Mike Bliss
No. 4 Open Joist Dodge Ram Race Recap
The AAA Insurance 200
Dover International Speedway

It didn’t take long for Mike Bliss to find success with Bobby Hamilton Racing, it only took once. On Friday afternoon Bliss became the third driver to climb behind the wheel of the No. 4 Open Joist Dodge this season and he did not waste anytime in proving his talent. Bliss, who started the event in the 16th position, held off a charging Mark Martin in the final laps of the AAA Insurance 200 to score a fifth place finish. It was the team’s first top-five finish, and second top 10 of the season.

The No. 4 Open Joist Dodge Dover Race Recap

• Bliss adapted quickly to the No. 4 Open Joist Dodge. He scored the fourth fastest time in the first practice on Thursday. He then qualified the Open Joist Dodge in the 16th position on Friday morning before running the AAA Insurance 200.
• The first caution waved on lap two for an accident on the backstretch. Bliss had moved into the 14th position, but struggled trying to put the truck in fourth gear on the restart.
• Fortunately, the second caution waved four laps later on lap 14. Bliss was able to jiggle the shifter and the problem seemed to be solved. “It’s very tight especially behind someone,” Bliss said while under caution.
• He continued to run in the 14th position despite the tight condition. The third caution waved on lap 39 for a spin in turn one. Bliss came down pit road to the attention of the Open Joist Racing Team. They cranked out a fast pit stop changing all four tires, added fuel and made a track bar adjustment to aid the tight condition. He restarted in the 15th position.
• By lap 90 Bliss had made his way into the 12th position despite now battling a looser condition.
• Just 10 laps later Bliss cracked the top 10.
• Bliss must have had luck on his side because several laps later the fourth and final caution of the day came out on lap 130 for an accident in turn two. It allowed Bliss to stay on the lead lap.
• Bliss came to pit road and the Open Joist Dodge Racing Team added fuel, changed all four tires and went down two rounds on the track bar. Bliss restarted in the fifth position.
• Bliss managed to hold off a charging Mark Martin and Mike Skinner over the final 50 laps of the event and scored a fifth place finish. It was the team’s first top five and second top 10 of the season.

Ron Hornaday Jr. won the AAA Insurance 200 before an estimated crowd of 36,750. Stacey Compton, Travis Kvapil, Johnny Benson and Bliss rounded out the top five finishers. The next event for the NCTS will be at Texas Motor Speedway on June 8, 2007.