PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Arizona Travel 200 threw several obstacles at John Graham and the #37 Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz Ford Fusion team during the Arizona Travel 200. Graham was able to avoid several multi-car wrecks and come home with a 26th place finish.
Qualifying was held Saturday morning several hours prior to race time; Graham ran a lap time of 28.242 seconds to place him 37th on the starting grid. Just prior to the race going green, Crew Chief Shawn Parker told the Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz team to have a good and safe race. An early caution only 10 laps into the race allowed Graham to make a pit stop for a trackbar adjustment and top-off with fuel.
On lap 14, Graham received encouragement from his spotter, � �Really good corner! Keep it up.� � On lap 44, Graham barely missed the spinning car of Landon Cassill as he slid down the track. Graham radioed to the team, � �That was close. The car is good except for some brake issues.� � The team would pit on lap 45 for four tires and fuel. On lap 50 Parker radioed to Graham, � �You are turning faster lap times. Keep it up!� � Graham� �s spotter added, � �You are doing a good job. Keep logging laps.� �
Graham would again pit during a caution on lap 118 for four tires with air pressure adjustments and fuel. He restarted in the 34th position on lap 125. On lap 134, Graham told his Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz team, � �The car is good. I have no problems.� � Just a few laps later the caution flag would wave once again as a multi-car wreck blocked the track; Graham slid to a stop between two wrecked cars and the inside retaining wall, but did not hit anything. Graham radioed the crew, � �I flat spotted the tires but the car is ok.� �
After a five minute red-flag condition, Graham would bring the #37 Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz Ford to the attention of his pit crew. The Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz pit crew had an outstanding four tire pit stop with a time of 13.7 seconds. With 50 laps remaining in the race, Graham was running in 30th position; Graham gained four more positions by the time the checkered flag flew.
Quotes from John Graham:
Today was a tough day. We were able to avoid several wrecks and bring the Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz Ford Fusion home in one piece this weekend. Despite the obstacles we had to overcome, today was real enjoyable. I learned a lot from the guys out there today. The car was real good. I had a lot of fun. I have to thank all of the guys for there hard work this weekend.
The next race for the Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz team will be the Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, November 17th. Race time is 4:30 EST with live television coverage beginning at 4:00 EST on ESPN2.
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