 Jason Patison and his #17 NASCAR West Team traveled to Altamont for the 200 lap series finale. This was the first time Jason had been to the track and was only his second NASCAR West event. “Going into this race I was just hoping to qualify in the front half and keep the car in one piece,” Jason explained during a pre-race interview. Out of the box Jason and the #17 were a bit off the pace, posting 25th quick time out of 33 entrants during the 1st practice session. After several adjustments by crew chief Steve Teets and several adjustments to his line, Jason and the team improved by half a second, posting 16th quick in practice number 2.
During qualifying the team improved further, Jason posted his fastest lap of the day, 18.25, 9th quick overall! The team was very encouraged about there starting spot and that confidence carried into the main event. After starting on the inside of the 5th row Jason quickly went to work on the competition, moving up to 7th place by lap 40. On lap 43 Jason was making a pass to the outside of Johnny Borneman and Mike Duncan for 6th and 5th place. Unfortunately, before Jason could complete the pass, Duncan got into the right rear of Borneman and sent him up the track. Borneman’s car slammed into the side of Patison’s, putting him hard into the wall and ending his night early.
It was a very disappointing finish to the day but there were a lot of positives to take away from the event. “I am extremely proud of our team, Steve (crew chief) and the whole team worked hard all day and we got faster each time we went out on the track. I am really looking forward to next year, I think we showed that we are ready to compete at this level.”
Jason Patison Racing will be competing in the NASCAR West series full-time in 2008. Thanks again to all of Jason’s sponsors for their continued support. Lucas Oil, Jim Beam, Torco Racing Fuels, K & N Filters, Expect-A-Lot Visual Images, Idiaz Labels, SuperChips, Fat Headz Sunglasses, KC Highlites, and No Mess Applicators.
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