Brian Scott
No. 11 CJM Racing Toyota Camry

Bristol Motor Speedway: post race report

Date: Saturday, August 24, 2009
Event: Food City 250
Track: Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TENN
Pole Sitter: Brad Keselowski, 15.915 sec.
Scott Qualifying Position: 16th, 16.112 sec.
Race Winner: David Ragan
Scott Finishing Position: 30th

The RIDEMAKERZ Team unable to Catch a Break at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile"

(August 21, 2009) Bristol, Tenn. – Brian Scott made his debut performance in the No. 11 RIDEMAKERZ Toyota for CJM Racing at Bristol Motor Speedway Friday evening. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular was quick right from the start as the team posted top-five speeds in practice and then went on to a 16th place qualifying run. When the green flag waved later that night, Scott was running in the top-15 when an on-track altercation would force the No. 11 back to the garage. The team would have to settle for a disappointing 30th place finish.

CJM Racing was hoping to redeem themselves after a string of bad luck has seen them finish 32nd or worse over the course of the last couple of races.

Things definitely looked promising as the one day show got underway. Brian Scott was second quick out of 50 cars when an extended practice session concluded Friday morning. The strong practice run translated into a solid qualifying effort as Scott put the No. 11 RIDEMAKERZ Toyota in the 16th position for the start of the Food City 250.

“The car was tight during my qualifying lap,” explained Scott. “I had hoped to qualify the RIDEMAKERZ Toyota a little bit better than that but we’ll be good come race time.”

Fans filled the grandstands as the sun set over the “world’s fastest half-mile”. The excitement was mounting as the NASCAR Nationwide Series was set to take the green flag.

It became apparent that the racing was going to be heated right from the start of the race. Cars were beating and banging on each other and the first caution flag waved on lap five. It was at that time that Scott reported in, “I’m a little free. I think we’ll be ok once the tire pressures come up.”

The No. 11 RIDEMAKERZ Toyota was able to stay out of trouble in the first half of the race. Scott made some aggressive moves and kept the No. 11 machine up in the top-15. The strategy was to log laps and make only one pit stop during the 250 lap event.

By lap 63, Scott radioed in, “the car is starting to get pretty sporty now.” With the handling under control, the RIDEMAKERZ Toyota broke into the top-10.

A long green flag run occurred as lap 100 was logged into the books. It was at that point that only 12 cars remained on the lead lap. Scott was the 12th car when the race leader made his move to put the No. 11 car one lap down on lap 129. Scott tucked in tight behind the race leader and never left his bumper. The strong effort by the young driver paid off as the caution flag waved on lap 136 and the RIDEMAKERZ Toyota was credited with the “Lucky Dog” award.

The caution flag also enabled the No. 11 to come down pit road for the first and only pit stop of the evening. The CJM Racing crew jumped over the wall to make a four tire pit stop, add some fuel and make a track bar adjustment to help with a tight center and off handling condition.

Back out on the race track, Scott restarted in the 15th position and was battling lap down cars. It was on lap 162 that the young driver got into an on-track altercation with the No. 77. The damage to the RIDEMAKERZ Toyota was crippling. The CJM Racing crew made every effort to repair the race car back in the garage. With the laps dwindling down and time running out, the crew ended the night much earlier than anticipated.

“I hate that this happened,” a frustrated Scott stated. “The car was really good. We could of easily ended up with a top-10 finish tonight.”

The NASCAR Nationwide Series is going international next weekend. Teams are heading to Montreal for the final road-course race of the 2009 season. The NAPA Auto Parts 200 will take place on Sunday, August 30th at 2:30 pm (EST) and will air live on ESPN2. Andrew Ranger will be behind the wheel of the No. 11 RIDEMAKERZ Toyota Camry.

top