The result did not match the performance for Sterling Marlin and his Waste Management race team in Sunday’s Nextel Cup event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
What looked like a top-10 finish for the veteran driver quickly turned to a disappointing 34th-place result when the engine in the No. 14 Chevrolet expired on Lap 251 of 267.
“We had a great day and a disappointing finish—that sums it up, ” said crew chief Slugger Labbe. “Sterling drove a great race and the guys did an awesome job in the pits. It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of racing. “
Marlin started the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 from the eighth spot and maintained his top-10 position for the majority of the race. He was in the 11th spot and closing back in on 10th when he reported to his team that he didn’t have power.
“I wasn’t sure what happened, ” said Marlin. “I thought I just lost power. But when I came into the pit so the guys could change the battery they discovered that the motor had let go. “
“It’s frustrating for everyone, ” he continued. “To work so hard all weekend and then to have such a good day today—it’s just really disappointing when things go down hill with 16 laps to go. But I’m proud of everyone on the team and how good the Waste Management Chevrolet was today. We’ll just have to get them next week. “
Labbe added, “Hendrick Motorsports gives us incredible horsepower every week and sometimes things like this still happens. We had a good day and a strong, top-10 run. We just have to keep our heads up and move on to next week. ”
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