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Gifford, Shell-Pennzoil Team Finish 13th and Sixth in Twin Features
09/05/2009
Ryan Gifford and his No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Late Model team posted finishes of 13th and sixth, respectively, in the twin 75-lap NASCAR Late Model Stock Division races at South Boston (Va.) Speedway on Saturday.
I’m learning a lot. I’m figuring out what I need to do to be competitive in longer races. I still need to work on getting more out of my car in qualifying, but I’m very happy with how we performed overall this weekend.
In just his second and third career Late Model starts, the 20 year-old continues to gain confidence and experience as he learns the intricacies of a new style of car.
Qualifying for both races was accomplished in a single two-lap qualifying run for each driver at SBS. The time posted on his first qualifying lap determined Gifford’s starting spot for the first 75-lap feature, while the second lap set his starting spot for the night’s second race.
On his first qualifying lap, Gifford experienced a loose handling condition on his Team Dillon Racing-prepared entry as he exited turn 4, giving him the 16th starting spot for the first race. His second lap was a bit better, with Gifford claiming the 13th starting position for the second event.
When the first race got underway, Gifford quickly determined the loose handling condition on his car would be detrimental to his chances of being competitive in the event. A caution flag that came out in the early stages of the race slowed the field, giving Gifford time to discuss the situation with crew chief Shane McDowell.
The two debated the merits of pitting for chassis adjustments and the decision was made to bring the No. 29 to pit road just as the field of cars received the one-to-go signal, indicating the race would restart on the following lap. As the crew completed its work on Gifford’s machine and he reentered the track on the back stretch, the rest of the field was taking the green flag on the front stretch, putting him a half lap behind his competition.
Undeterred, Gifford immediately began catching up to the field of cars. By the time the checkered flag was displayed, he had not only worked his way back into contention, but also managed to pass a number of competitors and finish 13th out of the 22 cars in the event.
During the break between the two features, McDowell and his driver discussed what additional changes to make to the No. 29 machine to help Gifford in the second race. Once they reached a consensus, the crew went to work tweaking the handling on its car and preparing for 75 more laps of competition.
As soon as the second race began, Gifford knew the chassis adjustments had the desired effect on his car’s handling. The Winchester, Tenn., native was not only posting lap times equaling those of the race leaders, but he was also able to race his Shell-Pennzoil machine around the bottom groove of the legendary South Boston track.
When the white flag was displayed, indicating one lap remaining in the race, Gifford found himself in sixth position and could smell a top-five finish. Coming out of turn 4, he pulled alongside the fifth-place car of Justin Johnson, but was unable to complete the pass before the checkered flag was displayed.
The races at South Boston were not only good experience for the young talent, but also gave him a chance to learn more about the track where he’ll attempt to make his second career NASCAR Camping World Series East start on Saturday, May 30.
Up next for Gifford and his TDR crew is another weekend of racing. The team has not yet decided if they’ll visit Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va., or compete at one of the local dirt tracks in North Carolina.
On Friday, May 22, the team plans to participate in a Late Model event at The Dirt Track at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. That race will serve as a support event for the World of Outlaws May Showdown winged sprint car race later that same evening.
Ryan Gifford Quote:
"I’m learning a lot. I’m figuring out what I need to do to be competitive in longer races. I still need to work on getting more out of my car in qualifying, but I’m very happy with how we performed overall this weekend.
"I know I’ve got a lot more to learn, but the Team Dillon Racing guys have been very supportive and they’re giving me a lot of good chances to get seat time and make laps. I’m just trying to work as hard as I can and learn as much as I can as fast as I can. Hopefully, that will pay off for us very soon."