Something was different about the North Carolina Speedway this past Saturday for the Goody's Headache Powder 200 NASCAR Busch Series race. The sun was shining and the temperature was warm. Everyone welcomed it, because the normal weather in Rockingham this time of year is usually cold, wind and rain.
While Waltrip didn't lose any positions during the last 23 laps, he didn't gain any either. With the increased air pressure in the tires, the Dream Machine just didn't perform as expected.
Michael finished 4 th behind race-winner Jamie McMurrey, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex, Jr. It was his first top-five of the season and moved him from 18 th in the championship points race to 8 th . All in all, it was an excellent day at “The Rock”.
with fuel and making a slight chassis adjustment. Michael fell to 3 rd after the stop, but seemed ready to make a charge back to the front with a long green flag run.
However, on lap 164 there was a violent two-car crash coming into turn 4 that brought out the final yellow caution flag. Most everyone pitted for fresh tires but Waltrip found himself in 4 th place due to the fact that two cars did not pit.
The Dream Machine was setup to go fast on the long runs, so the team did not want that last caution. With the restart leaving only a 23-lap run to the end, Michael and the crew increased the tire pressures hoping the car would be fast on the shorter run. It didn't work out.
The sunshine also brought out the best in Michael Waltrip as he wheeled the Aaron's Dream Machine from the 27 th starting position all the way into the top-ten by lap 36, and into the lead on lap 125. The Dream Machine was fast all day and Michael did an excellent job of dodging trouble.
On lap 150, Michael brought the Dream Machine into the pits for a scheduled stop under the green flag and the crew went to work on the car changing four tires, filling it
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The sunshine also brought out the best in Michael Waltrip as he wheeled the Aaron's Dream Machine from the 27 th starting position all the way into the top-ten by lap 36, and into the lead on lap 125. The Dream Machine was fast all day and Michael did an excellent job of dodging trouble.
On lap 150, Michael brought the Dream Machine into the pits for a scheduled stop under the green flag and the crew went to work on the car changing four tires, filling it