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Congratulations, Matt Kenseth, for winning the NASCAR 2003 UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400. |
Mark and the ViagraŽ (sildenafil citrate) Racing Team
fought all 114 laps they completed in Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChysler 400 at Las
Vegas Motor Speedway, but in the end the odds were just too tough to
overcome."I tell you what, we fought," said Mark moments after climbing out of his ViagraŽ Ford Taurus. "We had a tough time out there today, but I have a great team that could not have given me more out there today. "I feel like I'm very fortunate to be working with these guys and I'm proud of the effort here. We had a great year as far as engines go last season and hopefully we'll have another great year this year. Hopefully this will be the only one we lose all season." Mark and the No. 6 team struggled all weekend, at a track where Mark had been near flawless over the last five years. However, the odds caught up with the ViagraŽ Racing Team on Sunday, who struggled with the car's handling for much of the first 114 laps before mechanical problems retired the No. 6 ViagraŽ Ford Taurus to the garage for the remainder of the race. The team qualified 29th on Friday after rains pushed qualifying back into the evening. Mark continued to struggle as the race started on Sunday, dropping back to 34th place by lap 18. With the car handling too tight in the corners, the team made air pressure and wedge adjustments during their first pit stop of the race on lap 51. Mark came into the pits running in 33rd place; the last car on the lead lap. Stellar work in the pits by the ViagraŽ Racing Team (14.72 seconds), sent Martin back out in 26th place once all the cars had cycled through on lap 61. However, the No. 6 Taurus started to tighten up again and with Mark having problems with the car's handling, he was passed by the leader on lap 78; falling a lap down while running in 30th-position. The team came into the pits again after the day's first caution on lap 98 with Mark running in 29th position, one lap down to the leader. The team changed four tires, took on fuel and made major adjustments to the track bar in a stop of 16.07 seconds. Mark returned to the field in 27th position when the field went green on lap 105. Martin moved up to 26th position a few laps later, where Mark was running when mechanical problems claimed the team's day on lap 114. "I'm just sorry that we didn't have a better car for Mark and this team to work with," said crew chief Ben Leslie. "It was a great effort by everyone involved and we'll come back with something better in Atlanta next week." The ViagraŽ Racing Team will return to action next week at the Atlanta Motor Speedway |
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