Waterloo Tool Storage Team Hometown Advantage Busted by Radiator
The #63 Waterloo Tool Storage Ford team and driver Larry Gunselman had high
hopes that home track advantage would give them an upper hand in the “Ram Tough
200” at Gateway International Raceway last weekend. Unfortunately, qualifying
trouble and a punctured radiator helped contribute to a 30th place
finish at the track.
The team made good forward progress during the open test session all day Friday
and the two Saturday morning practice sessions. Saturday afternoon brought
bright, sunny conditions for qualifying. Larry held a solid line through
turns one and two and cleanly entered turn three. However, the truck got loose
coming out of turn four and pan caked the outside retaining wall. Larry
stayed in the gas and crossed the line with a qualifying speed of 123.447 mph,
still 32nd fastest and quick enough to get in the race on time.
The race started well for the team. With Larry quicker than many of the
trucks in front of him, he took his time working through traffic and picking
up one position after another.
On lap 43, the truck in front of the #63 Ford had to check up going into turn
one. Larry hit the brakes, but they didn’t respond and the grill was pushed
back into the radiator when he hit the rear of the other truck. As the
#63 came down pit road crew chief Mike Mittler noticed water leaking and the
truck went behind the wall for repairs. Working with great precision and
speed, the Waterloo Tool Storage pit crew changed the radiator and sent Larry
back on the track on lap 60. Although, several laps down to the leaders, the
#63 Ford ran well the rest of the afternoon and finished in 30th
position, 17 laps down to the leader.
"We had a good run today despite our finishing position," commented Larry Gunselman.
"The motor was strong and we had good pit stops. Even after the radiator
was replaced and I got back on the track, the truck was still as fast as most
of the field. Without the radiator problem, we would have finished on
the lead lap, good enough for a top-10 finish."
For more information on Larry Gunselman and MB Motorsports, visit
http://www.mbracing.net
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