KSR - Hayes Leads Ken Schrader Racing To 11th Place Finish At LRP

Watkins Glen Produces Up And Down Day For Schrader Racing Fans

Lakeville, CT (August 17, 2008): Jamie Hayes led the Ken Schrader Racing contingent at Lime Rock Park Saturday afternoon to post an 11th place finish in the NASCAR Camping World Series East’s Mohegan Sun 200. Hayes came on strong in the second half of the race for the team’s fourth top-15 finish of the season.

“We were digging,” said Hayes of the final laps. “We were running as hard as we could all day. I’m not as seasoned on the road courses as some of these drivers, but man, I had some serious grip out there. We kept all four wheels on the pavement and we were biding our time.”

Hayes started the race from 13th after rain forced NASCAR officials to wash qualifying and line the field up by points. Hayes maintained his top-15 position in the first ten laps before caution slowed the pace and marked the beginning of pit stops.

Hayes elected to stay out as the leaders pitted and moved up to fifth for the restart at lap 16. He got up to fourth before coming down pit road for fuel during green flag conditions at lap 23. Caution was out a short time later when a car went off the track and into a tire wall.

Hayes was still at the tail end of the field for the restart at lap 31 and developing a vibration in the right-handers as the race went on. It wasn’t until NASCAR put out the red flag for rain that the team discovered the issue.

“We had flat-spotted the right front in a three-wide deal,” said Hayes. “We noticed it during the red flag. It was probably a good thing that the rain came when it did. Goodyear actually found it and not us. As soon as they lifted the red we put a new right front tire on and the car was good.”

Hayes gave up his 19th position to get the tires changed and had to restart the race at lap 51 from the back of the pack. More determined than ever, Hayes put his foot into the throttle and drove the #52 J.L. Hendrick Honda Chevrolet as hard as he could.

On the final restart at lap 77, Hayes rallied from 15th to 11th in only five laps.

“We didn’t have the best car, but we definitely had a top-10. I’m pleased with it, and I’m happy with how we performed here today.

Next up for Hayes and the #52 J.L. Hendrick Honda Chevrolet is Mansfield Motorsports Park on Saturday, August 23rd. Hayes finished eighth in last year’s event at Mansfield.

An enhanced replay of the Mohegan Sun 200 at Lime Rock Park will be televised on SPEED on Wednesday, September 3rd at 1 PM ET.