the Red Fusion Chevy wouldn’t turn easily while riding behind other cars) but felt once the field was spread out, the car could be fine.  The handling of the Red Fusion Monte Carlo made it impossible for Ron to pass any of the cars ahead of him.

On Lap 63, the third caution flag flew and Ron brought the Red Fusion Chevy down Pit Road to be serviced by the Thirst Crew.  The car was still tight so Todd Lohse, Crew Chief, called for the removal of a spring rubber from the Left Rear to loosen the car up along with the four fresh tires and fuel.  Upon returning to racing, Ron analyzed the situation and the car loosened up a bit, but not nearly enough. He entered Pit Road during the next caution period on Lap 96, this time the Dr Pepper Racing Team raised the track bar a few rounds because time did not allow for the addition of a rubber to the right rear of the car.

What the Dr Pepper Racing wanted, they got.  There was an accident on Lap 102 that provided the time to add a spring rubber to the right rear that they desired.  Racing resumed and the Red Fusion Chevy was improving but not ideal just yet.  Another caution flag flew on Lap 115 and after reviewing their options Lohse called Hornaday into the pits to top off with Fuel with one lap to go until the race went green again.  Lohse and the Thirst Crew estimated the car could just about make it to the end of the race on the gas they had.  Another quick caution on Lap 127 reassured their confidence by adding another splash and sitting in the 15th position.

The race went Green flag racing for the next 64 laps as was hoped for and Ron Hornaday got to enjoy watching as the cars before him had to pit for more gas.  The Red Fusion Chevy worked its way up to the front until the final caution flag flew on Lap 194, however this time it became a red flag race that when continued would be a three-lap shootout.  The interesting thing was that there were only eight cars on the lead lap.  Lohse once again masterminded a finish by bringing Ron in for fresh tires that had the air pressures adjusted to what they used in qualifying.  When the green flag dropped Ron was in 8th place but made up three spots in the final three laps and escaped with a Top-5 from Chicagoland.  The Dr Pepper Racing Team moved up two spots in the Owner’s Points Standings to 24th and is only 65 points from 20th.

“Man, this was just a great day.  We struggled with the Red Fusion Chevy trying to free it up all day and this Dr Pepper Team just proves itself week after week,” commented Hornaday.  “The car was just extremely tight especially when I was behind other cars and we changed everything during the race; track bar, air pressures, spring rubbers in and out, you name it we did it.  Todd did an excellent job calling the race and the team did a great job executing.  I missed a few wrecks by inches but that is what it takes.  I’m glad we could help Dr Pepper launch their new brand Red Fusion with some success.  They had a huge hospitality that allowed me to meet some fans this morning and they all gave words of encouragement, that’s a great feeling.  Now we’ll head to St. Louis and keep things rolling in the right direction.”

The Dr Pepper Racing Team will make its way further west to St. Louis for the Charter Pipeline 250 at the Gateway International Speedway on July 20, 2002.  Coverage will be carried on TNT and MRN and will begin at 8:00 pm EST.

Sponsor Exposure:  Ron Hornaday participated in race day hospitality for Dr Pepper fans and customers by signing autographs and meeting his supporters.  The hospitality area was packed with more than 200 smiling faces as Ron brightened their day before finishing in the Top-5. Red Fusion was distributed to much of the media and was available for the entire NASCAR Garage to sample, more than 20 cases were consumed over the two day period. 

Ron furthered the exposure of Red Fusion and Dr Pepper by performing multiple interviews including SPEED Channel, Fox Sports Net, ESPN, MRN and XM Satellite Radio.