Pruett Paid Off; Finished 14th for GEICO & Sport Clips at The Glen

WATKINS GLEN , NY (Saturday, August 13, 2005) - Road course expert Scott Pruett finished 14th in the rain-delayed Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International Raceway in his first NASCAR Busch Series race since 2001. Pruett, a native of Sacramento, CA, hit the 2.45-mile road course on Saturday morning for Busch Pole qualifying, placing the No. 4 GEICO/Sport Clips Dodge 13th on the grid with a lap of 74.139 seconds at a speed of 118.966 mph.

As the race was set to go green Saturday afternoon rain began to fall across the track, postponing the start of the race for nearly two and a half hours. NASCAR started the race under caution, running the field under yellow for 17 laps before the track surface was dry enough to race. NASCAR waived the green flag on lap 18 and Pruett worked his way into 8th position as the leaders elected to pit. On lap 25, Pruett keyed the radio to inform crew chief Matt Chambers that his GEICO/Sport Clips Dodge was “real tight” but “good through the ‘S’s’”.

The first caution came out when Ron Fellows’ engine expired on lap 29 enabling Pruett to bring his GEICO/Sport Clips Dodge down pit road to the attention of the crew. “I just can’t gas it,” he said. “It just won’t turn.” Chambers and his crew went to work on the GEICO/Sport Clips Dodge, changing four tires, filling the fuel cell full of fuel, and making an air pressure adjustment returning Pruett to the track in 4th position.

Pruett wouldn’t remain there long as NASCAR penalized the team for being too fast while exiting pit road. Restarting 36th at the tail end of the longest line, Pruett would soon prove why he has been labeled a road course expert as he quickly made his way to the front.

Still fighting an ill-handling car, Pruett manhandled the GEICO/Sport Clips Dodge for the next 10 laps and fought his way into the top-20 when the No. 41 of Reed Sorenson lost an engine, sending oil and debris across the nose of the GEICO/Sport Clips Dodge. “Reed blew up right in front of us!” exclaimed Pruett on the radio. Pruett stayed out while others pitted and was running 5th when the race returned to green.

Pruett took the opportunity to pit on lap 49 when the caution came out for a wreck in the inner loop. The GEICO/Sport Clips crew jumped into action, changing four tires, adding fuel, and making a track bar adjustment. Pruett returned to the track 23rd with 30 laps to go, picking off nearly one car a lap in his charge to the front.

Running 16th on lap 71, Pruett keyed the radio to inform Chambers that he has used up the brakes and had to be careful. Pruett worked his way into 15th when the event’s final caution fell on lap 77, setting up an exciting three lap dash to the finish. Pruett was able to sneak by one car at the checkered flag to bring the GEICO/Sport Clips Dodge home in 14th spot.

“It’s a shame the way the yellows played out at the end, because a lot of other guys got lucky on fuel strategy,” explained Pruett following the race. “On our final stop we lowered the track bar a couple rounds but that didn’t seem to help the tight condition. I think next time we’ll run a stiffer spring at this track because that would have made us more competitive. Overall I just had a really great time out there today. It is a really great series and the GEICO/Sport Clips team is great to work with. I look forward to doing it again in the future.”

Driver Kevin Hamlin will be back behind the wheel on Saturday as the GEICO team descends upon the 2-mile oval of Michigan International Speedway for the Domino’s Pizza 250. Live television coverage begins on TNT at 3 p.m. and radio coverage will be provided by MRN affiliates.

About Sport Clips

The Georgetown, TX-based enterprise currently has 275 stores in 26 states. Targeting men and boys, Sport Clips operators provide high quality haircuts in a fun sports environment, complete with TV’s at every stylist’s station tuned to sports. Every Sport Clips has “guy smart” stylists who focus on providing the highest level of service to every client.

To learn more about Sport Clips or to find a location nearest you, please visit www.SportClips.com.

For More Infromation Please contact:
Beth Boecker
Phone: (512) 869-1201
Email: Beth.Boecker@SportClips.com

View all Sport Clips Press Releases

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