Crown Royal 400

May 6, 2006
Richmond, VA

McGlynn Racing will be going to Richmond. Derrike told us, "I am looking forward to this weekend at Richmond. The team has had time to prepare and we are ready to go! We did not get the chance to test there like all the other teams, but I have run there a lot and feel we should get up to speed quickly. The draw for qualifying is always a factor, so I am hoping for a late draw, so pull for a late qualifying draw! We practice during the day and then qualify prior to the Busch race. This race track is certainly unique. It has four very distinct corners, and it takes a good race car to go fast, along with a very responsive engine combination. Hopefully we can have a great qualifying effort and then get ready for Darlington and Charlotte."

In practice, Derrike was 41st fastest with a time of 22.033 and speed of 122.544.

In Qualifying, Derrike produced a fastest lap of 21.736 with speed of 124.218. At the end of the round, the #74 Dodge was in 41st position where it will start the race.

After qualifying, Derrike gave us an update. "Just wanted to update you from our qualifying effort last night. We started off struggling to get through tech inspection for some reason. This car ran at Martinsville with no issues through tech and we had too much camber here, but we were able to rectify that and get out an hour late for practice. We managed to get the car pretty decent in just a few runs.

"I felt like going into qualifying that we could do well. We had a fairly late draw at 31 and the weather cooled down as well, which was a good thing because I loosened the car up a little too much. We ran out of time to scuff our tires but the crew worked hard and tried to scuff the tires by hand. I am pleased for the whole crew. They have worked really hard and to get a good result for them as well as Sundance Vacations, Royal Administration, and My Guardian 911 pleases me.

"We need to wish Steve Anderson well because he was in a car accident and broke some ribs. So we hope you are recovering nicely.

"I am looking forward to the race tonight as well as getting ready for Darlington. I would like to keep this string going if we can. For not testing here at Richmond like all the other teams and losing practice time, in my opinion this says a lot for our effort this weekend. Talk to you soon."

Derrike started the race in 41st position and finished in 43rd.

After the race Derrike said, "We had a short night at Richmond. As soon as the race started the Sundance Vacations/My Guardian 911/Royal administration Dodge felt pretty good. The lap times were quick and I felt like I could run right up and pass some cars, but I had a strong vibration from the start. We did not want to take a chance so we pitted and then changed tires to see if it was that. But we were a number of laps down at that point and had nothing really to gain at that point so they decided to pack it in and get ready for Darlington. I am looking forward to Darlington! Things seem to be going well for us and I hope to continue the streak this week and have a great qualifying effort and get in the show. It is a Saturday night race which is exciting, so I am already wanting to get down there and I know the team feels the same way."