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Pennzoil Dodge Race Report: Raines Just Misses 6th Straight Top Ten Finish

1 August 1997

Pennzoil Race Report
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Cummins 200
Indianapolis Raceway Park
July 31, 1997


Sixth Straight Top 10 Eludes Raines in Final 10 Laps at IRP

   Last week at Topeka, Pennzoil Dodge driver Tony Raines earned a top 
10 finish due to a steady performance and a little good fortune in the 
late stages of the race.  Thursday at Indianapolis Raceway Park, 
Raines turned in another steady performance, but was bitten by bad 
luck 10 laps from the end and settled for a 27th place finish in the 
Cummins 200.

   Raines started 13th in the 34-truck field and stayed on pace with 
the leaders for 185 laps.  But with 15 laps remaining, Raines felt his 
truck growing tighter with each circuit.  The cause of the push 
revealed itself five laps later as a cut right front tire sent Raines 
to pit road.  He returned for the final two laps and finished seven 
laps behind winner Ron Hornaday.

   "That was a tough night," Raines said.  "I only had a couple laps 
warning (with the tire), but I knew something was going to happen.  We 
had done a good job staying out of trouble all night, but there wasn't 
much we could do about that."

   Raines and his Roehrig Motorsports teammates head to Flemington 
Speedway next for the Stevens Beil/Genuine Car Parts 200 on August 9.  
The race begins at 2 p.m. and airs live on TNN.


For More Information
Contact: Al Larsen
Cohn & Wolfe
404-880-5267
al_larsen@cohnwolfe.com