2011-01-30

NDS MOTORSPORTS PR - ANDREW RANGER FINISHES 22ND IN ALL-STAR EVENT

For immediate release

NDS – 2010-01-29 - 001

 

IRWINDALE, CA — January 29, 2011 — Andew Ranger overcame a cancelled flight due to a snow storm, slept in an airport and survived 11 cautions to finish in 22nd place in the eighth running of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, which brings together the top racers from across North America and has grown into the "Daytona 500 of short-track racing".

 

Ranger, the driver of the No. 35 Waste Management Recycling NDS Motorsports, lined up in 8th place for Saturday night's All-Star event after turning the eight fastest lap of all in time trials the night before.  Forty-six competitors, representing five countries, attempted to qualify for one of the forty starting positions in the main event.

 

The 225 lap NASCAR K&N Pro Series All-Star race was broken up into three segments.  After each one, crews were given 10 minutes to service the car before returning to the track in the same order they completed the previous one.

 

In the first segment of 102 laps, the Roxton Pond, Quebec native climbed as high as fifth place in the standings before fading back in the field when the car's handling changed.  "We qualified the race car under very hot conditions.  We adjusted the car's setup for the night time race, at first we were very competitive, we were battling in the top 10, but it didn't stick.  We must of went too far and I just could no longer drive the car, it wouldn't turn" said Ranger.  He finished the segment in 26th position.

 

In the second segment, from laps 103 to 198, Ranger still had his hands full behind the No. 35 Waste Management Recycling car steering wheel.  "During the competition yellow, we went too far.  We went from a tight car to a very loose car.  Already with 1 lap down, I lost two additional laps in the pits under green to fix the car's setup.  It went much better from that point on".

 

Ranger started the third segment and last 27 laps dash in the 27th starting position and took advantage of a much better handling car to improve his finish at the end.  He would cross the finish line in 22nd position three laps down to the leader.

 

Participating in his third Toyota All-Star Showdown, Ranger who was involved in an accident in 2007 and finishing 15th in 2010, he and the No. 35 Waste Management Recycling NDS Motorsports crew came to Irwindale, CA with very high expectations.  "Obviously, it's disappointing.  Everyone worked hard.  We tested before coming here and we had high hopes.  Missing the setup cost us a top five finish" added Ranger. 

 

Instead of the win, the Vermont based team will return home with very important information about racing in the Southwest's temperature.  Instrumental information for the next race which will take place at Phoenix International Raceway on February 24th when they participate in the NASCAR K&N Pro West Series event.

 

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Source : NDS Motorsports

            Steve Hibbard / Marc Patrick Roy

 

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