September 6, 2002 (Richmond, VA )- Ron Hornaday and the Dr Pepper Racing Team fell victim to someone else’s impatience during the opening laps of the Funai 250 on Friday night at Richmond International Raceway.  On the second lap of the evening #66 Casey Mears spun in Turn 3, the trailing competitors, including Hornaday, quickly checked up to avoid contact.  Ron slowed the #26 Dr Pepper Monte Carlo down and was about to get back in the gas when #54 Kevin Grubb attempted to jump a few positions and blow by the pack on the outside.  Grubb rammed the left rear side of the #26 Dr Pepper Chevy causing a great deal of damage.  The Thirst Crew worked feverishly in getting the car back on the track without going a lap down.  The hindered Dr Pepper Chevy continued on the lead lap for most of the evening, however Dale Earnhardt Jr., the race winner, placed Hornaday a lap down during a long green flag run, before Hornaday suffered two flat tires that required a green flag stops on Pit Road.  The Dr Pepper Chevy ended the night in 26^th place and picked up one spot in the Owners’ Points Standings to 19^th.

Following the incident on Lap 2, Ron reported that the car was extremely loose and the Thirst Crew made trackbar adjustments, wedge adjustments, tire pressure adjustments, and removed spring rubbers to combat the problem.  Despite all the changes made to the Dr Pepper Chevy, the handling could only be improved minimally.  The incident with Grubb caused the left rear wheel to be knocked out of line and the Dr Pepper Racing Team was never able to fully recover.

The #26 Dr Pepper Chevy did move up the charts throughout the race while his fellow competitors were involved in numerous wrecks.  There were eleven yellow flags for 83 caution laps and one red flag during the Funai 250.  The Busch Grand National race was filled with a few accidents that had race teams and fans holding their breaths.  #49 Derrike Cope was injured when his throttle stuck going in to Turn 1; he hit the wall at top speed and fractured his right scapula and left fibula.  In a separate incident, Jack Sprague made contact with Ashton Lewis that resulted in a Lewis’s car being engulfed in flames as it glided down the track.  Both Sprague and Lewis escaped without serious injuries.

The Dr Pepper Racing Team will have this upcoming week off before heading to Dover, Delaware for the MBNA 200 on Sept. 21^st.  Last time, the Dr Pepper Racing Team took to the 1-mile concrete oval of Dover Downs, Ron finished in 6^th place.  Coverage begins at 1 pm EST on MRN and TNT.

Sponsor Update:  The Dr Pepper Racing Team welcomed Richard Eaton as an honorary pit crewmember for the Richmond Race.  Lincoln Electric held the contest and offered the pit crew opportunity as their Grand Prize.  A variety of other Dr Pepper Guests got the chance to meet the Thirst Crew and enjoy a NASCAR race from Pit Road, an experience that will remain fresh in their memory for a long time to come.