May 27, 2007. Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts team had worked hard to prepare a new race car for the challenges of the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. It looked like their hours of effort in preparation would be rewarded with a solid finish at the Dodge Dealers 200, the first ever series event at Cayuga Speedway. However contact would end their day early.
The Full Throttle Dodge team worked hard on handling through the practice sessions of leading up to the opening round of the season. Graham was disappointed with his qualifying time, only 17th fastest but felt the car was improving. “These guys have worked really hard and we did struggle with the set up, but I was confident that we were getting closer and that the Full Throttle Dodge would be a fast car for the race”. Graham was correct in his prediction.
While Brad needed to be patient early on, the Full Throttle Dodge continued to improve as the laps clicked away in the Dodge Dealers 200. “With our starting spot we knew that pit strategy was going to be important and while some of the other cars came in we stayed on track. The car was starting to come to me as we went on and pretty soon we found ourselves up near the front”.
As the car improved and other competitors cycled through pit stops Graham was soon in the top five. The race was littered with caution periods, and just past halfway Graham and the Full Throttle Dodge would restart from a yellow situation in second spot. However their fortunes would turn quickly. Bumped from behind Graham and the Full Throttle Dodge were spun in corner one. “That was unfortunate, but we had to pit anyway so we made the best of the situation” said Graham.
The Full Throttle Team Dodge would make their first stop for service. They followed that up with right side tires and fuel to take them the distance. “At that point we had fresh tires and the car was handling pretty well so we set out for the front again” said the driver.
Graham and the Full Throttle Dodge were charging back through the field and were back inside the top-ten, up to eighth, when misfortune struck again. “We were battling for position and got bumped in the left front and just because of the way it hit the spindle broke” said a frustrated Graham afterwards. “It’s a shame because the Full Throttle/Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Dodge was the best it had been all day. We were going to have a good finish”.
Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Team return to action for round two of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Mosport International Raceway in mid June. For more information about the series log onto www.nascarlocalracing.com. And to keep up with the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races will also be broadcast on TSN.
Prepared by Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment
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