News

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 10, 2009) – David Stremme, driver of the No.12 Penske Dodge in the NASCAR Cup Series, secured a 26th-place finish on Monday afternoon at the Watkins Glen International road course in upstate New York.

After rains postponed the race on Sunday, sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted competitors on Monday. Stremme lined up for the start of the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen in the fifth position, which was the 32-year-old South Bend, Ind. native’s best starting spot of the year. 

On lap eight, Stremme radioed his team and explained that the Penske Dodge had a handling issue that hampered its progress entering the corners. The loose condition caused Stremme to fall back in the running order.

The caution flag was displayed to the field on lap 17 and the No.12 Penske Dodge crew started to prepare for their first pit stop of the day. Stremme rolled down pit lane on lap 19 for service. The team went to work changing all four tires and filling the car with fuel. The crew also made an air pressure adjustment, hoping to tighten the car’s handling in the corners.

The race was restarted on lap 20 and Stremme found himself in the 14th spot, but he was on the move towards the front of the field. Two laps later, Stremme spun his machine in the “bus stop” section of the course and made contact with the No.29 car of Kevin Harvick. Stremme was able to continue on, but suffered significant damage to the front end of his Dodge Charger.

Stremme brought his car to the attention of his crew so they could survey the damage on the next circuit around the 2.45-mile road course. The team quickly made repairs to the front end of the car and got Stremme back out onto the racing surface, falling just one lap down to the leaders.

For the next 25 laps, Stremme raced to put himself in position to capture the “lucky dog” free pass back onto the lead lap. When the caution flag waived on lap 41, the Penske Dodge was awarded the free pass and Stremme rejoined the lead lap cars. Crew chief Roy McCauley then focused on the final scheduled pit stop of the race. 

Stremme came down pit lane on lap 60 to take on four fresh tires and fuel. The team also made a slight trackbar adjustment to help with the car’s handling over the final stint. Stremme restarted the race in the 28th spot and battled for the remaining 20 laps to bring the Penske Dodge home in the 26th position. With the finish, Stremme remained 31st in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings.

“What a day,” commented Stremme after Monday’s event. “I was trying to take care of my car early in the event and just spun going into the bus stop. I got turned around and made contact with the 29 car. We did all we could the rest of the day and finished 26th. I am looking forward to getting back to Michigan [International Speedway.]  I know we have a great car and I am looking for a strong result on Sunday afternoon.”

Stremme and the No. 12 Penske Dodge team return to racing action next Sunday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich. The CARFAX 400 can be seen live on Sunday, August 16 on ESPN with coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET. The event can also be heard live on MRN Radio as well as Sirius Satellite Radio channel 128.

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David Stremme Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen Statistics
Start: 5 
Finish: 26
Laps: 90/90
Laps Led: 0
Status: Running