Ken Schrader Racing Records Two Top-10’s At Greenville-Pickens

Greenville, SC (April 20, 2008):Ken Schrader Racing made a clear and strong statement at the NASCAR Camping World Series East opener at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. With two top-10 finishes recorded by teammates Jamie Hayes and Ricky Carmichael, KSR proved they will be a force to reckon with this season.

Hayes, driving the #52 Hendrick Honda Chevrolet, posted an eighth place finish despite fighting a loose condition throughout the race. The finish marked his seventh career NASCAR Camping World Series East top-10 and a marked improvement over his 2007 finish of 13th in the same event.

Hayes started the race in ninth after posting a qualifying lap of 21.024 seconds, and settled into the top-10 for much of the race. The Norlina, NC native made it up as high as seventh, but consistency was his trademark of the night.

“We were loose from the get-go,” Hayes said. “I pretty much had to fall in and ride. We’ll take eighth and get out of here. It was a very long day and long race. I remember looking at the scoreboard and saying ‘we’re only on lap 14!’ Overall, it wasn’t a bad night and patience really seemed to pay off in the end.”

Carmichael posted an impressive sixth place finish in his series debut. Like Hayes, Carmichael was patient with the #4 Monster Energy Drink Chevrolet. He methodically picked off cars one-by-one – never forcing the issue.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Carmichael of his finish. “I would have liked to have that top-five, but sixth is great. Ken Schrader Racing gave me an awesome car. It was the best one I’ve ever driven. I’m still just getting a feel for these cars, but we were competitive out there. I found my line and filled holes when I saw them. It was definitely a shot in the arm to come out of the box with a sixth place finish.”

Carmichael’s learning curve got shorter as the day went on. He started out 13th fastest in practice consistently running in the 21.4 range, but picked up 3/10th’s of a second in qualifying with a lap of 21.034. The speed was fast enough for an 11th place starting position. Thirty-nine cars attempted to make the 30-car field, but Carmichael beat out seasoned veterans to make it in on his own time.

In the early going, Carmichael settled into line before making his way to the front. By lap 92, he had advanced five positions to take over sixth and had his sights set on the top-five. He pressured the 71 of Eddie MacDonald in the closing laps, but had to settle for sixth at the line.

Note: April 23rd, Greenville-Pickens Finish Revised

Due to a post-race rules violation the first place car (#44) has been dropped to 30th in the official results.

Revised results: Carmichael finished 5th, Hayes 7th.

The NASCAR Camping World Series East is off for three weeks as teams prepare for the US Cellular 200 at Iowa Speedway on May 18th.