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Immediate Release
August 23, 2002
Provided by: Chuck Gafrarar Raceworks
Bristol heats up and Gafrarar stays
cool with 15th spot
[Some bruises from Bristol but not
the finish he wanted…]
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Bristol TN – Chuck Gafrarar is known for many years in many phases
of racing. From the Pro-kart circuits, Legend cars, Latemodels, and
for his expertise in fabricating winning race cars. It was just a year
ago Chuck Gafrarar was working on a car for the high banks of Bristol
Motor Speedway. The car was a Winston Cup car for his former employer
Rusty Wallace with Miller Lite on the car hood! This time Gafrarar
was working on a car to race the high banks with himself as the driver
and ICEHOUSE on the hood! On Wednesday, August 21st, Gafrarar qualified
car #52 in 12th place to lock him in the field of 37 entries for the
Pabst Blue Ribbon 150 at Bristol!
At the start the Icehouse/Highlands Pontiac got to the low groove between
turn one and two, gaining positions on the first lap. Running in a
solid 10th position, Gafrarar began to reel in the 26 car and by lap
10, the Highlands #52 moved into 9th place.
Gafrarar moved into 8th by lap 42. A caution at lap 46 had Gafrarar
in 7th place. A re-start due to another car had some of the field pit.
Re-starting in 3rd spot had Gafrarar and the Chapman car #33 diced
for position – Chapman passed Gafrarar to take over 3rd position.
By lap 70 the race started to take a different turn, Gafrarar’s
oil temp was maxing out. He brought the car in for a quick pit for
a green flag stop, a fan problem was corrected but he lost a lap.
At lap 80, and a tangle on the track, brought out another caution.
Gafrarar darted in the pits for a quick pull out to a fender the Icehouse/Highlands
Pontiac was back in action. Changing the pace of the race, Gafrarar
got into the rhythm of catching up laps. By lap 106 the 93 car got
out of shape in turn one and collected the 52 and 26 cars, who were
hot on his trail. Gafrarar’s car was towed to the garage area
for repairs, while Gafrarar was taken to the Quick Care center. It
was apparent to fans Gafrarar had no injuries, as he ran from turn
three through the infield to turn one to hop in his car and back on
the track! With only a few laps to go, Gafrarar set his goal to gain
as many points/positions as possible for the team!
Coming over the finish line Gafrarar took 15th place after a night
of Bristol heat and cautions. Gafrarar stated
“it’s
not the finish I wanted, but our team did a good job getting us back
out there to take on the extra points and keep the Rookie Point lead.” He
said
“this was a difficult race with the cautions
and tempers, it was one of the races you wish went better for everyone
and the fans in the stands.” Gafrarar also stated
“ We
have future racers up there and good sportsmanship is a personal goal.”
The next race on the block for Gafrarar and the Highlands team is the
Motordrome, Smithton PA Friday, September 13th. Gafrarar, grew up in
Lancaster PA and graduated from Penn State University. Last weekend
Gafrarar, Robert Huffman and Randy Humpfrey headed on appearances in
Pennsylvania. Chuck said
“it was a great chance to
come home to Pennsylvania, show our cars and chat with great race fans.“ Gafrarar
stated
” I hope all the great Pennsylvania race fans
come out to see this race – it’s a great opportunity to
see what the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Touring Series is all about.”
