Accident Robs Smith Of Solid Run At NHMS
Loudon, N.H. (June 27, 2009): Jonathan Smith used strategy and patience to make his way up to third in the NASCAR Camping World Series East Heluva Good! Summer 125 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Friday night, but mid-race contact with Ryan Gifford brought his solid run to a screeching halt when he spun on the backstretch and hit the wall. The driver of the No. 16 Fadden Racing Chevrolet finished a disappointing 21st place.
“Coming out of turn two we were sitting third and the 29 just got underneath me and wrecked me. I couldn’t hold onto it, hit the inside wall and just trashed the car. I just had to hold on for the rest of the race,” said Smith. “The right front got smacked in and the right rear got smacked up. The car was really free after that and there was not much we could do about it but hang on.”
Smith started the race in 20th and was running 11th following a round of pit stops at lap 39. The team had adjusted on the car during the fuel stop and Smith was confident that he could progress through the field.
“We missed the set up at the start of the race, but we got it back when we came in for the pit stop. The guys made the car pretty good with a couple of adjustments,” he said.
A second caution period saw the leaders come back down pit road at lap 65 for a fresh set of tires, but Smith and his Fadden Racing crew opted to stay out and gain track position. It was a decision he said was easily made. When racing resumed at lap 68, Smith was in the third position.
The trouble started at the drop of the green. Smith protected his third place position through turn one, but exiting the second corner, everything fell apart when the 29 got into the back of Smith. The No. 60 spun across the backstretch and hit the barrier on the inside of the track. The damage was extensive and Smith headed right for pit road.
The team changed tires, pulled the sheet metal out and returned to the race. Smith went a lap down before the race conclusion and had to settle with a 21st place finish.
“We have a great team, great cars, and great runs. We just have bad luck. We’ll be there. We’re always up front, but stuff just happens to us. We’re looking for that racing luck,” Smith said.
Up next for Smith and the NASCAR Camping World Series East is Thompson International Speedway in Connecticut on July 11th.
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