Aaron's Dream Team
 
Federated Auto Parts 300 - Nashville SuperSpeedway

Lebanon, TN (June 12, 2004) This past weekend was another situation where Michael Waltrip had to split his time between two racetracks. The No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine was at the Nashville Superspeedway for Saturday night’s race, and the No. 15 NAPA NEXTEL Cup car was in Pocono, PA for Sunday afternoons race. Johnny Benson practiced and qualified the Dream Machine in Nashville, while Michael practiced and qualified in Pocono. Benson did a great job with the car setup and qualified 14th for the Federated Auto Parts 300. Since Benson qualified the car and Michael was to race it, Waltrip would have to start at the back of the pack.

Race day Saturday, saw rain and thunderstorms roll through the area all day up until 6:00PM. Track officials worked feverishly to dry the track in time for the 7:00PM start. The race was set to start on time and Michael moved to the back, but he didn’t stay there long. Waltrip worked his way around traffic and was in 28th place when the first caution flag came on lap 17. He reported his car was “tight” through the turns, so Crew Chief Jerry Baxter brought the Dream Machine

   



down pit road for a chassis adjustment and fuel.

Restarting 24th on lap-23, Michael picked up a couple of more spots during the next five-laps, then reported that he felt he had a tire going down. Waltrip brought the


   Dream Machine down pit road for service where the crew changed four tires and filled the car with fuel. However, after a quick check, the tires were fine. Waltrip reported that there was a problem with the car. Checking under the hood after Michael brought it down pit road, the crew found that some shims in the A-arm had broken, and as a result, the Dream Machine would not turn the left front tire properly. Waltrip took the car to the garage where the crew repaired the damaged shims and got Michael back on the
track. However, he was six-laps down at that point, and rain was about to return.


NASCAR red-flagged the race and asked spectators to seek shelter under the grandstands as severe lighting flashed around the track. Waltrip decided that being that far behind, there was no benefit to continue running with a crippled car, so he took it back to the garage and ended the evening. Waltrip finished 38th. Jason Leffler won his first Busch Series race of his career, followed by Martin Truex, Jr., Clint Bowyer, Mike Bliss and Ron Hornaday.

The next race for the Aaron’s Dream Machine will be at the Kentucky Speedway, Saturday, June 19, 2004 at 8:00PM. The race will be broadcast live on FX television and MRN radio.

The Arena Football League playoffs are over and there are two teams left who will compete in ArenaBowl XVIII. The Arizona Rattlers host the San Jose SaberCats at the America West Arena in Phoenix, AZ Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 4:00PM Eastern. Both teams have 13-5 season records and should have a spectacular battle for the Championship. You can watch all of the action on NBC television.