Dan Pardus Press Release-October 15, 2000

October 15, 2000

Working through Adversity

Fans like to see twisted sheet metal. Drivers and owners are not keen with it because they know the countless hours spent night after night to hammer out racecar bodies in preparation for race day. On lap 59 at the Winn Dixie 300 ARCA race at Talladega, the "Big One" happened. It became glory day for sheet metal fabricators when Randall Ritter and Calvin Councilor came together in front of an approaching lead pack of about ten cars drafting together. Dan was at the end of this lead car draft. Trying to drive through the spinning cars in front of him, Dan struck a car descending off the outside wall. With front spoiler damage and a broken shock, Dan drove to the pits. A series of stop 'n' go pit stops to repair sheet metal damage, replace the broken shock and keep the car running cool enabled Dan to stay in the race and finish 18th.

Though disappointed it was not a top five finish, Dan & Jim were pleased on the team's performance. "The team really came together today to keep the car running. We limped into the pits with a broken shock and front air dam damage. We had pit crew members from four different Winston Cup teams helping our team in the pits. They worked together with our crew like they were with us all year. It was a spirited effort to keep us in the competition."

Larry Moore, Crew Chief added. "Talladega can be tricky. Water temperature is affected by how the cars are drafting. At the start of the race, we did not have a good draft and our car was overheating. We made a green flag stop to adjust the front airflow. Further adjustments during the first race caution got the car dialed in and we were running a second faster than the leaders. Our fast lap of the race was over 194 mph on lap 49. We had caught the lead pack and were starting to move through them. Then the Sheet Metal hit the fan."

Dan added. It's unfortunate we were in the accident. My heart goes out to the other drivers who lost their cars and the drivers injured. I am glad to hear they are all recovering and will be back racing soon. One thing was evident at Talladega. Team 42 does not quit. Quick repairs in the pits and tearing away damaged sheet metal in the front enabled Dan to run competitively for the next 60 circuits, turning laps under 54 seconds. As Larry Moore walked back to the garage after the race, he was heard saying, "I love these guys!"