No. 11 No. Dutch Quality Stone Chevrolet / Jason Keller

Darlington Post-Race Report

Date: Saturday, June 9, 2007
Event: Federated Auto Parts 300
Track: Nashville Superspeedway, Lebanon, Tenn.
Pole Sitter: Steve Wallace, 29.753 sec.     
Keller’s Qualifying Position: 17th, 30.132 sec.
Race Winner: Carl Edwards
Keller’s Finishing Position: 6th

CJM Racing Post Their First Top-10 Finish of the Season at 'Music City'

(June 9, 2007) Lebanon, Tenn. GPg PR – In just their third attempt at a race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, CJM Racing made a lot of people believers when Jason Keller drove the No. 11 Dutch Quality Stone Chevy to a sixth place finish at Nashville Superspeedway.

When the team unloaded chassis #02 Friday morning they weren’t quiet sure what to expect when they took to the track later that afternoon. Chassis #02 was a brand new car that had never seen any track time. The team anxiously waited to see what kind of speeds and handling would result from their labor. They would not be disappointed as Keller posted the fourth quickest time just six laps into the first practice session. That momentum continued throughout the weekend and Keller went on to qualify the No. 11 Dutch Quality Stone Chevrolet in the 17th position for Saturday night’s main event under the lights.

“It’s somewhat of a challenge coming into these first few events because we are bringing brand new cars and you really never know how they are going to handle till the practice sessions get underway”, explained Keller. “I’ve been very impressed with what the team has built. They have delivered exactly what we need to get the job done.”

As the green flag flew to start the Federated Auto Parts 300 there was an immediate concern about the oil temperature. On lap 13 Keller reported in, “the oil is pegged. I
hope we are not going to blow up.” The team remained optimistic and as the laps continued the motor concern slowly dissipated.

By lap 56, Keller worked his way through the field and found himself sitting in the sixth position. Aside from the car being a little free on entry, the No. 11 machine was a competitive force out on the race track.

Crew Chief, Todd Gordon brought the Dutch Quality Stone Chevy down pit road three times throughout the 225-lap event. The CJM Racing pit crew made minor adjustments on laps 68 and 112 to help tighten up the loose handling race car.

The adjustments proved beneficial and Keller continued his quest to the front. Keller turned the fastest lap on lap 88 and was credited with leading lap 154.

In the closing laps, the No. 11 Dutch Quality Stone Chevy visited pit road one more time on lap 154 for four tires and fuel. Keller restarted in the 13th position and quickly maneuvered his way through the field. The No. 11 broke into the top-10 on lap 192 and never looked back. The fledgling team would garner their first top-10 finish of the season and cross the start/finish line in the sixth position.

“I think we made a lot of people believers tonight. CJM Racing has made great strides in just three races and we have proved that it can be done. I’m very proud to be a part of this team. The entire crew has put their heart and souls into this operation and it showed tonight,” Keller remarked.

CJM Racing will return to the track at the Milwaukee Mile on June 23rd with developmental driver Marc Mitchell. Mitchell will fill-in for Keller as Jason had already committed to the No. 27 Brewco Motorsports entry at the start of the season.

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