Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts team returned to the sight of their first victory, Sun Valley Speedway near Vernon, BC this past weekend. Graham was hoping to find the same kind of success they’d enjoyed in previous visits.
The weekend started with frustration for Graham and the Full Throttle team as a tight race car allowed them only the 13th quickest qualifying time. “I just couldn’t get the car turned in the corners” said Brad. “We’re still learning some of the characteristics of this new race car, but I’m confident we can be better for the race”. Brad was correct.
As racing began in the BC Dodge Dealers Dodge Avenger 300 Graham began to ease the Full Throttle Dodge up through the field and was soon in the top ten. “The car was handling better to start the race and it continued to improve as things went on”. Brad continued to improve his position and was into the top five with a very good race car.
For the first pit stop the Full Throttle Dodge was running so well they decided not to change tires and only took on fuel. “We decided to wait on the tires because I didn’t have to push the car at all and we were gaining positions” he explained. Graham would continue to gain ground and take over the lead of the race just past halfway on lap 166. “The car was just perfect at that point of the race, I was pushing hard at all” said Brad.
As the race progressed and pit stops cycled through for the teams Graham and the Full Throttle Dodge would have little difficulty maintaining a top-five position. “Knowing the car we had I just wanted to take car of it and be ready for the late stages” said Brad.
Others did not run with the same approach. Between corners three and four Graham would be contacted by another competitor causing handling issues for the Full Throttle Dodge. “That hit really did some damage” said Graham afterwards. “I understand being aggressive sometimes by that kind of move doesn’t show any respect for other competitors”.
Graham would soldier on using all his skills to bring the Full Throttle Dodge home just missing a top-ten finish being scored eleventh. “I’m happy we managed to hang on for that kind of finish but really disappointed as well because we had a really good car tonight” he stated.
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