SPARTA, KY – After coming off great runs at Darlington and Nashville, Chase Miller and the No. 9 Bumper to Bumper Dodge team were looking forward to continued success at the Kentucky Speedway.  But, Kentucky turned out to be a tough weekend.

Friday's practice sessions were delayed because of rain.  After the rain had stopped,  the water continued to weep up through the race track surface forcing officials to cancell the two scheduled practice sessions.

A Saturday morning 90 minute practice session was scheduled for the Nationwide Series teams prior to qualifying.

Saturday's session started off with the Nationwide cars running laps under caution to check the track for moisture.  When it appeared that the track surface was suitable for racing conditions the practice commenced under the green flag.

Unfortunately, there was a Weeper in turn 2 that was still putting moisture on the track. In his practice session, Miller's Dodge hit the weeper causing the back-end to snap around and back into the outside wall.  Miller called over the radio, "There is something on the track.  It didn't get loose like from something mechanical.  It was like a light switch, imediate, without any warning or chance to save it." The track officials checked the track and put down more speedy dry on the weeper, but the same weeper would continue to be an issue for other teams during qualifying and the race.

The degree of damage was great enough that Team Director Kirk Almquist called for the back-up Dodge to be brought out. The team worked fevorishly to prepare the back-up car in time for Miller to get the Bumper To Bumper Dodge on  track for 15 laps of practice before qualifying.

Taking no chances with the back-up car, Miller ran a single conservative qualifying lap, just fast enough to be qalified into the race on his time.  He would line up for the race in the 39th position, but actually start the race several positions forward as a number of cars had to fall to the back of the field for making unapproved adjustments after qualifying.

When the green flag dropped, Miller began cautiously advancing through the field while evaluating the handling of his #9 Dodge.  Miller radioed Team Director Almquist, " the car is extremely loose when anyone comes up behind me".  Almquist responded that they would work on it when they pit.  Miller continued forward as the traffic began to spread out.

On lap 11, as Miller was completing the pass on the #66 car, the #66 pinched Miller's #9 Dodge down to the bottom of the race track in Turn 2, taking all the air off of the spoiler, sending it spinning into the Turn 2 outside wall.  The damage was too extensive to be repaired, ending Miller's and the team's day in dissapointment.

Chase Miller Quotes

"This was just not a good day for the No. 9 Bumper to Bumper Dodge team," said a dejected Miller. "The car was pretty good and we ended up having to pull out the back-up. I have to give credit to Kirk (Almquist, Team Director) and all the guys for getting the second car ready fast enough to get some practice laps.

"We didn't qualify too well, but I was confident that Kirk and the team would make the car good enough to pass a ton of cars to get to the front.  They just didn't get the chance to work on it."

"I just hate it for this team; we're way better than what happened in Kentucky.  All we can do is make our way to Milwaukee and look for better results.”

Miller and the No. 9 Dodge team will return to action at the Milwaukee Mile this coming weekend.