Busch Grand National Series

Channellock Racing Continues to Set Records Within RYR Stable

Kahne Brings Home First Top-10 Finish of Season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 19, 2002) - Channellock Racing continued to set records within the Robert Yates Racing stable this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. For the second time in as many races, 22-year-old Kasey Kahne brought home a career best finish.

Kahne began the record-breaking weekend with an 11th place qualifying run, clocking a speed of 183.122. He missed the Channellock Racing team’s career-best qualifying run by just one position. As the green flag waved Saturday afternoon for the start of the Cabela’s 250, Kahne radioed into his crew early on, reporting that the No. 98 Channellock Ford Taurus was getting loose in the corners, which caused Kahne to fall to the 16th position by lap 21.

During NASCAR’s mandatory caution on lap 25 due to the lack of practice over the weekend as a result of the rain, Kahne brought the No. 98 Channellock Ford Taurus to the attention of his crew. The team serviced Kahne with four fresh tires and a full tank of fuel while removing a spring rubber to help tighten the car. Kahne took the restart in the 18th position.

The adjustments paid off, as Kahne began working his way to the front. By lap 55, the No. 98 Channellock Ford Taurus was clocked in the 13th position. During a caution period on lap 58, Kahne headed to pit road. His Robert Yates Racing team fitted him with four fresh tires and fuel. Lightning-fast work by the Channellock Racing crew rocketed Kahne into the seventh position for the restart.

Just a few laps later, Kahne returned to pit road under caution on lap 78, reporting to the crew that the No. 98 Channellock Ford Taurus was tight. The team gave Kahne four fresh tires and fuel, returning him to the track in the 13th position, because several teams chose to take only two tires.

By lap 91, the car began to come in and Kahne started making his way back to the front of the field. By lap 110, Kahne had advanced into the top-10, falling to the 11th position with just 10-laps to go. Kahne, determined to bring home his first top-10 finish of the season, quickly regained the 10th position in time to take the checkered flag, bringing home his career-best finish and the Channellock Racing team’s first top-10 finish of the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series season.

“This Channellock Racing team had a great weekend at Michigan International Speedway,” said Kahne. “Everyone is really happy with our first top-10 run. We just keep getting better. Running every weekend now makes it a lot easier for all of us. We have a much better mindset now and are ready to continue to have great runs like this weekend.”

Kahne and his Channellock Racing team will return to Bristol Speedway this Thursday, August 12. The Food City 250 will air live Friday night, August 23 on the TNT Television Network and the PRN Radio network starting at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Founded in 1886 by George DeArment, Channellock, Inc. is a family-run business, which made a name for itself with the invention of the tongue-and-groove pliers. Channellock’s current product line provides over 200 items including more then 100 plier styles, as well as adjustable wrenches, specialty hand tools, screwdrivers, and nut drivers to its consumers. To learn more about Channellock Racing and its product line visit www.channellock.com.