HOMESTEAD, FL (November 19, 2004) – Dickies driver Chad Chaffin finished 15th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway and secured tenth-place in the final point standings. It was the team’s 15th top-15 finish of the season and second consecutive year to finish in the top 10 in points.
“The Dickies Dodge was solid today,” said Chaffin. “I could never get the grip I needed on the racetrack to drive under someone and pass them. I lost several positions on restarts because I had to wait for my tires to come to me. Unfortunately, we had a lot of cautions. We continued to battle a loose condition that plagued us all season. I tried to drive a lot with my head today because I wanted to make sure we finished 10th or better in the points. We didn’t have a big cushion on the points coming into the race. My guys performed awesome pit stops and got me out where I needed to be to secure a top-15 finish. It was a team effort today for all of BHR.”
Running in the 15th position Chaffin pitted under the third caution for a wedge adjustment to aid the loose condition. The Dickies Racing Team cranked out a speedy pit stop changing four Goodyear Wrangler tires, adding Sunoco fuel and removed one round of wedge. He restarted in 28th position.
He gained substantial track position during the next green flag run. Then under the fourth caution, Chaffin pitted so Crew Chief Kip McCord could tweak the loose condition with a track bar adjustment.
That tightened up the Dickies Dodge and Chaffin was able to pass many competitors over the next 40 laps. Then the driver developed a tight condition and was one lap away from pitting under green when the seventh caution came out for another competitor’s blown engine. Chaffin pitted under the caution for the last time of 2004 and the team made another track bar adjustment. The Dickies Racing Team performed a flawless stop helping Chaffin gain three positions on the track.
Chaffin restarted in the 12th position. The adjustment caused him to be too loose in the closing laps and he lost a few spots to finish the race in the 15th position.
“I am so proud of my Dickies Racing Team this year,” said Chaffin. “This was our last race together and I enjoyed every minute of it. I hope they did too. I wish we could have finished a little closer to the front, but I think we learned a lot today and that is what counts. It was a great day for Bobby Hamilton Racing and Dodge. It was everyone’s goal at the beginning of the race to bring home this championship. I am so proud to have been a part of this organization for two years. Bobby Hamilton is great competitor and friend. He taught me everything I know.”
Kasey Khane won the Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Ted Musgrave, David Starr, David Reutimann and Matt Crafton followed in the top five. Bobby Hamilton clinched the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship title in Homestead.
