Ron Hornaday

MEXICO CITY (April 21, 2008) — Heading south of the border for the first road-course race of the Nationwide Series season, Ron Hornaday and the No. 33 Camping World team were forced to settle for a disappointing 32nd-place finish after tire troubles ruined their bid for a solid effort at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez course.

Struggling throughout the weekend with an ill-handling car, the No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet started the race from the 15th position. During the first pit stop of the day on lap 13, Hornaday informed crew chief Wally Rogers that he needed more rear brakes. For the first half of the race, Hornaday consistently ran around inside the top 20.

Teams began making green-flag pit stops on lap 42, allowing the No. 33 team to move as high as sixth before pitting on lap 48 for fuel only. Hornaday rejoined the race 23rd and began moving forward. Settling into the 15th position, Hornaday looked to be on track for a solid finish until misfortune struck.

On lap 69 Hornaday radioed that a right front tire had blown and the team quickly jumped in to action. The team changed four tires and repaired damage to the hood of the car. Further inspection determined the tire had been flat-spotted which led to the larger problem.

Hornaday returned to the track with eleven laps to the checkered flag after the stop, and crossed the finish line in 32nd place, one lap down.

Next up for the No. 33 Camping World team will be the high banks of Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway where Rookie of the Year Contender and Mobile, Ala. native Cale Gale will back behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet for the second time this season.