JOHNNY SAUTER NEW HAMPSHIRE RACE RECAP
Driver of the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb/Carrier Chevy
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES *NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY * F.W. WEBB 175
Johnny Sauter Conjures a Top 5 Finish “Spell” at the Magic Mile
Loudon, NH – September 24, 2011 – Johnny Sauter, driver of the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records/Carrier Chevrolet Silverado, started the F.W. Webb 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 14th position after a self-professed “head-scratching” set of practice sessions. The short track wheelman once again showed his stripes at the Magic Mile, matching his previous best finish here in 2010 with another top five. Maintaining the third place in driver championship points going into Kentucky Speedway, team 13 is still very much in the hunt. A mere seven points separates the top spot occupied by Austin Dillon, second spot of James Buescher and Sauter’s third.
“We really were scratching our heads during practice with a lot of changes, so to pull off a top five here at New Hampshire is awesome. The first pit stop the guys pulled off a super fast round of changes to the trackbar and air pressure, and they put me out in eighth. I was still loose throughout the last 75 laps, but it gave me enough to take on the corners and hold onto that fifth spot. I’m proud of the guys – we’re staying in the hunt for a championship and staying on top of quick changes. We’ll be consistent in Kentucky, a place that we’re typically super strong.”
As early as lap three, Sauter radioed to the box that he was “extremely, extremely tight in, tight middle, sliding in the corners.” He maintained his position, moving up to tenth position for the first green flag run. After a fast first pit stop, Sauter emerged in eighth and passed up to fourth position. When front tire chatter called for conservative driving, he settled into the fifth positon and remained there for the rest of the race – to include through a second round of pit stops.
“I’m looking forward to getting to Kentucky – we got through this one with a lot of good pit calls and diagnosing the issues on the truck during the race. Joe and I have a great relationship when it comes to heated situations, and he makes the calls to put us in the contention. I’ve said it all year – wins bring championships, and consistent finishes help tick up the points lead. We’re still looking for another win.”
He sits in third place in the the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship points lead, a mere seven points behind Austin Dillon and James Buescher, going into Kentucky Motor Speedway on October 1st.
RACE RECAP:
19 of 25
Start: 14th
Finish: 5th
Points: 3rd (-7)
NEXT RACE:
Kentucky Motor Speedway
Kentucky 225
Saturday, October 1st
