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Richmond International Raceway
Autolite/FRAM 250

Richmond International Raceway

RICHMOND, Va. (Sept. 6) -- Mark Green subbed for Larry Foyt in the No. 14 Harrah's Chevy Friday night at Richmond International Raceway.

Foyt, still recovering from injuries sustained the week before at Darlington, had qualified the car in 32nd position, but the switch in drivers forced Green to move to the rear of the field for the start.

Green worked his way up to the 23rd position before an engine problem sidelined him. He finally retired after completing 176 laps in the 250 lap race which was won by Jimmy Spencer.

"The car dropped a valve," said Foyt, who supervised his team from the pitbox. "We had a problem with valve springs earlier in the year but it wasn't a broken valve spring. We're still not sure what caused the problem.

"It's a shame because Mark really drove a great race coming from the back the way he did," said Foyt. "But it was tough watching someone else drive my car. I'm definitely going to run the car in Dover."

Sitting out the race gave Foyt a chance to see his team in action from the owner's perspective.

"I was pleased with how they worked," said Foyt. "They had good pitstops. I also saw some areas that we can work on. The thing is we are a young team and I'm a rookie so we're learning and growing together."

The next race for the Busch Series is at Dover Downs in Delaware on September 22nd.

Notes & Quotes: NASCAR Busch Series Autolite/FRAM 250


On Richmond: "Our last time at Richmond, we had a drop snout car and this time we're bringing a standard snout car so I'll have a better feel for the car," said Larry Foyt. "I also think knowing the track will help me as a driver. The past couple of races have been at tracks that we have run earlier in the year. Our first time there, we didn't do so well. We took provisionals at Bristol and Richmond, and we qualified 33rd at Darlington. This time around we qualified 30th at Bristol and 20th at Darlington, so I expect our qualifying performance to improve at Richmond as well. We've run competitively in the races recently but we just haven't been there at the end and that's what we're focusing on now."


On Darlington: "I am a big believer in the Hutchens head and neck restraint system after my accident at Darlington," said Larry Foyt. "My neck is the least sore part of my body. I had always worn the Simpson safety collar for my neck because it offered protection from my head snapping forward in a frontal impact, but my crew had been pressuring me to wear some sort of head restraint so I began wearing the Hutchens device recently. In fact, after the rain delay Saturday, I was a little late getting back to my car. I almost didn't hook the Hutchens back up but something told me to take the time. I'm glad I did."


Foyt who had experienced an unusual set of circumstances that led to his being a lap down early in the race, recalled the bizarre accident which occurred under caution on lap 46. "On the restart, I was coming up on the inside to double up, but I was staying pretty low because a lot of guys were scrubbing in their tires. Then out of nowhere, Steve Park came right down in front of me. I couldn't believe it. I braked but I know I didn't slow down that much before I hit him behind the door. There wasn't anything I could do. In retrospect, we were both pretty lucky."

Foyt was treated and released from the infield care center at the track while Park was airlifted to the local hospital, where he was treated for a concussion and bruised collar bone. According to published reports, Park was released Tuesday. Foyt was credited with finishing 39th.


Points standing: Foyt is 23rd in the points; he has earned $322,824 to date.


Best Busch Series Start: 5th at Michigan International Speedway on August 18


Best Busch Series Finish: 12th at Talladega Superspeedway on April 21