A Strong Run Ended Early By Part Failure For Miller and Carhartt Racing

Courtesy Bruce F. Mehlenbacher

BOWMANVILLE, ON (June 19, 2006) --- Marc Miller of Holland, Michigan still can’t shake his bad luck streak at Mosport International Raceway, even after several stellar drives through the field over the past few years. The sole American in the CASCAR Super Series and driver of the #8 Carhartt Racing Dodge Charger fell out on lap 34 of the 51-lap event while running in the 6th position in the 31-car field due to a broken axle. The part failure sent the #8 machine into a spectacular 100mph+ impact against the turn eight retaining wall. He would end up in 26th place.

“That was a pretty big impact,” said Miller. “There was pretty much nothing I could do at that point except brace for the hit of my life. My crew chief, Dave Wight, prepared such a good car this winter that I was able to walk away from an impact like that easily. The only good things about a situation like that is we know we were contenders for a top-5 and it should look pretty dramatic on television.”

“I think our pit strategy had worked well for us and we were pretty poised for a top-5 finish before that,” continued Miller. “The guys in the shop gave me a great handling car that was just fantastic under braking. I think we will have some other great opportunities for top-5 results this year, we just need some better luck.”

Miller struggled in practice and qualifying with a fuel delivery issue that limited the car’s ability to get down the long Andretti straight. He still managed to get the car qualified in the 17th spot. The team, led by Wight, diagnosed the problem Saturday evening and it never resurfaced during the race.

After starting in the 17th-spot, Miller picked up spots quickly over the first 15 laps, eventually moving into the 10th place before stopping for fuel during green. After the pit stops had cycled through, thanks to a quick stop by the Carhartt Racing team, Miller was sitting in the 7th position before the track went back to green on lap 33.

“Up until that caution, we were in tire conservation mode and just picked up positions when other guys made it easier for me,” said Miller. “I had picked up a small push in some of the fast corners, but I really had just begun to really squeeze the most out of the car.”

With 18 to go, the race went back to green and Miller immediately picked up one more spot and settled into the 6th position and in the draft of the top-5. At the end of the straight however, the axle seized and chattered and sidelined the team’s chances for a top-5 result.

“We are going to have the car ready to go for Edmonton and go through the car from front to back,” said Dave Wight, crew chief on the #8 machine. “Marc showed he can run up front and was smooth and consistent on his way through the pack. We should be good to go in Edmonton.”

The team will next head to Edmonton, Alberta for the Edmonton Grand Prix (www.grandprixedmonton.com), an event that drew over 150,000 fans in 2005.