No. 11 K&N Racing Chevrolet - Jason Keller
California II Post-Race Report
Date: Saturday, August 30, 2008
Event : Camping World RV Service 300
Track: Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, Cal.
Pole Sitter: Kyle Busch, 40.586 sec.
Keller’s Qualifying Position: 27th, 42.233 sec.
Race Winner: Kyle Busch
Keller’s Finishing Position: 14th
Keller Brings Home Another Top-15 Finish for CJM Racing
((August 30, 2008) Fontana, Cal. – Jason Keller and CJM Racing were hoping to give K&N Filters something to celebrate in their “backyard” last weekend at the Auto Club Speedway. The team battled back from a mediocre qualifying run and a lap down situation during the race to cross the start/finish line in the 14th position. The solid finish has helped Keller gain some ground on the point’s situation and now sits just 27 points out of 10th.
Heading out to California for the Labor Day event weekend has always been notorious for a couple things; the heat and the importance of track position. Since Mother Nature controls the temperature, CJM Racing worked to control the handling of the No. 11 K&N Chevrolet.
Under the hot sun Friday afternoon, 43-cars were given two practice sessions in order to prepare for Saturday evening’s 300-mile race. The K&N Chevrolet struggled a bit to find the correct balance out on the track and posted a 42.789 second lap, 168.268 mph in first practice. That was later followed up with a 42.562 second run, 169.165 mph. Placing the No. 11 27th on the board with no mock qualifying run made.
The concern over the handling did not present a significant problem. The practice sessions were held during the heat of the day whereas the race would be held at night and in cooler temperatures.
“The weather conditions during the race are going to be significantly different than what we’ve experienced during practice. These cars react different under different weather conditions and the handling will vary. Taking those things into consideration I think we’ll have a strong race car once the race starts,” explained crew chief Todd Gordon.
The day of the Camping World RV Service 300 started with qualifying. Keller took to the track and placed the No. 11 K&N Chevrolet 27th on the starting grid.
“We had hoped to qualify a little better but we should be ok. Track position is very important here. You’ll notice as the race goes on the cars will get scattered all around the race track. I’ll have to make a charge to the front early,” stated Keller.
Keller did just that. As the green flag waved, the No. 11 K&N Chevrolet moved up 11 positions in 25 laps. Running in the 16th position Keller reported in, “I’m tight across the center and loose off” but he continued his quest to the front.
The handling woes continued as the teams began to cycle through for green flag pit stops. Gordon called Keller to pit road on lap 42 for the first of four pit stops. The K&N Chevrolet received four fresh tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Rejoining the field, the team suddenly realized that race leader Kyle Busch had blazed by the field during the pit stops and the No. 11 found itself one lap down.
The K&N machine continued to have handling problems as the track temperature changed and darkness fell over the two-mile facility. The front end of the No. 11 was having a difficult time turning and a lack of rear grip was making the race car a hand full. Keller was brought back down pit road under caution on lap 58 for four new tires, fuel and another air pressure adjustment.
The K&N Chevrolet averaged a 17th place running position for the remainder of the 150-lap event. The team continued to try and improve on the handling concerns and two more pit stops were made on laps 79 and 122. That persistence and Keller’s determination paid off as the No. 11 received its lap back on lap 139.
As the recipient of the “Lucky Dog” award, Keller had to restart at the tail-end of the longest line on lap142. The eight lap shoot out caused for some aggressive driving out on track and Keller was able to avoid any trouble. The K&N Chevrolet finished out the race in the 14th position. This marks the second week in a row the team has garnered a top-15 finish.
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is heading to Richmond, VA for their next race. The Emerson Radio 250 is Friday, September 5th and will air live on ESPN2 at 7:30 pm (EST).
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