Nextel Cup Rookie David Stremme climbed into the No. 04 Hemi Dodge NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entry to gain valuable experience at Martinsville Speedway. His learning experience was cut short in the Kroger 250 on lap 21 when he was tapped in the rear coming out of turn three causing him to be hit by another truck resulting in heavy damage to the front end of the Hemi Dodge. The Bobby Hamilton Racing team went to work behind the wall replacing the radiator and cutting away damaged sheet metal in record time. Stremme was able to salvage a 32nd place finish in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway.

“It looks like my bad luck follows me no matter what series I am in,” said Stremme, after he climbed out of the truck.  “The guys did a great job preparing me a competitive truck. I knew in the early laps we had a good handling truck, but I just got caught up in someone else’s mess. You will have that happen in Martinsville, but it’s so frustrating. My spotter did a great job telling me we were bunching up, but I got slammed from behind and automatically started spinning. I want to thank everyone who helped make this happen. I just wish we could have had a better outcome. ”

No. 04 Hemi Dodge Race Recap

• Stremme qualified the No. 04 Hemi Dodge in 28th position on Saturday morning. 
• In the opening laps Stremme worked his way into the top 25. He radioed in the truck was good, but track position would be critical through out the day.
• On lap 21 coming out of turn 3 Stremme was hit from behind causing him to spin and then another truck struck him causing extensive front end damage to the No. 04 Hemi Dodge, bringing out the second caution of the day.
• Crew Chief Randy Seals assessed the damage and made the decision to go behind the wall to repair the busted radiator and remove most of the front end sheet metal.
• On lap 66, under the fourth caution, Stremme returned to the track in 35th position, 45 laps down after making a pit stop to change four tires.
• Stremme continued to run in the 35th position. The fifth caution was waved on lap 83 when teammate Timothy Peters spun in turn two. Seals made the decision to bring Stremme down pit road to continue to fix the damage from the earlier wreck.
• Over the next 75 laps six caution flags waved for on track incidents. Stremme gradually gained positions as other competitors dropped out.  
• Under the 11th caution on lap 153 the No. 04 Hemi Dodge came down pit road for four tires and fuel.
• By lap 196 the 14th of 16 cautions was waved for another spin in turn two. Stremme was running in the 34th position. “I am really tight,” said Stremme under the caution. The race was red flagged on the next lap to clean up the damage from the spin.
• Stremme was able to salvage a 32nd finish despite all the damage on the No. 04 Hemi Dodge.  

David Starr won the Kroger 250. Ted Musgrave, Matt Crafton, Mark Martin and Mike Bliss followed in the top five.

Scott Lagasse Jr. will return to the seat of the No. 04 Hemi Dodge at Gateway International Raceway.