Catchfence

Fort Worth, Texas – (June 6, 2009) - Loose lug nuts keep Aric Almirola from a top spot at Texas Motor Speedway Frida y night in the running of the WinStar World Casino 400, instead sending the Samsung Instinct NASCAR Camping World Truck home in the 16th-place position.

Almirola, in a guest appearance in the No. 15 Samsung Instinct NASCAR Camping World truck, placed the Billy Ballew Motorsports entry in the 12th-place position on the starting grid for the 167-lap race on the 1.5-mile Ft. Worth, Texas track.

From the start of the race, Almirola reported in the Samsung Instinct truck was suffering from tight conditions coming down pit road on lap 42 for four tires, returning on lap 43 for fuel and chassis adjustments.

Despite the changes Almirola still reported difficulty with the race truck. A long green flag run ensued forcing the team to come down pit road for service during racing action. Almirola took on four tires with chassis and air pressure adjustments on lap 103. When Almirola returned to the racetrack he discovered a vibration in the Samsung Instinct forcing veteran crew chief, Richie Wauters to bring the truck back down pit road for right side tires on lap 119. Just three laps after the stop the caution flag flew putting Almirola a lap down to the leaders.

Under the caution, Almirola returned to pit road for left side tires and adjustments to free the No. 15 Samsung Instinct Tundra. Again, the vibration returned puzzling the Billy Ballew Motorsports team. Almirola did all he could to maneuver the race truck but with the mechanical issues he was relegated to a 16th-place finish.

After the 167-lap race concluded the team had discovered vibration was caused by lug nuts coming loose causing the studs to loosen and vibrate.

“It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t have a better run in the No. 15 Samsung Instinct truck,” Aric Almirola said. “I was really looking forward to t good run for these guys. I guess Richie (Wauters) and the guys figured out after the race that the lugs were coming loose and causing the studs to vibrate loose.”

Brian Ickler returns to the No. 15 Samsung Instinct Toyota Tundra next Saturday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway with Kyle “Rowdy” Busch piloting the No. 51 Miccosukee Resort Tundra.

- Billy Ballew Motorsports Press Release