SHEPHERD RECORDS CAREER BEST FINISH AT MEMPHIS

Peter Shepherd - Race Recap
Memphis Motorsports Park/Memphis, Tenn./June 30, 2007
Started 15th / Finished 15th
SHEPHERD RECORDS CAREER BEST FINISH AT MEMPHIS

Peter Shepherd, No. 50 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford F-150

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (June 30, 2007) - Although Saturday was a day filled with thunderstorms and nasty weather, a little bit of light shined on Peter Shepherd and the No. 50 Northern Tool + Equipment team. With a remarkably smooth race at the .75 mile Memphis Motorsports Park, Shepherd was able to run inside the top-20 for the majority of the night. Coming off a 32nd place finish, the strategy for the No. 50 team was to stay on the track and complete all of the scheduled 200 laps. With superb pit stops combined with good driving, the team soared above expectations and was able to grab the 15th position as the checkered flag flew at lap 200.
The Craftsman Truck Series made its stop at Memphis Motorsports Park on Saturday for the O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 with Brad Keselowski leading the pack to the green flag. Shepherd started in the 15th position and managed to hold on to the position until an early yellow came out at lap eight for a wreck involving the No14 and No. 23 trucks. When the race restarted, Shepherd found himself shuffling positions inside the top 20. Shepherd held onto the 19th position until the second caution of the night flew at lap 72 for debris.
Once the pit lane opened, Shepherd came to the attention of the Northern Tool + Equipment team. After reporting to crew chief Matt Puccia that he did not have much brake; the call was made to take four tires, fuel and brake adjustments. Quick work by the crew sent Shepherd back on track for the restart in the 16th position.
As the laps clicked off, Shepherd reported to the crew that his F-150 had gone to the tight side, that he was unable to get his Northern Tool + Equipment Ford to rotate through the center of the turns the way he wanted it to. Shepherd reported that his brake issues continued, and that he would need a chassis adjustment on the next stop to help correct his ill-handling issues.
Shepherd got the break he needed when the caution flag flew at lap 114 for a wreck involving the No. 00 truck. Shepherd came to pit road with the leaders to take on four tires, fuel and a slight air pressure adjustment. The crew was once again on their game, advancing Shepherd a position, lining him up in 18th for the restart.
With the adjustments made to his No. 50 Ford, Shepherd began to feel more comfortable with the handling of his Northern Tool + Equipment F-150. He patiently worked his way around a handful of trucks, working his way to the 16th position when the final caution flag of the night flew at lap 191 for a spin involving the No. 9 truck. Shepherd was able to pick up a position on the restart to bring his Northern Tool + Equipment Ford home in the 15th position.
"I'm pleased with the 15th place finish tonight," Shepherd said. "Track position was a big deal tonight and I felt that I left a little bit on the table during qualifying. Of course, this Northern Tool + Equipment team did a great job and kept me in the race all night," said Shepherd. "I was able to gain a lot of valuable experience and the team gave me the advantage tonight."
About Northern Tool + Equipment
Northern Tool + Equipment has been a supplier of high-quality tools and equipment for more than 25 years, selling products through direct mail, the Internet and at nearly 60 retail locations in 11 states. Along with a deep selection of hand, power and air tools, Northern Tool + Equipment carries a wide variety of products, including generators, pressure washers, air compressors, hydraulics, small engines, trailers, water pumps, tractors, welding equipment and much more. Northern Tool + Equipment also serves as the exclusive distributor of NorthStarTM brand equipment, which is fabricated and assembled at the company's 250,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. For more information, visit www.northerntool.com.

From Rory Connellan, Roush Fenway Racing