Ragan Wins First Career Bud Pole at O’Reilly Raceway Park, Finishes Ninth

Courtesy Rory Connellan

CLEMONT, IN – David Ragan won his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series pole in qualifying for Friday night’s Power Stroke Diesel 200, driving the No. 6 Scotts Miracle-Gro Ford F-150. Ragan led the opening 59 laps, but would ultimately finish ninth.

Ragan started the race strong, jumping out to a five truck-length lead over second place. Crew chief Mike Beam reminded his young driver to settle into a rhythm, and focus on hitting his marks. “It’s pretty neutral right now,” reported Ragan on lap 18.

The first caution of the race would come at lap 27 for debris on the racetrack. “We’re a little tight center off, but it’s not bad,” said Ragan. “It slides the nose just a little bit.” The Scotts crew made the decision to leave Ragan on track, deciding it was too early to come to pit road.

The race restarted at lap 31 with the No. 6 continuing to show the way. Ragan would not have much time to rebuild his lead before another caution flag flew at lap 36 for an incident with the No. 88 truck. “We need to rotate through the center just a little better,” reported Ragan. Again the No. 6 stayed out, choosing to maintain their position on track rather than adjust on their Ford F-150. The No. 6 continued to show the way at the lap 41 restart.

The Scotts crew would get their first chance to work on the truck when the caution came at lap 59 for a spin involving the No. 60 truck. Mike Beam decided to take four tires, fuel and go two rounds down on the track bar. Ragan would rejoin the race in the fourth position for the restart at lap 64 since the three teams in front of him did not pit.

Ragan backslid through the field following the restart, reporting that his truck was loose. Ragan had fallen back to the ninth position by lap 85, but the problems would continue. “I’ve got no rear grip at all,” said Ragan of the Scotts Ford. By lap 125 the No. 6 showed 14th and was in danger of losing a lap to the leader. A timely caution at lap 126 for an incident with the No. 59 truck allowed the leaders to come to pit road for final adjustments, including the Scotts team. Mike Beam made the call to undo the changes made on the first stop, and take on fresh tires and fuel.

Ragan restarted in the 14th position, and would begin to make attempts at regaining his lost positions. Numerous caution periods would impede his progress, forcing Ragan to settle for a ninth place finish.

“I think we had the truck beat there for a little while,” said Ragan. “We just got an adjustment off on our first start. That set of tires was a little off and we freed it up a little bit, and that's just not what the truck wanted. It's still good to come out of here with a top-10 finish, that’s four in a row for us. It was a good point night, we got to lead some laps and we're going to Nashville next week, which is a good track for us. I really think we should have finished up there in the top two or three. Everyone on the Scotts Miracle-Gro Ford F-150 did an awesome job. It was still a good day, but it's a good feeling when you can be disappointed with ninth.”