NickHolt Posted May 28, 2004 Report Share Posted May 28, 2004 Release: May 27, 2004 Austin's Hellmund and Suzuki Motorcycles Team Set for NASCAR West Series "Havoline/NAPA Auto Parts 150" in California Saturday Stockton, California -- Austin's NASCAR driver Tavo Hellmund and the Suzuki Motorcycles and ATVs Pontiac Grand Prix team are ready for the NASCAR "Havoline/NAPA Auto Parts 150" Grand National Series race at Stockton 99 Speedway here on Saturday, May 29, 2004. The team is taking a chassis Hellmund has used to finish in the top three four times in five races, including a win. Although the rules now allow shorter wheelbase cars that are generally faster on short tracks like Stockton 99 Speedway, Hellmund, the only Austin driver with wins in several NASCAR divisions, feels confident they will run at the front as they always do. With more teams entered at Stockton than there are spots on the grid for the Havoline/NAPA Auto Parts 150, not all the cars will be able to start the race. Hellmund and the team shook the car down in Texas two weeks ago, and it showed a lot of speed. Hellmund's last race was put together at the last minute, driving for Ben Adair in the West Series "United Rentals 150" on the superspeedway at Phoenix International Raceway. Hellmund started fourth, but ended the race in 12th behind winner and NASCAR Nextel Cup star Ken Schrader despite problems including driving one-handed. A broken clutch and leaking transmission made shifting difficult and finally required Hellmund to drive with one hand and hold the shifter in fourth gear with the other. Halfway through the race, the power steering hose blew off and a flat left rear tire caused an extra pit stop. Despite all that and after the extra stop to change the tire, Hellmund made up 12 spots in the last 30 laps. "If we had had normal practice and qualifying, I think we'd have been up front," Hellmund said after the race. "We always run well in the West Series, and we always expect to run well. We've got some extra help this week from Autocraft Body Werks and Pro-Air Engineering in Austin, and maybe we can get the Suzuki car back to the winner's circle at Stockton." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tqj3 Posted May 30, 2004 Report Share Posted May 30, 2004 Hellmund was fastest in Friday practice, top three on Saturday, but "left too much on the table" in qualifying: a tank-slapper made him breathe the engine a little and he qualified seventh. Mike Duncan is on the pole with a new lap record. Race starts at about 10:30 pm Austin time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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