David Stover Has Successful First NASCAR Run at Memphis

David Stover, in his first NASCAR race, and the MB Motorsports #63 team accomplished what they set out to do in the Memphis “O’Reilly 200” NASCAR Craftsman Truck race – qualify for the race, run a smooth, smart race, and be running at the finish. David was 18^th fastest in practice, qualified 23^rd, and ran in the lead lap (average 18^th position), before a broken brake caliper bracket on lap 133 forced him behind the wall for repairs. David returned to the track on lap 178 and managed to pilot the #63 Summer Bay Resort / Dave Porter Truck Sales Ford to a 25^th place finish. 

"We had a great day," commented David Stover. "This MB Motorsports team prepared a good truck for me to drive in my first NASCAR race. Our spotter, Chicago, really helped me find the groove to run. Mike Mittler, owner and crew chief, is a great coach. He knows what to say when and helped me stay focused on making the truck go faster."

"I ran a Hooters Cup car at Lakeland Speedway in Florida this spring, which is similar to Memphis, " continued David. "Testing with this team the last month also helped me read the truck better. These guys threw a lot of different set up changes at me in testing, and it made a difference today."

David Stover has been racing for 15 years. He began running go-karts at age 8 and has accumulated 9 national go-kart championships in IKF, WKA, & SKUSA. He has also been victorious in SCCA Formula Mazda open-wheeled cars and late model stock cars. David challenged the fast, high-banks of I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Missouri to earn rookie-of-the-year and finish 8^th in the final season points. In early 2003 David has run 6 races in the Hooters Pro Cup Series, with a best finish of 12^th at Lakeland Speedway. 

"We like David's smooth, consistent driving style," stated Mike Mittler. "He showed his style today by running in the lead lap most of the day, posting consistent lap times only 3 to 4 tenths of a second off the leaders. On lap 133, a slow truck between turn 1 & 2 forced David to hit the brakes hard and the right-rear brake caliper bracket broke and ripped the brake line loose. We were able to fix it and put him back on the track, but it ruined a great run. We had a top-15 truck today, which is tremendous for a rookie driver in his first NASCAR race. We're looking forward to Milwaukee next weekend."

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series moves to the Milwaukee Mile Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 2:00 PM (central time) for the “GNC Live Well 200” race. It will broadcast live on Speed Channel television and MRN radio.