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Tony Eury Jr. To Make Modified Crew Chief Debut

Todd Szegedy Will Pilot No. 15 15-40 Connection Modified At “The Last Great Colosseum”

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 15, 2016) – LFR Chassis will be back in action in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) at Bristol Motor Speedway, as Todd Szegedy and Rob Fuller Motorsports team up for the Bush’s Beans 150. The team is thrilled to announce that veteran NASCAR crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., will make his NWMT crew chief debut this week.

Although this will mark Tony Eury Jr.’s first race as a NWMT crew chief, Eury has an impressive resume as a NASCAR crew chief and looks forward to broadening his list of accomplishments with Rob Fuller Motorsports in Bristol.

“After getting to know Todd, I am excited to be his crew chief in Bristol,” said Eury. “I think we have a legitimate shot to win, and we’re going to have some fun with it as well. I’ve paid attention to how the track is from past modified races, and I think working on super late models every week can be applied to working on the modified car as well. We are going in with a game plan, but I might bring a few ideas to the table that we can try and see what happens!”

Todd Szegedy, who is running a limited schedule in the NWMT with Rob Fuller Motorsports, will be back in the No. 15 15-40 Connection car. Although the Bush’s Beans 150 will be Szegedy’s only third race of the season with LFR Chassis, he is no stranger to competing in the modifieds at Bristol.

Out of seven starts at Bristol, Szegedy has recorded three second-place finishes, along with a Top-5 finish in the series. Szegedy looks to record another solid finish at “The World’s Fastest Short Track,” a place he knows he can win at.

“Bristol is my favorite track,” said Szegedy. “It’s got sheer speed, yet it’s fast enough where you need to respect the track. It’s got multiple racing grooves, which is what I really love about the track. I want to go there, get the pole and then win the race – it’s that simple. I think we are capable of doing just that with the equipment Rob provides.”

Ryan Newman will also return to the NWMT with LFR Chassis in the No. 7ny Aggressive Hydraulics car. Newman has had success in his six NWMT starts at Bristol, recording two wins and three Top-5’s at the infamous short track. Rob Fuller will crew chief for Newman, as Newman looks to add on to his exceptional list of finishes at Bristol.

“I’m looking forward to working with Ryan,” said Fuller. “I know we have a good baseline with the LFR car, so it’s just a matter of getting him where he’s comfortable. With those guys not running very often it’s tough to keep up, and the teams and drivers in this division are tough for sure. Hopefully, I can help these guys and we can have fun at the same time.”

Fans can keep up with this week’s events at Bristol Motor Speedway by following LFR Chassis and Rob Fuller Motorsports on Facebook and Twitter at @LFRChassis.

About LFR Chassis

LFR Chassis, founded in 2014 by Rob Fuller, manufactures cutting edge racecar chassis that are user-friendly and provides high-end components and customer service to the top-tier modified and late model race teams across the nation. Daily operations are overseen by former NASCAR crew chief Tony Eury Jr. with Jeff Fultz leading the Late Model division and Ryan Stone on the modified side. LFR Chassis is located at 117 Crosslake Park Drive in Mooresville, N.C. To learn more, call (704) 662-3306 or visit http://www.LFRChassis.com.

About 15-40 Connection

Inspired by the fact that delayed diagnosis is holding down improvements in teen and young adult cancer survival rates, 15-40 Connection is driving a New Cancer Conversation to improve cancer survival rates for all ages. This means educating individuals to recognize subtle yet important health changes that need to be checked by a medical professional and to become active participants in their own health care by sharing and collaborating with their health care provider. For more information, please visit http://NewCancerConversation.org

August 15, 2016
Cole Whitt ‘Just Thankful for the Opportunity’ at Swan Racing

Cole Whitt is getting the opportunity to jump into the No. 30 Toyota for Swan Racing, making his debut at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend. And for this young, up and coming racer, he sees this as an opportunity that he is not just thankful for, but one that he has been waiting for all of his life.

“This is a big deal,” Whitt said after the announcement was made. “I’m grateful to Swan Racing to be able to go out there and show what I’m able to do in the next few races and maybe into 2014.”

Whitt will be replacing veteran David Stremme, who has driven every race for Swan Racing this season, with the exception of the Daytona 500.

“We welcome Cole Whitt to Swan Racing as the team builds for the future,” Brandon Davis, team owner, said. “Cole is a very talented driver with a bright future and we are eager to see him compete for Swan Racing.”

Whitt, who is just 22 years of age, credited his hard work in the Nationwide Series this year with having garnered this new opportunity to be in the Swan Racing ride. The driver, who competed for TriStar Motorsports, has two top-10 finishes to his credit, including an 8^th place at Road American and an 8^th place at Watkins Glenn.

Whitt admitted that this new opportunity came about very quickly, in fact just a few weeks ago when the series was in Atlanta.

“That was the first I heard about it and they wanted to move pretty quick,” Whitt said. “They wanted to make a change which I think says a lot about the team because they want to grow.”

“They want to become a top Cup team and be competitive,” Whitt continued. “And it says a lot about what they think of me if they want to grow their team with me.”

“It’s pretty cool to see a team step out and try to step up their program.”

Whitt has a five race deal with Swan Racing, including his debut at Chicagoland and also stints at Kansas, Charlotte, Talladega and Phoenix.

“I feel comfortable at Chicagoland and any of the big, fast tracks,” Whitt said. “I like the mile and a half tracks and the high banked tracks so that style fits what I enjoy racing on.”

“I’ve run there before in the Nationwide car and I don’t remember how we finished but I do remember being fast in practice,” Whitt continued. “So, I feel comfortable about where we’re going and I’m looking forward to it.”

Whitt acknowledged that he has his work cut out for him in more ways than one, from competing with the top dogs in the sport to getting adjusted to a whole new crew chief and team.

“It’s tough anytime to step into a ride like this where you’re going up against the best guys and the best teams in the sport,” Whitt said. “The hardest part is obviously going into a brand new team with guys I’ve never worked with and to try to establish that communication.”

“I’d say one of the toughest parts is that this team is still growing and I’m still growing as a driver,” Whitt continued. “But the fact that we can grow together and become really strong means everything to me.”

Whitt is definitely looking forward to working with his new crew chief Steven ‘Bones’ Lane. And he also takes comfort in the fact that Tony Eury Jr., with whom Whitt worked during his stint at JR Motorsports, is with Swan Racing as well.

‘Bones’ is there and I’ve heard a lot about him through Kevin Hamlin,” Whitt said. “He seems laid back, has a good attitude and really wants to go fast which is how I am.”

“I think we’ll get along good and hopefully we’ll be able to establish our lingo quick,” Whitt continued. “That’s the biggest thing is to talk about what you’re feeling about the car.”

“It’s easy to talk about loose or tight but the hardest part is to talk to the crew chief about how much of an adjustment needs to be made to get the car the way you want it,” Whitt said. “Hopefully, we can establish that pretty quick and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

“Tony Eury Jr. is there too and I’ve worked with him before so that will help.”

Whitt also understands that he is joining the team smack dab in the middle of the Chase for the Sprint cup championship run for these last remaining races of the season. And although not one of the Chase contenders, Whitt expressed his confidence and even a bit of swagger as he described how he would handle that pressure.

“If I got a car capable of running up there with those guys, then I feel we deserve a spot to be racing with them,” Whitt said. “I’m going to be running as hard as I can to try to go forward.”

“But if we’re not having a good day, then I don’t want to be in the way,” Whitt continued. “That’s part of anytime that you’re getting lapped because you always give the leaders the spot and try to help them out.”

“But if we’re up there legitimately racing for position, we’re going to take all we can get.”

Although still very young in his racing career, Whitt has a maturity beyond his years when he describes the lessons that he has already learned in the sport he loves.

“I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned in racing is not just the on-the-track stuff but I’ve grown up a lot in the past year and this season,” Whitt said. “And a big lesson learned is just to have fun and to remember why I got into racing in the first place.”

“All of us are very blessed to be involved in this sport,” Whitt continued. “Getting to do what we love to do for a living is a big blessing.”

“Obviously, I’m very competitive and I let that get ahold of me sometimes but at the same time I’ve learned to have fun and enjoy the moments that you get to have,” Whitt said. “Helping my new team step up is what excites me the most.”

“I just am thankful for the opportunity and hoping to make the most of it for these guys.”

September 10, 2013
2013 Sprint Cup Team Preview: Swan Racing

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Alan Diaz

With pre-season testing kicking off in Daytona this week, the time has come to begin previewing the teams that will be running in the Sprint Cup Series in 2013. Since every team has not announced their plans for 2013, we will preview the 14 teams that have announced their 2013 plans, beginning today with Swan Racing, formerly known as Inception Motorsports in 2012.

The assets of Inception Motorsports were purchased by Swan Energy CEO Brandon Davis in 2012 and the team will be re-branded with the name Swan Racing for the 2013 Sprint Cup season. Driver David Stremme will remain as the driver of the No.30 Toyota, which will be sponsored by Swan Energy. Along with the name change, the new Swan Racing team has added a couple of familiar faces with the hiring of former JR Motorsports crew chief Tony Eury Jr to be the crew chief for Stremme and with Steve Hmiel, former Earnhardt Ganassi Racing executive, to be the competition director for the team.

With the team under new ownership and the new additions to the team, Swan Racing is scheduled to run all of the races in 2013, which is a change from being a mostly start and park effort in 2012. Look for the team to run better than in years past due to the culture change the team has undergone under the new leadership, but the team will still have its struggles as they work to get their feet under them in 2013.

Follow David at @damorgan86

January 8, 2013
After four years and millions of tears, Jr. nation sees victory lane again

[media-credit name=”Dan Sanger” align=”alignright” width=”246″][/media-credit]Well after 143 races, rumors of conspiracy, alien abduction, and sabotage, Dale Jr found victory lane again today at Michigan International Speedway. As big a story as that is it is questionable whether it is the biggest story of the weekend. But it is without question a much bigger story than what his girlfriend thinks of his win or the fact that he kissed her in victory lane.

Let’s take a look at the other stories the weekend brought to us. The first and probably the most important was the tire situation. Although Goodyear tested tires on the new surface at MIS in April the tire compound that they brought to Michigan was not suitable for the new surface in the heat of summer. The speeds and the ambient air temperature and the heat of the new pavement caused the tires to blister badly.

A tire builds heat inside. That heat has to dissipate. If it has a thin enough face, or the surface of the tire that is on the track, the heat dissipates harmlessly through the face. If the face is too thick it dissipates through the face and blisters the layers of rubber, or it dissipates through the side walls. A tire that face blisters is at risk for blowing out. A tire that dissipates through the side wall will blow out.

Goodyear recognized the problem on Thursday afternoon. They instructed teams to scuff in the tires and put them through a heat cycle in order to harden the surface of the tire. It was a logical solution and sound in principle. NASCAR was sure the speeds would drop as the weekend progressed and that would cool the tire down.

But the speeds didn’t drop. In the heat of the day on Friday, Greg Biffle turned a mock qualifying lap of nearly 205 mph. The tires on his car were badly blistered. With qualifying to be the next afternoon, Goodyear could chance waiting no longer. They announced a tire change would take place on Saturday and there would be an emergency practice session on Saturday after the Nationwide Series race.

The practice session was a chaotic mess of drivers who were limited in practice time because of engine concerns, drivers whose cars were vastly changed because of the new tire, and drivers who damaged engines seriously by practicing on the new tires. The outlook was bleak to say the least. The drivers were reduced from skilled pilots to helpless bystanders as crew chiefs and engineers scoped engines and designed changes and researched performances and histories. Many were unnerved and unhappy about it. But it was the same for all of them. No one would truly know what they had until the green flag dropped on Sunday.

When the green flew there were a lot of cars that simply wouldn’t adjust to the new rubber. Then came the shock, the new tires fixed the left side of the car but not the right. Teams were blistering right rear tires now instead of the left side tires. After two competition cautions, the cards had been dealt. You had what you had or what your crew could give you.

It was familiar faces that rose to the top of the mountain, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, and the days super hero Batman. Dale Jr climbed to the top of the mountain after falling back to 37th and he never looked back. Tony Stewart would challenge but would fall short in the long run.

The Nationwide race was story number 2. Although they had no tire problems they seemed to have difficulties in getting cars to handle at those speeds. Danica Patrick would spin 3 times finally causing large amounts of damage to the Go Daddy car after spinning while being passed by Austin Dillon. Although there was no contact between the two cars the aero pull, pulled Danica into a spin when she sought the lower line while Dillon was going by on the low side.

The three spin day prompted response from her crew chief Tony Eury Jr saying she wasn’t getting respect from other drivers because they didn’t like getting beat by her. He endorsed the Dale Earnhardt School of driving and response for his driver to take the respect he felt she deserved.

Sadly, the skills needed for that school of competitive driving are severely lacking on the part of his driver whose statistics do not show her to be a proficient driver nor a good judge of competitive driving skills. A driver who claims to not be able to read a tachometer and to not know whether stock cars can roll over is probably not going to be accepted in the school or on the track until those skills are improved.

The final story of the weekend was a bit sadder. When a TV broadcaster makes inappropriate comments about a driver’s girlfriend/wife/significant other on live TV, the professionalism of the journalism becomes zero. When a professional print journalist asks a question of a highly competitive driver who has just finished second if he is happy he finished second so another driver could win. The intelligence factor involved in that just hit the zero mark. When the driver being asked is known for being the king of deadpan humor and sarcasm what answer would you expect to get? For fans and journalists to then react negatively to that driver is unimaginable.

First of all, as a journalist the lack of bias involved was phenomenal. Much more so than someone clapping and shaking a first time winner’s hand at the Daytona 500.

Second, for fans of a driver who is known for his level of respect for other competitors and fans of those competitors to react with such venom and ugly was completely uncalled for.

Third, for anyone to believe that every driver in that garage was not happy to see Dale Jr win is ridiculous. If for no other reason than they wouldn’t be asked if he was going to win anymore.

Was the win of NASCAR’s legacy the biggest story of the weekend? Maybe but it certainly wasn’t alone on the top of the mountain, any more than Dale Jr was alone in victory lane.

That said, to all the competitors in all the series thanks for giving us everything you have to give, you are our heroes. Most importantly, thanks to all the families who shared their loved ones with us so we could cheer our favorite driver and favorite teams. You are the true heroes of the sport and we are forever in your debt.

June 18, 2012
NASCAR Nationwide Series May Be The One to Watch in 2012

Sandwiched between the top-tier NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the rough and tumble Camping World Truck Series is the middle child, the Nationwide Series. But for the upcoming 2012 season, this may indeed be the preferred series to watch for the NASCAR fandom.

[media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”218″][/media-credit]One of the biggest new stories in the Nationwide Series is of course that of Danica Patrick running her first full-time gig in NASCAR since her abdication from the world of open wheel racing. For her first Nationwide run, the marketing diva will be continuing her association with JR Motorsports with Tony Eury, Jr. as her crew chief.

“I’m going into this season with a little bit more of a ‘I’m going to do it’ attitude,” Patrick said. “I’ve got a lot to learn and I know that.”

“I’m going to make lots of mistakes I’m sure,” Patrick continued. “But I’m mentally wrapping my head around not just learning but being successful and running well and getting to Victory Lane and thinking about that so my thoughts translate to the real world and really happen.”

Patrick also fully intends to run for the Nationwide championship and even her crew chief believes that is possible. Eury’s goal is to get his driver into the top ten in points after the first ten races of the season, positioning her to make a run at the title.

“She’s gone to a lot of these tracks,” Eury Jr. said. “Before she wasn’t running for points.”

“This year, she’s here for the reason to win the championship,” Eury Jr. continued. “So, she’s not going to be that person that kind of lays over.”

In addition to seeing the new aggression of Patrick on the Nationwide as she attacks her first ever full-time stint, two other super aggressive drivers, in fact brothers, are planning to share a Nationwide gig in 2012.

Big brother Kurt Busch will be sharing a 2012 Nationwide seat with little brother and team owner Kyle for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Monster Energy, leaving prior driver Ricky Carmichael high and dry, will sponsor the Busch brothers in their No. 54 Monster Energy Camry. Kyle will drive the season opener at Daytona and the following four races and then split the ride with his brother Kurt.

While not competing with Patrick for the Nationwide championship, since both Busch brothers are also racing in the Cup Series, the duo fully intends to complete for the 2012 Nationwide Owner’s Championship.

“We’ve had a lot of talks about how this whole deal is going to work out, what we’re both looking to get out of this and what a great opportunity this is to race in the Nationwide Series,” Kyle Busch said. “Kurt’s never done a full Nationwide deal; he’s always had the itch but never really cared about it.”

While Danica Patrick and the Busch brothers have something to prove in the Nationwide Series, a driver whose Nationwide debut has been delayed also has to prove he can get back behind the wheel of a race car.

Travis Pastrana, who was scheduled to come to the Nationwide world last year but could not due to a serious injury sustained during the X Games competition, plans to run seven Nationwide races, starting with Richmond.

“I feel really good,” Pastrana said during the NASCAR Preview 2012. “The therapy the last two weeks has made huge improvements.”

“We’ll start out with seven Nationwide races and that’s kind of a let’s see how we do, let’s see what we need more work on,” Pastrana continued. “If we’re running OK or if I can get sponsorship to keep running wherever we’re running, we’re going to keep trying to get seat time.”

“I basically have to prove I can get in a car.”

As opposed to Pastrana with something to prove, one driver who has already proven that he can drive a race car will be back to defend his Nationwide title. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. will indeed return to the Series, driving full-time again for Roush Fenway Racing.

“They’re working on sponsorship for it right now, so everything is good,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “It sounds like we’re going to be able to go and defend our title again.”

Stenhouse Jr. won the Nationwide title by just 45 points over Kevin Harvick Inc. driver Elliott Sadler. And for this upcoming year, Stenhouse Jr. is certainly hoping that the championship competition will not be quite as close.

“I think we will do little things at the beginning of the year different,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “So, hopefully the points chase isn’t so close all year. That drives you nuts.”

Speaking of Elliott Sadler, or ‘Ricky Bobby’ as he is affectionately known, he will indeed be back to challenge the other Ricky, Stenhouse that is, for the Nationwide Series championship. Since Sadler’s former team is no longer, ‘Ricky Bobby’ will be driving the No. 2 OneMain Financial for Richard Childress Racing.

“It is such a great opportunity to compete for such an accomplished organization like Richard Childress Racing,” Sadler said. “To have an organization like OneMain Financial support me on and off the track again this year really makes me eager to get back to the track to compete for the Nationwide Series championship.”

“We came up short last year, but I know we have all the parts in place to win this year with this RCR team.”

Speaking of Richard Childress Racing, that team will be putting a member of the family, grandson Austin Dillon, on the Nationwide Series track this year. Dillon, last year’s 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, will be driving the very storied No. 3 Chevy as his Nationwide ride, competing for another honor, the Nationwide Rookie of the Year.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of moving with Danny Stockman (crew chief) and the guys to the NASCAR Nationwide Series with the No. 3,” Dillon said. “Our goal next year is to win races and compete for Rookie of the Year honors.”

Finally, there are two veterans worth mentioning as very good reasons to watch the 2012 Nationwide Series.

First is Morgan Shepherd, who at the sweet age of 70 years, will be driving in his 45^th season in the Nationwide Series. Shepherd, competing with plenty of faith, hopes to better his best ever 21^st place in the Nationwide point standings in 2011.

The other veteran who is always worth watching in the Nationwide Series is Kenny Wallace, affectionately known as the ‘Herminator’. Wallace will be back with RAB Racing, behind the wheel of the No. 09 American Ethanol Toyota Camry.

“Corn farmers are excited to continue our relationship with RAB Racing and Kenny Wallace in 2012,” Garry Niemeyer, National Corn Growers Association President, said. “Kenny is a fan favorite and one of the most visible drivers in the sport.”

So, from the veterans, like Morgan Shepherd and Kenny Wallace, to the newbies, like Danica Patrick and Travis Pastrana, the Nationwide Series does indeed seem to be the one to watch in 2012.

Fans can catch all the action of the Nationwide Series, beginning with the DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 25^th, 2012.

January 22, 2012
Danica Patrick’s Ford 300: A Race of Learning the Ropes to Finish 19th

When Danica Patrick started this year, her number one goal was to learn about driving stock cars and everything she needed to know about it.

[media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]As near the end of the year, she is still working at that, though slowly improving on track also.

Patrick’s Ford 300 on Saturday was a race where she showed that she wanted to learn the ropes and learn more about stock cars. Listening to her conversations on the radio with crew chief Tony Eury Jr., spotter TJ Majors and fellow JR Motorsports driver Aric Almirola showed the qualities of somebody who is looking to learn.

A look back through her day would allow us to see how much she learned.

Patrick started the day fifth, though dropped back early as Eury Jr. wanted her to follow the leaders and learn the proper line.

The first caution of the race came out on lap 11 when Jeremy Clements got loose while under her and spun. She reported the car at the time being tight in the center of the corner.

The caution then came out again on lap 23, which Patrick stayed out to gain the lead to lead her first laps in NASCAR. She lost the lead quickly after the race went back to green as Justin Allgaier passed her.

The third caution of the race then came out on lap 30 when Carl Edwards, Almirola and Kasey Kahne wrecked. Patrick barely snuck by, though had some interesting words on the radio about the incident.

“Who hit me coming out of Turn 2?” She asked on the radio. “When I @#%!ing darted down to bottom of the track it was because someone hit me.”

Eury Jr. explained it was the No. 32 of Reed Sorenson and the fact that she was slower on the restart due to the older tires.

Almirola’s day officially went from bad to worse on lap 41 as he blew a flat tire. This turned out to be a good thing for Patrick as Almirola came back out with the damage fixed, giving her tips while on track.

On lap 68, Almirola told her that she needs to move up the track a lane to a lane and a half where there was more grip.

Under a following caution for debris, Patrick continued her step of learning as she asked where most cars were running to be able to pick up the best line.

“From middle to top.” Majors told her. She also made a pit stop, getting some more adjustments as she was looking for more front grip.

The rest of the race continued to go calmly for Patrick, yet she kept showing signs of working into a better driver.

With 90 to go, she tried the line that everybody was talking about, though reported that she had a bad push. However, she had improved her lap times by two tenths from the last run under green.

“I can’t get down there.” Patrick told the team with 74 to go.

“Just keep searching and finding a way.” Majors told her, referencing for her to work on how she was driving the car into the corner.

The caution then came out on lap 135 as Trevor Bayne got into the wall. Under the resulting the caution, Patrick continued her learning experience with making sure to ask Eury Jr. questions.

Danica Patrick: It is pushing. That was a good change for a while but then it went away. It seemed like it did when the tires got hot. How many laps?

Tony Eury Jr.: 65 laps.

Patrick: So we’ve still got another stop after this?

Eury Jr.: No, you can make it from here. I’m just debating what to put on – stickers or 20 laps. I’ll probably put the stickers now

Patrick: 10-4. Just free me up a little more.

This was also when Almirola started showing more influence as he came on the radio under caution to give her more advice.

Aric Almirola: Danica, you got to enter higher into three as there’s more grip there. At about where the caution lights are, you should try to enter the middle from there on.

Danica Patrick: 10-4. Thanks a lot for the help

Almirola: You can run wherever you want in one or two, you can run wherever you want on older tires. Just move up in three and four.

A quick caution after that also allowed Almirola to continue his explaining as he showed her on the track what he was talking about.

Aric Almirola: You come in on the gray, which is fine. You then turn down away from it. You should try to stay along this black seam, unless you’re tight off.

Danica Patrick: I’ve been tight in the center. If I try to stay up there, it just pushes further up.

Almirola: 10-4 See right here on this spot, I ease off the brakes and then here I drive off.

Patrick: Thanks for showing me, Aric. I really appreciate it. I’m just trying to learn out here.

Patrick tried to follow Almirola’s advice, still finding issues, in which Majors addressed with her under a caution with 27 to go. The conversation proved the sentiments once again that she’s working at it as she displayed not minding the words of advice coming from her spotter.

Danica Patrick: I was trying to run the top there. I am going to try to run the bottom a little more till it’s gone away and then go higher.

TJ Majors: I know you may not like me telling you this but you need to be patient. You got to try to roll the center longer as I know you want to get back to the gas quick.

Patrick: I have no problem with you telling me to be patient. The worst thing is that we maintain, best thing is that we gain.

With Almirola out there showing Patrick the proper spots to run, it allowed her to pick up on it more and be able to start finding that feel.

It goes back to what she said a couple weeks ago from when she spoke with Mark Martin. She is looking for that person to possibly step up and help her find that feel. Martin also said that she needs someone to show her what the car is supposed to feel like. Almirola did that in sharing his set-up and then showing her where to run on track.

This in exchange helped Patrick get her first top 20 in NASCAR competition, concluding her year of learning. If she can continue down this pathway, she could become a competitive driver.

One thing that could be advised is helping her to learn how to drive a car when it’s on the loose side as one of her biggest complaints was it being tight all race.

Eury Jr. probably didn’t want to push it loose due to knowing she probably didn’t have a good feel for it, however it is something that’s needed if she wants to continue to progress. It’s something that you notice all top 10 drivers being able to do as loose is fast and allows the driver to drive the car in.

Considering she had no prior stock car experience and she’s in the second top series, she has proved herself well as she has continued to take steps in the learning process. Homestead-Miami Speedway is a fine example of that with what occurred throughout the race.

November 24, 2010