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Myers Doesn't Tire Out

By Official Release
May 4, 2008 - 11:43am

Modifieds Take The Green At Bowman Gray
As Track Kicks Off 60th Season Of NASCAR Racing

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - It was the question on everyone’s mind for the Tucson 200 at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday. Would the tires last?

With a new, softer tire being used for competition in the Farm Bureau Insurance Modified Series this year, drivers and crews were concerned that the tire wouldn’t be durable enough to last the full 200 laps of the opening night event. Some predicted that each team would pit multiple times during the race, while others thought that the tires wouldn’t create any pit stops.

Burt Myers of Walnut Cove answered everyone’s questions, winning the Tucson 200 with tires that were still in reasonably good shape.

Pole-starter Tim Brown of Cana, Va. was a fan of the new tires, especially after he broke the all-time record for the fastest qualifying lap at the Stadium in time trials for the Tucson 200. Myers qualified second-fastest and started on the outside pole.

When the green flag fell, Myers shot out into the lead.

“I knew Tim would be the car I had to beat, so it helped beating him on the start,” said Burt Myers. “I got a really good run, and he told me that he spun his tires and he just didn’t get a good start. I was able to take advantage of his little slip.”

As the laps ticked by, Brown and Myers did their best to conserve their tires.

“Tim and I have been doing this for a long time, and we both know that you got to be there at the end to win,” said Myers.” I tried to save him something for the end.”

In addition to Myers driving to consciously conserve his tires, lots of effort from his pit crew gave him a car that was set up extremely well.

“We dialed in this thing. We’ve been working it and tweaking it, and it’s running about as good as it ever has,” said Myers. “The car was so good that in the back of your mind, you’re just waiting for it to go away. But the car was still there right at the end.”

Despite a few good taps to the bumper from second-place car of Brown, Myers went on to take the checkered in the Tucson 200. Brian Loftin of Lexington finished third and Robert Jeffreys of Winston-Salem finishing in fourth.

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