Eric McClure

Bristol, TN (August 22, 2008)—NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Eric McClure returned to his “home track,” Bristol Motor Speedway, for the final time in the 2008 season. The weekend started off promising for the Hefty® Racing™ team as they posted the 22nd-fastest lap time in the early stages of the first practice session. However, nearing the conclusion of the session, McClure tapped the wall in turn four, causing cosmetic damage to the right side of the car. From there, the team’s woes continued throughout the day and they were left with a disappointing 31st-place finish in the Food City 250.

The Abingdon, Virginia native, fighting the effects of sinus infection, took the green flag from the 36th position in front of a hometown crowd at the famous high-banked track. When the first caution flew on lap 17, McClure reported on the handling of his Hefty® brand Chevrolet. “I am loose in and on top of the track through the middle. I have no grip.” The team, however, decided to stay out as track position is important at the half-mile facility and McClure restarted the event in the 32nd position.

With the race seeing a pair of long green flag runs, there were few opportunities to adjust on the No. 24 machine. Crew chief Carl Long took advantage of three of the remaining four cautions to make chassis adjustments in hopes of improving the car’s performance, though the car continued to experience the same handling conditions. Despite the situation, the was able to survive the event, finishing in the 31st position.

The Hefty® Racing™ team returns to action on Saturday, August 30 at California Speedway.

Eric McClure quotes:
“It was a disappointing race for our team. We unloaded pretty solid in the first practice, but got away from that a bit and then I got into the fence and we couldn’t get it back to where it was. We weren’t terrible during the first long run, but we just couldn’t carry the necessary speed into the corner and still get the car to turn, which was our biggest problem, and it magnified as the race went on. We have been making some good progress the last few races, and this car seems to be pretty decent on the flat tracks, but for whatever reason we’ve struggled with it at Bristol and Dover this year.”